Page 112 of Lost
“Oh.”
The word isn’t said in a rude way, it’s more like he’s rolling the idea around in his mind. He is a business owner, and it sounds like the coffee shop does well if he’s been open as long as he has been.
“I think that would be amazing,” Lars says, nodding. “If you have staff, it means that you could see more people, right? Would you be giving up anything by doing this?”
I swear, I might have little hearts in my eyes as he says this. I haven’t dated at all before this, and the thought of coming home and being able to gush about my day hasn’t been something I could do in the past either.
“If this is set up correctly, and I have enough midwives and assistants, then I shouldn’t need to give up anything,” I say slowly, thinking. “I can still see clients in home for maternity appointments and births, transfer to the hospital if something happens that potentially needs more care, and I’ll be able to add on the ability to see clients at the birth center. I even think that we could reach even further and offer postpartum care. It would look a little different for those in transitional housing, but it would allow us to offer them support in those first weeks.”
“Have I told you that you’re amazing?” Lars asks. “Honestly, I’m standoffish because your job overwhelms me. There’s so much I don’t understand. You’ll say something off hand about how happy you are to deliver a live baby earthside, and it immediately makes me wonder how many you’ve had to deliver that haven’t been. Sorry, that’s morbid for dinner talk.”
“I don’t think I have that button inside of me that tells me what is or isn’t appropriate to talk about when it comes to midwifery,” I admit. “To me, it’s simply part of life. I remember every baby I’ve delivered. There have been two hundred and sixty-four babies. However, there’s forty more that didn’t make it to that point, and countless babies that didn’t have a heartbeat at all when I searched for one at the first appointment. There’s various reasons for this, but it’s no less sad.”
“It’s a really emotional job,” he says softly, not addressing the fact that I haven’t answered his question.
Ambrose comes over with an appetizer, and my lips part in surprise as I watch him put out bread, as well as a platter of different cheeses, meats, and vegetables.
“Wow,” I rasp.
“All of the bread is gluten free. Lars can suck it up, and it’s actually delicious. The roasted red peppers are made in house, the mozzarella balls are also made here too. I don’t know why an Irish boy like me decided to open an Italian restaurant with Corbin, but there it is,” he chuckles. “I’ll bring over water. Do you need anything else?”
“No thank you,” Lars says. “I’m not drinking tonight.”
I rarely drink either, so I shake my head with a smile.
Ambrose leaves us, and Lars is silent as he begins to load up my plate with food.
Sighing, I say, “Seven born still. It’s not a high number, but it’s enough to make sure that I do everything possible for mom and baby.”
“It’s also not your fault,” he says. “It still hurts though because you’ve watched each pregnancy, celebrated each milestone. My concern when you told me about the sadder side of things is that you feel that grief as well.”
“I do,” I agree. “It makes the wins so much sweeter though.”
Dinner is fun, and still full of sexual tension. I swear, watching Lars lick his lips turns me on. It becomes a teasing war as I watch him. I wrap my lips around the fork with each bite, waiting to see when he’ll break.
“Are you done?” he asks, his voice full of gravel.
“I’m full,” I murmur. “It was so good.”
Lars stands and tosses his credit card on the table before grabbing my hand.
“Come with me,” he says, helping me out of my seat. “I’m not going to make it home without enjoying your body now that you’re no longer hungry.”
“Here?” I squeak, following him around the tables and through the room.
An alpha in a suit looks imposing as he watches Lars.
“I need your office and no questions, sir,” Lars says. He sounds more feral than in control, and I shiver.
“Sounds like you’re in trouble,” the alpha chuckles at me. Handing him the key, he points down the hall behind me. “It’s always nice to see you, Lars, but you know your money is worthless here.”
“Donate it.” Lars shrugs as he continues past the alpha. “I hope you’re ready for your punishment, beautiful. I’ll have you screaming for my cock before I give it to you.”
Holy mother of the universe…I think I’ve finally gotten Lars to slip his leash.
Chapter Twenty-Three
LARS
