Page 61 of Unexpected Redemption

“Because every time I touch you, I’m reminded how lucky I am.”

Holding him close, I trail my fingertips over his shoulders. “Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”

He kisses me again, just a tiny peck. “Seeing you in this collar does things to me, sweetness. Not sure if you should keep wearing it around here. Especially if you’re going to be working down the hall. Every time I catch sight of it, I lose my mind.”

“We need to get you an office of your own then. Because I’m not taking it off.”

Out of nowhere, he ends our flirty banter. “How are you feeling? You said you were nauseous again. You need me to get you something? Ginger ale and crackers? It might help to keep something in your belly. When’s the last time you ate?”

Reflexively, I drop my head. “Uh, I skipped lunch.”

“Been drinking water?”

“A little.”

“Sugar bear, what am I going to do with you?”

With my cheeks pulled tightly in a grin, I glance at him from under my lashes. “Punish me like the naughty girl I am?”

His exhale is accompanied by a frustrated sigh. “In a minute, I’m taking you to the break room to get you something to eat and drink. You’ve got to start taking better care of yourself. Especially if...” His words are replaced with a sexy groan.

I’m torn between blowing a raspberry at him or swooning right off this desk. The brat and the good girl inside me are battling for dominance. Unfortunately, no clear winner prevails before he scoops some hair behind my ear and kisses me tenderly.

Swoon.

As he pulls away from me, his expression is carved with determination. “Lettie, I don’t want you to watch what’s going to happen with him tonight. I really don’t.”

A twinge of gloominess pierces my happy cloud, draining some of the bliss. Although I was leaning toward not watching, Ihadn’t decided yet. Something about his request feels... wrong. But I can’t quite explain why.

“Why not?”

Before he answers, I figure out what feels so icky.Did he come in here and give me that amazing orgasm to put me in a more compliant mood? Was that a calculated seduction?

His face clouds over. That familiar confusion I’ve come to adore about him. It’s simultaneously frustrating and endearing. He’s so... him.

“Why don’t you want me to watch, babe?” I repeat.

“Do you really need to ask?”

As divergent as my thoughts are, Idoneed an explanation, so I press him a bit. “Is it because you don’t want me to see you hurting him? Are you planning on doing something I wouldn’t?—”

The disappointed look on his face causes the rest of the sentence to dry up.

“Lettie, no. That’s not it.”

“Sorry, babe. I don’t know if you’re asking me not to watch to protect me or to protect you.”

“You. I’m trying to protect you.” He cups my cheeks, his eyes anchoring to mine and holding me captive in their depths. “I’m so fucking proud of how much you’ve healed. I don’t want you to have a setback because of that fucker. He doesn’t get to take another ounce of happiness from you. I won’t let him.”

The earnestness of his declaration rings true, smoothing my feathers and warming my soul.

“Okay, babe. I won’t watch.”

“Do you promise?”

I smile at him warmly. “Yes.”

“And I promise I’ll tell you as much or as little as you want to hear about the intel we get from him.”

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