After Ben, thoroughly defeated, had left. Tom
came inside. His face was carefully blank, but I
could sense his anger. After dealing with Ben,
I’d learned my lesson. You can’t coddle men.
They just take advantage.
I started towards the kitchen to make dinner,
but Tom took over, steering me towards the
couch. He went back to the tiny kitchen and
started cooking without saying a word.
I was happy for the peace and quiet. I settled in
to watch TV. When I came out of the shower,
he was still there.
“Why are you still…” here? I started to ask, but
he cut me off.
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8:19
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He pulled me towards the bedroom. His
expression was serious, almost businesslike.
“Lisa,” he said sternly, “I need to know. If Ben
had agreed to marry you, would you have done
it?”
So, that’s what this was about.
His stern facade crumbled in seconds. He looked like a kicked puppy, his eyes pleading.
“Tell me. Would you have married him?” He
needed an answer.
“Yes,” I said, just to see his reaction.
His eyes welled up. The look of vulnerability startled me.
“You wouldn’t,” he growled, his eyes darkening.
I realized I’d gone too far. “Of course not,” I
said quickly.
[
く
8:19
In that moment, I saw myself reflected in his
heated gaze. The silence was broken only by
the frantic beating of our hearts.
764
He’d transformed from Mr. Cool and Collected
into something… predatory. He kissed me again, leaving no room for argument.
My phone rang. I tried to reach for it, but Tom
laced his fingers through mine, keeping me close. The only sound was our ragged breathing…
The ringing persisted. I pushed him away and answered.
“Lisa,” Ben’s voice was desperate. “If I said I’d marry you… would you stay with me?”
Tom grabbed the phone. “Dude, you’re out of the picture. Lisa’s going to be Mrs. Anderson.”
Ben must have realized where we were, what
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8:20
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we were doing. He lost it. “Anderson, you’re a
snake, taking advantage of her like this. Lisa,
stay away from him! He’s just playing games.”
Tom hung up. He leaned close, his eyes intense.
“Lisa, will you marry me?” He pulled out a ring.
It was beautiful.
I closed my eyes, pretending I hadn
‘t see it. He wasn’t having it. He kissed me
again, deeper this time, pulling me under. His
arms wrapped around me, tight and possessive.
I managed to gasp, “Enough! I… I will.”
His eyes burned into mine, a slow smile
spreading across his lips. “Sweetheart,” he murmured, “It’s never enough.”
I glared at him. He was insatiable. His hand
found mine, holding it tight, refusing to let me
escape.
