Page 57 of Impressing Brett

When I get this godforsaken issue with my father’s will resolved, I will get a new job and behave like a grown woman. If I don’t give anyone anything interesting to blackmail me with, no one can do so.

Brett holds me for a long time before cupping my face and tipping my chin up. “Feel better?”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“Any time—” His mouth is still open as if he meant to say more but stopped himself.

I know what he was going to add. Little lamb. My chest hurts from missing those words from his lips, but I told him not to call me that, and he’s honoring my wishes.

It’s for the best. When he addresses me as Little lamb, it draws me into my Little space. I can’t deal with that temptation right now. I can’t deal with it ever again.

Eventually, he eases me onto my feet and carefully pulls my panties and leggings over my sore bottom. “I can put an ointment on it to ease the sting if you want.”

I shake my head. “No. I want to feel it.”

“Okay.” His voice is so soft. “You might want to sleep on your side or your tummy.” He stands and leads me to the bed before lifting me off the floor with his hands on my hips and settling me on my side.

“I can do it,” I argue lamely.

He leans over and kisses my temple. “I know you can, baby.”

I wince inside. I want him to call me Little lamb. I want to hear it from his mouth one more time. I’m a masochist. I keep my mouth shut.

“Be right back,” he says before heading for the bathroom. A moment later, he’s back and holding Bear, Banana, and Jasmine.

My heart seizes, and I say nothing as he tucks them in with me. There’s a tight lump in my throat, but I ignore it. I slept with Jasmine before I knew what it meant to be Little. It doesn’t have to mean anything that I have a few stuffed toys I enjoy.

I snuggle them in under the covers with me and hold them.

Brett climbs back onto the other side but comes up behind me, spoons me, and settles a hand protectively on my hip. “Sleep, baby.”

One more tear falls, and I suck it back. I can’t cry anymore tonight. I’m spent.

Chapter 16

Lacy

* * *

At nine in the morning, we enter my office building. No one else is here. I’ve had two cups of coffee and nothing to eat. My stomach won’t tolerate food yet. It’s clenched tight the way it has been since I woke up fitfully at about five in the morning.

Brett was careful with me all morning, letting me be with my thoughts. He kept his voice low, said nothing when I spent an hour locked in the bathroom where I soaked in the tub, and he didn’t utter a word about my unwillingness to eat.

Now, we’re at the elevator. “You could wait here,” I tell him futilely. We’ve had this discussion three times. I know I’m wasting my breath asking him to let me handle this on my own.

He has assured me he won’t interfere, but he’s not leaving me unattended for a moment. It’s frustrating but admittedly sweet. It would be easier if he weren’t so kind.

This thing between us can’t last. I feel it slipping between my fingers like sand on a windy day. The clock is ticking faster and faster. As soon as we resolve a few things, I will need to go back to my apartment, regroup, find a new job, and start my life over. Maybe I should move to another city. Perhaps I should change my name to make it harder for the Rutherfords to track me.

Brett ignores my suggestion and sets a hand on my lower back as the elevator doors open.

I glance down at myself while we ride up. I have on jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt. Tennis shoes. My hair is in a ponytail at the base of my neck. My makeup is minimal. I look like death.

Devon and Rick are standing in the reception area when the elevator doors open. This is it. I won’t be waiting around to talk to them.

Brett’s breath hitches as he eyes my bosses. I don’t know why.

I glance around, quickly assessing. No one else seems to be in the office. At least not visibly.

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