Page 112 of When You Blush

I blink and frown when it’s Blake’s face in front of me. He’s brushing the tears off my cheeks, but I still can’t breathe, so I just shake my head.

“Go away,” I manage to get out.

God, I don’t want him to see me like this.

“Not a chance in hell, sugar.”

The door behind us opens, and I hear Amy’s voice.

“There was a really abusive dad a few minutes ago,” she says, filling Blake in. “Harper handled him like a damn boss, but when itwas all over …”

“Got it,” Blake says and nods at Amy over my shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Here’s some water for her. Harper, we have things covered. Take your time, honey.”

Humiliation washes through me, and I close my eyes and tip my forehead against Blake’s shoulder.

“Fuck.” It’s a whisper.

“Talk to me, baby. Are you hurt? Did he hit you?” His big hands rub up and down my back, soothing me, warming me up from the inside out. This man centers me, brings me back to focus on the here and now, and reminds me that Nathan is in my past, where he belongs.

“No.” Finally able to pull in a full breath, I pull back and wipe my face. “I’m sorry Amy called you. You’re needed in the ER?—”

“I’m needed right here with my girl,” he says, those hazel eyes full of concern and love. “How often do you have panic attacks, Harper?”

“I haven’t since I moved home.” I shake my head. “The asshole dad used the right words to trigger me. I swear to God he was Nathan in a different skin.”

Blake’s hands tighten, and he growls, making me blink in surprise.

“I’m okay.” With a weak smile, I reach up and cup his cheek, wanting to reassure him. “Thank you for running up here, but I’m better now. It’s just not a fun voice to have in my head, and when it starts up?—”

“You callme,” he says. “When it starts up, you call me, and we’ll deal with it. Because whatever those words are, they’re wrong, baby. You’re so fucking amazing.”

“That’s two days in a row you had to watch me lose it.” I wince. “I don’t like that.”

“As long as you’re okay, I don’t mind. What do you need, Harper?”

Leaning close, I cover his mouth with mine and kiss him softly. “I need to spend time with you tonight, naked time, and maybe we can hike tomorrow?”

“How do you feel about a cool bike ride on my favorite path around the valley?”

My eyes widen. “Yes, please. But I don’t have a bike.”

He brushes my hair behind my ear, watching the motion with his eyes. “Yes, you do. You’ll be introduced tonight.”

“You bought me abike?”

“Yes, but if it doesn’t work for you, we can exchange it until you get what fits best.” He pulls me to my feet. “Are you okay to go back to work?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. I’m glad I didn’t fall apart in front of my staff and patients. Thank you.”

“I love you, baby.” He kisses my forehead, and I squeeze his hand three times, making him smile. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He turns and jogs back down the stairs, and when the door closes behind him, I let out a long breath.

Christ, I’m so in love with him.

Chapter Twenty-Five