Page 49 of Shelter from the Storm

“Take a breath, kitten.”

Kitten?

The term of endearment caught her off guard, distracted her enough that she was able to draw in a deeper breath.

“Good girl,” Theo praised her. “Now, take another.”

Good girl distracted her even more.

She was a sucker for romance novels with strong men, who whispered sweet, sexy words in the heroine’s ear. She’d learned through those books that she had a praise kink, as those sex scenes were the ones that pushed all her hot buttons. She supposed it made sense, considering kindness hadn’t played much of a role in her past. She soaked in his proud tone like she was dying of thirst, and he was a tall glass of ice-cold water.

He kept encouraging her to breathe until she felt the weight on her chest ease and the panic pass.

Once she was more in control, she remained in the middle of the room, feeling like the world’s biggest fool.

Satisfied she was no longer a flight risk, Theo walked past her, returning with two of the new chairs she’d inventoried.

“Sit down, kitten.”

She dropped heavily into the chair. Then he put his in front of her and sat as well. He kept a few feet between them, something she hated as much as she was grateful for.

“Sorry,” she murmured.

“For what?”

Gretchen shrugged. How could she explain the leap she’d taken from kissing him to nearly having a panic attack?

She felt Theo studying her face, but she wasn’t brave enough to look him in the eye.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” he said at last. “I’m the one who should be apologizing to you.”

That comment had her gaze rising.

“The problem is,” he said, a soft smile curving his lips. “I’m not sorry for kissing you.”

Gretchen wasn’t sure why, but that confession pleased her. Despite all the shit floating around inside her, she liked knowing he enjoyed the kiss as much as she did.

Regardless…

“We can’t kiss again.”

Theo rubbed his jaw, drawing her attention to his beard. Her lips tingled. She probably had a bit of beard burn around her mouth, something she’d have to hide from Eagle Eyes Edith, or she’d be subjected to a major inquisition.

“You’re right, and we won’t kiss again,” Theo said, his words crushing her…until he added, “today.”

She huffed out a breathy laugh, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

Theo took her hand in his. “Tell me what triggered that attack.”

“Theo.”

“Tell me what. I need to know. You don’t have to say anything more than that.”

She bit her lower lip, then gave him what he asked for. “Your hand wrapped around my neck.”

Theo winced. “I’ll never touch you that way again. I promise.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, hating that she was still so broken.

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