His eyes close, lips curving. “I’m fucking obsessed with you, Emily Morgan.”
42
Let Me Help You Feel Safe Again
Emily's Search History: signs of maladaptive guilt and hyper-responsibility syndrome?
Eli
“Eli,Ihavetogo back to work.”
She’s right. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. And does she really have to? I think not. But what my angel wants, my angel gets.
Even if what she wants is to listen to other people’s problems for eight hours a day.
“I said that was fine,” I reply. “But I’m coming with you.”
“You can’t.”
I frown. “Why not?”
Emily tips her head back, exasperated. She inhales deeply, then sighs. “Do you know how many rules I’m breaking by being withyou?”
What?
My confusion must show because she keeps going, taking my hands in hers. “I could be fired for dating you.” She shakes her head. “Scratch that. Iwouldbe fired. And I’d probably lose my licence if anyone found out.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a client—an ex-client—and it’s unprofessional.”
“But—”
“It’s about power. The imbalance is wrong. I’d be seen as taking advantage of your vulnerable state.”
She winces, as if the reality hits her only as she says it aloud. “I shouldn’t be—”
“If you dare tell me we shouldn’t be together—”
“Well, we shouldn’t,” she sighs. “But I guess I’m selfish.”
"So this wasn't you trying to leave me? Because let me tell you right now, that's not happening."
Emily snorts softly. “Well… we’ve never officially said we’re together…”
I pull her into me, careful of her injury. “Have I not made it clear that you’re mine?”
She smiles, kissing me gently. “You have.”
That takes some of the edge off. But still…
“I guess I’ll just have to hide myself while I watch you.”
She blinks. “Eli…”
I shake my head. “No. This is how it has to be. I’m not going to be far from you ever again.” I can’t. I need her—more than I need air. “No one will know I’m there.”
She worries her lip. “You’ll stay out of sight?”