Page 99 of Perfect Chemistry

I looked at Katie, and she shook her head. “No, no questions. Thank you, Doctor,” I responded for both of us.

“Ok. The charge nurse will be in shortly to start your discharge. Come back in immediately if anything feels wrong over the next five days. Cramping is normal with some pain, but if you develop a fever or your pain is a seven or higher, come right back,” he advised.

I carried Katie out of the hospital an hour later. Her face tucked into the crook of my neck, I walked us back out to my car and drove us home.

I took a week off from work, and stayed by Katie’s side. She didn’t want for anything, except privacy, by the end of the week. We talked quietly every night, and she let me in a little more each time. We would make it through this.

I just wanted to protect her from everything that could make her sad. She deserved to be happy again. We both did.

Chapter 35

Katie’s Point of View

I sat at the kitchen island of Kai’s home, staring at my computer. I had found two companies in our area hiring craftsmen. Both specialized in the restoration of historical buildings, which, in our area, was a super niche industry. I sent both companies copies of my credentials with a resume, and then found myself wandering through real estate sites.

It struck me that I didn’t really have a home. In the five months since moving back, I was at Andie’s, Kai’s or my parents’ houses, living out of suitcases and boxes. Before that I had spent nearly two years not really living. I had enough money for a decent deposit, because I had no expenses. Not really anyway. I paid for my phone, my insurance, and groceries when I could sneak my card in fast enough to pay for shit.

Otherwise, I had no expenses. Kai walked up behind me and pulled me into his body. He kissed my temple, and then rested his chin on my shoulder, looking over what I was looking at.

“Why are you looking at houses?” He asked.

I closed my laptop and turned to hug him. “I was thinking of getting my own place. I’ve been a squatter or hospitalized the last two years. I feel like I should try to act like an independent adult again,” I explained.

Kai stiffened and pulled back from my hug, patting me on the back twice. “Is it that bad being here with me?” He asked.

I looked up at him, feeling my defenses go up. “I haven’t had my own space, or paid my own way in a long time. I can’t keep mooching off of you.”

“Is that what it feels like staying here? Like you’re mooching off of me?” He asked quietly.

His eyes were guarded like he was waiting for my answer. Waiting for me to tell him that this wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t even know what I wanted. Before I could answer he continued, “What if you just moved in here? I can give you bills to pay if that’s what will make you feel more comfortable. I didn’t think about how you felt, and I should have asked sooner.”

There was a long moment of quiet contemplation on my part. What would it mean to move in with him? What would happen if things didn’t work out? What if we had an argument and I couldn’t stay here?

“You already practically live here. You are the only one who doesn’t see it. If we have a disagreement, then we will work it out. This is your home if you want it to be, Katie,” he softly whispered, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

I closed my eyes for a second, trying to stop the burning behind them. I didn’t want to cry… “I said all of that out loud didn’t I?” I asked him, realizing I had voiced my deepest worries.

“Yep,” he chuckled, pulling me into a hug. “This only works if we talk, Kitkat. If you’re worried, you can talk to me. I’m not saying everything will be perfect, but we can make this work. If you want your own space, I’ll help you look. But don’t move away because you think you are mooching.”

I sighed and felt a weight of tension leave my body with his words. Truthfully, I didn’t want to live on my own again. I didn’t want to face all of my demons alone anymore. Kai kept me grounded, and kept me from getting too far in my head. I was better with him in my life.

“If we do this, you can’t keep paying for everything,” I mumbled against his chest.

His body vibrated as he laughed. “Tell you what. I’ll let you buy me a new car. Will that make you feel better? I’ve been eyeing this sleek red mercedes convertible-”

I pulled away and swatted his chest. “I am not buying you a pussy magnet, Doctor!” My voice came out high pitched and whinier than I intended. I immediately started blushing when I realized I had yelled at him in jealousy.

Kai’s face was lit up with joy as he laughed harder. “Holy shit, that was not what I was expecting! I thought you wanted to spend your money!” He chuckled, taking my face in his hands. He tipped my face up to look at him and kissed me softly.

“Seriously. You are not a burden, Katie. No one sees you as a mooch. If anything, I am the one taking advantage. I have a gorgeous woman, who I am completely in love with, tolerating my seemingly unending need for physical contact. I was afraid you wanted to move because you felt used.”

I started laughing at that point. “How would I feel used? I am so high maintenance, you really are at the disadvantage. Between my nightmares, my weird PTSD triggers, and all of my meds and schedule-” my words were silenced with another kiss.

His lips were soft and coaxed mine. Kai kissed me until I was a pile of goo in his arms. “You are not a burden. I have never felt that way, and I never will. Come on,” he said, pulling me from the chair. “We need to iron out any concerns before you decide to move in here. If you want your own space, Amy knows a great realtor who can find you a great place.”

I held Kai’s hand as he led me through the house to the bedroom. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit. “Why are we going to the bedroom to discuss all of this?” I asked him.

Without batting an eye, he told me. “Because the only time you are truly honest with yourself and what you want is when you are writhing on my cock or my tongue. Consider this like a truth serum. Now, take off your clothes so we can start this conversation.” His voice was low and husky as he pulled me to the bed.

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