“We both know what you were about to say: except for the fact that I keep pushing you away. Right?”

I nod. “There is a connection between us, Michael, and you keep denying it. I don’t understand. We’re engaged to be married. I’m gonna be your wife, and I know for a fact that you find me sexually attractive, so why do you fight it?”

He looks up at me and smiles. “You’re right. I think you are very attractive, and there are times I want nothing more than to spend an eternity in bed with you. But you don’t know everything. There are things I can’t tell you. Things I’ve done…things that will make you run as far away from me as you can get. I won’t compromise you if in the end you want nothing to do with me.”

He is talking in riddles. What in the world does he mean about “in the end”? What could he have possibly done that would make me run from him? He’s amazingly kind and loving—well, except when I push him too far and then he’s abrupt and taciturn. But that behavior is partly my fault.

I try to reassure him. “Michael, you’re being ridiculous. There is nothing you could possibly do to make me run from you. I’m gonna be your wife, baby.”

He smirks, and a look of sadness crosses his face. “You will run.” He stands from the lounge and turns back toward the house.

“Michael, why don’t you sit out here with me a while?” I call after him.

Still walking toward the house, he shakes his head. I watch him walk away, admiring his incredibly taut ass, narrow waist, and broad shoulders. I see his back muscles flex as he walks. He really is beautiful. And, he’s wrong. I would never leave him,I think to myself as he disappears into the house. Hopefully one day soon, he will realize it too.