Page 35 of Rather: The Therapist

I ran through the day’s work until the door creaked. Rose appeared on the other side, handing me a towel.

“Your turn.”

“Thank you.”

I accepted it with a kiss to her lips. It was her turn to wait as I cleaned up. The mask left lines on my face. The mirror allowed me to map out the damage. It was nothing an hour or two couldn’t cure, so stressing about it was pointless.

I hit every inch of my face and neck, then dabbled in both ears before tossing the towel in the trash can behind me. When I resurfaced, Rose was still next to the door.

“Get dressed, dear.”

Reluctantly, she crossed the floor and retrieved her dress. She slipped it onto her body without the extra shit I’d provided. She wouldn’t be needing them. She’d have more with time. I busied myself with my own garments. It wasn’t long before I was fully dressed.

I found her right where I’d left her. Those saggy features said things her mouth hadn’t and probably wouldn’t. Her vulnerability was peaking.

I enjoyed it. Every bit of it. It was one of the traits I loved about women. Their ability to be completely and utterly open, transparent, and true. That shit was addictive.

“Hey. Hey.”

I cleared my throat as I lifted her chin.

“Tomorrow. Here. Same time.”

I removed the bills from my pants and stretched her palm.

“Maybe this will keep you busy until then.”

She lifted the other one. With raised eyebrows, I scoffed. So quickly, I’d forgotten the caliber of woman made available in The Mansion.

I emptied my pockets, giving her every single hundred while wishing I had more. For once, I felt like a fucking bum. Six thousand wasn’t shit for her. I was sure of it.

“Tomorrow is no good for me.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not. I have a family dinner.”

“Then, the next day. At eight, since tomorrow is out of the question for you.”

Two hours more wouldn’t be enough time to repay me for her absence tomorrow, but it would be a start. I walked her toward the door. She stopped just a few steps shy of it.

“Here.”

I turned her around, knowing exactly what she was waiting for and what she was in need of. I kissed her forehead and then her lips. There, I lingered, taking her all in as I explored her mouth with my tongue.

“Until next time, Rose.”

I pulled away as my dick started to harden.

“Until next time.”

Big round circles were drawn with the tips of my fingers. One circle at a time, I nursed my son’s mind back to health. It was a routine I’d created for his morning refresh. Each day he woke, he was able to start anew because I’d made sure he went to bed free of any stress.

He had yet to close his eyes, but his grip on Woody had gotten tighter. This could only mean sleep was near. Tonight, I’d managed to convince him to get in the bathtub before dinner.

It had taken a handful of Cheez-its and his favorite applesauce to keep his triggers at bay as he bathed. He lasted only ten minutes, but that was enough for me to cleanse his entire body one good time.

My vibrating phone claimed my attention. I removed it from my pocket to find a few names scrolling across the screen. As much as I wanted to ignore the others, there was one in particular I’d never let ring out.

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