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She slipped on her sandals and left the bedroom. Mark was in the living room, sitting in a chair. She spied a large Nordstrom’s bag by the door. A glance inside showed her her purse on top. She didn’t know what to do or what to say. “Goodbye” sounded permanent. “See you soon” left him the opportunity to say, “I think not.”
So, Abby flipped the lock on the front door, picked up the bag and said the only thing that came to mind. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you wanted.” Then she left, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
When she got home, she went straight to her own bathroom, which was nowhere near as nice as Mark’s she thought for the umpteenth time. She set the bag down on the toilet lid and got undressed. She removed the plug and ran a bath for herself. Inside the bag her lingerie had been laid on top so she took it out and set it on the counter. He’d included the panties which she’d never gotten to wear.
Next came her makeup. She set it down on the counter as well. Marveling at his generosity. She pulled out the shampoo bottles and the extra bars of soap he’d apparently stocked up on. She froze.
At the bottom of the bag was a dove gray box. She didn’t even need to see the side to know what it said.
Make me proud, and I will give you another, better, present.
Holding her breath, she pulled the box out of the bag and took the lid off. Tears stung her eyes as she looked inside. A pair of size 8 black leather five inch heels gleamed in the light of the bathroom.
Motherfucking Jimmy Choos. He’d remembered. She sat down on the floor and sobbed.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Tex swore and threw the wrench that had just slipped, again, and smashed his thumb. It hit the tool chest and left a small dent in the metal.
Hawk looked up. “Try not to destroy the place, cowboy.”
Tex scowled, but said nothing.
“Not for nothing,” Hawk said, standing up and wiping his hands on a rag. “But how long are you planning on moping around like a kid who lost his favorite toy?”
Tex shook his head. “I’m not moping.”
Hawk smirked. “Cowboy, that’s some Grade A moping you’re doing. The only people who mope better than you are twelve year old girls.”
“Shut up.”
“Can you just say you’re sorry?” Hawk replied.
Tex sighed. “Fuck off.”
“Not to me, dummy. To her!”
Tex sighed again and shook his head. “No.”
“You are one stubborn asshole,” Hawk declared.
“It’s more than that,” Tex admitted. “We’re not right for each other. I knew it wasn’t gonna last. It’s no surprise.”
“Nothing ever lasts with you,” Hawk pointed out. “But this is the first time I’ve seen you give a shit that it didn’t.” Tex didn’t resond. “So fucking apologize already and get your woman back. Maybe you should get on your knees. I bet that’d work.”
Tex picked up a second wrench. “I wouldn’t be opposed. I’m not too good to grovel. But everything’s moving way too fast. If I didn’t slow the train down, it was going to derail and take both of us out.”
“Sure about that?” Hawk asked. “Could’ve just been in for a wild ride.”
Tex shook his head. “Can’t say it would be worth the risk.”
Hawk laughed. Tex glared at him. “Never thought you’d be worried about taking a risk.”
Tex turned his back on his friend and re-focused on the engine in front of him.
****
Abby took a rare day off and fired up her laptop. After a few days of crying and cleaning out the local grocery store of Haagen-Daas she’d decided it would be more productive to simply get Mark back. Which, unfortunately was easier said than done. She knew he’d withdrawn from her for asking too many questions. He’d already told her that he wouldn’t entertain her curiousity. She’d panicked when she thought he was looking for slave and broke that rule pretty thoroughly.
Now that she was calmer, she thought maybe she’d better find out exactly what it was she was so afraid of. Because it occured to her that she had a lot of opinions for someone who knew nothing about BDSM before meeting Mark. So far, everything Mark had showed her had been initially frightening, but ultimately acceptable. Granted peeing on the lawn was a low point in their relationship, but she’d brought that on herself and had no one else to blame for it.
And how could she be angry with Mark for holding back when that was all she. herself, ever did?
Love was about sacrifice. That much she’d always understood and believed. And so far, Abby had done none of the sacrificing. It was Mark who was putting off the things he truly wanted in an effort to make Abby comfortable and happy. She felt like a petulant child in the wake of her outburst. Like a little girl throwing a fit because she didn’t get everything she wanted. Even if Mark wanted a slave, he hadn’t asked Abby to try that. He’d never even brought it up. It was entirely possible that “We’re a long way off,” was a polite way of saying, “She’ll never be able to do that.”
