Page 9 (1/1)

"I’ll talk," Chessy finally said

But her tone was fatalistic Like she’d already decided the outcome after they discussed their relationship and why she was so unhappy Had she lost that much faith in him? The idea devastated him

"But it has to be in neutral territory," she added "We have no business having sex with this wall between us I don’t want our physical attraction to hinder our discussion" Her gaze swept doard, sorrow creasing her face and tugging her lips into a sad frown "That’s assurief "It’s been so long since you’ve instigated any sort of sex that the reasonable conclusion is you no longer desire ue as protests immediately for with her statein

They never used the word sex when it ca Never Sex was for people not eree Chessy and Tate were At least that was his thinking on the asted What could he have possibly done to plant such a ridiculous notion in her head? She was the most beautiful woman in the world to him Other women? Siorgeous, loving, generous, tenderhearted submissive wife he came home to every day?

Okay, sowhile He winced inwardly again as he pondered and tried to remember the last time they had truly made love

There had been hasty sessions No buildup No extended foreplay Totally selfish on his part because he’d had sex with her and then he was off to work or to awith a client

Yes, he’d just used the word sex to describe their love Because, well, what he’d done lately a properly to her needs Not exerting his do she didn’t just want but needed Yet another dis list of failures

"We’ll talk wherever you want," he said around the knot in his throat He was ceding power to her A complete reversal of roles He didn’t like it one bit, and by the look on Chessy’s face, neither did she

But as he supposed to do in this situation? It wouldassle if he whipped out his dominance and forced her submission and then used his dominance to manipulate her

The hell with that He wanted her to have complete and utter control in this situation He didn’t want her to feel threatened by anything He was laying hi himself at her feet if that’s what it took to pull out everything she needed to say It was apparent their relationship was in real trouble, and that Chessy had been unhappy for quite soo in then," he said in a neutral tone even though his heart was flayed open and fear--an alien sensation--gripped his entire body He’d hit the panic button the aze had met Chessy’s at the restaurant and he’d seen the utter devastation in her eyes He’d known then that he’d pushed her too far And oht when his attention should have been focused solely on her and celebrating another year of e, he’d bailed to court a prospective client

And he now realized just how that situation had to have looked to her Hi a beautiful woman just yards away from where his aited for hi up, all because ti the deal with a client had taken over his priorities Yeah, he’d fked up and now he had to work fast to pick up the pieces Because it wasn’t just tonight, though he realized it was likely the last straw for her Her unhappiness extended for a lengthy period of time and he’d been blind to it all Or perhaps a small part of him had known and he hadn’t wanted to ad he’d failed her

She didn’t wait for him to come around and open her door She siot out and started for the house, then hastily unlocked the door without looking back But she wasn’t fast enough that he didn’t see the tears streaking down her cheeks

Fuck

He hurried after her, worried she’d give up on talking to him and shut hio in and pack her stuff Or his She had to know he’d never let her move out This was her house, her security If anyone ever had to leave, it would be hi

Whatever rong between hi She was his world How could she not know that?

Because you haven’t proved that to her lately, du and walked into the sprawling living roos, and to his relief he saw Chessy standing at the liquor cabinet, her stance rigid as she poured a glass of … what the hell was she pouring? Chessy wasn’t ethers It was so she and Kylie shared Neither ever drank round with an alcoholic, round Neglected Not physically abused, but her childhood had shaped her, had given her insecurity about her place in the world And he’d vowed never to make her feel like her parents had Now he had to face the very real prospect that he’d broken that vow