My Wife, My Rules – 5. chapter

As Aiden walked toward the ruins beneath the midday sun, he turned over in his mind what he had noticed the day before. Tess had risen from one particular spot, and from the way she had gotten up, it was clear she had been sitting there for some time. He was beginning to suspect that she arrived at their place earlier than he did. Perhaps today he would manage to surprise her.

He chose a longer but firmer path. He did not wish to give himself away by tripping, or by a little stone crunching underfoot. Today he could not fail. Not with so many unspoken questions boiling inside him.

When he finally reached the place, he stopped. He held his breath.

She sat beneath the tree, her back against the trunk, knees drawn beneath her, an open book resting in her lap. This time, once again, her hair was freely half-loose, her dress light. No jewels. No adornments. Only a faint smile when something in the text pleased her. Her small freckled nose was not lifted proudly, but buried in the book. This was how he liked her. But which side of her was there more of? What would he truly get if he swore to her for better or worse?

She noticed him only when he stood some three or four steps directly before her. Fear flashed across her face at once. The book flew from her hands and in a heartbeat she was on her feet.

“Don’t dare leave,” he growled at her. With every next word he spoke, the panic in her eyes multiplied.

“If you try to run, I will catch you. You will not get more than three yards from me. You will only delay the situation for nothing,” he threatened her knowingly and deliberately. He wanted to know what kind of performance she was putting on for him here, and he wanted to know now!

Tess was pale. Her pupils widened with panic and she began to sweat visibly. For a moment she watched Aiden in shock, then she began to tremble. Her breathing quickened sharply and she stopped paying Aiden any attention at all. Despite his threats, she turned her back to him, braced one hand against the tree, and though he could not see it directly, clearly pressed the other firmly to her chest. He could not only see her sharp, shallow panting in her shoulders, but hear it as well.

At first he only watched her. Then he grew alert and frowned.

She really is afraid of me.

Not the way a person fears an argument.

But the way an animal trembles in a trap.

“Tess?” he addressed her more gently, still from a distance.

Nothing. She did not move. Only her breath, fast, sharp, and irregular, proved she had heard him. She looked like a fledgling beating against a cage to escape. And he was that cage.

He realized he had gone too far. Really fucking too far.

“Tess, little cat, listen to me,” he said, beginning to salvage the situation in a soothing tone.

“Forget what I said. I take it all back, do you hear me? All of it.”

No reply. Only her panting. He took several steps backward.

“We’re playing the way we always do, all right? Look, I’m moving farther away. I will stand at a distance and I will not move, all right? Look at me… Please…”

Slowly she obeyed him. She glanced over her shoulder just enough to see that he truly was retreating.

“As always, yes? I will not move. Yes?” He kept his soothing tone and stopped much farther away from her.

She turned fully toward him. She stood straight now. The sweating had eased, though her breathing improved only very slowly.

“I will not move, kitty. Easy. Breathe,” he almost whispered.

I have no idea what is happening here, but she could not act this, he thought as she calmed herself. I don’t understand how she can behave so differently. Then again, yesterday she had her parents with her. Today she is alone, out here in the wild. If I chose to harm her, she would have no way to defend herself. Yesterday she was home, surrounded by people, protected by her parents, his thoughts raced. Or maybe she is simply afraid of me.

Tess began to breathe deeply, but with her mouth closed now.

“Kitty… are you afraid only of me?” he asked as gently as he could.

She looked at him. This time there was no terror in her eyes. Rather, exhaustion. A tired, distant look of someone who has been afraid for far too long.

“I am afraid of everyone,” she said quietly, as if angry.

“I am so sorry. I did not mean to frighten you like that.”

She drew a deep breath and stepped away.

“It is not your fault. Don’t worry yourself over it,” she replied and started to leave.

“I don’t agree with that,” he said, shaking his head.

“Take care,” she said in parting, and a moment later she was gone.

No! …Serves me right, Aiden thought, judging the far too brief encounter for himself.