Page 15 of Need

“I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Do you want to go to the dinner with me?”

It was so much harder when he wasn’t here in front of me, but the memory of him asking still lingered. “Yes.”

“Do you doubt my ability to keep you safe?”

“No,” I quickly assured him.

“Then I see no problem. Try on your dress with Lily and we’ll talk about this more when I get home. Can you do that?”

“Yes, Sir. I can do that.”

“Good,” he said, and I could tell he was happy with my response. It made me smile. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Then he was gone, and I was left with Lily. She was less excited now and worry crossed her features. I tried to give her a little smile to let her know I was okay. The look on her face told me she didn’t buy it. Nevertheless, Lily held out her hand for me. She helped me put on the dress and guided me over to a long mirror in the corner. It was tight around my breasts and waist before it flowed to the floor. The way the dress touched the carpet made it look like I was floating. I couldn’t see my feet.

“Will he...” I paused. “I mean...”

Lily’s head peeked around my shoulder, and she moved my hair out of the way so that my neck was fully exposed except for Stephan’s collar. “Yes,” she smiled. “I think Stephan will like it very much.”

Stephan

The day could not end quickly enough. I wanted to get home to Brianna. I needed to see her. Speak to her. Feel her. It was the only thing on my mind.

When I’d seen Lily’s name on my caller ID earlier it had taken great restraint not to bolt from my office and rush home. I knew there could only be one reason why she would be calling me; there had to be something wrong with Brianna.

When I stepped off the elevator, I felt the pressure in my chest begin to change. She was only yards away, just behind the door that was now in plain view. Both my body and my mind knew what it wanted. Her.

I turned the doorknob and walked into my condo. My eyes immediately began to search for Brianna.

She was right where I thought she’d be, just outside the kitchen waiting for me as she had been yesterday. The difference today was that she was looking up at me and smiling. I dropped my keys on the table beside the door and went to her.

I circled my arms around her, bringing her close. I heard a small sigh escape her as my hands traveled up her back and into her hair. “How are you feeling?” I whispered before pulling back to look into her eyes.

“Better,” she said, looking just as relieved as I felt.

I wondered if she felt any of the same pull I felt toward her. Even if she did, would it be enough for her to stay? Would she give a relationship between the two of us an opportunity to develop? Or would fear from her past block any chance we had? I didn’t know the answer, and I’m not sure she did either.

With that thought, I closed my eyes and let my lips find hers. She opened up to me and kissed me back. It was not full of heat like our kiss the night before, but it was just as full of emotion. At least, it was for me. I had no idea what Brianna was feeling. Although she was getting better every day, she was still reluctant to share her true feelings with me. I was hoping that would change soon. More than anything, I wanted to know what she was thinking.

We ate dinner—a delicious pasta dish with shrimp—and cleaned up. I went to my chair, and once she was finished she came to sit with me. I figured I would get right to the point and see where the conversation took us. “Tell me what happened with Lily.” I didn’t need to elaborate. She knew what I was talking about.

Brianna’s hands began to twist nervously in her lap. I covered them tightly with mine, which made her stop and look up. She wasn’t getting out of this. I wanted answers.

“What if I can’t... I mean, all those people. What if they know... what will they think of me? What if I... can’t... act right?”

I lifted my hand to brush the hair away from her face. It wasn’t a practical gesture since her hair wasn’t obstructing my view in any way. I just wanted to touch her. “You’ll be fine. It will be fine. I will hold your hand the entire night if you need me to.”

She nodded, but that wasn’t good enough. I needed her to talk this through.

“I need more than a nod, Brianna.”

“I... know.” She sighed. “Part of me knows that you will stay with me. That you wouldn’t let anything happen to me.” She pressed her lips together before she continued. “But there is this little voice inside that tells me to be afraid. That people are going to hurt me. I don’t know how to turn it off.” Her voice trailed off into a whisper.

“You lack confidence. It’s understandable. I can help you with that if you’ll let me,” I told her, holding her gaze so that she understood what I was talking about. “But even if you don’t, Brianna, I’ve made a commitment to you,” I said, my finger grazing her collar. “Until you tell me you do not wish to be with me. Until you remove this collar... I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

She started to nod again, but caught herself. “I believe you,” she said, but it lacked the confidence I’d hoped for.

---