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I sighed, scooping Sunny up by the backs of her thighs and straightening, carrying her away from the door. "I did. But that doesn't need to worry you."
"Khell!" Sunny cried out, and then squeaked as I fell into the cushions of the blue couch with her on my lap.
"Sunny," I growled.
"You gave up this work, you can't come back for my sake," Sunny said, wrestling against me and then huffing and glaring at me. "Let me stand!"
My heart slammed in my chest. Tell her bluntly now, or try to soothe her and keep to my plan? "Sunny, petal, I want to be here with you. I came for my own sake."
That gave her pause, a little flicker of hope coloring her cheeks as she blinked back at me, but a moment later her head was shaking again, brow furrowing. "And what about…what about next time?" she whispered, stepping back, skirting out of the way of my reaching hands. "What about when you have another job or…or you meet someone?"
I scoffed. Maybe it would be better to explain everything to her now. I straightened on the couch and tried to speak, but Sunny was still going, still walking backwards away from me.
"It's not your fault, and I'm not going to ask for a refund—"
"Sunny, I don't give a fuck if you pay—"
"But I already let myself get too attached."
"Well, thank the old oaks for that," I growled, standing and preparing to chase Sunny if that was what it took.
"I can't do this, Khell," Sunny said. And my poor mate was crying, trembling in her pretty dress and sweater, head shaking, showing me glimpses of those foolish lovely ears I would bite later for not listening.
"Sunny," I barked, some mix of the tone I used to be the dominant and my own patience running thin. "Come here."
Sunny stiffened and swayed forward for a moment before shaking her head once. "This isn't a game, Khell'ar."
"I'm well aware. Sunny, you are mine. My—"
"Hodge podge," Sunny bit out, chin tipping up in stubborn determination.
I blinked in confusion once. "Wha—"
And then the lights of the cottage turned red, and my heart stopped in my chest. The safe word.
All the doors swung open abruptly, and my heart started up again just as fast, trying to climb its way up my throat, as if I could spit it out and leave it at Sunny's feet.
"Partner report," called a cold voice over the hidden intercoms as Sunny turned on her heel, eyes still holding mine.
"Sunny, wait," I pleaded. But all it took was one step forward from me, and Sunny spun and raced for the door.
"Partner report," the MSA help line called again.
"Fuck off," I snarled, chasing after Sunny.
It wasn't a far distance for her to go, and she'd already covered half of it in the muddled little argument. She made it to the door before me, and I thought I felt my heart race over the threshold with her.
"Sunny, please!" I shouted, reaching for the door.
But MSA had policies and procedures for the red light safe word. The front door swung shut, snapping and locking in place, just as my fist landed against the wood.
"Partner report, please."
"Put Astraeya on the line," I snapped, banging once more on the door. "Sunny, please, just wait outside!"
"Report—"
"Client is unharmed but had a strong emotional response. Put Astraeya on!"
