Chapter 39
Chapter thirty-nine
Rhys
Noah is alone in the night nurse room, probably slipping puppies into his pocket. They may have littermates, but he's determined to give them kangaroo care.
“Hi,” I greet, slipping through the door.
“No, I haven't,” he replies quickly.
I take a quick headcount and conclude he must have just put them back.
“How is everyone settling in over in the barn?” I sit on the edge of the bed, conscious that someone else is sleeping here tonight.
“Figgy took a while to settle, but she was better once the other families were over there. We're going to check on her hourly until bedtime.”
I smile at the word ‘we’. This isn't his anymore.
“I want you to stay.” I don’t care how abrupt it sounds. I need to hear him say it.
His actions, his enthusiasm to take over my practice. And the signature on his student nurse contract all indicate he's staying, but I need to hear him say it.
“You haven't figured that out yet?” he chuckles.
“I need to hear the words. I need you to tell me you won't try to leave.”
“Try?” he frowns. “Try to leave?”
“That came out wrong.”
“Damn right it did.” Noah closes the incubator door and backs away, but he doesn't leave. He's ready to fight.
“You brought me here against my will, and since then you've done everything to make me want to stay. I thought you were doing it because you wanted me to stay with you, not because you were scared I was going to try to leave.”
“I… I'm not like other people.”
“No shit,” he huffs.
“I have an amazing business brain. I like the people who work here.
But I don't have friends. I don't have anyone who knows the real me.” I lean forward, suppressing my instinct to take his hand. “I got so caught up in the idea of you, I did everything to make you stay. I offered you housing for your dogs, a job that reflects your experience, and a slot on the show you love. I did it all because I didn’t know how to offer what I actually wanted you to have. Me.”
“But you never gave me leaving as an option?”
“If you tried to leave, I'd fight you. Not with force. With things. I don't know what. I don't know what else I can offer, but I'd try to convince you to stay.”
“I don't want to stay because my dogs are here, because I need all your staff to help, or because you've turned your barn into a puppy farm for me. I don’t want to stay for the careers. Any of them. Manager. Veterinary nurse. TV presenter.” His hands bridge the distance between us, and he rests his palms on my hands.
“I want to stay because of you. Because you take me to dinner and make me feel safe.
Because you scared my parents away. Because you make my heart race when you look at me like you'd kill anyone who gets close.”
“I would,” I promise, closing the gap between us. My lips find his before I can stop them. We kiss, soft and gentle, completely different from anything before.
When we break, he doesn't pull away immediately.
His breath is warm on my face, uneven, like he’s waiting for me to change my mind.
I don’t.
My hand settles on the back of his neck, holding him there. Not trapped. Not forced.
Just… mine.
I would happily kill anyone who so much as frowns at him. Which makes my work environment… complicated. People frown here all the time, but I've learned to build an emotional barrier between the real me and the one my staff see.
I may have difficulty when his parents return…
The thought hits suddenly. Where did his parents go so late in the day after I was so convinced they'd be a pain in my ass?
Something isn’t right.
They should still be here.
People like his parents don’t walk away quietly. Not when there’s attention to be had. Not when there’s something to gain.
They would push.
They would stay.
They would wait.
So where the hell did they go?
Knock, knock.
Noah jumps at the sudden sound. It's beautiful how he moves forward into my chest, as if I can protect him from the work tasks awaiting us outside.
“Yes?” I call.
“Telephone call for Noah,” Martha’s voice replies sharply. “Wouldn't give his name.”
No, of course he wouldn't. Noah’s parents are stubborn like that.
“I need to face them one day. Maybe over the phone is a better way to do it?” Noah sighs.
He moves away to respond to Martha’s message. My hand catches his wrist before he reaches the door.
“Wait.”
Silence stretches for half a second. Noah just smiles at me, gives a soft nod, and turns to the door. It's time to stop avoiding these calls. I follow immediately, close enough to touch.
Ready to protect him from anything.
Especially the man who just made himself known.