I sigh, then whisper, “Yeah, I do, but I can’t stay away from her, Mike. What if I leave her for too long and she changes her mind?”
“You’re worth more than you realize, Theo. Not seeing Blake for a day or two isn’t going to make her change her mind. We can work on it next session?”
I nod.
“You will overcome this, Theo,” he says. “You’ve come a long way recently.”
Mike’s right—Ihavecome a long way. The voices are more muted, and the flashbacks are less intense, if I even have them at all. Is that because of the regression therapy? Or because of Blake and Oscar? Who knows, but what I do know is that I’m grateful to them all for sticking by my side and not turning their backs on me when I get to be too much.
I have the family I need, the ones who choose me every single day without question, and that’s enough for me.
Chapter Forty-One
BLAKE
The sounds in the office fade to background noise as I think back on the escapades in Theo’s car and all of the days we’ve spent together since he found out about Oscar. The way he’s been so attentive with both of us, making sure we have everything we could need. How he touched my body in the exact way I needed him to. The flowers and cups of coffee he brings me, just because. He doesn’t try to flash his wealth around either; he’s happy to stay at home watching TV with Oscar or working the case with me.
A girl could get used to it.
I’ve kept Theo at arm’s length for so long, terrified of how letting him in could cost not only my own peace but Oscar’s too. Still, the way Theo’s fought for us—trying to protect my job while asking for a chance… it’s settled something within me. We’ve been through so many highs and lows, I can barely catch my breath.
A smile plays on my lips as I thumb through the pages of a book I’m not really paying attention to.
“Whatcha doing?” a voice whispers in my ear.
My body relaxes, and I try not to grin. “Attempting to work,” I quip without turning around.
“Mmm, sounds boring,” he says. “I have a better idea though.”
“I’m listening.”
“Grab your stuff and let’s get out of here.”
I don’t hesitate. I collect my things from the table, shoving them in my bag haphazardly. I only care about the fact that he wants to do something with me, even if it is during work hours. Just this once, I’m throwing caution to the wind and following my heart.
He gestures for me to go first, and I walk toward the elevators, a feeling of excitement running through me.
Aimee’s sitting at her desk, and her head pops up when she sees us. “Where are you two off to?” she asks, a sly grin on her face.
“Cancel everything,” Theo replies, ushering me away. “And if Frank asks, we’re researching for the case.”
Aimee salutes, a grin on her face. “Got it, boss. Have fun.” She gives a wiggle of her fingers before picking up the ringing phone.
We step into the elevator, and Theo lounges against the wall, his eyes full of lust but his posture relaxed. The gray suit clings to him, and I fail to keep my gaze from rolling over his body. He really is a stunning man, not only on the outside but on the inside too.
The doors close behind us, and he’s on me in an instant, threading a hand into my hair and pulling me into him. His lips crash against mine, like if he doesn’t kiss me now, he’ll die. I part my lips on an exhale, my own hands coming up to tangle in his hair as I kiss him back. He draws me closer, deepening the kiss until I’m surrounded by nothing but him.
I feel dizzy when he pulls back as the doors open. You’d think we were having an everyday conversation by the way he walks out, yet I stumble as I try to get my bearings.
Shaking my head, I chase after him, my hair flowing behind me in my haste. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” I ask breathlessly.
“It’s a surprise, firefly,” he replies, winking.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach. “Okay, but it better be a good surprise…”
Theo laughs, and I follow behind him, realizing that I’d follow this man to the ends of the world, always.
“Okay, big guy, wanna tell me why you brought me to a funfair?” I tease, glancing around. It’s open despite being a weekday morning, and a few people are milling around.
