Innocence by Lee Savino Read Free Book Online

silent outside and in. Cora studied Marcus’ face, afraid of what she saw there. He was distant, cold.
    Without thinking, she shivered, and with a murmur—“you, okay, babe?”—he put his arm around her, and she rode on with the heavy weight across her shoulders. And, though the questions screamed inside her— who are you? Are the stories true? — she found she couldn’t say any more.
    So deep was the silence, it took them both a moment to realize the car had stopped.
    Then Sharo opened the door and she found herself looking up at a tall building, with many stairs leading up to its large doors.
    “Go on,” Marcus pushed her gently, and she dutifully she climbed out.
    “Is this the restaurant?” she asked, teeth chattering with the sudden cold wind. Marcus, having stopped to speak with Sharo, came and took her under his arm and coat jacket, ushering her forward.
    “Babe, you don’t know the half of it.” Her questions seemed to be forgotten, but he still hovered close. They went up the steps, she close to being carried, it seemed. She could barely see beyond his sheltering arms. Then they were inside.
    The humid heat rolled over Cora, lapping at her arms and face like an ocean wave. She relaxed; stopped resisting, walking into the darkness without being afraid. Marcus held back, a smile on his face as he watched her.
    “What is this place?” She breathed. A flashlight switched on, and the beam danced: over palms and fern, flowers and green—a whole host of growing things, sheltered in the building of glass.
    “A green house!” she said, and he laughed as he came forward to show her around. They traipsed the narrow paths, feeling the beckoning, soft branches, and finding their way through the dark with only a single flashlight.
    “I see something up ahead,” she pressed forward, he obligingly following with the light, until they pushed past one great frond and found it: a little table and some wine, lit by a small, flickering candle. Going around her, he pulled out one of the chairs.
    “Welcome to paradise, kid.”
    Speechless, she sat quiet while he poured the champagne, and took a glass without a word.
    “A toast,” he said, “To our new favorite place.”
    She couldn’t help it; she laughed. His eyes sparkled over the glass as he drank first. She was still waiting, wide eyed, when he finished. He toyed with his glass before placing it down decisively.
    “I told you, babe, I should have done this a long time ago.”
    “Done what?” she asked, feeling stupid. He came over to her, and she looked up at him, afraid. He might kiss her again; she wouldn’t know how to tell him to stop, or worse, she would like it.
    “When I first saw you, Cora,” he said, “I knew we would be together. Forever.”
    Cora was mute. He came near her and cupped her cheek. “So lovely, so innocent. I need you, Cora.” He knelt down before her. “You’re the only woman who’s made me feel this way.” He reached into his pocket, keeping his eyes on hers.
    “Marcus?” she started to ask, but then he opened the jewelry box, and she found she couldn’t speak. It was a ring to match the jewelry she already wore.
    “Marry me,” he said. He was smiling at her shock.
    “Oh, Marcus,” she said, and then her breath was gone; she was mute. Instead, she reached forward to touch the ring. The metal was silver colored, but she knew it would be white gold. There were tiny diamonds, cut to sparkle. But the main gem was red. Mesmerized, she realized he was speaking.
    “I almost get you a diamond, a real nice rock. But you look so great with red.” He looked at her suddenly in such a way that she blushed. She leaned back in her chair, away from both him and the ring, hoping she could hide the fear that had pierced through her.
    “So?” He prompted, after a moment of silence.
    “What if I’m not ready?” She didn’t know where the words came from. Dark fire flashed through Marcus’ eyes, but otherwise he hid his anger