Fear that I expect but despise just the same wells, along with enormous tears, in her eyes as she sheathes her trembling body against the wall, shrinking away from me after I spin back to her. Fuck. “You’re safe, little wisp. I will never, ever hit you, and I won’t allow him or anyone else to either.”
“He said I was going to be a witness for his signature. Not a…not for you to…”
“I know.” I don’t really know, but I lie that I do for her sake. A notary public makes way more sense than her fucking him. Right now all she needs is to calm down and accept my reassurances which are fucking guarantees. “You were just doing your job, nothing more.”
Her furious head bob signals her agreement as well as her relief from me confirming I know she’s not a whore. I keep going to build her trust, speaking slow and soft as not to spook her. “I’m sorry if I frightened you, but it’s not okay for him to talk about you like that. To treat you that way.”
The second nod isn’t quite as certain. I would have to assume she’s rarely exposed to violence and undecided if she should approve of me beating him down. Luckily, she has no idea what’s to come for him in the near future. When I’m actually only concerned about my future with her. “May I take you home? I’m sure you want to get out of here.”
“I do, but…”
She doesn’t know if she should allow me to be the one to escort her. Hell I can’t blame her with the cluster fuck of the last five minutes. She’s traumatized and terrified, unsure who she should trust after she was just humiliated and betrayed. Although she may not believe me yet, I wasn’t lying earlier. I will do whatever I have to do so she wants to be mine. “I know you’re frightened. That was all pretty fucked up. But, I don’t like the idea of you leaving here alone when you’re upset. I want to take care of you and make sure you’re okay.”
My assertion elicits the first positive response I’ve earned out of her. Surprised pleasure parts her lips, and she studies my face before her mouth slowly closes, accompanied by her head dipping in agreement. I hold out my forearm, gallant and gracious, to escort her like the gentleman she deserves. Keeping her from having to answer although she does respond after a few seconds with her small shaking fingers wrapping around my sleeve. When she looks up with a whole hell of a lot of curiosity and a little bit of adoration brightening her face, I’m gone. So far gone with the confirmation that I’ve got her now, and I’m never letting her go. She may not understand my implication yet. That’s all right—her realization will come soon enough. She’ll be my wife, the mother of my children, the very reason for my existence.