Page 95 of The Passion

“Just be happy, that’s all I want for you.” And it’s true. All I have been doing for years is helping people heal the best way I can and to find happiness. “Start looking forward. What’s next for you?”

Pulling back, I look into her tired and sorrowful eyes. “A board meeting to remove him from my life for good.” Her voice is weak and uncertain.

“Rem, I think she needs to be my next client.” I wink at him and Flynn. “Now, let’s try that again and mean it.” Holding her by the shoulders and looking into her soul, I try to pull out her fight that has slipped down into the depths.

Felisha pulls her shoulders back and stands taller. “To remove him from my life for good!”

And that’s what I wanted to hear.

“Stand up and take your life back. You deserve nothing less.” Giving her one last hug, I walk to the elevator, because to be honest, the fight in me tonight is just about gone.

But I’ll never admit that to anyone.

Chapter Twenty-One

FELISHA

Idon’t know how to process how I’m feeling as I watch Cherie walk away from me with Rem and Flynn.

Sitting on the couch with Sassy in my lap, softly purring as I stroke her back, I can see them talking, but it is so quiet that I can’t hear what they are saying. But to be honest, I don’t need to know.

Tonight has been overwhelming.

First the meeting with my father and finally standing up to him and putting him on notice for what he did to me.

And then to have Cherie hammer the nail in the coffin with him, I can imagine the rage he must be feeling right now. I’m glad I’m not at my apartment because the commotion he will probably be causing in the foyer with the night staff would be embarrassing. I have only ever seen it a few times in my life growing up, but in the last six months, it seems to have become more often with me. Mainly in my office where he thinks no one can see him. But the reality is everyone can hear his tirades when his voice gets louder, and they must be thinking the same as Iam. He is losing his edge and is no longer just the grumpy but always controlled boss that they are all used to. Instead, he is becoming unhinged.

As Flynn appears back in front of me, he puts his hands on Sassy to lift her off me, but her reaction has him backing away. How can this cat go from so peaceful to hissing and swiping her claws at him in a split second.

“Fuck, why do I keep you? Remember I’m the one who feeds you!” Flynn’s annoyance is obvious in the way he is yelling at her.

To be honest, it’s the simple little bit of stupidity that I needed to break my thoughts.

“Just face it, she loves me more than you.” I pat her and cuddle her closer to calm her down.

“Yeah, well, I love you more than her, and if she doesn’t start sharing some of that love of hers with me too, then she can go live with you.” His hands are on his hips, and I think he might be serious.

“Oh, Sassy, you would love to live with me, wouldn’t you.” Gently scratching under her chin, she looks up at me and meows right on cue.

“That’s it, pack your bags, cat, you’re out the door.”

“You wish. You two have a love-hate relationship, and it works for you. You would miss her.” Looking at him, I know I’m right.

“Fine then, I need you to move in here with us then, so you can stop her from being a sassy little bitch to me all the time.” He reaches his hands out toward me to try to take the cat again, and I don’t think he realizes what he just said.

But my mind is reeling from that one sentence.

The words are out of my mouth before I can hold them back. “Do you mean that?”

I can feel my heart standing still, waiting for him to answer. I watch his brain go back over the words he just said as I slowly put Sassy on the ground, much to her disgust, and stand up in front of him.

“With every bone in my body. I would love to wake up with you first thing in the morning, close my eyes at night with you asleep on my chest. Have those quiet moments together on a stormy night as we sit and listen to a record, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Flynn takes the one small step needed to be standing with our bodies touching, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. “I know you have the world on your shoulders, but I want to be the one to carry that weight for you, not because you can’t but because you shouldn’t have to.”

His head drops down, our lips so close together. “Move in with me and let me love you like you deserve.” The softness of the kiss as his lips touch mine has my defenses falling to the floor. His hand slides down around the back of my neck as he continues to tell me in the kiss how much he truly loves me. There is no denying that he has me, mind, body, and soul. The moan as I open my mouth to him, letting him take what he wants from me, has my last resolve dropping.

I should say no, I’m an independent woman who doesn’t need to be smothered.

But my heart ignores any rational thought I’m having.

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