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Deserving to be happy and allowing myself to be happy are two completely different things. Allowing myself to be happy would require that I trust another human being and I’m not sure I’m there yet.
Beth grabs a basket of veggies we picked earlier from the garden and jogs off the front porch past Doc. I’ve seen him with all kinds of expressions but this one is new to me. It looks like serious, tinged with anger, and a slight dollop of hunger.
He climbs up the steps one heavy boot after another, his gaze never leaving mine. I see now that he’s holding a rope. It looks like the same rope he tied around us after my accident.
What the hell is going on?
I expect him to greet me, wait at the door, offer me a hug or at least yell at me for not answering the phone… but he doesn’t. Instead, he pushes past me like he owns the place and grabs an oak dining chair from the table, dragging it to the center of the room.
“Sit.” His voice is low and commanding.
And while I realize I should be repulsed by this behavior, I’m turned the hell on.
“What?” This has to be for show because on any other day, I’d do whatever this man tells me.
“I’ve called you a million times. You don’t answer your phone so now I’m here. Sit.”
“No!” I’m saying it with little conviction, hoping what he hears is,‘Yes, you big, bearded man. Please pick me up, then tie me down.’
When I don’t budge, he lifts me from the ground and lowers me into the chair, tying my ankles to each post as he growls under his breath. “You know all this could’ve been avoided if you’d called me back.”
“Whatever,” I mumble. “Why are you here?”
“How’s your leg?”
I lick my lips and look away from him, glancing back a second later. “It’s just a lump and a bruise. Nothing rest can’t fix.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t make it back to the clinic. I got wrapped up in something.” He clears his throat. “I know what Mike did to you. I talked to Raven.”
It wasn’t a secret what Mike did. The whole town was talking about it for nearly a year. “Okay… so you know. Feel better?”
Doc clears his throat. “I did, after I punched him in the jaw, and gave him a piece of my mind.”
“What? Why? It’s over.”
“It’s not over. He was threatening you and that’s not okay.”
“So what? You slayed the dragon and came back to claim your prize?”
“You’re a prize to be claimed, I’ll give you that. But the dragon hasn’t been slayed. I wish I could slay him but… Chap took him out to California to this rehab center his sister runs.” Doc tightens the ropes at my ankles. “Most people choose salvation when they’re given the option.”
I’m not sure how I feel about Mike getting help. Mostly because I have doubts he can stick it out, but right now, he’s gone, and Doc is standing before me with a look on his face like I’m all he wants, and I like being wanted.
“Look me in the eye, Nora.” My clit throbs and a shock of electricity runs through me. “You’re out of excuses. Tell me you want this. Tell me that dream you had last night was about me.”
I swallow hard. I knew he heard me moaning. “No.”
“Be honest with me, Nora.” His tone is so low that I feel the vibration in my stomach. “Tell me the truth.”
My heart races and my stomach is tight.How am I here? How is he here? Am I dreaming right now? Will I wake up alone in bed? God, I don’t want to be alone in that bed.
“Yes, I want you,” I mutter. “I want you and your hands all over me.”
“Good girl, Cookie. I know that was hard.” Even in his demands, he’s gentle, understanding. Shaking, I close my eyes as his big, rough hands land on my thighs and his warm breath tickles my ear. “Tell me what your dream was.”
“I, ugh, I dreamt you tied me up and…” My words trail off as he drags the rope up and over my frame. Pulling down my dress, he loops the rough gauge around my breasts and stomach, tangling the ends in a knot that looks as though it could be art. I study his hands as he works.
He growls under his breath. “Are you going to do what you’re told, Cookie?”
