Page 39 of Wicked S.O.B.

I want to punch the air. I settle for leaning over to kiss his cheek. But he shifts his stance and my mouth lands on his. He inhales sharply.

“Are we done, Doctor?” he bites out.

“Elyse, is there something you want to discuss?” Dr. Freeman asks.

I have a ton of questions, but I’m suddenly itching to get out of here, to unburden myself to Quinn. I’ve kept this stalker secret for far too long, and I get the feeling that the longer I hang on to it, the more detrimental it could be.

“No, I’m good for now.”

Dr. Freeman nods and makes another note. “Okay, my mandatory question of the session. What do you want from each other? You first, Elyse.”

I chew my inner lip, wondering if I dare. It’s been a request I’ve been suppressing for a while. But what the hell. I look at Quinn. “I want you to meet Petra. She’s dying to meet you.”

He looks shocked. His fingers loosen their hold on mine. I die a little inside.

“You’re not receptive to the idea?” Dr. Freeman asks.

Quinn looks away. Blinks. “Not entirely.”

My shriveling heart shrinks to the size of a peanut.

“Why not?” Dr. Freeman presses. I’m glad he’s asking the questions.

Quinn’s jaw clenches. “She’s the most important thing in Elyse’s life. That gives her power. Above me. Aboveus. That scares the shit out of me.”

My jaw drops.

“And you don’t want to meet her in case her verdict on you isn’t positive.”

“I’m positive it won’t be positive.”

“And you’re afraid that’ll influence Elyse’s view of you too?”

“How the hell can it not?”

I finally find my voice. “Quinn—”

He turns his whole body toward me. “Tell me that’s not true.”

“It’s…” I pause, desperate to find the right words. Quinn’s face shutters, and I hurry to speak. “She’s important. Of course she is. But so are you. You’re my life. This isn’t an either-or situation. I love you both, and I want you both in my life.”

“Why do you presume she’ll hate you?” Dr. Freeman presses.

Quinn gives a harsh, bitter laugh. “Come on, Doctor. You know what I’ve done. Who would want a depraved asshole like me in their lives?”

“Then, by definition, Elyse shouldn’t love you either. But she does.”

Quinn’s eyebrows clamp together for a full minute.

“Do you doubt her feelings, Quinn?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“Not even a little?”

His head jerks up, and he fixes an icy stare at the doctor. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Forcing you to confront a few things. Do you doubt that she loves you?”

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