CEO Of My Heart 288 288

It was shocking such, but Henry was a man with a mission.  Renewed by his sense of purpose, Henry could slowly regain his composure.  Here was his future, his voice regained a little strength. "Okay here. I'm sorry that I allowed her to kiss me.  I'm sorry that I was surprised and unprepared for you to come into the room at that exact moment. I was going to tell you as soon as you arrived or as soon as I could return to your house.  Please, let me explain my line of thinking. I promise it's not what you think. You know I've had doubts about you and feelings for her since day one. I'm always honest and my emotions have always been real for you.  I needed to test the water before I set sail and I was presented with such a golden opportunity." Henry moved closer to him as Ellie automatically took a step back. "I know it's a very extreme measure to take, but I thought in my mind that I'd already left you.  Our annulment is filed and done, but it was like the worst kiss I've ever had. There's no pa.s.sion. There's no . . . I can't believe I'm saying it . . . love. Every day of my life has no meaning if I'm not here with you. I want to be your partner in the full sense of the word."

"How convenient.  Is it apparent that having a member of British n.o.bility as your wife is something that you've seen all the benefits in?  n.o.bility are very inclined to have better options for mistresses than do normal peasant men." Ellie aggressively dipped the duffel closed and heaved it onto the ground where it dropped loudly.  "I wish I could say that I'm a cool open girl who would be down with anything, but here is where i draw my line. I'm not a cool or a good girl by any means. I'm not going to let you have a mistress just to keep our burgeoning family together.  I don't need a man who wants to taste all the fruit in the bowl. Call me old fas.h.i.+oned or selfish if I only want my husband for myself. I'm sure if you want another t.i.tle or someone whose riches you can add to you business, you have the leisure to do so as soon as the paperwork is processed.  Maybe she's fine with whatever as long as she has shopping money."

Ellie huffed as Henry tried to take the duffel.  She slapped his hand and heaved it even though it was much too heavy for her.  She put it over her shoulder with effort as her body was bowed forwards but she had her face set with determination.  "If you want to play dirty and cancel the court filings, I'll be fine with it. I would rather have an annulment than a divorce as I know the press will be quite interested in the strange woman you married in a rush to maintain your fantastical life your ancestors gave you.  But I'm not going to sit and pretend like it's pretty. I'll tell anyone that will listen what happened here. And when the truth comes out . . . the truth all of it. I'm sure that your supermodel with her perfect curves and golden ratio face will really really be delighted that your giving her good publicity.  I'm not even joking. I wish I was for once."

Wounded by all of these verbal bullets flying at him quickly, Henry fell to his knees.  "Ellie, I take the full blame for hurting you, but you can't turn on your back on me yet.  I'll do whatever it takes. I only touched my mouth to hers with lips closed. I haven't slept with all the women who have been texting me since I returned to the city.  I didn't want to even though I could have. I can go to any club in the whole of Manhattan and walk out with an attractive woman on both arms. I'm not the type of man whose satisfied counting women.  The only woman for me is the one who is standing in front of me right now. It's you. That's it. I would be happy every day of my life with you wherever you are whether it is here, China, or Stanford Hall."

Her eyes closed and she stroked the bridge of her nose with pursed lips.  Henry reeled as he realized that he had probably misstepped in bringing up England.  "You just want to add a t.i.tle to your family's crown of achievements don't you. Oh Henry Wong, just got a baronry and you still want more.  Well you won't have it for long. You could persuade me at my dying breath, but I'm not wasting time counting my breaths now that I'm living.  I have my own two feet to stand on now so I'm not going to let you take advantage of me again or stop me so get lost. I'll call the police if you don't let me leave.  Try me."

Try her he did as he did the complete opposite of what he asked her to do.  He was on his feet in a flash and did not yield. Of course, he became a roadblock to her exit.  There was light streaming in from the hallway light as she could taste her freedom already. Henry knew her and he knew this response was coming from a place of deep fear.  Her opening herself up had lead to hurt and as she had been hurt so many times in the past that she was reflexively closing herself again. He could see himself reflected in her as the course of his life had produced the same reaction he often battled.  To run was the easiest thing to do, to stay and fight was very hard. His error had caused such hurt to the only woman for him.