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I clung to Austin, and he tightened his hold on me, kissing the crown of my head. “I wish I was there.”
I spoke into his chest as I clung to his shirt. “You can’t protect me all the time, but now you see why I don’t dress to reveal anything. Even without it, I get attention.”
“Because you’re beautiful. You can’t hide your face.”
“I just want to be taken seriously.”
“Don’t let some asshole bring you down. You cleaned that company up after some other asshole brought it down with his sexual advances toward his employees. You should be proud. I’m proud of you. You impress me so much.”
I let go of his shirt to gaze up at him. He looked at me sympathetically and wiped the tears brimming on my lids.
“No more tears. You go in tomorrow and tell Hassan what happened.”
“He needs an explanation. I’m very surprised he hasn’t called me yet.”
“You should’ve kicked that jerk in the balls. He obviously has gotten away with this shit before. Wash your face and get changed. Do you want to watch some television?”
I shook my head. “I just want to lie in bed with you.”
“That’s fine. It’s almost ten anyway.”
We went to his bedroom, and I headed to the closet to change. I left a few articles of clothing to wear to work and bed a couple of days ago. Tonight, I changed into a pair of pink pajama shorts and a white tank top. When I came out, Austin was already in bed, waiting for me. He pushed back the covers so I could slip in. I snuggled against him and put my head on his chest.
“Don’t worry baby; tomorrow will be a better day.”
“I hope so. I was so happy about the roses. Thank you.”
“They pale in comparison to you. Promise me you’ll try to relax.”
“I’m trying, but this whole thing is very unsettling.”
Austin stroked my cheek with his knuckles and wrapped his arms around me. I fell asleep quickly only to wake up a few hours later while it was still dark. Austin was snoring, and I tried to go back to sleep, but anxiety kept me awake. I wiggled out from under his arms and went to the kitchen for a drink of water.
I didn’t feel sleepy and went to the patio doors to look out at the pool below. It was cool out tonight; swimming would be off the table. I pressed my nose to the glass and looked out at the lights in the valley.
“Baby?”
I turned to find Austin standing behind me with a worried look on his face.
“I’m fine. I needed a drink of water.”
“Come to bed.”
“I’m not sure I can sleep.”
He held out his hand for me to take. “Humor me. We can talk if you like.”
“You have a class early tomorrow morning. I don’t want to keep you up.”
“I’ve gotten less sleep and taught. I’m giving a test tomorrow. No teaching will be taking place. I can take a nap at my desk.”
“I have anxiety.”
Austin squeezed my hand. “You did nothing wrong.”
“I had a bumpy ride in the beginning of my tenure. I had to put people in their place to get where I am. Now I feel like I just took ten steps back.”
“Why? Because some little over-privileged dick propositioned you? Frankly, I’m surprised you don’t get propositioned each day.”
