Page 124 of Rather: The Therapist

“Hmm?” She asked, placing a hand on her ear and angling it toward him.

“Y—yes,” he responded, barely audible.

Self-control proved to be difficult at that moment. From then, I knew I’d struggled with my impulsiveness throughout the evening. It was never an issue. Had never been an issue. I hardly moved without consideration and careful calculation, but when it came to her hardly anything was the same about me. I was different. Mentally. Physically.

“That’s what I like to hear. Let’s go.”

I stepped inside, trying to piece together my memories. I’d been in the very spot I was standing in weeks prior, but hardly remembered anything about the space. All I remembered was the woman hand-in-hand with my son. I was in a completely different realm when I entered Rather’s home that night. I was on a completely different wavelength.

“How about you go into our room and have a seat? I’ll be right there. Let me see your father out. Okay?”

Princeton didn’t respond. Instead, he hopped down the hall at full speed, turning the first corner he reached. She turned, taking me all in as I did the same. She was a breath of fresh air and stunning in the loose-fitted cropped top and long skirt combination. They were beige in color. The material of choice was linen.

She was timeless. Her beauty. Her class. Her elegance. So well put together. So manicured. So polished. Clean. Simple. Her aesthetic was quintessential. As was she.

Folded arms told me she wasn’t exactly happy. They made it clear I’d disturbed her comfort. It was something I never intended to do, but she made that promise almost impossible to keep. I wanted her around. Near. Always. In all ways.

“I’m not leaving, Rather.”

“Pries–”

“Have you missed me?” I interrupted, hardly interested in her protests.

“I– Priest.”

“Answer my question.”

Slowly, she nodded. Those big, all-consuming eyes glossed over. Her resolve softened. Her limbs loosened. Right before me, she modified her stance. She rediscovered her comfort. That’s all I wanted. That’s all I ever wanted with Rather.

“Too much.”

Her response was low, but I heard every word.

As gentle as I cared to be in my head, my hands had a mind of their own. I pushed her up toward the wall behind her with my fingers wrapped around her neck. My feet were moving fast. Hers moved even faster, keeping up with my speed until she smashed into the wall.

My lips landed on hers. My tongue separated her teeth.

Fuck, I’ve missed you.

So swiftly, I so easily got lost in her. She was easy to navigate, but I purposely lost my sense of geography. My knowledge of worlds, the way they worked, and how they were operated was useless.

When my lungs could no longer support life and had dried to a crisp, I unleashed her.

Breathe.

She disrupted my oxygen supply. My body struggled to adjust. Labored breathing followed our disconnection.

“Where’s your father? Is he well?”

“He is.”

“Then, why are you here?” She angled her chin and widened her eyes.

Chuckling, I kissed the skin of my teeth, “I don’t need permission to see you, Rather. I do that as I damn well please.”

“Those weren't the rules,” she reminded me.

I leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Fuck the rules.”

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