Page 55 of Shadowed Obsession

“Scar?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you have children?”

“No.”

“Do you want them?” she inquires, peering up at me.

“Yeah, but my career makes that difficult. Takes up so much of my time and wouldn’t be fair to a kid. That’s why I don’t even have a dog. What about you?”

“I do, but I am having a hard time accepting that may not be possible,” she says softly.

“And why is that?”

“Many reasons. Like the man who stalks me,” she quips, pulling from my grasp to sit up.

I miss the contact immediately, as if her touch soothes me in the same way.Enough of that, I think, returning to the conversation with a comeback in hopes of lightening the mood.

“I disagree. If a baby is what you want, I could provide. So,that’snot a valid reason,” I tell her with a chuckle.

Her hand playfully slaps my arm as her laugh swells. An intoxicating sound that I vow to add to my daily responsibilities during my time with her.

Make her laugh, if nothing else.

“You are really annoying. You know that?”

“I could say the same about you,” I add with a quirked brow.

“Feeling better now?”

She nods and clears her throat. “I am,” she says with confidence. Whether it’s false, I’m unsure.

Oh. The job is done, then. I should leave.

“Well, I’ll get out of your hair, then,” I state, shifting off the bed and heading toward the door.

“Wait,” she says, stopping me in my tracks.

“Yes?” I turn to face her.

“Would you stay? I don’t want to be alone tonight,” she murmurs before quickly adding, “I understand if you have plans.”

I almost never have plans.

The words fly out of my mouth. “I can stay. Don’t think I should sleep in a mask, though.”

“I agree. You might suffocate to death.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?” I tease.

“I don’t know anymore,” she replies, avoiding eye contact as she rifles through her drawers.

She retrieves a pair of pajamas and disappears into the en suite.

“Make yourself at home,” she orders, followed by the sound of running water.

“I’ll be back,” I call out.

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