Page 63 of In Death, Love Survives
Staring at my computer screen clock, I wait for it to turn seven.
At seven, I’ll be seeing Wolfe, and no matter how hard I try to convince myself that’s normal, it’s not.
Aside from the reason I asked for Wolfe to be brought to my office for an appointment outside the schedule we have in place, I know that when he arrives, Wolfe is going to take everything in.
Wolfe will be getting a better look at who I am. He’ll see it all.
The lack of family pictures, my cactus, and even how orderly my desk is will give him a better glimpse into who I am. He’s going to soak it in and then try to analyze me.
Roper State is my world, the one that I clung to after years of schooling and trying to find my place.
Someone is finally able to get under my skin, and strangely, I’m open to the idea. Maybe if he sees this, then he’ll walk away.
It’s getting darker as seven o’clock inches closer. I hear footsteps and murmurs coming from outside my office door.
It’s almost time for his appointment.
Getting out of my chair like it’s on fire, I open the door and come face-to-face with the man who has taken over my every thought—Wolfe.
Officer Walls follows behind him.
“Mr. Walker. Please come in,” I say as I open the door wider.
He gives me a curt nod, as if everything is only professional between the two of us.
“Dr. Fletcher, I’ll be right down the hall,” Walls starts.
He then looks over to Wolfe and back to me.
“Unless you’d rather I stay closer.”
“Thank you, Officer Walls. I have every confidence that Mr. Walker and I will be fine together.”
He gives me an uneasy look before nodding in agreement and shutting the door.
My heart starts beating erratically, knowing that Wolfe is standing right behind me. I can practically feel the heat exuding off him and onto me. We’re dangerously close to one another for the first time since we’ve met.
I don’t have a camera inside my office, something that I know Officer Walls is using his discretion on as well.
Slowly, I turn around to face the man who is surely going to be my undoing. As I do, Wolfe doesn’t back away, which in turn gives me limited space.
Facing him, I finally stare up at the man I’ve completely fallen for.
Wolfe’s face softens, as I’m sure mine does as well. I can’t help but feel awe at the man before me, with his deep-green eyes, the slight stubble on his face, and his hair pulled back into a small bun.
“Wolfe,” I whisper.
“Hi, angel.”
I suck in a deep breath at the nickname, one I’ve come to revel in and revere.
“Do you have cameras in this room?”
“No.”
“That’s good, baby. That’s real good.”
Wolfe keeps staring at me, almost as if he can see into my very being. I’m not sure how a man I barely know is able to make me feel like he’s the one I’ve been searching for all my life.
