Page 37 of Claiming His Wife
He also had a rule about procrastination and lazing about, but he was going to break it today.
Thoughts of his wife kept driving through his mind. Wife. They were married and he intended to stay that way. He’d broken through a few of her walls already and he didn’t even think she realized that fact. She had still not spoken about staying or dropping the annulment and it gave him some pause – made him uncertain of his next move.
For a man who was used to actions, who ran a multimillion-dollar company and had a bit of control issues, it was difficult to sit back and wait for her to realize what he already knew – that they belonged together. He couldn’t lose her; couldn't allow her to get scared of the intensity of emotions they evoked in each other. The way he felt about her scared him, but losing her a second time scared him more.
He shouldn’t have let her go so easily. He should have fought harder for her. Convinced her how wrong she’d been about him. His own uncertainties about her age and whether she was ready for a relationship had propelled him into working hard so he could excel in his career. He had lost so many valuable years with her because he didn’t try hard enough. He didn’t blame her for leaving, and never had. She did what she thought was right for her, and he was proud of her for taking a stand. However, sometimes he wished she’d had given him the chance to explain before she cut him off. He would have moved with her to Seattle if she had asked him to.
Nothing he could do to change the past.
She was right about one thing though; pushing this company to the top had not satisfied him. Day after day of relentless work and strategizing to stay one step ahead of the moneymaking game had not quenched the need that only she could fulfill.
He loved Kalilah with every atom of his being. There was nothing in this world he wouldn’t do for her. It wasn't about the chemistry or lust between them. It was about the realization that he would do anything to be with her. If she asked him to move back to Seattle today, he would pack his bags in a hurry. He wanted to be wherever she was. He knew his life would not be worth living if he lost her again. He didn't even bother to dispute that thought – he knew it to be true.
The power that came with the money he’d made had served as a Band-Aid for the emptiness he felt. And it worked for a while – five years to be exact – and he thought he would be okay for a bit longer, but she had come into town and lit fires under him with a vengeance. The empty space was filling up slowly, but he wanted more. He needed his wife in every way.
The thoughts drove him from his chair and to the view of the city. Many days had been spent in front of this same view, contemplating life and the unexpected turns it could take. Come to think of it, he had stood in this same spot, idly regarding the distant sheen of water, many times, contemplating the rewards those unexpected turns could bring.
The times he’d spent with her since she’d been back were amazing. He hadn’t felt so alive and happy for years. His life would not be much worth living if he lost her again. What they had between them was more, much more. Now he just had to convince her of that, too. He loved her. He wished his love alone was enough to make her stay. Even if she didn’t feel this all-consuming love for him, he knew his love for her was enough to carry them both. Now he just had to convince her to tell him how she really felt about him.
Finn stalked out of the office like a man with a mission.
“Hello Lilah.” She had just stepped onto the sidewalk after work when she heard the greeting. She looked up and saw Finn leaning against a black Rover, his feet crossed at his ankles. She was pleasantly surprised to see him there, and she didn’t want to explore the reasons for that.
“Fancy seeing you here.”
“I’m full of surprises,” he returned just as smoothly.
“I bet. So, what brings you down here?” She knew the question was silly, since he obviously came looking for her.
“It’s a surprise.” He turned around, opened his front passenger door and said, “Come with me to find out.”
She hesitated for a bit because she was exhausted from work and wanted to go home to rest, but she conceded and climbed into his car.
He took her to the circus.
Even though she had made him promise early on not to take her there, she was happy he took her anyway. He had taken her on every single adult-sized ride and a few kid-sized rides as well. There had to be something completely odd about having a businessman do an about-face and become fierce at the ‘shoot to win a toy’ booth. He was a passionate creature and she had been mistaken to think all that passion was being directed into business. Another side of him shone through – carefree, alive, barely-leashed passion, and laughter. The reality of that had dealt a severe blow to the image of him she had carried all these years. She stole looks at him when she thought he was not looking, and with every glance she liked what she saw. And that was what she was afraid of.
Was it the dizzying rides, or could she just plead guilty to having a sugar overload? Kalilah found herself enjoying her time with Finn. They watched a few performances by a clown, who gave her a balloon animal: she would cherish it forever. They also caught a performance by an acrobat and juggler. The performance that intrigued her the most was the one with the lions. She wondered how they had gotten the animals to “dance.” She had so much fun, and it was all because of Finn.
Jonathan.She had to remind herself that she loved him, and her future was with him. She smiled when she looked over and caught Finn playing golf with a bunch of kids. He punctuated every swing with hilarious comments that had the children giggling.
He had won, too, but gave the kids the chance to pick up the plastic trophy. Much later, they walked back to the car and got in. Kalilah couldn’t help but compare the man walking beside her to the man she met on her first day back in Montréal. This man was the one she had fallen in love with years ago. The man she still loved with all her heart.
“Is that a frown? I thought we had a good time.”
He startled her with the comment.
“Yes.” She thought of a quick excuse. “I was just thinking of all the work I have to do tomorrow.”
“I wonder…?” he started. She was curious.
“What do you wonder?”
“If you’re still as ticklish.”
She backed away from him and pushed her body closer to the car’s door not that it would do anything to help her if he decided to tickle her. Just then he raised his hand and a mischievous gleam came into his eyes.
“Don’t you dare!”
