Chapter Seventeen
Kylie
That last night in Lafayette, they’d made love again and Kylie had fallen asleep curled up in Remy’s arms. Now they were on their way back to New Orleans and she was getting nervous. Would he want her to stay with him instead of in the guest cottage attached to Emelise and Caine’s home? Did she want to if he asked? She was so confused. She wanted him, wanted to be with him, but the thought of sharing the same space day in and day out, was terrifying. The last time she’d lived with someone, she’d spent five years in a living hell. Did she think Remy would hurt her? Logically, no, but logic wasn’t in control of the almost phobia she had at the thought of living with him.“Where do we go from here, Remy?” She winced at the way her voice quivered.
“Whatcha mean, cher?”
“I mean, we spent two days in a hotel, but where do we go now that we’re going back to the compound? What are your expectations?”
Remy’s hand slipped into hers and she tried to relax when he gave it a gentle squeeze.
“We take dis one day at a time, Kitten. I’m notcouillon,not a fool; I know dat you still need time. Dis weekend, we took a big step, but I’m not goin’ to push you for more den you’re ready to give.”
Kylie felt herself relax at his words. “Thank you. It’s irrational, I know, for me to be afraid of the idea of living with someone again. I know you’re nothing like him. But I can’t help the way I feel.”
“I know, Kitten, and it’s okay. Like I said, we’ll take dis one day at a time.”
By the time they got back to the compound, Kylie was ready to talk with Emelise about going back to work. She knew it wouldn’t do her any good to stay away longer. Yes, she was bound to run into the occasional drunk asshole who would try to grab her arm, but she could handle that. She hoped.
Once they reached the front door to the house, Kylie took a steadying breath, opened it, and stepped inside with Remy right behind her. She knew it made little sense for her to be so comfortable with him yet fearlivingwith him. She spotted Emelise in the living room, as soon as the front door was closed behind them, and made her way toward her friend.
Emelise turned her attention to Kylie once she was in the living room. “Welcome back. Did you two enjoy your weekend away?”
Kylie smiled at Emelise. She was sitting on the sofa with Hailey snuggled up to her and the television turned to the Disney Channel. “We did. It helped, a lot.” She felt Remy’s hand slide to her lower back and smiled over her shoulder at him.
“I just wish we coulda stayed longer,” Remy said with a wink. “Is Caine in his office?” he added to Emelise.
“Where else would he be? I swear that man is a workaholic. It’s a good thing he works from home or I’d be ticked.”
“Dat’ll have to change once dem babies get here. Maybe he’s tryin’ to do as much as he can right now while he has da time.”
Kylie laughed when Emelise rolled her eyes at Remy. “Go on, I know you have important business with Caine.” Once he was gone she moved to the sofa to sit near Emelise.
“So, how was your weekend? I mean, really?”
“It was…amazing. He took all the fear away. Or, well, for the most part. I don’t think I’d be comfortable with anyone else touching me, but Remy…yeah. He made me feel things I’d never experienced before.”
“I am so glad, girl. You definitely look happier, and not so tense.”
“That’s because I am. I know we’re still going to have rough moments but I’m willing to work through them. I was thinking, on the way back here. I want to go back to work tomorrow. I don’t think it is going to help me any if I stay away too long.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for that, Kylie? You can take a few more days.”
“No, I need to do this now. I can’t let the fear control me any longer. If I can get past it to let Remy in, I can get past it to do my job.”
“All right then, you’re back on the schedule starting tomorrow. If something happens and you need a break, even if it’s just for an hour or two, you let me know immediately.”
“Will do, Eme.” She could do this.
Remy
Remy made his way to Caine’s office, knocked, and waited until his Alpha responded. “Afternoon, Caine. Don’t mean to interrupt your work but dis is kind of important.”
“What’s wrong?”
“No’ting’s really wrong. Had a chat wit’ Ryan Vallier yesterday. He had a suggestion dat makes a lot of sense to me.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
