“Really?” His eyes were slants. “Did you want to fuck your therapist too? Did you dream about him inside you? Making you come so hard that the entire building heard you crying out? Cause that’s what I want. That’s my dream. I’m dying to hear you shouting my name as I’m balls deep inside you and making you come.”
“Major.”
“Oh, we’re back to that, are we? Ms. Fontaine?” He emphasized my last name as he shook his head. “This isn’t about me. This is about you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re the one who can’t get past how we met, not me, and not everyone else.” His hand went through his hair. “I really thought we had moved on from that shit, but you’re never going to see me as anything other than your former patient. The guy you shouldn’t want. The one who makes you feel all the wrong things.”
“That’s not true,” I said softly.
“Yes, it is.” He dropped his shoulders. “Maybe you were right. Maybe this won’t work, and it’s a mistake. Not because of my issues, but because of yours.” He went to grab hold of the door. “I know what I want, Rita, and that’s you.” He wasn’t looking at me. “I’ve never seen you as my doctor, therapist, or anything other than a woman I could love. Someone who I could possibly spend my life with.”
I could feel the tears falling, but I didn’t bother stopping them or wiping them away.
“I’m sorry this didn’t work.” He opened the door and then looked right at me. “On the bright side, at least you don’t have to worry if anyone sees us together.” He walked out and let the door close behind him.
Chapter 13
Stewart
I stayed away from the physical therapy area when I knew Rita would be there, and I called Aspen to find out if we could do our last session over the phone or somewhere else. I didn’t trust being in the same space as Rita and not wanting to see her.
For four days I walked around the clinic pissed the fuck off. I did my best to keep it away from the patients, but I figured I must be doing a piss poor job when Dana called me into her office.
“It’s good to have you back, Major.” She started. “Or at least it would be good to have you back if you weren’t acting like you would rather be anywhere else but here.”
“Sorry.” I stood at attention. “I’m glad to be back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.
“Alright.” She didn’t look like she believed me. “Sergeant Serrano is scheduled to be moved into rehab in a couple days. Why don’t you check in with him and the rehab facility and make sure they are ready for the transfer?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I was glad Andre was finally getting out of the hospital. It had taken three surgeries to make sure he didn’t lose his leg. He was going to have to do some work to make sure he was walking properly and able to get back to duty, but I was glad that he was one step closer to going home.
Just thinking about his road to recovery brought my mind back to Rita. Would Andre still need PT years after this? Wasthere more that could be done for Rita so she didn’t have to keep doing therapy?
I closed my eyes for a quick moment. I had to stop doing this. I’d tried, but there was nothing more I could do until she stopped seeing me as someone she needed to fix. I’d told her I was fine from the start. I wished she had believed me.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Dana asked. “You can talk to me if you need to, and everyone would understand if you continued therapy. There’s no shame in taking the time you need.”
“It’s nothing. Just some personal stuff came up while I was on leave.” I went for a thin smile. “Trust me. I don’t need any more therapy.” A specific therapist, but no more therapy.
“Alright.” She shook her head. “In that case, go check on Serrano, and then take the rest of the day off.”
“I don’t need to.” I was coming back full-time next week. I didn’t want Dana to question if that was a poor decision.
“You don’t have to come back full throttle.” She laughed. “Take the time. If you’re like me, then I’m sure there’s plenty at home that needs taking care of. Finish those things off, handle your personal crap, and come back ready for next week.”
“Alright.” I did have some laundry that could use some work, and I wouldn’t have a lot of time once I was full duty to make sure my house was straight before going home to Georgia.
“Dismissed.”
“Thanks, Captain.” I nodded in salute and left her office.
I wasn’t surprised to find half our unit in Andre’s room when I walked in.
