Page 26 of The Bride's Desire

Naomi glanced at Joe and saw the misery on his face. “He doesn’t look happy.”

“He’s not, because he thinks you want to leave him.”

“What? No. I never wanted to leave, but I can’t stay knowing I make him uncomfortable.”

“You don’t, honey. Let me tell you a secret between women. Men are stupid.”

Naomi smiled when Joe sputtered.

“Mom. Jesus. You’re supposed to be helping me.”

“I am, dear.” Carolyn pulled Naomi over to the sofa and sat down next to her. “I don’t want to embarrass you, but he told me about the kitchen floor.”

Naomi could feel her face heat with embarrassment.

Carolyn held up a hand. “He had to tell me if I had any chance to help the situation.”

Naomi stayed silent and couldn’t look at Joe for the life of her.

“He thought he had insulted you and felt horrible about it.”

Naomi was confused. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m guessing it was the first time you two had been intimate?”

“Yes. Just the one time,” Naomi said.

She didn’t understand why his mom smiled. She looked at Joe and saw him confused, too.

“Mom?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something. Let’s get back to that.” She looked at her son. “Tell her what thoughts went through your head, dear,” she asked her son.

Naomi watched his face and could see a flush covering hischeeks.

“The first thing I thought was that I hurt you.”

Naomi shook her head. “You didn’t.”

“Then I thought the fact that it got out of hand and I took you on the floor was disrespectful. It was our first time, and it should have been special. Instead, I took you like an animal.”

“I didn’t think that at all.”

Carolyn got her attention again. “What did you think?”

Naomi looked down at her hands. “I … I thought it was wonderful. I’ve never had anyone make me feel like that, and then he started to apologize, and it hurt.”

She glanced at Joe from the corner of her eye to see him look confused, but his shoulders had relaxed.

“I’m sorry I hurt you. That was never my intention,” Joe said.

“It’s okay if you don’t want me,” Naomi said.

Joe grunted. “Sweetheart, I’ve wanted you since the day you came here.”

She was confused. “I didn’t know that.”

“I know. I was trying to give you time to get to know me better.” Joe smiled.

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