FORGIVEN
I paid attention to my woman. I knew her intimately. I knew when she wanted love, attention, or honesty, and right now, she wanted neither of those things.
By now, she should have known that her stubbornness would get her nowhere with me, and yet she persisted.
Over the years, I learned to appreciate the good attributes that came with such stubbornness, but that didn't mean that I appreciated the debates they led to when I needed her to listen to me without resisting.
The last thing I wanted to do was cage her in and take away her voice. Carla's free spirit and wandering mind needed space and unrestricted reign to dance in the rain... to learn, fail, stumble, and get back up.
She was persistent and tenacious, and with her by my side, I knew she would always fight for our love even when she didn't agree with everything I said.
"Are you serious right now?" she snapped.
My expression hardened and for a long while I stared at her from across the table. Despite the tight feeling building in my chest, my voice softened when I finally managed to speak.
"I cannot live without you, cariño. If something were to happen to you..."
"I can't. I can't do it." She nibbled on her bottom lip and her eyebrows drew together as if she was trying to fight back tears. "Don't make me do it." She looked at me with pleading eyes and then started rocking in place when I didn't cave.
Pushing back my chair, I made my way across the table. Without warning, I scooped her up and carried her to the couch in the living room. Her shaky breath dragged against my neck as I walked.
I sat down with her in my arms and she automatically clutched my shirt as tears spilled from her eyes. Her distress was palpable when my hand glided down her arm, causing her to shiver. I wrapped a soft blanket around her.
Gently, I pried her fingers open until she released my shirt. "Carla, look at me."
She did. Brown eyes wide. Full lips pouty.
Her face crumpled and more tears fell when she saw the hard look in my eyes. Her breathing quickened, hot air wooshing occasionally as she fought to control her tears.
I brought her fist to my lips, kissing first her knuckles and then her palm, in an effort not to come across as cold and soulless. She didn't need the stoic, I-need-you-to-obey-me side of me right now.
I could do this. I could be a loving husband. Or I would die trying.
What I was asking of her was a lot, and maybe a less demanding approach was the best course of action.
Maintaining eye contact, I reached down and held her face, thumb swiping across her cheeks. Her tears were warm beneath the pad of my finger.
When her shallow breathing finally evened out, I bent my head and pressed my lips to her jaw, and climbing my way up, I peppered her cheek and eventually her lips with soft kisses.
I didn't know what came over me, but I started murmuring to her between kisses.
"Sweetheart, you're the most important person in my life."
YOU ARE READING
Dinner on Friday
Romance"Trust me to always put you first." He bent his head and whispered near my ear. "Always." ~ Unlovable? Big check! Or maybe not. After all, Carla has an affecti...
