Page 28 of Breakaway

“Right now, just take care of her. We’ll work the rest out.”

After he leaves, I shut the door and rearm the security system. Then text my partner explaining a family emergency. He’s going to have to cover my patients for a couple days. He replies not to worry.

I head back to the living room. Cat has her bag packed and is standing at the side of the couch. I should have guessed. At least she isn’t trying to slip away unnoticed. “Leaving?”

“Yes. I have to. I’ve brought this trouble on to all of you.”

“No, you were a victim.”

“He’ll come after me if I leave. I can lure him away.”

“That’s not how it works with guys like him. He’ll let you run. Let you think you got away or led him away. But in the end, he’ll have destroyed everyone you care about just to spite you. And then he’ll gloat over it in front of you. I’ll bet he deliberately let you see him with the hammer in his hand after he killed your parents. Knowing you’d question what you saw again and again, replaying it constantly. Psychological terror at its best.”

“Then what am I supposed to do? How do I keep the people I care about safe? I’ve selfishly put them in danger.”

“You aren’t selfish. My god, you could have been asking for handouts the whole time, you could have lied and cheated like he does. After everything he caused you, you tried to do it on your own. Worked your ass off, to keep ahead of him. You went to jail because of him. You were paying him money for something you didn’t owe him.

“I realize, you didn’t know who you could trust then. But now you do. Let’s put this bastard away. We do that by keeping you safe and letting him hang himself.”

She shakes her head from side to side. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because you’re a good person.”

She shakes her head.

I go on. “Because I love watching you skate and play hockey the way you do. You play the game of my heart, with all of yours.

“Because I like you. I admire your spunk, your grit, the way you stand up for others, especially since I now know no one ever stood up for you. You put Baylor in his place more than once on behalf of the other women.

“I think you’re beautiful, inside and out. I’m attracted to you and want to get to know you. What I’ve learned just makes me want you more. You’re sexy as hell and honestly everything about you turns me on.”

“I’m plain. I don’t dress girlie. I’m taller than a lot of girls and lanky.”

“You are the perfect height for me. Your clear blue eyes couldn’t lie if you tried. They are windows to your heart. And it’s a good heart, Cat. I can tell the difference.

“Your long hair is a gorgeous shade of autumn gold.” I slip my fingers through her thick tresses loving the feel as the silken strands caress my skin. “I want to feel it slide all over my body.

“Those tempting, lush, full pink lips, have the most erotic fantasies filling my dreams. I’m not lying, more than once since I’ve met you, I’ve had to fly solo in my shower.

“I want you, Cat. Like I have never wanted a woman before. I can’t even remember anyone before you.”

“We-ah-could, if you want.”

“Cat, you don’t owe me. I don’t ever want sex between us to be a payment. Passion yes. Have you even had sex since the rape? Made love?”

“I did once in high school and a couple times with a guy I met when I was working in admin at the junior college. It was okay.”

“Okay as in you didn’t freak out because of the rape?”

She hesitates then nods.

“Okay is not what you deserve. I’ll bet they never even gave you an orgasm. Did they?”

“Uhm, I don’t think so.”

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