Page 113 of Mine to Worship

He bends over and says over my lips. “Because you like to drive me crazy, angel.”

“I’ll come visit you more.”

“I’m at your service.”

“My baby daddy,” I say and wink at him.

He chuckles. “Sounds better.”

We finish our meal, satiated in more ways than one. I’m about to exit his office when he calls my name and I turn around.

“Love you.”

“Love you, too,” I reply with a smile.

In the hallway, I meet Mikaela and she dips her chin in greeting as we pass each other. Melanie crosses my mind. I wonder if I were to see her again, would I still react a bit insecure.

The thought doesn’t leave my mind. When Kian steps inside the apartment, I place the book I was reading next to me on the couch.

He gathers me in his arms, and I ask, “How is Mikaela at her job?”

“Great, but she worked for Melanie, so she knows what she’s doing.”

“Do you miss Melanie?”

“Ellia...” His brows furrow, and his entire body stiffens.

I brush the V of his jacket.

“Hear me out. I am trying to move past that, but she entered my mind, and it stuck there like a virus testing me.”

“I love you.”

“I know. So how is she?”

“Working hard.”

“So you keep in touch?”

“She texted me the other day.” His tone is flat, no emotion behind it. My jealousy has been unfounded, and the realization eases me.

Just an inconsequential twitch, and nothing more. It’s his past, but I am his present, his future.

I chew down on my lip when he adds, “Melanie is coming over to give me some papers. She had someone infiltrate Richard’s financial team.”

“Is that what you have been waiting for?”

“Yes.”

“And then?”

“I’ll pay him a visit, come home to you, and hope to find my peace of mind.”

“Okay.”

Eyes locked on mine, his heart reflects in them with clarity of who it belongs to. Me. Mine.

“Just love me,” I say.

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