Page 7 of Forbidden Passion

“You’re not. I’m going to lock up, and then I’ll crash on the sofa.”

“Y-you could lay in here with me,” she said but regretted it when it made him even more uncomfortable.

“I’ll take the sofa and leave the door open so I can hear you if you need me,” he said.

“Okay.”

He helped her lay down and get comfortable. “Call out for me.”

“I will.”

She watched him go and felt tears fill her eyes. The night had sucked so much, but what made her miserable was the fact that he couldn’t stand to be near her. What did she expect? He’d already told her he didn’t find her attractive and pretty much pushed her away.

Tessa had to stop chasing him. It only embarrassed him and made her sad. She needed to move on. She was thankful for so much in her life. She’d fought for everything: her job, her house, and her friends, but it just made it all sweeter. There were so many times in her childhood she thought she’d never amount to anything. It didn’t help when other people in her life, like teachers or foster parents, would tell her that.

She hadn’t had friends because she was sickly as a child, and then moved around too much from foster home to foster home to keep one. She’d learned early to stay as invisible as possible, and if she wanted to make a life for herself, it was onher to do it. She’d read anything she could get her hands on and found medical magazines interesting enough she learned the different words and abbreviations for some of the things. She also studied as hard as she could and was so excited when she received a full scholarship at a college that specialized in medical training.

Tessa had to get a job for extras like clothing or shampoo and things like that. Her scholarship gave her a four-year degree, housing, and three meals a day. She’d taken advantage of the fact that she could take as many classes as she wanted. She got her four-year degree in two-and-a-half years and spent the rest of the time in specialized training for pediatric nurse.

She received job offers before she even graduated but instead moved to where her only friend lived and worked at the same hospital. She’d met Michelle in her last year and had helped her with a few of her classes.

The more they talked and the more time they spent together, Tessa had let down her walls for the first time in her life and let her in. She’d never regretted the fact she’d taken a chance.

All night, she tried to fall asleep, but every time she did, images of what happened in the alleyway haunted her. She wanted to call out to Dominik but knew it would just make him uncomfortable.

The sun was just rising when she finally fell asleep. When she woke up, it was to find Dominik gone, and there was a note saying the police would be there at a certain time. He’d also set up the town locksmith to come and change the locks on the doors and windows. He said nothing about seeing her later.

She let the tears come. She had to tell herself she couldn’t grieve a relationship when there had never been one.

Tessa got through the rest of the day. She made a statement about the attack to a few detectives who came to herhouse. Fortunately, she knew them both.

The woman detective took pictures of her body, noting every mark the man had put on her. It mortified her, but she knew it was going to happen. The locksmith came by while they were there, for which she was thankful. She would have been uncomfortable being alone with a man she didn’t know. When she tried to pay him, he told her Dominik had already paid for it.

“I’d still like the bill,” she said. “I want to pay him back.”

He handed her the receipt before leaving. Tessa said goodbye to the detectives. After she heard their car drive away, she locked the door and moved around the house, making sure everything else was locked up tight.

The rest of the day, she tried to keep herself busy. She made herself lay down and nap, knowing she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep that night.

One of the things she got done was to write a check to Dominik with a note thanking him for everything. As much as she wanted to beg him to see her, she cared enough about him to let him live in peace. She put both in an envelope, sealed it, and stamped it. Then, on her way to work the next day, she’d mail it.

The next day was pure hell. Not only was she sore, but she also hadn’t gotten enough sleep or eaten, and everyone kept asking her questions about her lack of sleep. She had told a few close friends about the attack, but she didn’t want anyone else to know yet. Maybe never.

Chapter Four

Dominik ripped open another envelope from the stack of letters on his desk. It took him a moment to understand, and then he got pissed.

He didn’t want her to pay for the locks, so he ripped up the check before he read her note. If anything, it made him madder. The way it was worded, she wouldn’t see him again and wished him well.

“What the fuck?” He reread it a few more times and got the same impression. Even though he knew she was doing it for him, it still hurt. Jesus, was he ever going to find a way to deal with her, or would he have to move away?

That wouldn’t be easy since his business and his house were there. He had over thirty employees, so he couldn’t just close the business. They’d all lose their jobs.

He carefully folded the note and stuck it in his side drawer. He had no idea why he was saving it, but he couldn’t get himself to throw it away.

The next few weeks passed, and every day away from her was getting harder. He fought himself daily, thinking if he went to her, he’d never let her go, and that was what scared him. He couldn’t see Tessa putting up with his dominance for long, and then he’d lose her.

The weekend came and another week without seeing her. It had been five excruciating weeks, and if he could just see her across the room, he’d be fine.

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