Page 62 of Her Wicked Plan

On the inside, I am groaning and saying no, but on the outside, I’m still smiling. “Sure. Hell, you can sit with me for breakfast, too.”

The only reason I even offer this is because I want the answers sooner. I can’t wait until lunchtime to talk to her. I’ve seen movies where people hear voices in their heads, but never in my life have I met one. My suggestion seems to lighten her mood; a wide smile spreads across her lips.

“Okay!” She grins from ear to ear. This woman is acting like I gave her a million dollars. “You can ask your questions then. I’m exhausted, though, and would like to go back to my room.”

“No problem,” I state. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

One more smile, and she leaves me standing in the hall feeling victorious. She wasn’t part of my plan in any shape or form, but if it’s going to make Leo happy to see me trying, then she’s part of my plan now.

As I watch Eliza walk away, I sense a presence coming up behind me. Without looking, I know who it is. The air becomes thicker, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I cast my gaze down the hall.

Eliza has disappeared from my sight, leaving me with the rest of the patients from group therapy who are spilling out of the cafeteria and the person who is standing close behind me.

“What was that about?” Leo questions my motives with the shy Eliza.

“I’m taking your advice,” I answer, still keeping my eyes ahead. “I will attempt to be friends with her.”

“Really?” He sounds surprised, and the shock in his voice has my head turning to meet his stare.

“Yes.”

“Why all of a sudden? You threatened her just the other day.”

“That? Don’t take it personally. I do that to a lot of people.” Shrugging my shoulders, I say, “I figured it would be nice to talk to a person who isn’t my doctor or an inanimate object.”

He chuckles softly at the mention of my journal. “This doesn’t have anything to do with her story, does it? I noticed how fascinated you were by it.”

“I thought you said I wasn’t paying attention.”

“You were when Eliza was speaking. After that, you zoned out,” he points out.

“Watching me the entire group session is creepy, Leo.” A flirty smile plays on my lips, my hands tucked behind my back.

“I was observing. I wanted to see how you did in a group setting.” Why does he always have to be professional?

“And? How did I do, doctor?”

Leo’s tongue slides out to run along his bottom lip. “You’re not made for groups.”

“Does this mean I don’t have to go back?”

“Not if you will keep pulling stunts like you did during it.” His eyebrow shoots up, making me smile.

“You mean the sex talk? Oh, yeah, I’d bring it up all the time.” Letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. “Guess I shouldn’t go back then. Damn. Too bad.”

Spinning on my heel, I walk down the hall when I hear him speak. “Where are you off to?”

His question makes me pause in place. My eyes that were on the light brown wooden floor lift, a smirk appearing on my face. Facing him, I allow the smirk to stay there.

“I’m off to my room. Would you like to escort me to make sure I get back safely?”

His mouth twists as he bites the inside of his cheek. “I’m sure you can manage to get back all on your own. I’ll see you tomorrow, Veronica.”

Before I can spit back a smart remark, he is walking away. I wish I could follow him back to his room because maybe, just maybe, if I made it all the way there, Leo would invite me in.

With that thought running through my mind, I imagine all the things Leo would do to me in the privacy of his room. I’m on autopilot as I make my way back to my room.

The images of him between my legs or buried deep inside of me cloud my vision. Thankfully, I know most of these halls like the back of my hand.