PERMISSION

er, sizzling like tiny screams. I didn't flinch. I just stood there, watching it spil

r the steam or the way my shoulders tensed. There was a glass of wine next to him, still full, untouched.

parmesan. Mine, bland and rushed. I placed his dish in front of him. He murmured a thank you w

all day, too full of nerves to make room for dinner. Ethan forked a bite of

king," I said,

as unreadable. calm, maybe slig

ut w

own, but not enough. I wanted something sh

" I said. "But we'

slowly. "Is this abo

about ev

the other rested on the table. He looked at me the way he used to

try somethi

se slightly

the base of my wine glass. The mome

someone in," I

nt and clean, like a

twist in confusion or shock. He just

ne you

et. I don't want it to b

picked up his wine, swirled it,

d. Not accusin

still alive in this body. Something that reminds me I'm not just your wif

or an angry one. It was the stare of a man tryi

leep with a wo

es

me to be oka

u to be pa

ard slightly.

want to choose it. And a woman feels like... sa

ke he was taking notes.

myself again. I don't want to lie to you abo

allow. His voice dropped. "

ha

t you're i

sita

o ask me to give permission, I dese

k, crawling down my spin

t not cruelly. Just... like she belongs in the room. In my sk

the table. My pulse f

too much. She kisses like she means it. Like s

sped. No emotion, just int

s with her hands. She's patien

s jaw was tight now

she's doing all this?"

e watc

ze sha

e tells you to wait. Maybe she

ou lik

eed

jaw flexing on

"but I need to know what this is really abo

I want you to see me like that. I want you to know I'm

e window. Our city view glimmered o

ed, hands tig

from you," he said w

her d

th. Controlled. Contained. He had always been the steady one, the rock. But I

verything," h

kno

u're asking

ed. "I'm asking

Not softened, hardened. But not in a cruel way. More lik

is, there wi

ly. "What ki

o secrets. No lies. I know everything. You tell me wh

lowed.

y stop,

ka

me something else, someth

aid. "It's not

nd came up to touch my chin. Not ten

be someone el

I want to be who I w

gers sl

her,"

t relief. Not excitement. Somet

wil