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“Where are you taking me?”
For a brief moment, my past flashed before my eyes. Mom and Dad rushing me to the hospital after they found me bleeding on the bathroom floor. I hadn’t wanted to live. Not with my nightmares constantly hounding me. Not with my life falling apart around me.
The constant cravings for things I shouldn’t want.
The debilitating thoughts of death.
It was too much, and I was sure it was happening again.
Only this time, instead of my dad hugging me against his chest as Mom drove me to the hospital, Lee was gently squeezing the hand he was still holding.
“My apartment.”
His gaze flashed to mine when I parroted, “Apartment?”
He furrowed his brow. “Where did you think I was bringing you?”
Rehab? The psychiatric ward?
“Your safehouse?”
He shook his head. “Meant what I said, Kelly. I’m taking you home with me. To my apartment where you belonged in the first place. Where I can take care of you and love you like I should have all along.”
He didn’t say another word as he turned into a parking garage, but he also didn’t release my hand. I felt both smothered and like his hand was the only thing keeping me from flying away, and when he let go to get out, I took the quiet moment to wipe moisture from my eyes.
“Alright?” he asked when I opened my door and reached for my hand again.
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I was.
I felt the same way when he led me upstairs to his apartment and into his living room. The walls were bare and there were boxes stacked everywhere. My heartbeat throbbed in my temples and my knees started to shake.
I’d only just gotten him. I couldn’t lose him now. “Are you moving?”
As if sensing my fears, Lee dropped my bag to the floor and pulled me close. He slid his fingers into my hair and pressed my chin up with his thumbs until I had no choice but to meet his gaze.
“Ain’t leaving you, Kelly. Ain’t going nowhere.”
“The box—” Before I could finish the word, Lee covered my lips with his thumbs.
“Made a lot of changes this past year.” He looked down at me like his intense gaze could pound his words straight into my head. “Told you the other day, I hired Van and Joss. Got a new office, changed the name of the company, and moved here.”
Lee’s attention dropped to my mouth as he ran his thumbs across my lips.
“Haven’t spent the time to unpack. Didn’t think it necessary, not with my heart somewhere else.”
“Where?”
Rather than responding, Lee slid his hands down my body, gripping my hips before he picked me up. Once my legs were wrapped around his waist, he covered my heart with his palm.
“Right here.”
With that, Lee crushed his lips to mine. It was tentative and gentle, yet somehow strong and brutal at the same time. With his arm around my back, he slid his palm up from my heart until his big hand was wrapped around the back of my neck, holding me still as he devoured my mouth.
That throbbing pulse between my legs came back, a dampness that was almost embarrassing soaking me where I was pressed against his gut.
“Lee.” My mouth broke free from his just in time for him to plunk himself down onto the couch.
“Ain’t anything more sexy than hearing you moan my name.” The smile on his lips was seductive as hell but the gleam in his eyes made my heart race. I clamped my hands down tight on his broad shoulders.
