Her talent made his own capacity with numbers and technology seem a paltry thing, mere money-making.
Because somewhere along the line his passion had become business?
No, he wasn’t such a naïve purist. He revelled in his work, got satisfaction out of developing better and more user-friendly software. It had taken talent as well as incredible hard work to achieve what he had.
Yet still he felt that niggle of dissatisfaction.
Adoni peered at the coastal track. Was she coming back yet?
It had been weeks since he’d suggested they live together permanently, yet Alice still hadn’t agreed. He’d pulled back, giving her time to consider. Lately, when he’d raised the subject, she’d looked so troubled he hadn’t persisted, telling himself to be patient. He’d bided his time. Surely these halcyon days were a precursor to the future he envisaged.
Alice was as responsive as ever. His sex life had never been so good. And living with her had convinced him a long-term arrangement made eminent sense. He felt energised by her presence. Even chatting over dinner was a delight rather than the chore it had sometimes been on dates.
It was only a matter of time before she said yes and signed the agreement that would bind them into a family.
He frowned, his mind snagging on her expression as he’d shown her the contract. Was it the penalty clause for disloyalty that made her hesitate? If she slept with someone else she’d lose all financial support.
But that was non-negotiable. Adoni couldn’t countenance the thought of Alice having sex with someone else. His fingers bit into the windowsill.
She washis. They’d be a family. He wasn’t sharing her with anyone but their child.
As ever, thought of that fragile new life sent a shaft of pleasure/pain through his chest. Pride and excitement vied with fear of what could happen if Adoni didn’t take every precaution to protect his son.
He looked at the westering sun, turning the navy blue sea to shades of apricot and neon pink.
It was late, in more ways than one.
He’d been patient long enough.