Page 35 of Until You Came Along

“I want a whiskey, and if possible a double, to see if I can calm this fury a little.”

“Why are you furious?” he asked, as he walked toward the bar where the drinks were kept.

“I’m not going to answer that question which is more than obvious,” I replied, while taking a seat in one of the large armchairs.

He returned and stretched out his arm to give me the drink.

“I only gave you one measure and with ice,” stated Mr. Don’t-contradict-me, and then sat down beside me.

I took a sip and it burned my throat, I wasn’t used to drinking whiskey, but I tried to hide it to avoid his mockery.

“Well, here we are, tell me at once what you have to say to me.”

“I have several things,” he said, and ran his hand through his hair, he seemed nervous and I was very surprised to see him in that posture. “To begin with, I want to apologize for my behavior the other day at my mother’s house. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I’m sorry,” he apologized, and his emerald gaze was so sincere that it made me shiver. I didn’t understand how this man managed to make me feel this way just by looking at me.

“The other day you said many inappropriate things and were very rude, but I accept your apology.”

“Thank you,” he expressed, and I noticed him looking so vulnerable that I almost threw myself at him to give him a strong hug and tell him not to say anything more because he already had me at his feet.

“The other thing is that... I accept,” he said, looking at me cautiously.

“What is it that you accept, Hermes? For God’s sake, I don’t understand anything!” I exclaimed, desperate, this man was throwing me off balance.

“I accept exclusivity. I accept that, while we have sex, we won’t see other people.”

“What?”

“You need to stop saying that,” he said, and looking at him, he seemed frightened to me.

“Why did you change your mind?” I asked, unable to believe what I had heard.

He looked at me and ran his hands through his hair again.

“Because I desire you with an intensity like I’ve never experienced before. I’ve tried by all means to forget you, but I failed, and the more effort I put into it, the more I think about you. If I don’t have you, I’ll go crazy.”

I stared at him without being able to respond. Hermes desired me that way? God help me because I desired him the same way.

“But you told me you’ve never had exclusivity and that you don’t trust women.”

“All of that is true.”

“And if you don’t trust me, how can you propose something like this?”

“I already told you, I need to have you. With you I’ve skipped all my rules, and the last one will be trying to trust you, but if you don’t keep your word, I’ll make your life a living hell.”

“Do you think that comment is ideal for starting a relationship?”

“Yes; honesty above all.”

“How romantic of you.”

“Let’s be clear about something. I’m not talking about romance, don’t expect that because you won’t get it, we’ll share sex with exclusivity, but romance isn’t part of this relationship.”

“Are you proposing a secret relationship?” I asked.

“No; because I’ll probably ask you to accompany me to some social gatherings where I need to bring a partner. If I can only go out with you, you’ll have to accompany me.”

“And supposing I accept, what do I tell Baco and your mother? That we’re lovers?”