“Amazing you could hold onto me so long,” she said and
giggled.
I shook my head and raised an eyebrow.
“Cut out the self insults,” I said and flipped her around to wash her back. “Is
that all that you found amazing?” I asked.
“Course not,” she said and reached back
and touched my hip. “Everything else about you is amazing.”
I stopped scrubbing and smiled. The ache
in my gut lightened. She mean it?
“You know you’re the one that’s
gorgeous. Tall, black hair and your gold eyes. Unusual but beautiful.
Especially when they glow.” She blushed. “You could probably get anybody you
wanted.”
I smiled. “And I obviously have who I
want. I married her.”
She wrapped her arms around me and I
caressed her back.
“Still don’t make sense, but okay,” she
said.
“Yeah, you’re going to have to get used
to it,” I said and kissed her neck.
We finished the shower and hurried as
the water got cold. Then we fell into her bed and drifted to sleep. A restless
one for me. Something was eating at my mind.
***
I woke up to the smell of food wafting
through the room. My taste buds watered and I rubbed my eyes. How long had it
been since I ate last? I got up and wondered to the kitchen. Smelt like
Barbecue.
Taylor was stirring a pan of veggies and
I touched her shoulder.
She jumped and frowned. Then she grabbed
a hand towel and smacked me.
“Hey.”
“What’d I say about sneaking up on me,”
she said and shook her head.
“Sorry.” I grabbed a piece of bread from
a plate and chewed it. “What’s in the oven?”
She glanced down and licked her bottom
lip. “Barbecue ribs.”
I paused. “Seriously?” I asked.
“Yeah, why? You like them right?”
The woman was definitely my mate! I
chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I love ribs. You need help with anything?” I asked.
“You can set the table,” she said and
pulled out a pan. The ribs, sizzling and delicious looking.
I placed a set of napkins and silverware
on the wooden dining table and glanced around the room. Never really paid much
attention before. Usually you see walls decked out with pictures, or something
that tells you about someone’s personality, but Taylor had a plain apartment.
Simple furniture, no clutter, a small bookcase and a desk with a laptop. No
pictures. Seemed pretty lonely. Can’t believe she didn’t even own a cat or dog.
She dished our plates and set them down.
Then she put her napkin in her shirt and I laughed.
She paused and raised her brows. “What?”
she asked.
“Nothing. You’re just incredibly
adorable,” I said and smiled.
She looked down and blushed at her
napkin. “Ribs are messy,” she said and sat down.
“Yeah, I know,” I said, but couldn’t
keep the goofy smile off of my face.
I asked her simple questions during
dinner. Where did she work? Guessing about her favorite things and hobbies. Something
a couple usually knew about before marriage.
“Feel like were on a first date,” she
said and wiped her mouth.
“Right?” I said and smiled, but it faded
away as she looked down. I broke the rib bone in half and sucked the marrow.
She leaned back in her chair and stared.
“Wow.”
I shrugged. “Want some,” I asked and
offered her half.
She put her hand up. “I’ll pass,” she
said and smiled.
“It’s good for you.”
“Pass.”
I put the bone on my plate and wiped my
mouth. “Do you regret marrying me?”
Her head shot up and she opened her
mouth, but didn’t answer. She had to think about it?
My heart skipped a beat and before she answered
a loud knock echoed through the place.
I stood up, knocking the chair
backwards. If that was… No! I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Taylor backed into the corner and I
hurried to the door. “Who is it?” I snapped.
A familiar voice sounded from the other
side. “Sam, it’s
The Big Rich: The Rise, Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes