Page 38 of Cavern of Silence
"I..." She rubs her face while taking deep breaths. "I don't know where to start."
"Try it."
"Come sit down. Have a drink and dinner," Julieta urges, her eyes pleading with me, which only breaks my heart further.
"Just tell me what's going on."
She doesn't speak. Her eyes are full of emotion, and I can't take it anymore.
How can she look at me like that when her husband is only a few feet away? How is he okay with it? He's chopping vegetables like it's okay his wife who's been missing for months is focusing her attention on another man instead of him. If Maureen had been missing and showed up on our doorstep, I wouldn't be focusing on produce.
"I think I need some air."
She puts her hand on my shoulder.
"Don't." I shrug out of her grasp and go outside. "Dammit," I scream and kick the tire.
"Ryker." Her voice cracks.
I spin. "You said you have no one."
"I don't."
I point toward the house. "That sure as hell doesn't look like no one, Julieta."
She steps forward, shaking. "I can explain."
"Why wasn't the box checked on Interpol's paperwork you were married?"
"I go by my maiden name. I never mark married anymore."
"Why is that?"
The buzzing of the jungle insects fills our silence. My heart beats faster.
"I understand I'm totally out of it when it comes to women, but Jesus. Last night... Dammit, Julieta. I don't touch other men's women and especially not married ones."
"I know."
"I take marriage vows seriously."
"So do I," she cries out.
I snort.
"I do. It's why I stopped it last night."
"Is that supposed to make me feel like less of a slimeball right now?"
"You didn't do anything wrong."
"You're married. Everything I've done is wrong."
She puts her hands over her face and takes deep breaths.
And I hate myself even more. As I watch her, I still want her. I have to hold myself back from touching her, and the ache inside me just grows.
She removes her hands. "I've not seen him in over four years. It's over between us."
