Page 32 of Love Me Forever
He smiled. “Thinking twice about what you wished to say?”
She loved his smile; even with his wounded lip and swollen eye his smile remained magical. His smile always lightened her heart and was contagious. It was a genuine smile, never forced, never deceitful. He smiled because he felt it in his heart.
“I have changed my mind; I do not need to talk with you.”
His laughter was a soft rumble. “You think now that I am not curious.”
“It is not important.”
“It was important enough only moments ago.”
She shrugged. “I have changed my mind.”
“I wish to know.” His smile remained, though his tone was firm.
“I do not find it necessary to discuss with you.”
“Have you lost your courage, then?”
She bristled at his accusation, though he said it in a teasing manner. “Nay, I told you I have changed my mind.”
“Then what will it matter if you tell me?”
She was annoyed at him for pressing the matter and annoyed at herself for having allowed the matter to trouble her. And would it really matter if she did discuss it with him, or was it her own stubbornness that caused her this worry?
“I am patient. I can sit here for the remainder of the day—and wait for an answer.”
She stubbornly remained silent.
He ran his lips over hers ever so lightly, sending a shiver through her. ‘Talk to me, Brianna, I will listen.”
His understanding often confused her, though it was more her own misunderstanding that brought on the confusion. She expected him to be like most men, and he was not like any man she had ever known.
She sighed in resignation. What else was there for her to do but talk with him? “I had wished to discuss my not having to ask your permission to move about and such. I am feeling much stronger and not so foolish.”
He chuckled beneath his breath.
She poked him in the arm and doubted he felt it, for it was a solid wall of muscle she hit.
He brushed his lips over hers once again. “It takes courage to admit the truth.”
He was right about that. It had taken her courage to admit the truth about her husband and marriage, and once done it had taken her courage to go on. Now was not the time to dismiss all she had gained.
“I know I had foolishly taken a chance that day I attempted to stand on my own. It has taken time for me to regain my strength, and once I did I never wanted to lose it again. So now I stubbornly hold on to it so that it can never be taken away from me.”
His expression turned serious, for he clearly understood what she was attempting to tell him and he admired her courage. “You are stubborn, courageous, and beautiful, and I have no doubt that your strength will forever be with you. And if you feel well enough and” —he cleared his throat with a laugh— “no longer foolish, then I see no reason why you need my permission to do anything.”
She smiled like a child who had just received an astonishing present.
“I but ordered you to obey me out of fear, Brianna. When I saw you in pain on the floor, I was angry with me for leaving you unattended.”
“Nay, it was my fault,” she insisted, her hand going to gently cup the side of his face.
He loved when she touched him; her skin was so warm and soft. “It seems that we both are stubborn.”
“Then we will better understand each other.”
“I think we already understand much about each other, and I like what I understand,” he said, turning his face into her hand to kiss her palm.
