Taneleer allowed me to share his bed that night. After such a confrontation between us and all, I felt we couldn't continue on like this. I planned to tell him several times that perhaps we should end this one night stand. I wasn't ready to be tied down to someone and I knew he wasn't really ready for that either. I also knew he wouldn't like the idea of "it's for the best" because for Christ's sake he's the Collector. He doesn't like letting things go, especially things he loves.
I was a nervous wreck that night. Taneleer caught onto my silent treatment rather quickly.
"Mallory." He said gently. "Look at me."
I was laying in his bed, facing the other way.
The Collector sighed. "Do not cause me to lose my temper again, my Mallory."
Dreading his temper, I succumbed to his wishes and turned around.
His eyes were locked on me. "We've already settled this. You love me, Mallory. You will marry me and become my wife. This should no longer be up for discussion. I can sense this is still troubling you, my dear."
"I told you, I'm not ready for this. You're not ready for this either, Taneleer. Are you really ready to just move on from your wife and marry another woman as if she never existed?" I replied crossly.
The Collector sighed heavily. "I love you. That is why I am marrying you. I will always love Matani, but I am deeply in love with you now, Mallory."
"You don't have to marry me, Taneleer. I could just live with you. People do it all the time on Earth. Marriage is overrated there." I stated plainly.
Taneleer was beginning to lose his patience with me. "Tomorrow Gamora will arrive. You will need your rest. Get some sleep, my love."
I heard him sigh as he turned in the bed and tried to drift off to sleep.
"I love you, Taneleer. Don't think for a second that I don't. I just don't want us to hurt each other later on and regret it." I felt the urge to explain myself to him.
"I understand that you are very tired and that is why you are saying these things. Please...rest, my dear. You and I both have a long day tomorrow." Taneleer insisted.
He sighed deeply and closed his eyes, letting sleep overtake him.
I decided for once maybe I should listen to him and did the same.