Chapter 9
NINE
Quinn
I thought it was room service.
That’s why I answered the door without looking through the peephole.
I’ve been back at the hotel for a few hours, thinking Christian wouldn’t be able to find me.
I already changed my flight to tomorrow, so I only had to make it one more night here.
I thought I’d spend it alone and make a run for it tomorrow without seeing Christian again.
Guess I was wrong about that.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as he barges into my room.
“What are you doing here? You need to be back at the clinic.”
“I feel fine. I’m okay.”
He glares at me. “Why did you run again?”
Christian pushes me behind him as someone knocks on the door, shielding me with his body. I roll my eyes at his overprotectiveness, even though a part of me loves how he looks out for me.
“It’s room service.” I try to step around him, but he blocks me and answers the door instead.
“Room service,” the guy announces.
Christian grunts, taking the tray from him and slamming the door closed in his face.
“Christian!” I snap.
He rips the door open again, hands the guy a tip, then slams it shut.
I sit on the bed and sigh. “I guess we’re doing this.”
He glowers down at me. “Oh, we’re doing this. Now, talk. Why did you run from me again?”
I open my mouth to answer, but Christian is on a roll.
“We talked. Things were better! At least, I thought things were better,” he says more to himself than to me.
“I just—”
“You know you’re supposed to be at the clinic, where it’s safe, and I can keep an eye on you. What if something had happened? What if I didn’t get there in time?” he demands, and I can see his panic at the thought.
How long would it take my parents to realize if something happened to me?
The thought comes out of nowhere. I swallow hard as I think about the answer. I’m not sure. It’s always me reaching out to them. I’m not sure that they would realize until someone called them about me.
Would they be upset if I were injured or died?
Tears sting my eyes. They’re my parents. I shouldn’t have to wonder. How can I doubt them but know without a doubt that the man I met days ago would be devastated if I so much as stubbed my toe?
“Whoa, Christian says when he notices the tears in my eyes.
That does it.
I bury my face in my hands and full-on sob.
“I’m sorry, baby. So sorry. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. Of course, something must have happened if you felt you had to leave. I’m sorry. I should’ve asked. Should’ve been there to fix it,” he rambles.
His words only make me cry harder. No one has ever treated me like this. Like I matter. I was already regretting my decision to leave Christian. It felt like a mistake. But now I’m sure that leaving him would be the biggest mistake of my life.
Still, I had my reasons for leaving.
I swipe at my eyes, and Christian rips off his shirt, wiping my face for me.
Jeez, the guy would do anything for me.
This type of relationship, this type of love, is so foreign to me. I’m not used to it, but God, I want to be.
“What happened, Quinn?” Christian asks me gently. “Why did you run, mate?”
“I… My parents have a company back in New York.”
He frowns. “And they need you to go back there? We can go. You should’ve told me.”
I shake my head. “No, they don’t need me.
They never have,” I say bitterly. “I’ve spent my life trying to be perfect for them, and it’s gotten me nothing.
They don’t notice me. They don’t care about my life.
They don’t care about me. I don’t even think they love me. The company is their baby, not me.”
“Quinn, I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t want that to be my life anymore. I don’t want to be surrounded by people who don’t want me.”
“Okay,” he says, looking confused. “You have to know that I want you.”
“I don’t want to be second fiddle in a relationship.”
Christian looks like I’ve punched him in the stomach. “What?”
I square my shoulders. I need to be strong. I finally know what I want, and I need to stick to it. I need to stop letting people treat me as an afterthought.
“I don’t want to be second fiddle in a relationship,” I repeat.
“What does that mean? I never looked at another woman before you. I told you that shifters only have one mate.”
“It’s not a person. It’s your job. You’re like my parents. They have their company, and you have the clinic. And I know that makes me sound like a monster because your job is literally helping people and saving their lives, but I can’t do it. Not with you.”
“Quinn—”
“I want to feel important to my partner, and I don’t think that will happen with you. You love your job, you’re good at it, and it’s a noble occupation. I’m just not the right person to be with you,” I say sadly.
“You are!” he shouts. “You and I were made for each other.”
Tears fill my eyes again. “I can’t.”
“You’re the only person for me, Quinn. Only you. And I’m the only person for you,” he says stubbornly.
“Christian—”
“You don’t get it,” he cuts me off, pushing to his feet.
I watch him pace. I’ve never had to break up with someone before, and I’m finding it harder than expected.
“I’ll do anything for you, Quinn. I’ll change anything, follow you anywhere, quit my job, anything,” he stresses. “I’ll do whatever I have to so I’m the perfect partner for you. My wolf and I both need that. We need to know that you’re happy and healthy and safe and have whatever you need.”
I take a shaky breath as he steps closer and drops to his knees in front of me.
“If you need more of my time and attention, you have it. All you have to do is ask for something, and it will be yours. I promise you.”
“Your patients—”
He shakes his head. “I’ll hire another doctor and more nurses. I’ll get more help.”
Can I really trust him? I’ve learned that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. I tense as I remember all my parents' broken promises.
Then I remember how sweet and attentive Christian has been with me. He’s already shown me over and over what I mean to him. He’s already proven that he’ll do what he has to in order to keep me safe and happy.
He’s not my parents. And I need to stop treating him like he is.
“All I ask is that you stop running away from me. You have no idea how anxious I was when I was looking for you. I was so worried that the shooter was targeting you.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
He sighs. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
I look back at the bed, then back at him. “I am.”
He rolls his eyes and stands. Gripping me under my arms, he moves me into the center of the bed and tucks me in. I bite back a smile as he fusses over me, bringing the tray of food to the bed and setting it next to me. I’m sure he’s about to feed me when his eyes snag on my packed suitcases.
He glares at them. “Were you going to leave town without telling me?”
I freeze, swallowing hard. “Um…”
“Fuck, Quinn. Do you really think that I would just let you go? I would’ve tracked you to the ends of the earth.”
“I changed my flight to tomorrow,” I admit.
“Change it back. Or better yet, cancel it altogether.”
“Christian, I know you’re sure about us, but I’m not.”
“I will do anything in my power to prove myself to you,” he vows.
I want to believe him. I’m tired of fighting this thing between us. I’m sick of being alone and distrustful of people. Christian has been so perfect, so honest and good to me. I need to give him a chance. I owe it to both of us.
I nod and grab my phone. As he watches, I change my flight. I’ll give him until the end of my planned vacation. Then I’ll make a decision.
I only hope I don’t lose my heart in the process.