Page 54 of Impressing Brett

Sighing, I rise and circle to the other side of the bed. I turn out the lights, close the blinds, and climb under the covers. A faint light from the hallway is enough for me to adjust my vision.

I’m staring at the ceiling, lying very still like a corpse. My mind is racing through everything I could have done differently. Why did I fuck my woman with the blinds open? Because the window in my bedroom faces the fucking backyard, that’s why. No one should be able to see in.

I can ask questions all night. What if myself to death. It won’t change anything. I’m so fucking sorry, Lacy.

I hate the two feet and ten thousand miles between us, but I’m grateful she’s letting me share a room and a bed with her. It could have been worse. I couldn’t have stopped her from leaving if she’d really wanted to.

I don’t own her. She owns me.

I turn my head toward her back, unable to stop the fact that I’m breathing heavily.

Just when I think I might explode from emotional frustration, she rolls over, crawls to my side, and wraps herself around me.

Thank. Fuck.

I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly against my chest. I kiss the top of her head. A minuscule amount of the tightness in my chest loosens.

Chapter 15

Lacy

* * *

I couldn’t stand the distance for another second. I need him. I need his strength. I need his arms. His touch. His breath on me. I need his words in my ears. I need his lips, even if they’re on my hair. I need his hand rubbing up and down my back and the other one on my forearm.

I need the feel of his heartbeat under my cheek. I need the rise and fall of his chest. I need his comfort. The human contact. The understanding. I need to know someone cares. I know he does.

“I’m sorry,” I finally murmur. “I don’t mean to hurt you.”

“Baby, I’m so fucking sorry, too. I hurt for you more than anything.”

“It’s not your fault, you know,” I whisper against his chest.

“I know. I just want to be able to protect you from any and all demons, and I didn’t.”

“But you can’t blame yourself.”

He holds me tighter.

“Mr. Earnest texted me back. They can meet with me tomorrow morning at nine.”

“Okay. I’ll get you there.”

“Thank you. Eve thinks I should tell them the truth. She believes they’ll be understanding. I’m hoping they haven’t received the pictures yet. Do you think they have?”

“Unlikely. Blackmail isn’t very useful if the blackmailer doesn’t wait for the victim to have a chance to fulfill the request. In this case, they want you to respond that you’re coming to Indiana. It’s only been a few hours since you got the pictures. They can’t expect you to have taken action yet.”

I draw in a slow breath, hoping he’s right. “Then what? What do I do next?”

“Blade is working on it. He’s got a lot more people dedicated to this job now. We’ll wait for him to advise us.”

“They’re going to bill me, right? I mean, I owe your company for everything they’re doing.”

His body stiffens. “Fuck, no. You aren’t paying anyone, Lacy.”

I sigh. “Brett…”

“You’re my fucking girlfriend, Lacy. No. Stop it. End of discussion.”

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