Page 89 of Deviant Obsession

The raw yearning in her voice tells me everything I need to know about her receptiveness to the idea. Now I just need to help her believe it's possible.

"Picture it," I continue, watching her expression carefully. "Protected time for your studies. Proper rest between scenes. No more trying to stretch yourself thin between competing demands." My fingers trace idle patterns on her back as I paintthe scenario. "Each of us would have designated time with you, carefully scheduled to ensure your needs come first."

"But Dean and Ethan..." She shifts anxiously. "They can barely handle sharing me with each other. And after what happened with you..."

"They've agreed to consider it." The surprise in her eyes draws a small smile from me. "We had a long discussion after you ran. They understand that their approach wasn't sustainable."

Her brow furrows adorably. "They'd really accept you being involved?"

"Grudgingly, perhaps. But they care about you enough to recognize when they need guidance. I have much more experience than they do, they know I can help create something that works for everyone."

"And you'd...what? Supervise everything?"

"Initially, yes. Help establish protocols, figure out just how much rigidity you need…or enjoy." My hand cups her cheek, thumb tugging her lower lip free from her teeth. "Guide all of us toward something that can last, make us all happy."

"It sounds almost too perfect," she whispers. "Like a fantasy."

"It would take work. Commitment. Complete honesty from everyone involved. But the rewards could be extraordinary."

Her eyes drop nervously to where her fingers play with my shirt buttons. "But… What if they agree now but change their minds later? What if the jealousy becomes too much?"

"Then we adjust. Renegotiate. Nothing would be set in stone." I tilt her chin back up, needing her to see the sincerity in my gaze. "The important thing is that you'd never have to handle that alone. You'd have my protection, my guidance, every step of the way."

She draws a shaky breath, and I can practically see the possibilities unfolding behind those expressive eyes. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything yet. Take time to think about it. But know that this could be real, if you want it."

She settles her weight more fully against me again, trust evident in the way she allows herself to relax at last.

"You really think we could make it work?" The question comes soft, hopeful.

"I do." I press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You're precious to all of us, Rhea. More than you realize."

A pretty blush colors her cheeks at the praise. She ducks her head, but I catch the smile playing at her lips—the first genuine one I've seen since this conversation began.

"Take some time to think everything through. There's no rush to decide."

“Thank you. I will.” She nuzzles into my neck again and I hold her tight, my own body relaxing now that we seem to be heading in the right direction.

Her legs seem shaky when she eventually gets up and retrieves her bag, as if the emotional weight of our discussion has drained her physical energy. But there's a lightness to her movements now, the desperate anxiety from earlier replaced by cautious optimism.

"Thank you," she says again, pausing at my door. "For understanding. For never judging me."

"There's nothing to judge." I step closer, unable to resist drawing her in for one last embrace. "You're exactly who you're meant to be."

When I brush my lips against hers, the kiss remains brief—a promise rather than a demand. She melts into it for a moment before pulling back, her eyes slightly dazed but clearer than they've been in weeks.

"I'll think about everything you said," she promises, reaching for the door handle.

"Take all the time you need." I watch her gather herself, straightening her shoulders as if preparing to face the world again. "We'll be here when you're ready."

She offers one final smile—small but genuine—before slipping out into the hallway. Through my office window, I track her progress across the quad, noting how her steps seem lighter than when she arrived.

She’ll come back to us.

Chapter 32

Rhea

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