6. Confession

DeMarco lightly chuckles. "I think, my lady, I owe you an apology." 

"Why? We both probably had way too much to drink last night. I know I certainly did. I never drank that much before in my entire life. Don't get me wrong. I don't regret anything about last night." DeMarco said without a hint of disappointment. “I just hate that I can’t recall it all as clearly as I would like.”

Their drinks and food came to the table. Ava took a long drink from her wine glass almost immediately.

“Whoa, we don’t want to have a repeat of last night.” He said jokingly.

“Don't you regret anything about last night?”

“Please forgive me, my mind is drawing a blank about the details of last night. I know we are husband and wife. And I do recall a few things, as you can dance. And quite sexy too."

“This is serious, at least for me.” 

“Okay, I’m listening.”

He listened quietly as she told him everything—the confrontation with her family, Justin’s ultimatum, the impossible choice she was being forced to make. Her voice broke when she spoke of the annulment, of giving up even the idea of a future together.

When she finished, DeMarco was silent for a long moment. He leans on the table, gazing closer, eyes blazing with determination.

“So that’s it,” he said, voice low. “You’re just going to walk away? Pretend it never happened?”

Ava blinked back tears. “What else can I do? If I stay with you, I lose everything—my family, my inheritance, my future. But if I go back…I lose myself.”

He shook his head, taking her hands in his. “You think money is all you have to offer? That’s not what I want, Ava. I never wanted your fortune. I want you.”

She looked away, ashamed. “I’m not brave like you, DeMarco. I can’t live in poverty. I’m not made for it.”

He squeezed her hands. “Then we’ll figure it out together. I may not have much, but I have dreams. Ambition. With you by my side, we can build something real. Something that’s ours, not handed down by your family or dictated by their expectations.”

Ava’s breath hitched. “They’ll never forgive me. I’ll be cut off.”

“Then let them.” His voice was fierce. “Let them see what you’re capable of. You’re stronger than you think, Ava. You proved it when you chose me, even for one night. Don’t let their fear make you forget that.”

She stared at him, torn between longing and dread. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not easy. But it’s worth it.” DeMarco cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear. “You don’t owe Justin anything. He wants you as a trophy, a way to mend his pride. I want you as my partner, my equal. You have a choice, Ava. Maybe for the first time in your life.”

She closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. For a moment, she imagined a life with him—a small apartment, laughter and paint and music, struggles and triumphs that were theirs alone. And then she remembered the chill in her father’s voice, the disappointment in her mother’s eyes, the heavy weight of expectation pressing down on her.

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough,” she whispered.

DeMarco tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Then let me be strong for you. Stay with me, Ava. Give us a chance.”

Ava’s heart pounded. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to throw caution to the wind, to leap without looking. But the fear was still there, gnawing at her resolve.

“I need time,” she said finally, her voice barely audible. “I need to think.”

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. “Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

She stood, her limbs heavy with indecision. Ava watched him for a few more minutes; the dreaded look on his face left her feeling dejected, so she says.

"Look, let's just end this and pretend none of this happened. I'll meet you at the lawyer's office tomorrow in the morning. Here's the address. She got up from the table and left DeMarco sitting there with his mouth open, and his hand stretched out to stop her.  

He got up, walked her to the door, his hand lingering on hers.

As she stepped out into the cold night, Ava knew the chapter of her old life was closing behind her. Ahead lay the future, uncertain, fraught with risk and possibility. For the first time, the choice was hers alone.

And as the door closed softly behind her, she wondered if she would ever be brave enough to take it.

DeMarco tossed and turned and turned all night back at the hotel. He couldn't sleep. Thinking about Ava always and how much he enjoyed his time with her today. "Why do I keep thinking about her?"

DeMarco said, now sitting up in bed. When he couldn't come up with a reasonable answer that suited him, he took the sheet and pulled it over his head, burying his face in frustration.

Lying there for another hour, still unable to resolve this matter. 'Why can't I just be happy with the decision to nullify this marriage tomorrow morning, and go back to the life I had before?' 

He couldn't stop thinking about her! Why? Because DeMarco had never met a girl who was so much like him, yet so very different. She was sexy and sweet, with a way of making him want to know more about everything in life. She was indeed his dime piece. She is smart, and they were also in the same line of work! 

How could he score the perfect 10 and walk away?

***

Ava sat up in bed; she hadn't been to sleep either. She threw her head back and smiled at the ceiling. Goodness, the things that man had done to her with one sizzling look of those bedroom eyes. Her core began to respond at the mere thought of him, and her heart settled in her chest.

"Maybe I could think of DeMarco when I’m with Justin, and I’ll be able to endure it. What on earth am I saying? I must be insane."

She'd never been the type of girl who jumped in feet first, and it was her first time doing it, and she had to go, and fall in love, or is it lust? Whichever it is, it’s chemistry, and precisely what she needed in her life. DeMarco wasn't dull but dependable, and he filled her with lust, desire, and passion, a fire unlike she's ever known before.

DeMarco surely could fuel her fantasies for the next fifty years. 

Or longer.