“Then you’d be free to go and do whatever you want.”
“I don’t want to be free,” he told her.
“You’re not making this easy for me.”
“What’s to make it easy? I don’t want a divorce, and I’ll fuck you before I allow you to go for an annulment.” Tony heard her gasp, and he cursed. Shit. He was losing control of his monster. The need to be in control. To claim what was his. This is what he feared most when he was around her – the lack of control to the point he could scare her away. Turning back to her, he saw the blush spreading up into her cheeks.
“I’m sorry.”
“I was trying to help you. You don’t wear a wedding ring, and you helped me back then. I’d hate to keep you in a marriage you didn’t want to be part of.”
“I don’t wear a ring because you didn’t give me one.”
Out of everything that happened that day, he refused to buy his own wedding band.
“Oh. I didn’t know I had to get you one.”
“Speaking of wedding bands. Our engagement wasn’t a conventional one, but I felt you deserved to have a ring to show off to your girlfriends.” He pulled the small blue box out of his pocket and handed it to her.
He noted the trembling in her hands and hated himself for being the one responsible for putting it there.
“It’s beautiful,” she said as soon as she opened it. “I know this is going to sound corny, but would you put it on my finger?”
Tony nodded. He took the box back and pulled out the small band. Her fingers were so delicate. Taking off her wedding ring, he placed the engagement ring on first, followed by the main one.
He kissed her fingers, grateful she was his.
“You didn’t have to get me this. I know our marriage isn’t a conventional one.”
It soon will be.
Sitting up in his chair, he glanced around the room. Where had that thought come from?
The waiter brought their food. He enjoyed watching her eat.
“I don’t want you to get a job,” he said.
“What am I expected to do with my day?”
“Whatever you want. You’re my wife, and like I said, I don’t want you working.”
“Can we at least talk about it?” she asked.
“We’re talking about it now. The answer is no.”
He saw the clenching of her jaw and couldn’t help but laugh. “You really want to skin me alive, don’t you?”
“I think you’re being unfair.”
“Think what you want to, baby. Eat up because then we’re going shopping.”
“Shopping?”
Tony signalled the waiter to fill their glasses. “Yes. I’ve got a charity ball this Friday to go to, and you’re coming with me.”
“I can pick out my own clothes.”
“I know, but this time I want to be there with you.”
Actually, he hadn’t planned to take her shopping. Sitting with her had made him open his eyes. He wanted to spend more time with her. He didn’t want the moment to end.
When she went to the ladies’ room, he phoned his assistant and told him to cancel all of his afternoon meetings.
Looking at her empty plate a deep sense of happiness overcame him. Opal wasn’t like any of the women he’d known in his life. She ate food and was kind. He wanted to be with her.
You’ll ruin her. What you want will destroy every part of who she is.
She walked out, and he ignored the warning within him. Opal brought out the good in him.