Jaw, clenched.
My grip on the steering wheel tightens.
With the heat of desires coursing through my veins, my silver eyes could barely keep track of the road ahead.
Never have I ever imagined that my precious Nikita has an endearing possessive streak. This modern-day fun-sized goddess truly has no idea what kind of overwhelming power she has over me.
Hazy streetlights softly highlight her silhouette as my car was a few meters away from entering the underground tunnel.
As expected, Nikita asked for a rain check regarding her *dessert* offer. Fully aware that Nikita's delicious statement was the by-product of her jealous streak, a knowing smirk graced my face at the realization that Nikita was quite territorial over me.
There's nothing wrong with a man desiring to feel wanted.
A soft "I'm sorry" came from Nikita's direction. Still staring at the view, her soft features subtly glow as I took a quick peek at her reflection from her side mirror.
"Ansel, I-." Biting her lower lip as Nikita nervously grips her seatbelt with her head hung low, she muttered, "It's not that I was lying. I was just... I do like you in that way but-" Nikita closes her eyes shut as she took a deep breath.
A part of me wants to reassure her immediately, to help stop her from worrying. But doing that would invalidate her effort to speak up and say her piece.
Her attachment style requires me to become adaptive to her needs. Soothe her when an immediate response is necessary. Let her speak when she simply wants to be heard.
Remaining silent, I steered the car to the left as we were a half-kilometer away from our destination.
Sensing her rising panic, my right hand reach her left, intertwined our fingers, brought her hand to my lips, and placed a reassuring kiss as I made sure we don't miss our exit.
Feeling her sense of relief wash over her body, Nikita leaned her forehead on my right bicep as she wrapped her delicate arms on my toned arm.
Hearing her intake a sharp breath, Nikita spoke, "I want to do right by you, Ansel. As much as I want to indulge you in every sense of the word, my need to do right by you will always win."
Her grip getting tighter, feeling her heartbeat on my arm, Nikita continued, "I have no intention of abusing your kindness. Your generosity. Your love. The thought of abusing you..." pressing her lips on my arm's exposed skin. "... will never sit right with me. You're too important to me to lose. I will always want you. But what I want to offer you, is the version of me that's healing."
Joy, gratitude, and happiness started swelling in my heart. Choosing to be self-aware for both our sakes was the deal we made with each other. We both understand we have a lot of healing to do, as we both want to give each other the love we think the other deserves.
"Please don't hate me. I didn't mean to tease you that far. I just- When that b-... Ugh. When she acted so familiar... I lost my cool. I didn't like how you had some history with her. I'm sorry I'm being immature. I'll shut up now." Nikita muttered and went silent as she sunk back to her seat. Readjusting to recline her seat, Nikita had her back towards me.
My right hand reaching out to her back, firmly caressing her hip, I finally spoke, "I don't hate you, Nikita. I was actually happy that you've spoken up about what you feel and think. For that, I'm grateful."
Feeling her body slowly relax under my hand, I continued, "The only history I have with that brat was the one time I accompanied Uncle Pierre when the security team a staff short so I stepped up. His father wasn't Uncle Pierre's client at that time. We were safeguarding a foreign envoy and that brat's father was the second cousin of the envoy's translator."
The tension in Nikita's body slowly decreases, ensuring I give her reassurance, I explained further, "The only encounter I had with her was me pointing out the tissue trail stuck on her shoe. She's been obsessed ever since." Ending my statement with "She means nothing to me" may sound cliche but it is the truth.
Titling her head slightly to face me, Nikita whispered, "So, do you think she's prettier than me?"
My grip on her hip got a bit tighter than before as I asked her, "Can you do something for me?"
Her glistening green eyes peeking through her head, Nikita nodded as I spoke, "Sit up straight and open your visor for me please?"
Still head hung low, Nikita slowly obliged as she readjusted her seat back up and open up her visor, in it was a built-in mirror.
With watery emerald eyes, Nikita continued, "Do you like her? Like *like like* her? Like you like me?"
Finally arriving at our destination, parking my car on the hidden beach, I removed my seatbelt as I faced Nikita, I said, "There's no alternate universe where I'd even look her way."
Cupping her soft cheeks, staring straight into those emerald eyes, I continued, "No one compares to you." Firmly placing a kiss on her forehead, Nikita's green eyes fluttered into a close, I rested my forehead against hers as I explained, "Can you be a good girl and look at the visor's mirror for me? Please Nikita, can you heed my request?"
Fluttering those gem-like eyes open, Nikita nodded ever so cutely, readjusting her posture and sitting properly. She faced the mirror and Nikita asked, "Okay now what?"
"Now I want you to apologize. To yourself..." I stated my request.
Quickly facing me, Nikita asked further, "Wait, what? What for?!"
Leaning forward as my left hand held Nikita by her chin as I uttered, "You belittle yourself. Basically, you just insulted my future wife and the mother of our unborn children. So I request an apology be given. My future wife does not deserve such utter disrespect."
Stunned by my stern statement, it was the first time I'd ever seen Nikita's wide-eyed expression.
Licking my lips, wanting to press further, I continued, "You're not sorry? Looks like you need to be punished for belittling my future wife like that."
Seeing Nikita gulping, still stunned, I pressed on, "There's one thing you should know about me my Ms. Obsidian. Never will I tolerate any kind of disrespect towards you, my beloved future wife."
Formally addressing Nikita somehow jolted her out of her stupor, she finally spoke, "Punish? What are you going to do to me?"
My lupine smirk slowly graced my facade as I leaned forward, our noses touching, lips centimeters away, I stated,
"The right question is: what wouldn't I do to you?"