I don’t know why I’m so nervous to see him again. I think it’s because I’ve disappointed him. Why doesn't he yell? That's what he does when he’s mad, but this silence is worse.
I brush my hair out before putting on the clothes he left for me. When I make it back to the kitchen, he has food out for us. I look at him, and he stands, his face devoid of emotion.
“Something to drink?”
“Some juice?” He nods and gets me a cup. I sit down in front of a plate filled with stir fry. “Did you make this?” His only response is to nod as he places the cup down in front of me before he takes his seat.
“Eat,” he orders, and I pick up my fork and dig in. When the first bite hits my tongue, I realize how hungry I really am. In no time, my plate is cleared. “More?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“No thank you. I don’t think I can eat another bite.” He gives me another one of those nods before taking my plate away. I watch him put the dishes away and the quiet is starting to drive me crazy.
“Judge—”
“You can watch TV if you like. I’ve got some things to handle in my office.” Before I can respond, he’s walking out of the kitchen and leaving me alone. A few moments later I hear his office door close.
For the second time today I’m all alone, only this time I want to burst into tears. I hate that he’s mad at me.
I stand up and debate if I should follow him, but it’s clear he wants his space. Still my feet move me toward his office until I’m standing outside the closed door.
Unable to convince myself to open the door, I turn around and go back into the living room. I grab the throw blanket and turn on the television, wondering how long he’ll be in his office.
At some point I drift off to sleep, because when I wake up, the TV is off and it’s two in the morning. Is he still in his office, or did he leave me on the couch to sleep?
When I walk into the bedroom, I see it’s empty, and I bite my lip, not wanting to get into bed alone. Last night I was going to ask about sleeping in a different room, but tonight my chest is tight because Judge isn't with me.
Unable to get in the bed, I venture back toward Judge’s office with a knot in my stomach. When I push open the door, I see him passed out on the leather sofa with a bottle of whiskey on the floor next to him.
I think Judge is already starting to see I’m not cut out to be his wife. I had a feeling something like this was going to happen. He can try and dress me up in all the pretty clothes and jewelry he wants, but I’ll still be me. The girl who is always biting off more than she can chew and getting herself in trouble even when I don’t mean to.
I step out of the office and close the door behind me with my chest aching. It doesn't look like I have to try to make Judge’s life hell, because it turns out that being myself is enough. None of this is going how I thought it would, and Judge is a whole lot more than I could have ever dreamed up.
It’s just too bad that he’s disappointed with the woman he forced to marry him.
Chapter Twelve Judge
When I wake up it’s still dark outside. I check my watch and see it’s around three in the morning. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, but with enough whiskey, that’s bound to happen. I sit up on the couch and rub my eyes with the heels of my hands.
I was a mess when we got back to the house, and I felt like I had no control. I still don’t know what the fuck I would have done if I hadn’t made it to Kitty in time, but when she was safe in the house again, I needed a drink. A lot of them. Not only to calm my nerves but to keep me from going to her. All I wanted to do was rip her wet clothes off and take her right there on the floor in the bathroom. But I held off and decided I needed to put some walls between me and her naked body.
At some point I thought she’d come find me, but I must have fallen asleep before that happened. Thoughts of where she is now have me standing up and searching for her.
In the living room it looks like she was here with the messy blanket and pillows, but it’s quiet now and the lights are off. I make my way to our bedroom, and although my mind is still a little foggy, my heart is leading the way.
When I get there, I see her curled up at the end of the bed and not hardly on it at all. I shake my head as I go over and scoop her up in my arms and carry her to her side.
“Judge,” she says softly as I place her down.
When I go to stand up, her arms stay locked around my neck, and the action makes me smile. “I’m coming right back,” I say and brush my lips across hers.
She releases me, and I stand up to strip off my clothes. When I’m finished, I slide the straps of her nightgown off her shoulders and peel it down.
“Why are you taking my clothes
