I want to lose my temper. I want to drive to Manchester and smash that motherfucker’s face in.
Her eyes flash at me, shock in them. “This isn’t happening because of you, Leandro. I can’t believe you would even think that.”
“Come on. If we weren’t together, this wouldn’t be happening to you.” My hands are curling into fists on my thighs.
She slips off her stool. Standing between my legs, she rubs my hands, forcing me to relax them, then takes them in hers. “Then, Paul would have just found some other way to get at me. This isn’t your fault. I am so happy, beyond happy, that we’re together. I knew what I was doing, the risk I was taking by being with you, and I wouldn’t do anything differently. I would choose you every single time. I love you too much to not be with you. I just wish I could have both, you and my career, but I guess life doesn’t work that way.”
“Babe…” I lower my head. “This is fucking killing me. I need to do something. I need to be able to help you.”
One of her hands comes to my face, lifting it to hers. “I’m going to go to the police in the morning to tell them I’m being blackmailed. I need you to come with me. That’s how you can help me.”
Sighing, I say, “If you are sure that is how you want to handle this…”
“I’m sure.” She looks at me, determined.
“Then, of course I will come with you.”
She curls her fingers around my ear, brushing them into my hair. “After the police, I’m getting in touch with the HCPC and telling them about you and me, and I’ll deal with the consequences from them. I will definitely need you to hold my hand on that one.” She gives me a sad smile.
“Anything, babe. I will do anything for you.” I slide my hands around her waist, pulling her closer. “But you’ll lose your license to practice.”
Tears well in her eyes, and she bites her lip. I know it is to stop herself from crying, and it breaks me.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. Being a therapist, helping people, is all I know. And I need to work to pay the bills. I mean, I have some savings, so we’ll be okay for a while, but I’m going to have to find something else to do.”
“I have plenty of money. You don’t need to work. Let me take care of you and Jett.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I’m not sponging off of you.”
“Sponging?” I let out a frustrated laugh. “India, I love you. I am beyond in love with you. I am yours, wholly and completely. And you are mine.” I take her face in my hands. “You and Jett are everything to me. There is no argument here. I’m taking care of you both.”
“Leandro…I’ve worked my whole life, provided for my son. I wouldn’t know how not to work.”
“Then, you can find a job doing something else. Something you love. But take the time to figure that out. And until that time, I’m taking care of you, babe.”
By the time she finds a job, I will have her and Jett living with me, and then I will hopefully have a ring on her finger, making her mine permanently, so she will never have to work again.
She leans in, resting her head in the crook of my neck. My wrap my arms tightly around her. Her breath is hot against my neck, turning me on. I know I shouldn’t be horny right now, but I have been without her for too long. She smells and feels so fucking good pressed up against me.
She brushes a kiss to my skin and slowly trails more up my neck, over my jaw, until she reaches my mouth. She kisses me there. “Take me to bed,” she whispers against my mouth. “I want to forget everything. I only want to think and feel you.”
I swipe my tongue over her lower lip. “Babe, when I’m done with you, you won’t even remember what year it is.”
She smiles against my lips. “I adore you, Leandro Silva.”
“And I adore you. Now, let’s go upstairs, so I can show you exactly how much.”
I’M STARING AT LEANDRO lying next to me in bed, watching him sleep. His long black eyelashes fanning his skin. His hair all tousled and caressing his forehead. He looks beautiful.
Jett and I are with Leandro in Italy. We’re staying in a stunning two-bedroom suite in Milan, just ten miles away from the Monza track. We’ve being relaxing for the last few days, just sightseeing and eating true Italian food.
Tomorrow, Leandro has qualifying. Jett loves attending all these races, traveling to all the different countries.
It’s been a week since I went to the police station and told them that Paul was blackmailing me. Telling the whole story to the officers was horrible, and I could see the judging looks in their eyes when I told them that Leandro used to be my patient. But I guess I’m going to have to get used to those kinds of looks.
The HCPC wasn’t any easier. It was worse. My practice license has been suspended, pending review. Even though I confessed to them about being in a relationship with a prior patient, I have to go through the official process. Leandro and I might have no longer been patient and therapist when we got together, but we shared a kiss while I still was treating him. That matters to the board.
And it matters to me.
Even though I love my job, I just don’t feel the same way about it as I used to anymore. As devastating as it is to not be able to help people anymore, I know this is the right thing.
The only person I care about not thinking badly of me is Jett. And thank God, he doesn’t. My son is wise beyond his years.
After I had been to the police and the HCPC, I sat Jett down and told him everything. About how Leandro and I met. About his father being released from prison. The break-in. Paul trying to blackmail me. I didn’t want Jett finding out from anyone else.