Too Much to Bear My Love

Cassie’s head drooped and there was a flash in her eyes. When she looked back up, she was back to her innocent, bubbly self.

“Oz, come sit with me. Don’t worry. I’m not going to harm you. Even if something should happen, isn’t it always the woman who’s at a disadvantage? I’m not even afraid, so why should you be?” Cassie sat Oscar down and brought him his glass of wine. “Go ahead and try it. Let me know if you like the taste.”

With a practiced hand, Oscar swirled his wine to release its aromas. He then brought the glass to his lips and took a sip, savoring it slowly. “This wine is good. It’s full-bodied and rich.”

Cassie laughed. “Good, good. You should drink more then.”

The two of them continued to chat and drink through the night. Even though he could usually hold his liquor, Oscar was starting to feel the buzz from the wine. He tried to stand up, only to fall back into his chair.

Concerned, Cassie made her way toward him. “Are you drunk? Let me take you to the bed.”

Oscar wanted to swat her away but found himself too weak to do anything. He gave in and let Cassie lead him to bed. As she reached out to remove his clothes, he suddenly grabbed her hands. “Oz, you’re drunk. I’m taking your clothes off so you can sleep more comfortably,” she said softly.

Oscar stared at her with glassy eyes.

A sly smile lit up Cassie’s face. “I’ll make you feel even more comfortable in a while. After tonight, I will officially be your woman.”

She reached up to caress Oscar’s face. “Don’t blame me for setting you up, Oz. I was just so afraid of losing you to Amelia. You keep telling me you love me, but you refuse to be intimate with me. You left me no choice but to do things my way. Once this night is over, you’re mine forever.”

Oscar was still staring at her in his drunken state when he suddenly muttered, “Amelia.”

This came like a bolt from the blue and Cassie froze.

“You keep saying you no longer love her, but even in this drunken and drugged state, you’re still calling out her name.” Cassie felt her rage boiling over and started tearing at Oscar’s clothes. “I was going to drug you further, but I held back for fear of side effects. How could you still call out her name? Do you know how much this hurts me?”

Oscar continued muttering, “Amelia, you’re home? Let’s go to bed then.” He was about to sit up and pull Cassie into bed, but he couldn’t muster an ounce of energy to do so.

“Amelia, what’s wrong with me?” he asked quizzically.

Cassie gathered all her strength to remove Oscar’s clothes before stripping herself down. As she straddled him, Oscar pushed her away in frustration. “Go away. You stink.”

a child and never had she ever been shamed like this. And to be humiliated by the man who claimed to love her?

gave a sultry whisper, “What’s the matter, Oz? Don’t

dead

turned dark. She

away, the more I want to become yours.

want a divorce. I think I’m in love with you.” He even had on such a dopey smile as he said that, a stark contrast from

seething. She leaned into his ear and whispered, “Oz, I’ll make you fall in love

wardrobe. It was one that she had

into the

then got back into bed and calmly lay on Oscar. “I hope you dream

He saw that they were both naked and guessed as much as to what they might have done. What he didn’t understand was why he couldn’t remember anything about getting intimate

hated this feeling. He was even a little disgusted by it. Oscar wondered if Cassie had set him up but promptly ruled that

it when Cassie stirred. She met his gaze with red, puffy eyes. “Oz, you got so drunk last night you forced me into bed. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t snap you out of it. You’ve promised me you wouldn’t hurt

she

her gently. “Now, now, don’t cry. It was my fault that I got stupid drunk and

his chest. “You were really rough with me last night and it hurt. I won’t blame you though. I already knew I was going to save myself for you ever since we started dating. You wanted to wait till we got

the bed and felt a surge of pity toward Cassie. “Don’t worry,”

either, Oz. But the way you were last night… There wasn’t any protection used. What if you got me

emotions swirling inside him now. To be honest, he had always dreaded the prospect of marrying Cassie. He was aware of how often he professed his love for her but getting married was a whole other deal. He would usually suppress these thoughts and emotions, but

bring their family business to even greater heights just showed how clever and capable he was. Yet now he had to convince himself

me? You know I’m not that kind of woman, right? If you really don’t wish to marry me, I won’t force you either. We’ll cut all

earlier. I’ll make good on my promise to get the divorce and marry you.

you take a shower before going to work? I have to meet my team

a man. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, don’t hesitate to

“Oz, I know.”

it’s me. I’m pregnant with Oscar’s

end of the call, Amelia was cool as a cucumber. “Are you with him

house last night after you left. It may not be as grand as the Clinton residence, but it’s still got a nice, homely touch to it. I quite like it, to be honest. Oh, I just can’t wait to live there with Oscar and our