AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We spent all of Sunday making love, only leaving for food and a quick shower. As the sun began to sink in the sky, I asked Oliver what our plan was for moving back in together.
"We’re not together only by location. You could move back to the penthouse this week," he suggested, his eyes glinting with hope.
"I would’ve thought you would want me there tonight," I said, tilting my head.
"By you, I mean your stuff. You’ll physically be in our bed," he clarified, a smile playing on his lips.
"Suppose I want to take a breather?" I teased.
"Tough. Pack a suitcase and we can go. I have a surprise for you there," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"You don’t need to give me gifts. I already said yes," I protested, touched by his gesture.
"I’m not rewarding you for the end of our separation. I’m doing it because I love you. I want you to be happy," he insisted, his sincerity evident.
"I am happy and all I need is you," I replied, feeling a swell of affection.
"Then pack your bags and let’s get moving. I’m sure Trouble is missing the patch of grass on the patio," he urged, his excitement contagious.
"He doesn’t seem to mind walking on the street. I have time because I’m not working now," I pointed out.
"Would you like to? I know of an office that’s just longing for the owner to come back," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"I bet. Do you mind if I take another week off?" I asked, hopeful for more time to adjust.
"Three months isn’t enough of a vacation?" Oliver quipped.
"I wasn’t taking a vacation. I was trying to heal my wounded heart," I reminded him gently.
I couldn’t bear the hurt look on Oliver’s face. It tore at my heart as much as it had torn at his. But he had to know the damage he caused by closing me out and shutting down emotionally.
"Of which I’ll spend the rest of my life making up to you for. I’m sorry, Ryleigh. I’m so sorry," he said, his voice filled with regret.
"Stop apologizing. It’s over. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss it with the therapist," I reassured him. “Should we shower before we go?" I asked.
"Pack first, and I know a tub that’s been empty for a while," Oliver suggested, feeling a thrill at the thought.
I rubbed my hands together. "Mmm, I can’t wait. Do you still have the lime basil bath beads I left?" I asked, my voice dropping to a seductive whisper.
He winked. "Of course I do. Did you think I would throw them out?"
"Well, we were getting a divorce," I reminded him.
"I kept everything you left," He confessed softly.
"Why? You served me divorce papers. I thought you wanted it done and over with," I said, my voice tinged with confusion.
“By the time the papers came back signed, I had a change of heart.”
My mouth dropped open, and I punched him as hard as I could in the arm. His jaw clenched, and he rubbed his shoulder while I nursed my bruised knuckles.
“You bastard! That was two and a half months ago. Why didn’t you say something sooner?” I demanded, anger and frustration flaring.
“I didn’t want you to say no,” he admitted, his voice softening.
“I would’ve said yes,” I retorted, feeling a pang of hurt.
I got out of bed and slipped on my pink robe that was draped at the foot. Heading to the closet, I rummaged for my brown suitcase. As I bent over, Oliver came up behind me, his presence warm and close.
