"The house will be safer than the hotel," I concede. "More secure."
"And bigger." She steps closer, her perfume filling my senses. "Plenty of room for both of us to have our own space, if that's what you need."
The offer in her words is clear. She's giving me an out, a way to keep my distance. She’s definitely more understanding than I deserve.
"I'll have them expedite the closing," I say, avoiding her eyes. But I can't help adding, "The studio should be your first priority. Get whatever supplies you need."
Her smile lights up the room, and I find myself stepping toward her, wanting to be near her warmth and light.
"And this room is mine too,” she announces.
"Is that so?" I cross my arms, fighting back a smile. "And where, exactly, am I supposed to sleep?"
She steps closer, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. My breath catches.
"You have two choices." Her finger pokes my chest. "Be a real husband and share it with me or find somewhere else. Except that room with all the windows. I'm claiming that for my art studio."
The boldness of her declaration catches me off guard. Most people wouldn't dare challenge me like this, but Hannah is fearless. It’s surprising considering how badly I’ve treated her.
"Quite the ultimatum." I lean against the doorframe to the spa-sized bathroom, studying her.
She shrugs, but there's steel beneath her casual tone. "Unless you'd prefer to keep sleeping on couches?"
The reference to last night hits its mark. Heat floods my system as memories of her skin under my hands, those soft sounds she made, come back. I clear my throat.
"Demanding little thing, aren't you?"
"You have no idea." She brushes past me into the bathroom, her shoulder grazing my chest. The contact sends electricity through my body. She takes in the large tub with a view out the window into the garden and the tile and glass shower.
Finally, she goes to the large vanity with double sinks and stares at herself in the mirror. “I don’t know what you see when you look at me, Ash. Maybe you think I’m young and naïve. I suppose I am. But I’m not stupid. And I know my value.”
My breath holds, unsure where she’s going with this.
She turns and looks at me. I see vulnerability and yet also strength. “If you don’t want me as a real wife, so be it. This place is big enough to keep your distance. But you won’t bring another woman into my house. I’ll give you what you want. I’ll play the part while you are with the woman you really want. But in return, you have to respect me and my home.”
Our world really is unfair to women, I realize as I study her and the agreement she’s trying to make with me. Any other man in our world would likely tell her she has no power to ask for concessions or respect. She knows that and yet is asserting herself. She’s giving me my space, and all she asks is that I respect her.
“This is your home,” I repeat.
“Good.” She keeps watching me. “My friends suggested I use a different tactic with you.”
I arch a brow, feeling unsettled that she talked about me to her friends. "Did they now?"
"They think I should seduce you." She lets out a soft laugh, but her eyes dart away from mine.
Blood rushes south as unbidden images flood my mind. Hannah bent over the vanity while I fuck her from behind.
“They had all sorts of ideas for teasing you, tempting you…” She shrugs and looks away, her expression sad.
"And what do you think about their suggestions?"
"I think I'd rather not make a fool of myself. You made it clear that you're not interested in me."
The vulnerability in her voice cuts through me. If she only knew how wrong she is, how much restraint it takes not to cross this room and show her exactly how interested I am.
Hannah gives me a wan smile. “Don’t worry, Ash. I won't embarrass either of us by attempting their ridiculous schemes."
I wonder what she’d think if I told her that no seduction schemes were necessary. Her existence in my space is already more temptation than I can handle. Didn’t I prove that last night when in a moment of weakness I kissed her, touched her, made her come?
