Betrayal

Chapter 53

Warren

I hold her close to me. She's secured against my side, tight in my grip, and one of her arms is wrapped around my waist. Her eyes are squinted against the wind. There's snowflakes in her hair.

We're practically in a whiteout. I'd contemplated not going out tonight because of the impending storm, but I'm so happy I did. Now I'm holding her and we're walking to my car as quickly as we can.

We enjoyed our pizza. She's tipsy off the wine. I'm buzzed and it makes me feel even happier than I already did. It's as though I'm walking on air instead of on ice and snow. For the first time in so long I feel a sense of being relaxed and at ease with her in my grasp.

I didn't expect this. I'd hoped she might be at the gallery, but didn't hold my breath. For so long I've went to any showing with her work on display with the thought she may be there and it never happened. I always left my name when I bought her work. I've tried to be in her life without really being in it. Flowers on her birthday, gifts at Christmas. I would've done so much more, but didn't want to push it.

I didn't want her to forget about me. If she had asked me to stop, or said it bothered her, I would've stopped. Nothing was ever returned to sender. She kept what I sent.

I've already started the car by the time we reach it. I open her door, help her in, and go to the trunk. After I've cleared all the snow off I get in, too. It's warmed up quickly, but I can hardly see out of the windshield.

"You got a new car. It's really nice."

I nod and smile. It's a BMW SUV. Better to haul around Ella's sports shit in and newer than my last car.

"Can you drive in this?"

"I think I can. This car is good in snow. But I'm not sure I should try just yet with how bad it is."

I look over at her. It's dark, but the soft light from the headlights and the dashboard light her up the slightest bit. Her cheeks are red and rosy and her eyes are set on mine. She looks so beautiful. I reach over and touch her face, rest my hand to her cheek, and stroke it gently. Her skin is ice cold and I know my hands are cold, too.

"We could sit here for a moment and see if it slows down."

She shakes her head.

"I don't know. My power is probably out by now," she says with a sigh. "It does that when it snows like this. Snowball is there."

I hesitate for a moment, then clear my throat.

"Well... I can make it there. Run up and grab her and you can bring her to my place. My cat would enjoy the company."

My heart is beating fast at the thought of her being in my apartment. Or the thought of her taking it the wrong way. Thinking I'm trying to use her. I'm just offering a solution. When she smiles, I sigh.

"You have a cat?"

"I do. Found her in an alley by my apartment. I couldn't leave her there."

Her smile grows.

"That's very sweet, Warren."

I love her so much. I want to say it over and over again right now, whisper it, shout it, murmur it against her lips. Three years worth of I love yous. Built up with nowhere to go until now. She's right here.

I'm trying to ignore the carnal, sexual, dirty feelings and focus on the insurmountable love I feel for her. I've been deprived of physical touch and sex for so long, only pleasuring myself when I've felt the need to and always thinking of her when I did it. I said we're going to take it slow this time and do it right and make it work. As hard as it'll be, I can control myself.