“It was a mistake, one I regret every day.”
“A mistake that you decided to let me pay for. And now that we’re clearing the air, maybe it’s time I told you something.”
“Whatever it is,” she said her voice hoarse, “I deserve it.”
“I never loved you. Not the way I should have. After a few years, your charms wore off and I realized then I was stuck in a marriage I didn’t want. In fact, I grew to despise you as the years passed. You were annoying and needy and didn’t have a selfless bone in your body. You weren’t the kind of woman I could respect, let alone truly and deeply love. I spent years suffering at your hand because of my love for a daughter that wasn’t mine. But here’s the thing, you conniving bitch, you can’t change her love for me. You can’t twist it or turn it or direct it toward Daniel, no matter what you do. If you want to tell Ella, be my guest; but if you do, you’ll get exactly what you deserve, her hatred. And she won’t love Daniel more. He has to earn her love and affection the way I had to for the whole of her life. I dare you to try to piss away at the years I’ve built being a father, but let me repeat myself so we’re clear. You will never, ever ruin what’s between us. Ella and I are what true love is supposed to be. She and I were the best thing to come out of our marriage and it had nothing to do with you.”
I was being vile, but it was the truth for the most part that she hadn’t been kind enough to spare me.
“You never loved me?”
“No.”
I ended the call and walked the beach until sunrise.
“Disco,” I called out, rousing from sleep. I stood and stretched stepping into a fresh puddle of her piss. “Get over here, you little rat, it’s time for our jog. Disco!”
I heard a muffled squeal of delight and made my way to my porch. Staring out of the screen, I finally spotted my dog and her kidnapper. Koti was running the beach with the tiny beast in tow, her timid bark sounding rapidly as she chased at Koti’s heels.
Disco’s ears flew back as she tried to keep up with her captor’s sporadic movements. She dodged the puppy left and right as the storm winds blew in and thunder sounded in the distance. The only rays of sun left shone through the clouds on our beach and lit them both up as they pranced around on the sand. Koti’s smile and delighted laughter took my breath away.
She had on a pair of barely-there shorts that showcased the insane length of her toned legs. A thin top covered her gorgeous tits and tight stomach. The woman was radiant, so fucking beautiful, that it hurt to look at her. I couldn’t imagine the life she explained to me where she wasn’t in control. She seemed so at ease in both life, and in h
er skin, but apparently, that had taken her back-breaking, life-changing effort and I admired her for it.
She was the best possible muse and completely unaware of it which only made her more alluring. She’d always been a gentle soul, even when she was a little girl her strength remained hidden. I couldn’t help my chuckle when Disco lost her footing and toppled over, ending up as a rolling ball of fur before popping up again. Koti’s smile radiated in the space between us as I tried to catch my breath from the sight of her.
This. This is what happiness looks like.
I remembered her words from the night before. “It’s already yours.”
I was so far from the place she spoke of, but just for a moment, I hoped I would be able to navigate my way there. I knew that hope was dangerous. I wished for the same thing after gaining my freedom from Tara and so far, had been nothing but disappointed. I knew I had to give myself time to adjust from being a family man. I just didn’t realize in leaving my wife, I might have lost my entire family.
Koti plucked Disco up from the sand and held her over her head before bringing her in for a kiss. The puppy lapped up every bit of her attention as I let my eyes feast. She was stunning. Silver eyes, full lips, and that killer body all taunted me from where she stood. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
Not only was she temptation. Not acting on the need to touch her last night was agony and she’d been so incredibly responsive.
Beautiful, stubborn, and full of quiet strength. I knew that about her even when we were kids. Back then she’d been nothing more than a distraction to pass the time with while I waited to get back to the States.
My parents had forced my hand the way they had hers to keep us occupied together and out of their hair for the summer. But even then, with our age gap and her temperament and squeaky voice, I liked her. She made the time on the island bearable. She softened me with her vulnerability. I could never forget the first time I saw her cry.
I found her sitting on the side of the house, her body shaking as she sat with her back to the siding, her knees drawn.
“Koti, what’s wrong?”
“Go away, Ian. I don’t want to play.”
“Well, that’s good then because I’m a little too old for a play date.”
“You know what I mean,” she sniffed. Her eyes watering even as her words came out in an angry huff.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, taking a seat next to her.
“My mother is an asshole.”
“You sure swear a lot for a little girl.”
“I’m seven now,” she defended. “I’m getting bigger every day.”