From that night on, Annalise found herself sharing a bed with her pro forma husband. It had something to do with Sven saying he hated sleeping alone, and as much as she wanted to lie to herself, the truth was Sven’s company in bed brought unexpected comfort. For the first time in her life, she discovered that she didn’t have to shoulder everything in the world alone. There was Sven to share the burden. To share laughter and everything that mattered.
As the days went by, Annalise got more accustomed to having Sven as part of her life. Morning breakfast together. Helping him choose a tie to wear. Going out for lunch, or even a simple mundane thing like small talk. She became more and more dependent on him, and she deemed that problematic.
“You’ll be disappointed if you start harboring expectations,” said Cécile during one of their lunches. Whenever Sven was too busy with the job at his own firm, Cécile always insisted on having a lunch with her. For some reason, Cécile was always able to coerce her into discussing her relationship with Sven. “Sven is Sven, and no woman on earth has ever figured out what’s going on in his head.”
As much as she didn’t want to listen to Cécile and despite Sven’s warning, Cécile sometimes spoke the unadulterated truth.
Annalise discovered the trail of his past lovers. All beautiful, educated, smart with dazzling personalities, and yet they all failed to capture the heart of the enigmatic man named Sven Torvik. Annalise feared if she let Sven into her life too much, she’d be devastated when he left. The one-year marriage contract ticked by faster and faster. She realized now that she dreaded it coming to an end..
Lately, she also noted the change in herself. Out of nowhere, she’d get flustered if she stood too close to him. She got upset easily if Sven hadn’t replied to her texts, and she’d smile like an idiot each time Sven’s special ring tone chimed quietly. Bedtime that used to be a time of comfort became an emotional battle zone. She would like to have Sven do more than cuddling her, but then again, he was a man of his word. Annalise was furious with herself for not being able to untangle what she really wanted from the current situation. Even Sven noticed her changes.
“Why do you always sneak away each time I want to show you how to process these figures?” Sven looked annoyed. They were in Sven’s study as he taught her Accounting 101. “What’s got into you?”
Annalise shifted from foot to foot, nervous. “It’s not you, it’s me. I just remembered I forgot to take a shower this morning.”
“Lying is not your strong suit, Annalise. I strongly discourage it. And don’t use the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ routine either. I’ve used that countless time in the past. It’s always about the other person’s fault and never about me. Now, spit it out, what’s wrong?”
“I…uhm.” She stepped backward when Sven closed the distance between them. “I don’t know what’s wrong. Lately, I feel awkward being around you. I can’t concentrate and I get jealous when other women talk about you. Like yesterday, one of your assistants commented on how handsome you look in that new Westmancott suit, and suddenly I was itching to slap her. Sorry. This is new for me and I’m trying to deal with it.”
Unexpectedly, Sven laughed. His rich voice hit the wood-dominated ceilings of his private study.
Annalise grumbled. “I know I’m being stupid. Move along; there’s nothing to see.”
“Anna.” Sven seemed to struggle to keep his mirth under control. “Have you ever been in love before?”
“Of course I have. Don’t be silly.”
“No, you don’t understand. I mean, truly in love, not just as if you’d like someone.”
“Sven, you’re scaring me. I hope you’re not suggesting we exchange diaries and discuss our feelings. You’re acting like my best friend in middle school.”
“Am I?” He tugged her closer to him. “Did your best friend do this?” He lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.
It wasn’t a friendly kiss like he did every morning—a peck on the forehead or cheek. It was a kiss a man gave to a woman when he wanted so much more, a carnal relationship, a deeper and intimate call that broke the invisible barrier between them. It melted her awkwardness for him into a simple feeling she understood: she wanted him. As a man. As her lover.#p#分页标题#e#
The kiss was exquisite, one that spurred her heart to beat faster and caused shimmering heat to rush through every vein.
He started slow—a lick of greeting, followed by an exploratory brush across her lips. What he did caused a high octane lust to burst out inside her. Her body responded wantonly. She opened up her mouth and Sven kissed her hungrily. Deep, all tongue and almost feral—one that took her breath away, and her mind was lost in the clouds. She could no longer think at that moment, and merely responded with instinct.