“I had three days to break my suspect down into confessing his crime. I’m not ashamed to admit that these boys deserved 100% of my attention. I should have made a better effort to call you, though.” My last words are said to the quiet woman in my arms.
“I understand, Arsen.” She smooths a hand across my cheek, and my eyes close, delighting in the feeling of her touch again.
“You shouldn’t have to, though. I hate that you thought I wasn’t messaging you back. And that terrified phone call? I almost lost my shit. What the hell had you so scared?” My heart had stopped the moment I heard her voice. I knew immediately that she was terrified.
“There was a truck on the highway. The wind was gusting, and it nearly side-swiped me.” She looks away like her fear is something to be ashamed of.
“Fuck, Marina. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to answer. I swear I would have.”
“I know.” So fucking understanding. “You caught him, though?”
“Yes. He’ll never see the light of day again.”
“That’s all that matters then.”
“You hurt my daughter, Mr. Daniels.” Her mother’s stern tone catches my attention.
“Mom,” Marina whispers.
“No, sweetheart.” She glares my way. “Marina has been dealt far more than someone so young should. I don’t like seeing her upset. Her believing she isn’t enough for someone flat out pisses me off.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“If you ever make her cry again, I will string you up by your balls in The Square for target practice. Are we clear, young man?” Looks like I have my work cut out for me.
“As crystal, ma’am.”
“Good.” She beams. “Dennis, why don’t you and I go for breakfast and leave these two alone to talk?” Her question is more of a suggestion as she drags him towards the front door.
Once they’ve left, Marina turns in my lap to face me. Tears still hover on her eyelids. “You really hurt me. Like deep into my soul hurt me. And I fell in love with you, and I told you my biggest secret, and then you left.” I go to open my mouth, but she lays a finger over my lips, so I stop. “I understand why you had to leave, and now that I know why you couldn’t really get in touch with me, I still wish you had.”
Threading my fingers through her hair, I lean my head into hers. “I don’t know how I can make it up to you, but I promise I will. And it will never happen again.”
“Promise?” So much vulnerability in her beautiful blue eyes.
“I swear on it, Marina. Never again will I let that happen.”
Chapter Twelve
Arsen
We spent three days at my soon to be in-laws, where they spent the entire first day grilling me about my life, job, and family. I took it all because Marina is worth every ounce of discomfort. Once they gave me the seal of approval, they were friendlier, and I was able to help her dad, Dennis, with some chores and repairs around the house. Her mother makes a mean apple pie that she bakes from scratch and sent four home with us.
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Marina seems more at ease with me around her parents now than that first morning I arrived. I know I have to earn her trust back. We also need to talk about what she told me. Every time I’ve tried to bring the subject up, she deflects and talks about something else. I think she’s afraid the more I learn, the easier it’ll be for me to leave.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. There isn’t anything in the world that could convince me to leave her. This overwhelming craving and love I feel for her aren’t going away. In fact, they intensify the more I learn about her. How she likes to dance around to music while cleaning. She hums in the shower. Her fridge is divided into food groups. She can’t stand it when her food touches on her plate, so she puts knives in between each dish to avoid it.
They’re endearing quirks that make me smile, and I hope I get to find out more. I know I drive her crazy because I just lay my toothbrush and paste on the counter instead of putting them in a cup. She hates that I toss my keys on the counter when I come home from work instead of having some sort of dish or hanger for them. She laughed when she saw the mess my closet is and proceeded to color code my dress shirts. My pants are all black, and that frustrates her. She thinks I need more color in my life.
She has enough of that for the both of us.
When Marina sets her mind to something, she doesn’t stop until it’s finished. So now that she’s finally done reorganizing my house—to which I gave her free rein and thoroughly enjoyed watching her—she’s in the kitchen making dinner and still organizing while I plan the best way to convince her to move in with me.
Without realizing it, she’s arranged everything so that it is co-habitable for two people and not just myself. Her clothes will have space in one side of my closet, and there’s extra room in the dresser. The bathroom is sparse to begin with, so her girly stuff won’t be a problem. I have empty shelves for days to hold all of her students’ artwork that she loves to display. My sofa set is black, so her colorful throw pillows will fit right on in.
All I need is for her to agree.