Page 17 of Darkest Love
“I’m not sure how much slower we can go. I haven’t even undressed you yet. We were only kissing.”
“No, I mean… I’m not ready to do this. I still barely know you. I just need time.”
I can see the disappointment on his face before he closes his features off to me. “So, you don’t want to have sex.”
“I’m just not ready.”
He eases off me and stands up, straightening the sleeves of his button down. “Then I will not force you. I like a woman who is willing in my bed. And you are clearly not willing.”
“Could we maybe talk instead?”
“Talk?” He asks it like he’s never even heard of the word before.
“Yeah, you know. The thing people do to get to know each other better. We could talk. It would help me to get more comfortable with you.”
“I thought you wanted an adventure.”
“I do.”
“Having sex would be an adventure. But talking?” He practically shudders. “I have no desire to talk.”
“No desire to talk? You don’t want to get to know me?”
“I’ve never bothered to get to know the other women I’ve fucked before. It was all in good fun.”
“But I’m not like the other women you’ve been with. I’m your wife. I’m living in your home.”
“True. You are that. But I’ve explained this to you, Anastasia.”
“Ana!” It comes out more of a scream than I intend for it to.
He blinks. “You’re clearly upset. I’ll leave you be to control yourself. I have things I need to work on anyway.” He heads for the door.
“Wait,” I say. “You’re just going to leave… like that?”
There’s a coldness radiating off him that stings. “You said you’d try.”
“And I did try but I realized I’m not ready. Can’t you be patient with me? Can’t you talk with me?”
“About what?”
“Anything and everything!” Why does it feel like I’m talking to a brick wall? Adrien is confusing to say the least.
“I just don’t see the point. We’re not going to fall in love, Anastasia. We married for convenience and power. If you don’t want to have sex, that’s fine. I will not force you. This is not a punishment. If you’re this uncomfortable with me, then I’ll give you some space. But I’m not going to hang around and talk andpretend I want to do that when I don’t. So, spend some time exploring the house. I have work I need to catch back up on.”
“But it’s our honeymoon.” I sound so pathetic that it almost makes me cry.
“Couples usually have sex on their honeymoon but you don’t want that. So where does that leave us?”
“This is our chance to get to know each other.”
“You’re still hoping I’ll fall in love with you. Is that it?”
I flinch because… he’s right. If we spent time together, then maybe Adrien would come around to the idea of love.
“It is,” he says. “But it’s not going to happen.” He wrenches the door open and leaves me, all alone, in a brand new city that I know barely anything about, in a new home without my family. I can’t stop myself from curling into a ball and crying all the pain inside of me out.
Chapter Five
