Page 69 of His Obsession

“Uh. That’s fine,” I say.

“Where would you like to meet?” he asks. “Your comfort is the most important thing to us right now, so I’d like for you to choose whatever is easiest for you.”

“Uhm… I live in the Luxe Fortuna housing development in Maple Falls. We have a community center at the back of the property. Can we meet there?” I ask.

“That works perfectly. We will be there at ten,” he says.

“I just want to warn you that…” I start to say.

“Elise…,” he says. “You do not owe me an explanation. I am a very patient man. I understand more than you realize.”

“Thank you,” I say simply. When I end the call, I look at Lucian.

“I’ll have Bradley and Laura sit with us,” Lucian says reassuringly. “No one will leave you alone.”

“I don’t think they’ll hurt me or anything,” I say.

“It doesn’t matter. He was correct when he said that your comfort is the most crucial part of this. He obviously has a business to run, and that’s why he needs to talk with you. It doesn’t negate the fact that something awful happened to you and that should be respected,” Lucian counters.

"Yeah,” I say with a sigh.

“Rest and I’ll wake you when we get home,” he says, kissing me. I lay back in his lap and drift away as he gently strokes my hair.

I groan when Ifeel warm hands on my face. “Elise,” Lucian says softly.

“Mmmm. I don’t wanna,” I mumble.

“Come on,” he chuckles. “I’ll do dirty things to you after.”

I sit up and Bradley cackles. “That got her attention.”

“Why? Because I’m a whore?” I ask flatly.

“Whore is not a bad word, Elise,” Bradley says. “Also, I think it’s plenty acceptable for me to say that you like to be a whore with your husband. Whore means a prostitute, though, and no one will fault you for fucking your husband to get him to give you things.”

“I’d totally fuck you for some tacos,” Laura says to Bradley.

“I mean,” I say. “I kinda want some tacos, too.”

“We can take you two out for tacos for dinner,” Lucian laughs. “They will be here soon.”

“Okay,” I sigh. “How did I get inside?”

“I carried you,” Lucian says. “You were pretty out of it, so I just brought you in.”

I get up and go to the closet to get different clothes. Lucian comes over to help me dress. I can definitely dress myself now, but I think he actually enjoys taking care of me like this. He seems happy when he takes care of me, even with simple things.

Before helping me put my shirt back on, he carefully takes the bandage off my back and inspects the wounds. “It’s healing nicely he says.

“Great,” I deadpan. “I was hoping it would get infected so they would have to cut a big chunk out or something.”

“As soon as it’s completely healed, we will rebrand it,” he says, kissing my shoulder. Lucian replaces the bandage before helping me back into my shirt. My back is still incredibly bruised and tender, but at least I can move without crying now.

When I am ready, we walk down to the community center and sit in the conference room. I am sitting as close to Lucian as I can get while Bradley is on my other side with Laura beside him.

A few minutes later, I feel panic setting in when Robert and Alan come in. “Mrs. Voss,” Robert says happily. He and Alan sit across from us, and Lucian shakes their hands.

“Hi,” I say, trying to force myself to be calm.

---