Reluctant Consent Read Online Free PDF Page A

focus.
    “We’re
going to eat,” Andrew said.   “Then we’ll
talk.”
    Denise
shuddered.   “I don’t have an
appetite, Andrew.”
    “I
know.   I’ll help.”
    “What?
You’re going to force food down my throat?”
    He
ignored her comment. Very big of him.  
    “Tell
me about the boys -- your brothers -- remind me.”
    She
shook her head.   “I’m too
nervous.   I’d like to just get it
over with.”
    Andrew
shot her a look.   Level, calm, but a look.   “So you’re really looking forward to this idea, eh?”
    “Give
me a break, Andrew.   How do you
expect me to feel?
    “I’d
like it if you felt happy.   Excited.   Relieved.   But I get it you don’t.   I’m sorry it feels so bad to you
Denise.   I swear it’s not going to
be.”
    Denise
sighed and rolled her eyes.   He
wasn’t the one marrying a throwback to the Revolutionary Period.
    Andrew
grimaced.   “One day soon, Denise, I
am going to tell you not to roll your eyes when we’re having a disagreement.”
    She
stared at him, mouth open.   Tears
were forming in her eyes and she was so mad she wanted, yearned to fling
herself from the car.
    He
patted her leg.   “One day.   Not today though because believe it or
not, Denise, I am cutting you a break.”
    Denise
shut her mouth and pretended to look out the window.   She was bewildered.   By many things of course, including the fact her crotch was suddenly, blazingly, hot and damp.
    “Please
Andrew.   I’m too nervous to eat.   Can you please just tell me what you
expect?”
    “I’m
not trying to torture you, Denise. You need to eat and I thought you’d want to
talk in private.
    “Well
I wouldn’t.   In public I can’t get
mad at you and call you a dick so you won’t have to whip out your belt in front
of decent citizens and startle them into heart attacks.”
      “You’d be surprised how many decent
citizens discipline their wives.”
    “God
I hate that word.   Just tell me.”
    “Discipline?”   He shot her a glance.   “I’m sure you do hate the word.   It goes against your life style.”
    “Then
why?”   The words burst out of her
mouth.   “Why did you fall for
me?   Since I am so undisciplined?
You never did love me, did you? You want a woman you can crush and force to do
your will!”
    Andrew’s
hand shot into the air and grabbed her own waving one,
forcing it firmly down to his thigh where he kept it.   Not hurting, but not letting go either.   “I did love you, Denise. I still love
you, and I have no desire to crush you.  
    “This
isn’t the time for a philosophical discussion.   You won’t be able to hear it --“
    “I’m
just a dumb emotional woman, Andrew?   Too dumb to understand?”
    He
let go of her hand, a laugh escaping.   “God.   You’re really trying
to push my buttons!   Look, Denise,
it’s simple. And I do realize it is foreign to you. “  
    “And
the other 90 % of the world save some primitive tribes with plates through
their lips.”
    “That’s
racist.   Which is beneath
you.”   I say again, you would be
surprised by the number of people who live the way I am suggesting.”
    Her
mouth opened, and he waved a finger.   “Ah Ah! Quiet!”
    Again,
the horrible discomfort and confusion of realizing her vagina was wet.   What. The. Fuck.   Was the mere presence of a barbarian
enough to make her DNA de-evolve?
    “I
know this stuff is new to you and I promise to help you any way I can.   There are books you can read.   Women you can talk to…“
    “The
Stepford Wives,” Denise muttered.  
    Andrew
ignored her.
    “I’ll
be patient.   Now is not the
time.   What do I expect, you
asked?”
    Denise
nodded.
    “I
lead ..   You follow.”
    Denise
snorted.
    Andrew
ignored it.
    “I
expect you to tell me honestly how you feel and what you think.   I promise to listen and carefully
consider.   But someone has to be in
charge, and that’s me.”
    “Never
heard of egalitarian relationships,