Page 107 of The Protégé

“I’d do the course again with you,” I said.

“Okay.” She smiled.

Then I asked, “Do you want to talk about it? Your fears?”

She kissed my jawline. “Another day, okay? Right now, I just want you to touch me.”

“I’m always happy to comply.” I pushed her down onto the bed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

ELENA

For the next week,Orion busied himself at work. I knew he’d shifted his schedule around to join me at The Mudstacle Course, so now his workload had tripled. Every time I walked by his office, he was on a conference call. Ralph had popped in and out of Orion’s office, dropping off documents for him. The two men had a rhythm going where all they did was nod at each other, and they both understood. I supposed that was what happened when you’ve been with someone for so long.

My relationship with Orion had deepened after the mud race in New Hampshire.

Stop meandering around the truth. Just face it.

I closed my eyes and released a sigh. I was falling in love with Orion, and it was terrifying. Even more than the fear of heights. With that phobia, I could avoid high elevations and feel safe. But my feelings for him lived inside of me. They followed me everywhere.

What if he doesn’t feel the same way?

For now, I’d keep this secret safe. Sharing it was like exposing my vulnerable heart to him. I’d never felt thisconnection with anyone. And no one had shown me affection the way he did. So I knew he cared about me.

But I wanted more. This was something I had to be selfish about.

Our relationship took a wonderful turn after he’d shared about his ex-fiancée. My heart went out to her and him. Mental health was an enormous problem that was difficult to treat. I’d seen too many stories during my time as a reporter.

Everyone dealt with some form of depression growing up. But I could only imagine the extremity of it where the darkness consumed all your hope and purpose.

Sitting in my chair, I twirled the pen around my finger, thinking.Don’t be jealous. Don’t be ridiculous. Don’t be petty.

No matter how many times I reminded myself that Kate was gone, I couldn’t help the fangs of jealousy sinking into my skin. Last night Orion had called out her name during his sleep. I didn’t mention it to him.

Had he truly moved on? Could anyone move on after witnessing his fiancée commit suicide? Did he still love her?

He hadn’t said those three words to me. But then again, I hadn’t said it to him either. Could I continue this relationship knowing that Kate was always lingering in the background?

What the hell was wrong with me for being jealous of a dead woman?

I zoned in and out. Then I glanced at the knock on the opened door.

“Do you have a minute?” Ralph smiled and walked in.

“Of course.” I gestured to the chair in front of my desk. “Please have a seat. What’s up?”

“Oh, I need your opinion on something. But first, how are you doing? Is he keeping you busy?”

“I’m good, thank you. Yeah, he’s keeping me occupied for sure. You?”

“Always.” With gleaming eyes, he held up a finger. “But I’m officially on vacation starting now. Heforcedme to take it.”

Laughing, I crossed my arms. “When was the last time you had a vacation?”

“Years ago.”

“What?” I gawked at him. “That’s wild! Why haven’t you taken one?”

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