Page 7 of Trussed In Hope
I knew he needed my help in other ways right now, so I kept myself on a short leash. No watching him flex and thrust. Noconcentrating on his face. It gave me the perfect image of how disciplined he could be about something.
We worked through all the exercises, and when we were finished, he had me massage some menthol-scented stuff onto his leg. The sun had fallen, barely lighting the room. Though I couldn’t see much of anything, I felt the muscles in his leg relax as I worked it.
“You’re a godsend,” he said as he relaxed in the spot where he was lying. “Now, if I could find a new therapist…”
“I thought you said one would be here in a few days.” I furrowed my eyebrows, reflecting on what he said.
“Mind doctor.” He clarified behind closed eyelids.
“Oh!” I giggled. “I am one.”
“Really?” He finally looked at me.
“Yes, I really am.”
“Yes, but we’re dating, so…”
“What do you need, Hardison?” I asked, overruling his stubbornness.
“I have PTSD, so I’m supposed to see someone. The doctor I saw arranged for me to see someone a few times a week to work through the initial trauma.” Hardison shook his head before speaking again. “Told you, I’m a mess. Maybe we shouldn’t be dating after all.”
“I think you’re right. We shouldn’t be. It sounds like you need to be working on yourself.” Though it was sad, it was truthful. It also could have been my nerves working overtime.
“Damn. It’s the scars, huh?” He chuffed.
“Yes, actually.” I leaned over him and touched his forehead. “The ones in here. Hardison, I know how important it is to get those healed up. They can be just as deadly as the ones you can get on your skin. I think you need to focus on that, and maybe when you’re ready, we can try dating afterward.”
“Are you trying to say the scars on my skin?—”
“Are beautiful.” I finished for him. “They complement your already handsome face, giving it even more character. Right now, it’s the ones we can’t see that are the problem. Trust me, I know.”
“How so?”
“Not only have I seen it firsthand. I’ve lived through it, too,” I admitted. Old terrors liked to sneak up when you least expected them.
“If you won’t date me, then you’ll be my therapist?” he asked.
I hated dimming the light in his eyes. “No, if we ever want to try anything between us, we can’t have a doctor-patient relationship. I’ll try to help you find someone, though,” I agreed. Since we were being honest, and this wouldn’t work out, I could do this for him. At least I’d know he was safe.
“Deal. And, queen, you’re the beautiful one in this room. Never let that be a question in your mind.”
I smiled with one of those silly grins you couldn’t help when you were blushing as a pink rose in a garden of blues. He’d just clarified that I needed to watch myself around him. With too many more of those ‘queen’ pet names thrown around, I could get used to it. For now, I was going to admit that we were both attracted to one another and hoped I would find him a therapist tomorrow. Then I could leave shortly after.
HARDISON
Last night after Emberlynn excused herself to go to her room, she never reemerged. I ate dinner alone, and while I didn’t mind entertaining myself, I’d wanted her there, too. I was more than a little disappointed that she’d stopped things between us before they had even begun.
Being unable to sleep made for a restless night and an early morning. I made us some breakfast. Maybe coffee would get her out of that room.
I made pancakes, bacon, and eggs, and I made a fruit bowl. It wasn’t until the coffee was brewing, did she come out of the room. She looked groggy and half asleep but so damn magnificent. Emberlynn wore her hair short. It had a little bit of a spike, but I knew she gelled it down into the waves she had yesterday. Her satin sleep set was emerald, with black lace along the edges, and she wore a black robe. It heightened her umber skin tone, making it almost the perfect shade against her skin. Her slippers were black slip-ins that sparkled with all thebling. Emberlynn was a woman made to be devoured in pieces. All those curves of hers weren’t to be played with. I could tell from her expression that she wasn’t easy to conquer. The other thing? She wanted me just as much as I did her. I couldn’t help but get that from the way she watched me. Then why had she seemed distant yesterday? It was almost like she wanted to bury the possibilities, and I wasn’t haven’t that.
“I thought we could start over. A fresh beginning. I made coffee as our truce.” I set a mug in front of her as she sat at the table. “Cream or sugar?”
“Just cream, thank you.” She smiled as politely as she could. Her glossy lips had been the extent of her attempt with makeup this morning. Too much for me. I wanted to see her completely undone and bare.
“You’re welcome.” I placed the cream on the table and an empty plate. The spread was already on the table except for the fruit I was also carrying.
“I’m sorry about last night. I thought I was just taking a small nap. I didn’t expect to sleep until now. Not sure how much longer I would have if you hadn’t woken up my stomach.”
