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She nodded and wrote something down on that infamous notepad of hers.
What I’d give to get a peek at that journal.
“Now that you’ve had some space from the encounter, how are you feeling?”
My brows almost flew off my forehead. “Are we calling ittheencounternow? I love that for us. Sounds fun and sexy and also a little mysterious.”
My doctor cleared her throat.
“Right…I'm feeling good. Like I want to do it again.”
“And when you imagine doing it again, are there handcuffs?”
“Kinky,” I teased, because the truth was I didn’t have an answer right away.
She frowned.
Tough crowd.
I closed my eyes, trying to envision us going at it again. This time Beck’s hands were on me, holding my hips, cupping my ass, holding my face. I sighed, imagining him threading his hands behind my head as he kissed me.
“Alright, save the full visualization forafterour session.”
My eyes flew open. “Riiight.”
Then I glanced around my laptop to check out the expression on Darnell’s face.
Still neutral, no look of horror or amusement gracing his face. I made a mental note to double his holiday bonus.
“I'm glad you're open to Beck. It seems like you’ve made incredible progress. The thing about progress is that it isn’t always a straight line. I want you to consider this as you move forward together. It might feel like one step forward…”
“Two steps back.” I nodded. “I get it. I’ll keep my expectations in check.”
Her head tilted to the side. “I want you to be brave and I want you to protect your heart and mind. That’s your homework.”
I exhaled, letting her words wash over me. It made me feel both lighter and happier. Like I was in control. That feeling of control allowed a calmness to settle over me.
Someone knocked on the car window, making me jump and sending my laptop crashing to the floor.
“Fuck,” I swore as I twisted to catch the culprit.
Alice was on the other side of the glass, her broad, gap-toothed smile greeting me. “Hurry up, the pizza’s here!” Then she darted up the short set of stairs leading to her brownstone.
“Well, that’s one way to end a call.” Sure enough, the sudden laptop closure ended my call with Dr. Wozniac. I shot her a quick message on my phone letting her know I was just fine using my safe phrase, then tucked the phone back in my bag.
I collected my things and got out. “Thanks, Darnell. I'll see you in the morning.”
“Night, Luna. You take care now.”
My body automatically has me moving towards my brownstone, although a small part of me wants to go directly next door. I decided to drop off my things and make my way next door through our secret passage in the backyard.
Alice must have known I would do that because the second I crossed over into their backyard, she popped her head out the French doors of their house and waved at me. “Hurry. Daddy said it's getting cold.”
Daddy.
Beck Bennet. Despite all the time we'd spent together, the man still made me feel like there were tiny acrobats performing in my belly.
I was a badass at business and needed to channel that energy into telling Beck I wanted him and only him.