Page 51 of Lethal Seduction

“Eventually,” I continue, “I couldn’t take it any longer. It got to the point where I didn’t want to go to school, couldn’t bear to see him with his friends or in public. I stopped going out with friends for fear of encountering him at parties or places the kids from school wanted to hang out.”

“Did I say something that triggered you?”

I nod. “He would say to me, ‘when I’m with you I feel real’. When you said that, it was like a gut punch. I know you didn’t mean it… and it’s stupid because it’s been years since this all happened, but my feelings were really destroyed that year.”

“I’m so sorry you went through something like that. I can’t even imagine.” He shakes his head. “There’s probably nothing I could really say to make you feel better at this moment, but please know… I’m not Ricky. I would never walk away that easily from someone like you. You’re honestly fantastic… smart, cute, funny… kind.”

Letting out a held breath, I fall back into the sofa. “Tell me more.”

Michael laughs. I laugh. I feel so much better… telling him the truth. Even my bestie, Tina didn’t know the entire story.

“Patrick,” he says, putting the wine glass down on the coffee table. “I am falling for you.”

I nod and swallow down the lump in my throat. “I truly believe you, and what that tells me is I am also falling for you.”

“We don’t have to solve anything tonight. There’s no sense in rushing into anything. In fact, time is on our side. Especially since I’m not planning on moving to Pakistan… unless you’ve got something crazy up your sleeve you haven’t mentioned yet?”

I smile. “Maybe… but nothing that can’t wait until next time. Like you said, time is on our side.”

Michael gets up and offers his hand to me. I take it, and he pulls me up into an embrace. I melt into his chest, my arms wrapped around the lower part of his chest. I can hear his heartbeat as he holds me. Nothing has felt so right for so long.

“I’d like to stay the night, Patrick,” he says.

We rock back and forth a slowly, neither of us letting go of the other. There’s nothing I’d like more than to have this burly man sleeping next to me in my bed. All night. But, I also can’t expect him to come running to my side like I’m some damsel indistress. Sure, it was great in the movies, but wouldn’t that make me some kind of little bitch?

I pull away and we gaze into each other’s eyes. My heart begins to beat faster and I can’t help but tremble with desire. “I want you to stay, but I think I have to prove to myself I’ll be fine here alone.”

“No,” he says. “There’s nothing to prove. I want you to be safe… to help you stay safe.”

Grabbing his hand, I kiss his fingertips and then go up on my tiptoes to kiss him softly on the lips. “I love hearing you say that. Just knowing how much you care about me is comfort enough. But no,” I say. “I need to stay by myself tonight.”

“Are you absolutely sure?” His eyes search mine for any indication of my faltering resolve.

“I’m sure,” I say with a smile. “And look, I’ll use one of my kitchen chairs to wedge under the front door… just in case.”

“Well, in that case, I should go,” he says. “I think you got this all under control, and there’s a lot to do in the morning for work. The investigation keeps growing.” Michaels tone was soft and unconvincing, but he would abide by my wishes.

Such a good man.

“I’m guessing you can’t tell me anything about it, but you know I’m dying to know everything.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Hopefully soon I’ll be able to tell you all the gritty details. Any chance you’re available to have dinner on Thursday?”

I pull away and grab my phone. “Let me check my schedule.” I pull up the calendar and smile. “Wide open that day.”

“Perfect,” he says. “I was thinking of cooking for you? Would you enjoy that?”

“As long as I don’t have to cook, I’d love it.” I shove the phone into my pocket and start toward the front door.

“Not much of a cook, huh?”

“My favorite recipe is, making reservations.”

We share a quick laugh as he walks through the door. He turns back, our eyes locked.

“Thank you,” I say.

“For what?”

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