Page 149 of Black Light: Cured

of me, and for a moment, I feel empty, alone, but soon, his arms are around me, holding me close as he

helps me off the exam table.

CHAPTER 21

L ila

MY EYES ARE HEAVY AS I TRY TO WAKE UP. LUCKILY, MY SUNDAY SHIFT DOESN’T START UNTIL MUCH

later, giving Master Aiden and I a chance to have brunch and reconnect. With a smile hovering over

my lips, I reach out to touch his chest, but my hand falls onto the empty bed.

It’s cold, as if it hasn’t been slept in for a while, but then that’s not always unusual. Knowing him,

he’s probably already up and making me breakfast. My stomach growls, demanding satisfaction, and I

can’t help the laugh that spills from my lips.

Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and look over at his side, puzzled when I see a piece of paper folded on

his pillow. Giddiness floods my system as I reach out and snatch it up, my eyes skimming over the

words to see what secret he’s left for me.

However, it’s nothing of the sort. My breath stops short, nearly choking me as I force my gaze

back up to the top to start reading all over. Tears burn my eyes as line-by-line Master Aiden cuts my

heart out and yanks it from my chest.

MY DEAR LILA,

I know you won’t see this until quite a bit later. With the way you sleep in on Sundays, I will

more than likely be long gone before you even crack your eyes open. Baby, I want nothing more

than to keep you by my side, to hold onto you forever, but I can’t. I’ve been given a job opportunity

that I want to pursue, and if I’m accepted, I plan to take it.

I know what you’re thinking, why didn’t I ever talk to you about this? And you’re right. I

haven’t, but I just couldn’t. Even writing this pains me more than I can bear to think about, but it’s

what’s best for you. Damn how horrible it makes me feel. You give so much to so many people that I

can’t in good conscious be one more taker in your life.

Before knowing just how much of a passion you had for your clients—hell, before I respected

what you did—I would have asked you to come with me without hesitation. The main difference

between then and now is that I also see how much you sacrifice to make others happy. You put their

needs before your own.

While I can’t force everyone else to not take advantage of you, I can do my part in seeing that