Page 70 of Finding Closure

“Nel, wait, what is—” I gasped when he stopped.

“I’m abducting you,” he chuckled, seeming amused that I hadn’t figured it out yet. “You order me to take time off and rest when I need it. I’m doing the same. Today, you are doing nothing but being pleased, taking naps, and eating as you actually need, not picking at food because you’re so stressed.”

“I can’t,” I moaned as he fingered me. “There’s so much to do—”

“You have it covered,” he argued. “If not, then you willdelegate.” He rubbed his cock against me. “You really want me to stop? You don’t want me to please you, My Queen? You don’t want to get lost in me today?”

I hesitated and he pulled off my dress, kissing along my back and teasing my breasts. I still didn’t know how to handle this or what was really the right answer. My mind—my emotions were all over and I wasexhausted.

“You said I got to be in charge today, baby doll,” he muttered, trying a different approach. “You just said I could handle you and give you everything you crave—what you need. Fine, break your word to me and tell me you don’t need me.” He kissed along my back. “We both know you do. Please, Tams? Please let me give you what you need today. It’s killing me.”

I broke when his voice cracked. I knew how hard it was for them to deal with my struggles.

I felt the same when they were in pain.

“Please,” I whispered, wanting what he offered and also not able to hurt him anymore by the state I was in.

He thrust in me andfuckedme. I could barely get enough air in my lungs to make noise before he had me orgasming again and again. It was more than my body could handle, and I felt fuzzy before everything went black.

I woke when someone gave me a light shake. I popped up and saw the concern in Neldor’s eyes, but it switched to something darker like he was daring me to yell at him or tell him that he was wrong that I was in a bad place.

I wouldn’t. I knew that I was.

Who wouldn’t be? A robot? Someone devoid of all emotion?

He scooped me up and I mostly swallowed the yelp, glancing down to see I was in one of Hudson’s hoodies that were crazy huge on me and I loved to snuggle in. Had he gone to get one of my favorite comfy clothes?

Yes. It was clear he had when he glanced at it.

He sat me at the comically overloaded table with just everything I could ever want for breakfast and then some. He gave me a healing rune and set some fresh fae juice in front of me.

“Cara and Jordan are coming now to handle anything last-minute that’s needed. You will sit on that fine ass and eat,” he ordered.

“Why are you mad at me?” I whispered.

“I’m not. I’m mad at us for letting it get this bad and not taking better care of you,” he mumbled as he went over to the kitchen counter. “I got the coffee drinks we like. Don’t forget the rune so you can drink them.”

“Thanks, Nel,” I mumbled, hating to feel like I was in trouble.

Yes, I knew things had gotten bad. I knew that. What did he want from me? I didn’twantto be this stressed or lose my dad. I didn’t want to be so upset or miserable.

“I’m sorry, baby doll,” he whispered as he lifted me up and sat me on his lap. I hadn’t realized that I’d just shut down and started crying until he wiped my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. None of this is your fault. I’m just—I don’t want you to gothrough this and I can’t stop it. I was waiting for you to yell at me—I’m sorry.”

He put the iced coffee drink in my hand and begged me to have sugar. I put the rune on and nodded before taking a few huge gulps. I turned a bit so I could lean my head on his shoulder as I drank it.

“I wouldn’t have fought you,” I mumbled when the drink was gone. “I agree that things are bad. I don’t want to be miserable or this run-down either, Nel. It keeps being things that pop up or I can’t delegate. It’s not fair when you get mad at me or act like I’m so difficult to deal with. I’m not.” I winced. “I try not to be.”

I moved from his lap and sat on the other side of the table. Mostly because that was where the waffles were that I wanted to eat but also because I needed some space from him. If he was going to be an idiot… I needed some space.

Even if not much.

“Where are we?” I asked after I ate two containers.

He winced. “One of my family’s vacation homes on Earth. The others know we’re here and—the commanders too.”

I nodded, taking that in. I was also processing what Darby had said when Cara and Jordan came in with Katrina and Taeral.

Taeral took in the mood and frowned. “What did you mess up now, idiot?”

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