Status Updates From The Reluctant Wife

He looked out at the serene ocean, glittering in the sunshine. “I don’t know if I can do this, our marriage. I originally thought having a wife I didn’t love was the best thing all around. Neither of us would be left brokenhearted if anything happened to me. Clean and neat. All I wanted was children.”

“You should have told me. Now it’s too late. I don’t think I can ever forgive you for not trusting in me.”

“I should never have married you. I was too young and inexperienced, not worldly enough for a man of your standing. No wonder you never loved me. I was too immature to know what love was. I confused desire with love, and when I realized I loved you, I ran. I didn’t think a man like you would ever come to love the girl I was.”

There was a trace of laughter in his voice. “I’m a man, Abby, not a saint. You’ve been gone a long time.”

Abby didn’t miss the use of the nurse’s first name. She took in the voluptuous woman who was still making come to bed eyes at her husband. The uniform was too tight and far too short. Dante looked at their entwined hands. Perhaps she should loosen her grip. His knowing smile raised her body’s anger meter another notch.

“Would you have married me if you’d known I didn’t want children right away?”
His foot pressed the accelerator. “No.”

He remained silent concentrating on the road. “It isn’t only about duty, though. I admit I want a son to carry on the Lombardi name and title, but it’s more than that. And, yes, I married you because I thought it was time to be a father and…you were very desirable.”
The truth hurt. He’d never loved her. Even though she’d known it deep inside, the shock of hearing him admit it made her heart shrivel up.

“There is no need for thanks. I know what it is like to lose people close to you.” When she still did not let go of his arm, he added, “Besides, a child is more recompense than I deserve.”
Her hand dropped, as he knew it would.
“A life for a life, is that the idea?”
He remained silent.

As he headed toward the bathroom, he called over his shoulder, “That was most enjoyable. I hope you’re in the middle of your cycle or you’re unlikely to get pregnant.”

“You’d best go shower or we’ll be late for lunch.”
His cool tone and dismissive words chased away her contentment. When she didn’t move and remained sitting atop him, too stunned to speak, he added, “If you’re not going first, I will.”
He lifted her off him and laid her on the cool sheets. He still hadn’t looked at her.

Love. Could he trust her? She had lied to him once. Deceived him. And then she left.

“Do you want me or a child?” She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. His eyes narrowed in anger. She’d ruined a lovely evening with bitterness.
“I’m sorry.” The tension in his jaw eased. “This is why I wanted to go slowly. I still have issues to work through.”

“Remember, Abby. This is a business arrangement. Don’t expect more or you’ll be disappointed again.”
“I’m not that stupid. I know who you are now.”

There was no way she’d waste one tiny piece of her heart on a man who categorically stated he didn’t “do love.”

“That’s the one place we never argued and were in perfect accord. I’m skilled enough to make her very willing to share my bed any time I please.”
“Oh, please. Men!”
“What?” He grinned. “She’s had nothing to compare me to.”
“She might now.”
His smile disappeared and he growled deep in his chest. “She hasn’t slept with anyone else.”
“My, my, that sounds like jealousy to me.”

“I didn’t want her to misunderstand. You know me, I don’t do love.”
“Rubbish. You love your family. You love me. You can love. Why is it that you guard your heart so carefully from the one person you should be able to share everything with, your wife?”

“Marriage to you would be perfect. No emotions involved. It would make my life much simpler.”

“I should have married you. Then I wouldn’t be in this mess.”