It only takes an hour to cook it all and plate it up, but after five minutes of having it out on the side, ready for him, and he doesn’t show, I go to the basement door, knocking.
He doesn’t answer.
I try the handle, but it’s locked from the other side.
I didn’t mean to click it, it popped up so quickly; I didn’t have a chance to avoid it. But how much damage has that just caused him?
After ten minutes of waiting and no answer from him, I move back to the plates of food and manage a couple of mouthfuls myself, but my appetite is shot, so I end up throwing my plate in the trash and then cover his with some foil before I place it in the oven at a low heat to keep it warm for him.
I pull out my cell and start to type a text to him to let him know but then I see his cell on the counter so grab some paper instead and write it on there, leaving it by his phone so he’ll see it when he comes to get it.
Then I take myself to bed, checking on Lily before I close myself in my bedroom and change into a pair of sleep shorts and a cami. Lying in the bed without him feels wrong. It’s only been a few days, how have I become so attached to his body beside mine?It’s cold, and it’s empty, and even though he’s only a couple of floors down, he feels a million miles away.
This is why I didn’t want to get attached. I didn’t want to start something I knew would end with me falling for him. Because then I depend on him, start to trust him, feel safe, and it makes being alone that much harder.
Chapter Thirty-four
Ipull my glasses off and rub at my eyes as I take the stairs up from the basement. I managed to stop the attack, but I’ve no idea how much data the malware stole or what. There’s a lot with extra encryption that a simple malware can’t access, but there are other bits that hadn’t been protected. I have some software running which’ll tell me what’s been compromised, but that takes time. There’s a shit ton of data to go through.
I’ve done what I can, and right now, all I want to do is hold my woman.
I input the code to the automatic lock on the basement door and step back into the house, finding it entirely too quiet.
The under-counter lights have been left on, but the main light is off, and the kitchen is empty. I quickly check in the living room for her, but that, too, is vacant. She’s gone to bed then. I mean, it is past two in the morning, so I’m not sure I expected her to still be awake. Heading back through to the kitchen for my cell, I spot the note on the counter beside it.
I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to click it.
I know there probably isn’t anything I can do, but let me know if there is anything.
I’ve made you dinner. It’s in the oven, hopefully it’s still warm by the time you come up.
See you in the morning.
Sloane
I know it wasn’t her fault, and I don’t blame her. Heading to the oven, I pull out the foil covered plate. The food is still hot, and even though I’ve no appetite and want to go to fucking bed, I eat it because she made it for me.
When it’s finished and I’ve cleaned up, I turn out the lights, double check the locks, and head up, knowing she won’t be in my room. We’ll have to move over, I think, as I turn the lights off as I go. I’ve got a bigger and comfier bed, more room to move, more space for her things, and an ensuite. She’d be more comfortable in my room with me.
There’s no way she leaves after all of this, no way she walks out the door and we become nothing more than boss and employee.
I find her curled on her side, her back to the door when I walk in, ashy hair spread across the pillow.
She shifts, turning. “Dean?”
“You’re awake,” I stop at the side of the bed.
“I couldn’t sleep.” She turns onto her back and lifts her arms above her head, resting them on her pillow. “Are you okay?”
“It’s nothing that I can’t fix, Butterfly,” I assure her.
Her face softens, “I am sorry.”
I’m spread across her in the next breath, capturing her mouth with mine. I didn’t even think, didn’t stop to realize what this does to her.
“Shit,” I hiss, moving to get off her, but her hands capture my arms, holding me to her.
“Stay.”
