“I see your wounds…” I barely recognized my voice, could hardly hear it over my racing heartbeats. Shit, I was finally able to speak. “…your imperfections and I will buy the whole damn factory to repair your flaws just enough for you to let me own all of you. I choose you as my new, flaws and all. Always, Rayna.”
Rayna sucked in a deep breath. Surprised by my proposal, her eyes widened and diaphragm rose. “No. No…you don’t mean that. You don’t know what you’re saying.” She cupped her mouth and nose with her hands, then brushed her tears from her eyes. “You had the stamina to try when we started out, but it’s clear that I’ve exhausted your patience.” Her eyes bounced back in forth as they projected low. “Azmir…” she shrieked. “What if I woke up in his bed this morning instead of yours because I chose to get drunk to handle my pain. How would we have—”
Rayna covered her mouth and I jumped to her, grabbing her before she could uttered the words. I wouldn’t lose her.
“I wouldn’t allow you to. I’ll fight for us. Always. I’m here. You just have to trust me, Brimm. Let me in.”
Rayna melted her frame into mine and cried out, “Azmir, I’m so sorry!” I felt her fragile body tremble in my arms as she sobbed into my chest. “I swear I will do anything to fix this mess I’ve created. I’ll do anything.” Her head popped up in search of my eyes. Her eyes were wide and her expression was haunted. “Is Thompson going to involve the police? Will you be sued? My god, what did I do?” I could tell she was now fearing the possible consequences of yesterday. I didn’t want her to be concerned with that. I just wanted her to decide if she wanted me, if she desired a future for us.
“Well, first things first,” I looked around the kitchen at all of the food she prepared, wondering what we’d do with most of it. “We eat. And then we meet with my people to discuss how to handle the public backlash of it. We’ll let my well-equipped attorneys sort out the legal matters.”
“It can’t be that simple. Are you sure you don’t want me to call Thompson to try and smooth this over. I’ll do—”
“You will have no reason to even speak to Brian Thompson unless it is work related. Are we clear?” I hated to flip from being caring to caveman so quickly, but until I can get that mutherfucker as far away from her I need for it to be understood that there will be no more interfacing with that prick.
“Y-yes.” Rayna’s eyes fluttered in embarrassment. Her mind registered this was not a request, but a command. It was nonnegotiable.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rayna
Azmir’s tone was definitive. I saw it in the twitching of his jaw. It was hard to process a demand, but considering the mess I’ve caused, I thought it best to acquiesce to his decision of steering clear of Thompson outside of the parameters of work. I still felt that I needed to square things away with him. I was responsible for making him feel that I was available to him on some level yesterday when I thought it was true. Therefore, I have to undo that mistake.
But for now, my focus needs to be on repairing the debacle I’ve made. I’d seen Azmir in a manner that I never want to revisit. He was so angry, his disposition was inflamed as he plummeted into me on the dining room table. The sweat that seeped from his wrathful pores burned with disdain. For me. It terrified me. I don’t want to feel that level of contempt again. He attempted to make amends for it this morning by making love to me, but even then I saw the fear in his eyes. I could feel the restlessness in the stride of his hips, they were less confident in their drive into me. He was afraid. Afraid of what, I hadn’t quite figured out yet, but it was felt. My efforts at finding a rationale of all of his actions led me here to the kitchen for manic cooking.