Page 47 of He Will Come for Me

I nod as I sip on a cup of milk, trying to wash the peanut butter down. “Yes.” I don’t want to give details. That was something very personal.

Phoenix walks over and runs his fingers through my hair. “You don’t have to tell them details.”

Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage. “I remembered the night of the auction. The night Phoenix bought me.”

Dr. Chamberland’s eyes crinkle at the side as he takes in this information and Dr. Pearl nods as she grabs a notebook out of her bag and begins writing. “That’s good. Did something happen to trigger these memories?” she asks.

“Phoenix and I were talking earlier about some things related to the auction.”

She nods. “Ahh, yes. Many times someone who may be dealing with trauma induced amnesia can regain memories from simple conversations.” She begins talking about another case she had years ago with similar symptoms and how talking about things helped her recall memories.

“So, you think my amnesia is trauma induced?” I ask.

Dr. Pearl looks up from her notebook. “It could be.”

“When we first met, I thought you said it could have been from the drugs they gave me?” I ask Dr. Chamberland.

He glances from me to Phoenix back to me. “It could have been both.” Dr. Pearl nods in agreement.

I huff. “Okay.” I don’t know what else to say or how to respond.Why don’t they know for sure? Am I expecting too much?

“I’m going to check on Miss Anna.” Dr. Chamberland gathers his things and follows Rex down the hallway to her room.

“Are we still going to meet next week?” Dr. Pearl asks. I nod, still unsure if I want to talk about anything, but I promised I’d try. “See you then. Have a happy Thanksgiving.” She leaves and I walk into Phoenix’s arms. I notice the look of concern on his face.

“I’m so desperate for my memories to come back. Do you think it’s becoming an unhealthy obsession?”

He sits on the chair in front of the island and pulls me between his legs. “I think it’s completely normal.”

“But…” I wave my hand at him, knowing there’s a but.

“I think it will come back when it comes back and nothing you try to do will make it come back any faster.”

“But—” He holds his hand up, stopping me.

“We can continue to talk about things as they come up, and I will try my best to answer your questions. But it’s hard for me too, Kenz. There are certain things I don’t want to talk about.”

My heart lodges in my throat at his confession. “I’ve been selfish, haven’t I?”

He cups my face and kisses me gently. “No, love, you haven’t. This is hard and when I first rescued you, I wasn’t going to tell you anything, but I see now how unhealthy that was. And the more I open up and talk, the more your memories come to the surface.” He takes a deep breath, pulling me into his embrace. “But I’m not going to lie. There are some things I hope you never remember.”

I pause at that confession.

Why? Is it because he’s traumatized from those memories or is it because there are things he doesn’t want me to find out? He doesn’t seem like someone who would hide things from me, but maybe I’m wrong.

Turning, I grab the icing and begin putting it on the cake. He sticks his finger in the icing and puts it in his mouth before I’m able to stop him.

“Mmmm. My favorite.”

I turn and place my hands on my hips. “What? I thought the chocolate chip cookies were your favorite.”

He walks toward me slowly, an evil glint in his eyes. “Anything you make is my favorite, but…” He dips his finger into the icingagain and continues his trek toward me. I put my hands up, knowing exactly what he’s about to do, but he’s quicker than I am.

He grabs me around my waist and wipes the icing down my cheek and jaw. “It tastes better when I’m licking it off you,” he murmurs before he does exactly that. I squeal as his licks turn from teasing to more. He grabs my thigh and lifts it so he can rock against me.

“Nix, you promised,” I protest half-heartedly.

“Like I said earlier, you’re irresistible.” His mouth lands on mine and I give in, like I wasn’t going to, anyway. I’ll never get enough. To think this man is mine. He grips the back of my head as he deepens the kiss.

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