Page 99 of Love Notes & Lifelines
No, but that’s different. In business, he has stats and projections. He understands the risks before going in.
“You can’t take out insurance in case we don’t work out. Relationships are not as black-and-white as making a deal with a new property.”
Beck’s eyes crinkle at the corners, then he opens the door and gestures for me to enter. Once I’m seated, he leans on thedoorframe with that crooked grin that sucks me in every time. “Then I look forward to you teaching me about all its colors. Buckle up, beautiful. It’s going to be a long night.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
BECK
We drivefor close to an hour with nothing but the radio for company. Stella is curled into the door like a wounded animal, and I’m still gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles.
Seeing that piece of shit with his hands on her broke down the last of my resistance. He hurt her. She’s wearing the imprint of his hand on her wrist, and she sleeps cradling her elbow close to her belly.
Now I can’t shake the image of her in pain from my mind. I thought I might be in love with her when I bought the ring, but I’d allowed my own stubbornness to cloud my truth. When I heard her whimper in pain, nothing else mattered. It was in that moment I knew I couldn’t live without her, and I finally succumbed to the fact that I love my nanny. But her mom? Christ. Why didn’t she tell me about her? I could have done something.
Iwilldo something.
My gaze drifts back over her—she owns me now. Life has never before spiraled this quickly on me, nor have I ever been so excited to see where I’ll land. But I will do anything for this woman, and for all her questions, that’s how I know. I know this is right because of how she makes me experience the tiniestemotions so viscerally. It’s something I’ve never had before. It’s primal. A need that infects every inch of my body. I want to protect her from everything that hurts her. I want to erase the shadows that haunt her dreams.
But I don’t just want her.
I need her, and I’m done fighting it. It should be a terrifying realization, but it’s not. If anything, it’s set me free.
By the time I pull into the parking lot, it’s almost empty, and I’m thankful my manager here was able to quickly execute my demands. I have properties closer to the city, but this one is special. There’s a reason appointments here are booked a year in advance, which, admittedly will piss off the people I canceled on and mess up the schedules of everyone who has to work late to make up for it, but I’ll reward them handsomely for this.
“Stella, baby? We’re here.”
Her lashes flutter but don’t open so I exit the car and carefully open her door. Her head was resting against the window, and it pops up when I pull it away from her.
“Hi.” I keep my voice quiet. Until I know exactly what happened in her mother’s room, I’ll take care not to spook her. Everything from my words to my actions is gentled for her even though the rage of seeing her terrified still burns through my veins.
“Where are we?”
“Crystal Waters. My favorite property in North Carolina.”
Her gaze sweeps over my shoulder, then around the parking lot. “Is it open?”
“For us, yes. Come. We have appointments.”
“Why?” Her knee buckles when her feet hit the gravel, and I bite my tongue to keep myself from lashing out in fear. Did that fucker hurt her anywhere else?
“Because that asshole had his hands on you and caused you pain. I want to erase that from your mind, so we’re gettingmassages, ones that heal, not hurt. I called in two of my best people. I promise it’ll be a massage you’ll never forget.”
She shrugs, but the energy has already drained from her. The spark that made her shine has dulled. “I’ve never had a massage, so I’m sure my first will be very memorable.”
I stop short as she stares at her feet.
“You work for me.”
She raises a single brow but doesn’t say anything.
“One of the perks of working for me in the executive suite is the free monthly massages. That didn’t stop because I coerced you into nannying instead.”
“No, I’ve never used them.”
Her words don’t compute. I thought everyone took advantage of that perk. “Why not?”
“They’re expensive, so the tip would be expensive.”
