Page 57 of Need

“Yes.” I nodded against the warmth of his bare chest.

His arms squeezed me, and I smiled. I’d made a good choice.

All too soon, however, he released me with a sigh. “You have a visitor coming.”

“Someone is coming to see me?” The only person I could think of was Cal. Lily said she was Logan’s submissive on the weekends. Surely he wouldn’t let her come visit me this early on a Saturday morning, but what would Cal be doing here this early either?

He must have seen the confusion on my face. “My uncle is downstairs. I told him we’d still been asleep, so he’s giving us ten minutes to get presentable.”

I tensed. I didn’t want to see his uncle. He didn’t like me, and was trying to take me away from Stephan.

Without thinking, I reached for him again, pressing my hands firmly against his skin. “I don’t want to leave you,” I whispered. I could hear the note of panic in my voice.

He brushed his lips against my temple before cupping my face, making me look up at him. “I’m glad to hear that,” he smiled. “Relax. What did I tell you? No one is going to take you away if you don’t want to go.”

“Okay.” I knew it was shaky, but it was the best I could do. His uncle made me nervous.

“Now, we only have about five minutes left. Run to your bathroom and do what you need to.” He let go of me and began walking into his room. “Five minutes, Brianna,” he called over his shoulder.

I ran into my room.

Five minutes later, I cautiously walked back into the main room to find Stephan standing in a pair of dark jeans and a T-shirt, talking to his uncle. Stephan glanced up at my entrance, and held out his hand to me.

I crossed the space quickly, never taking my eyes off Dr. Cooper. He smiled at me, but all I could think about when I saw him was what Stephan had told me. How could his uncle believe that woman and not him?

When I reached Stephan’s side, he pulled me close, wrapping his arm around me.

Neither said anything at first. Then Dr. Cooper cleared his throat. “I brought a peace offering,” he said, holding up a brown paper bag. There was a logo on the side, but I couldn’t read it.

I didn’t respond.

“My uncle has come by at this early hour to apologize to you, Brianna.”

My gaze shot up to Stephan’s, eyes wide. He wanted to apologize? To me?

“Yes,” his uncle said, clearing his throat again. “I thought we could have breakfast and talk. Do you like bagels?”

I wasn’t looking at him until Stephan motioned with his eyes for me to respond. “Um... yes?” Stephan’s hold tightened briefly around my waist, and I knew he was trying to encourage me. “Yes,” I said, firmer this time. “I... I like bagels.”

“Good,” Dr. Cooper said. It was then I noticed how tense he’d been as his shoulders relaxed at my positive response.

“Brianna.” My head whipped back around at the sound of Stephan’s voice. “Why don’t you get the milk and juice, and bring it to the table.”

I nodded, and left his side to complete my task.

Stephan and his uncle sat opposite each other as I placed the drinks on the table. I stood, unsure what to do. Normally, I would join him for breakfast. My gaze met Stephan’s, and he nodded toward the chair. I breathed a sigh of relief and sat down.

Dr. Cooper had brought all different kinds of bagels. He said he wasn’t sure which kind I’d like, and insisted I be the first to pick the one I wanted. I wasn’t sure about that. I mean, I never went before Stephan. It just didn’t feel right.

“It’s okay, Brianna. Pick the one you want.”

I looked at his face, making sure it was really okay, before reaching out and picking one with blueberries and placing it on the napkin in front of me.

Stephan and his uncle each chose a bagel for themselves, and then Dr. Cooper pushed a tub of cream cheese toward me. Hesitantly, I opened it and put some on my bagel. Then I offered it to Stephan.

He smiled and took it from me, spreading some of the white cheese on his own bagel. When he was finished, he handed the container to his uncle before taking a bite. As soon as he’d begun eating, I did as well.

I was trying to relax like he’d said. He was right here with me, and I trusted that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me, but I knew his uncle was watching. I could feel his eyes on me.