Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“Kill you?” she asked, looking confused.
“It would hurt me, Cate. I’m a protector, a problem-solver, I’m the guy who helps people. But the person I want to help the most is you.”
“I don’t want to be a burden, though.”
“You could never be a burden.”
“You’re sure?”
“I am most definitely sure. All of you is utter perfection. Beautiful, courageous, and mine.”
Blinking rapidly, she looked away for a moment before sucking in a deep breath. “I think you have that wrong. It’s not me that’s perfect.”
She gave him a pointed look and he had to grin.
“I’m so far from perfect, it’s not funny. But I just hope I’m what you need.”
“Ethan Stone, you are everything I need and more.”
He kissed the top of her head. Then her forehead. The tip of her nose.
“Ohh,” she said, moving her lips up toward his.
“Uh-uh, no kisses until you tell me.”
“It’s not harming me,” she said with a sigh. “It’s just a little flick. A sting to help me clear my head.”
Clear her head?
“Did your therapist suggest it? Have you talked to her about it?”
“No. I just came up with it myself. I haven’t spoken to my therapist about this.”
That wasn’t good. What was she talking to her therapist about?
“I don’t know that it sounds very healthy,” he told her. “I think that you should talk to her about this. I hate the thought of you giving yourself even a small amount of pain to help clear out your head. I want you to tell me the thoughts in your head instead.”
Fuck. Was that too much?
Part of him didn’t care. He wanted to know what was going on with this girl. All the time.
His phone beeped, and he checked it, seeing that Seth and Rhodes were back. “I don’t want you doing that to yourself anymore.” His voice was firm.
“I . . . I won’t.”
Ethan held out his hand. She placed the hair tie in it. Relief filled him, even though he knew that it probably wasn’t this simple or easy.
“Thank you, baby. I want you to speak to your therapist about this. Did you tell her about all the stress you’ve been under?”
“I told her a bit about Rhodes been stalked and you guys moving in this morning.”
“What did she say?”
“That she’s concerned about all the stress and that I need to make sure I’m looking after myself.”
Which was his job. And he needed to do it better. “You can tell me anything. I want to ensure you’re happy and healthy. But I also need you to talk to me.”
“I know. I will try.”
And he would watch her even more closely.
“Was it Samantha being in your room that upset you? Or her screeching? Or her nearly getting into your closet?”
“D.”
“Huh?”
“All of the above.”
He let out a sigh. “I’m so sorry that happened, baby.”
“It’s not your fault. And she’s not wrong, is she? I should give her and Rhodes the main suite. But I just . . . this is my safe place.”
“Hey, no one is taking your safe place. Understand? You think Rhodes would want that?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I know so. She’s just being a bitch. Don’t pay any attention to her. I wish I’d known how to help you, though. We should have discussed this. Maybe I should even talk to your therapist about how to best help you.”
“You did really well. Normally, I can deal with it myself. But I was worried about if you . . . if you’d leave me. If you found it all too much.”
He swore quietly. “I will never leave you. Is there anything else I could have done?”
“Sometimes, I find it good to have something to squeeze—like a stress ball or a toy. Different textures. But what you did worked. Normally, I don’t like to be touched, but it’s all I wanted with you.”
“I’ll remember that next time.” He leaned her back so he could brush her hair off her face. His poor girl, she looked like she was completely done in. “Are you tired, baby?”
“Exhausted. I just wanna have a nap.”
“All right. We can do that. I’ll lie down with you. We can have dinner later, if you like.”
“That would be good. I feel kind of nauseous,” she admitted as he stood with her cradled against his chest.
“Is there anything else you need?” he asked.
“No. Just you.”
“You have me,” he replied.
“Ethan?”
“Yes, baby?”
“What is in all of these boxes? What did you shop for?”
“Just a few bits and pieces,” he replied. “I’ll show you tomorrow when you’re less overwhelmed.”
She grumbled a bit.
“If you’re a good girl, I’ll show one thing to you. You can wear it now if you like it.”
“Wait. You bought something for me?” she asked.
“It’s all for you, baby girl.”
“Ethan! You shouldn’t have spent so much money on me! You’re already on leave without pay and then to buy me all these things.”