Page 47 of Bound By Pain
Tucking myself away, I wipe Bea’s mouth and gather her into my arms. I grab a bottle of water on my way to the couch, where I settle her against my chest and let my purr rattle to life.
“Drink,” I command, pressing the bottle to her lips. She complies, slowly sipping the cool liquid. Her eyes flutter shut, breaths evening out.
The feel of her skin beneath my fingers sends tiny bolts of lightning up my arms. Our connection has always been electric, even more so when she isn’t fighting me at every step. My thumbs dig into the muscles along the top of her shoulders and the back of her neck, easing the strain from such a long oral session. I continue the sensual massage down her spine and both arms, anywhere I can reach without removing her from my lap.
Eventually, it becomes clear she has fallen asleep. I take a moment just to enjoy this rare piece of intimacy.
“You’re mine, Sabine Powell,” I whisper against the top of her head. “I’m not sure how we will make it work, but I’m going totry. You’ve stolen my heart, claimed it as your own. I would be a fool to walk away again.”
Pounding on my office door startles me awake. Shit, I hadn’t realized I had fallen asleep.
Bea jerks upright in my arms, sleep rumpled with creases from my dress shirt on her face. If my phone weren’t across the room, I would take a photo of her like this. She’s adorable.
“What time is it?” she croaks, glancing around.
Gently lifting her, I settle her on the cushion beside me. “I’m not sure.”
Standing, I straighten my jacket and make sure my belt buckle is done. Then I cross the room and throw open the door, a glare on my face.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Acherley,” Jane stammers. “Starburgh High School called. It’s Spencer. He awakened.”
“Thank you, Jane. I will head there immediately.”
Turning around, I see Bea watching me from her perch on the edge of the couch. She glances away when she sees me looking at her, a shyness overtaking her I am not fond of. She still fears I will abandon her.
“Do you have plans this afternoon?” I ask as I gather everything I will need to enroll Spencer at the local academy. Namely, my checkbook.
“Uh, I don’t think so? I can go back to my office-”
I cut her off with a scowl. “Do not mistake your presence in my office as permission to return to work. In fact, human resources have yet to clear your return, so being here in an official capacity would violate the terms of your employment.”
“That’s stupid,” she mutters, lips pushing into a pout. “I guess I will call someone to pick me up.”
I hold the phone she’d slipped onto my desk earlier between us. “Or you could come with me. There is someone I would like you to meet.”
She hesitates, hand gripping the bottom of her phone. “Alright,” she agrees. “But you have to buy me food after.”
A laugh slips through my lips, startling us both. “Of course, I will feed you, Omega. Fate help us all if I let your hanger evolve.”
Offering her a hand, she slips hers into mine and allows me to lead her from the room. It feels right to have her at my side during the short drive to the group home where Spencer lives. The female Alpha in charge of their care meets me at the door.
“Mr. Acherley.”
“Bea, this is Eloise Reynolds. She is the caretaker at Star Crossed.”
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Bea responds with wide eyes. I watch as she takes everything in. From the labeled wall hangers inside the door to the overcrowded calendar with all the children’s school and sporting events listed.
“I packed his things as soon as the school called, so all we have to do is take them to your car.”
I nod, guiding Bea to the nearby dining room and settling her in a chair. “Stay here.” Her attempt to protest is silenced with a quick kiss to her lips, leaving her stunned as I jog up the stairs to Spencer’s shared bedroom.
All of his belongings fit into just a few small boxes, each carefully packed and labeled. His guitar sits off to the side, already in its case.
“Here.” Eloise grabs my attention and holds out an envelope. “If you could give this to Spencer, I would appreciate it.”
Smiling, I slide it inside the front pocket of my suit jacket. “Of course. He is lucky to have someone as caring as you in his corner. They all are.”
Tears gather in her eyes, but she brushes them away. “Let’s get these downstairs.”
