Page 108 of Unexpected Redemption

He kisses the tip of my nose before continuing. “Plus, Big Al set me up with profit sharing since I helped him form the company. He wanted me to be a co-owner, like a partnership, but I wasn’t interested. It would have required too much time out of the office. Or with people. Employees reporting to me.”

“People? Yuck. That’s almost as bad as phone calls,” I quip.

His chuckle caresses my ears like plush velvet. “That’s a good point. Your feelings on phone calls align with mine on dealing with people.” His face softens. “At least, that’s how it was before one person came into my life and taught me how amazingsomepeople can be.”

We kiss again, rapidly getting swept away in each other. But I’ve got another thing I want to ask. Before my hormones take over, I pull back. “Why did you say a black dog?”

“What?”

“Sorry for being so random. You know how I am.”

“I love you that way.” His sigh is tender and brimming over with contentment. “Do you mean, why do I want a dog?”

“Yes. But specifically a black one. You said that the other day, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about dogs.”

As soon as the words clear my lips, I reach for them, anxious to shove them back into my trap. Not because I don’t want to know. But I’d do anything to prevent his face from falling the way it just did.

I snuggle close, hoping I can infuse love into my touch. “Oh, babe. What’s that face for?”

He forces his features to brighten, but it’s unnatural and only makes me hurt worse.

“What do you mean?” he asks, faux happiness in his tone.

“A second ago, you were all relaxed and peaceful. Now, you’re all sad.” I fling my leg over his outer thigh, shimmying our lower halves closer. I want no space between us. “I’m sorry for asking about the dog. You don’t have to talk about it if it makes you unhappy or triggers something.”

Lord knows I wrote the book on being easily triggered. Last thing I want to do is set off the man I love into a trauma spiral, which I suspect is what’s happening.

Instead of answering my question, he changes the subject, “Can you call the therapist for me tomorrow?”

Relentlessly, my tongue dabs at my suddenly dry lips. “Um. Yeah. I can do that. Are you ready?”

“Yes. I want to be able to talk to you about stuff like this. But I-I can’t do it yet. Normally, I wouldn’t ask you for help making an appointment, but this is something I haven’t been able to do on my own.”

A yawn slips free. “Okay. I’ll call for you tomorrow. And we don’t have to talk about that stuff tonight. As much as I’d love to know every detail about your life, you take your time. I’m very patient.”

Buzz.

A game show buzzer in the back of my mind signals my lie. Let’s face the facts;I’m as impulsive and impatient as they come.

Then again... for Tomer, I’ll wait as long as he needs.

He doesn’t call me out on my lie. “Thank you, sugar bear.”

I give him a sleepy smile, fatigue slowly wearing me down. “I love you. Should we sleep now?”

“Yeah. I’m tired.”

Our lips come together for a quick good night kiss.

“Lettie, tomorrow you’ll talk to Simone about what happened today at work, right? And then you can tell me what set you off?”

My face pinches tight, and my lip glides between my teeth.

Sensing my trepidation, he adds, “The only reason I want to know so badly is to ensure I avoid setting you off accidentally. I want to protect you. That’s all.”

Oh shit cakes.

His sweetness reminds me I was supposed to talk to him tonight about amending my statement with the cops to include the hideous monster who emailed me today. And also the email.

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