Page 110 of Anything To Be With You

I suck in a sharp breath while my heart pounds in my chest and butterflies swarm my stomach. This is the first time he's admitted to having feelings for me. I knew he felt something besides attraction, but I didn't want to read too much into it. You can care for someone without it turning into something deeper. I care for him too, he's been supportive and protective, two things I'm not used to getting from a man besides my Dad and Mason.

"There's something I want to tell you," I clasp my hands in my lap.

Luke comes around the island and sits next to me, placing his hand palm up on the countertop between us. "Whenever you're ready."

I take a deep breath. "When I woke up, you were the first person I called for help. I knew you would help me without question." I slip my hand into his, twinging my small fingers with his. "I don’t think I would’ve been able to handle this on my own. I know I've said thank you at least ten times today, but I truly mean it."

Luke lifts our hands and places a kiss on my knuckles. "Anything for you, Sweetheart. Always."

My Best Lingerie

Luke

Our weekend is coming to a close, but I think we've become closer. We've talked a lot and I've learned so much about the horrors Dani went through at the hands of Josh and the aftermath that came with it. About what it was like raising a child while finishing school. I told her more about Sarah and the shit she put me through.

Dani video chatted with Mason and her mother, introducing us properly. When she explained what had happened between her and Josh on Friday night to Mason, I swear he grew two sizes bigger as his anger became apparent. It only took a few calming words from Dani to dissolve his rage towards the man.

Sandra, Dani's mother, promised me that she would take Dani into the station Monday to report what happened and to press charges. According to her, a few of her friend's children are working that day and she trusts them to get the ball rolling. When I asked why they didn't report it when Dani was younger, Sandra informed me that the Whitlock's had a few cops on the payroll back then and that they were laughed out of the station.

We had dinner on the rooftop patio, I even convinced her to watch a crime/thriller movie with me after her rant at dinner about how she hates them because she can never follow the story.

"Can I ask you a question?" Dani says from her place tucked under my arm.

"Ask away."

"When I take Josh to court, because I'm fucking going to, could you represent me? You can take the payments out of my cheques. Maybe not the whole thing at once because I do have bills to pay and Mason to feed." She looks up at me.

"Unfortunately, I can’t." I say.

Dani blinks at me. "Oh. Could you recommend someone."

"Mark. You’ll be in capable hands with him." I kiss her forehead.

"How come you can’t." She whispers.

"We’re in a relationship. Conflict of interest."

"Oh, that makes sense." Dani gives me a small grin and curls back against me.

I rest my arm on her hip and draw small circles on her skin. "I also want you to take some time off."

Dani shakes her head. "I can't."

"I want you to take two weeks off, at least. You're still recovering."

"I'll just work from home then. I can't afford to take time off." Dani argues.

"I'll pay you two weeks vacation time." I counter.

"I don't have enough hours to take two weeks off."

"Then I'll pay you from my personal account."

Dani climbs out from under my arm and stands. "I can't allow you to do that. Don't fight me on this, Archer. You won't win."

"I'll let you believe that, Sweetheart," I stand, dwarfing her. "I'll be right back."

I walk into my room, losing my shorts and throw on a pair of gray sweatpants. Women are obsessed with men in gray sweatpants, and if I'm being honest, I love the way Dani looks at me when I wear them. However, that's not why I'm doing it. I'm looking to get a laugh out of her with what I'm about to do.

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