Sinner
I was still upset that my woman’s family and that bastard Sam decided to show up at her office.
They wouldn’t listen. I’d heard some of what was said.
On the drive to her place, Anastasia filled me in on what I missed.
I knew that I couldn’t rely on them to leave her be, so I began thinking of next steps.
However, I waited to speak to her about them.
First, she needed to relax, have dinner, and just talk about our days.
I packed a bag this morning. She hadn’t known I slipped it into my car.
I’d wait and see if she’d allow me to stay.
As much as I wanted her at my place every day and night, we weren’t there yet.
We were seated at her small kitchen table, eating dinner.
It was homemade lasagna that she’d made and frozen a few weeks ago.
She did that from time to time, she informed me.
It was for those times she was too tired or lazy to cook and didn’t want to order in.
All she had to do was bake it and the garlic bread. We were nearly finished.
“I told you how my day went before the trio showed up. It’s your turn to tell me about yours,” Anastasia said.
“Well, I worked on more of the final closing for the Littleton acquisition. We sign the last papers on Thursday. I had various meetings, conference calls, and paperwork to complete. Overall, it was a typical day,” I replied.
“And what about Rowan?”
I sighed. “Oh, him, yeah, that was fun. He showed up. Get this. After all his spouting off about being responsible and shit, he arrived at nine-thirty. Most management personnel are there between eight and eight-thirty. The official start time is nine o’clock.
“He had a rude awakening awaiting him when he did. Carla, his supervisor, met him at his desk. Security notified her that they saw Rowan on his way up. She had HR with her. They closed themselves off in the conference room. I stayed out of it. The report I received said he argued and refused to sign his termination paperwork. He thought if he didn’t, they couldn’t fire him.
When he realized that wouldn’t stop it, he angrily signed the papers.
“Then bitched about how I’d regret firing him as he packed his stuff.
They had a box ready. His personal effects were few.
They checked everything he took to ensure it was nothing company-related.
Then he handed over his company laptop and his badge, which gave him access to the building.
One of the security guys escorted him out to his car.
Rowan tore out of the garage. I saw the video of that.
Afterward, he texted me. It read, You’ll regret doing this to your brother.
“I’m sorry. It had to hurt to do that to your brother. I wish I could help ease your pain over losing him,” Anastasia said, grasping my hand.
I raised her hand to my mouth. I grazed her knuckles with my lips and nibbled. She shuddered.
“I can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am to have met and gotten you to agree to be mine.
Here you are, suffering far worse from not only ninety-five percent of your family, but also a moron who refuses to hear you.
All I’m dealing with is a brother who refuses to grow up and take responsibility.
My family drama is nothing compared to yours.
However, if you really want to ease my pain and suffering, you could invite me to stay here tonight.
” I winked and grinned at her as I said it.
I wanted her to know I wouldn’t throw a fit if she said no.
I watched as she kept her lips mostly pursed together. She furrowed her brow, but there was a twinkle in her eyes as she responded.
“Hmm, stay the night. I don’t know about that, Reign.
What if I want the entire bed to myself?
Or to stay up all night watching romcom movies?
And there’s the whole no clean clothes or toiletries for tomorrow.
You’d have to run home to change and get ready.
And what will the doorman do if he sees you haven’t come home? ”
“If you want the whole bed, I’ll either sleep on the couch, or you can treat me as part of the mattress.
Problem one solved. Staying up to watch romcoms, that one is harder.
I admit it’s not my favorite kind of movie, but for you, I can survive it.
If it becomes too much, I’ll stuff cotton in my ears and hum.
Problem two solved. As for the doorman, if you’re that worried about him, I’ll call and let him know I’m staying out on a school night and that I’m safe. Problem three figured out.
“Now, the last one, the lack of clean clothes and toiletries. I don’t believe I’ve mentioned that I’m a Boy Scout from way back.
Our motto is always to be prepared. And since I was an excellent scout, I have a bag in the car with all those items. I like to be prepared.
You know, in case a certain gorgeous woman begs me to stay the night with her because she can’t stand the thought of sleeping alone any more than I can. Problem four is worked out.”
When I finished, she was laughing hard with her arm over her stomach. I still held the other one. Tears were sparkling in her eyes.
“Oh my God, you’re so funny, aren’t you? I should just say no to see what else you’ll say or do, but I’m not that cruel. Plus, the idea of being alone sucks for me, too. I would love for you to stay the night, Reign. Please.”
Her humor turned to something more serious and sexual.
“You don’t need to beg. There’s nothing more I’d love to do. Plus, there’s something I want to discuss with you. It doesn’t have to be tonight if you’re too tired, but I do want to do it soon.”
“What kind of thing?” she asked.
“The sexual kind. I mentioned the first night we went fully into this that we hadn’t talked about our needs and wants when it came to sex and intimacy. We should do that.”
“Am I not doing something?” It was her automatic response. I glimpsed insecurity in her expression.
“There is nothing you’re doing wrong. Don’t think like that.
I’ve had the best experiences with you, Sia.
There’s more that you need to know, and I believe it’ll make our experiences even greater if you agree.
And it’s not an all-or-nothing discussion.
We need to be open and honest about our absolutes.
What turns us off. Things we’re willing to do, try, or absolutely refuse to consider. Those sorts of things.”
Anxiety was still there, but it had lessened. I wanted to kick myself for phrasing it in a way that made her feel inadequate.
“Okay, we can do that. Let’s finish up, and then we can talk,” Anastasia said a few moments later.
“Sounds good. Maybe we’ll take a shower and get ready for the night first.”
“I can do that,” she agreed.
I went back to my lasagna. Anastasia picked at her remainder and tried to carry on a normal conversation.
I projected an aura of confidence, but inside I was nervous.
What if she couldn’t handle my Lustz side?
I would never ask her to do something she hated, but what if it pushed her away just because of the concept? God, I prayed it wouldn’t.