Page 24 of The Surgeon's Secret

When Catherine heard Lexi’s pickup truck pull up outside, her heart hammered against her ribs. She was still upstairs, seated on the bed where she’d made the call, feeling terrified but resolute. She barely had time to gather herself when she heard a knock at the front door—a confident, loud knock. Slowly, she opened the bedroom door and peeked outside.

Downstairs, James grumbled as he walked to the door.

“Who the hell are you?” James barked.

“I’m Dr. Alexis Bond. I’ve come to pick up Catherine,” Lexi replied firmly.

She heard James’s surprised, almost mocking laugh. “She’s not going anywhere with you. We have a dinner to attend this evening.”

“I don’t think so,” Lexi said. “Catherine’s coming with me.”

Summoning her courage, Catherine dashed down the stairs. James was the only barrier between her and Lexi. She was still wearing her pajamas, but she didn’t care. She reached Lexi’s side, needing to be near her for strength.

“And who the hell is this?” James spat, his frustration palpable. His eyes flashed with anger, daring Catherine to go any farther.

“This is my friend, and I’ll be leaving with her now,” Catherine said, finding confidence in Lexi’s calm presence. Lexiwas at the door, wearing her leather jacket and jeans, and Catherine wanted nothing more than to run into her arms. She edged closer to the door, her heart pounding.

Lexi stepped over the threshold, moving into James’s space and into their home. She placed a steadying arm around Catherine, guiding her so that her body was between Catherine and James. Lexi glanced down at Catherine’s bare feet.

“Shoes, Catherine?” Lexi asked softly.

Catherine gestured to a small shoe rack nearby, and Lexi picked out a pair of casual clogs, placing them on the floor for Catherine to step into. Catherine felt like a child being guided step by step. She could hardly bring herself to look at James, who seemed momentarily lost for words.

“When will you be back?” His voice was cold and hard.

Before Catherine could respond, Lexi answered for her.

“We’ll see about that. Catherine needs time, and she’ll be in touch when she’s ready.”

Lexi’s strong hand was on her back, gently guiding her out the door. She helped Catherine into the truck, buckling her seatbelt for her before getting in on the driver’s side. The last thing Catherine saw as they pulled away was James’s furious glare, framed in the doorway of their house.

It was over now. She’d just needed a little help to get there.

They didn’t speak on the drive, but Lexi’s warm hand rested on Catherine’s thigh, a silent, comforting reminder of her presence. The quiet between them wasn't awkward or tense—it was a blanket of safety wrapped around Catherine's trembling heart. Every few minutes, Catherine's breathing would hitch, andLexi would respond by gently squeezing her thigh, a wordless reassurance that she wasn't alone.

At a red light, Catherine finally turned to look at Lexi's profile—the strong line of her jaw, the focus in her eyes as she watched the road. Moonlight filtered through the windshield, catching on Lexi's features in a way that made Catherine's chest tighten with something beyond gratitude. When Lexi turned and met her gaze, there was no pity in her eyes, only understanding. Catherine reached down and placed her hand over Lexi's, intertwining their fingers. A single tear slid down her cheek, but for the first time, it wasn't from pain or fear.

Lexi brought their joined hands to her lips and pressed a gentle kiss against Catherine's knuckles—not a gesture of passion, but of promise. Catherine closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the seat, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Words weren't necessary. In that moment, their shared silence spoke volumes about the sanctuary they had found in each other.

Once back at Lexi’s place, Catherine felt a sense of safety she hadn’t experienced in years. Lexi kept her arm around her the whole way in, gently guiding her to sit on the sofa. She slipped off her leather jacket, leaving her in a black T-shirt that fit the lines of her body perfectly. Catherine couldn’t take her eyes off her.

“I’m just going to make you a drink. Wait here for a moment.” Lexi took a soft blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around Catherine’s shoulders, cocooning her in warmth. In that moment, Catherine felt more cared for than she had in a very long time.

She closed her eyes and began to let the stress seep away. Among all the overwhelming emotions she felt for Lexi, the sense of safety and protection stood out most. Lexi’s place was modest and slightly messy, though not overwhelmingly so. Itwas clean, warm, and homey in a way her own house never had been.

Catherine wasn’t sure when she’d fallen asleep, but she snapped her eyes open at the soft touch of Lexi’s hand on her arm.

“It’s okay, baby, it’s okay. You’re safe with me,” Lexi said gently. “I ran a bath.”

Lexi offered her hand and Catherine took it, letting herself be pulled up from the sofa. She followed Lexi obediently to the bathroom. The space was small, lit by flickering candles and filled with the calming scent of bay rum. The warm, inviting water in the tub shimmered, and Catherine thought it was the most enticing bath she’d ever seen.

Lexi’s face was close, her gaze steady as she raised her hands to the top button of Catherine’s pajama shirt.

“Is this okay? I can leave you alone if you prefer,” Lexi asked softly.

Catherine shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please don’t leave me.”

She watched as Lexi’s nimble fingers undid each button of her shirt. Lexi pulled the fabric slowly from Catherine’s shoulders, letting it slide down her arms before slipping it off completely. Catherine stood with her bare chest exposed. The moment felt intimate and erotic all at once, but it was Lexi’s quiet, reverent demeanor that steadied her nerves.

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