Chapter 26 FEAR NOT
A thunderstorm outside brought rationality back to the forefront. I stopped kissing him, looking at him ashamedly, and assessing our entire situation. I jumped off his lap, quickly pulling down my dress. Furthermore, I stood still, looking at him and touching my lips. Patrik stretched his arms out, inviting me back to him.
“Mr. Morgan, this never happened!” I gasped, running out of the kitchen and leaving him there, excited.
I ran into the bedroom, locking the door, trembling and throbbing. Just with my boss's fingers, I had the best orgasm of my life. How could that man stir my senses so much? He was my boss; we had gone too far. What would he think of me now? My God, what would the people at the publishing house say if they found out? It would certainly be the subject of jokes like Rachel and Rick. I needed to change jobs and move to another city again. Run away again!
I burrowed under the covers, hoping he wouldn't try to enter the room. I only heard his footsteps stopping at the door and his deep sigh. Patrik stood there for a while, and then I heard him moving away. Maybe it was better this way—no confrontation, and we would pretend that the drink had taken us too far. I ended up falling asleep; I didn't know what time it was, but a loud noise downstairs woke me up!
I opened the door slowly, in fear, looking down the hallway, and whispered:
“Mr. Morgan? Are you down there?” No response was heard. “Is everything okay?”
I walked to the end of the stairs, looking downstairs. Another noise of pots falling and things being stirred echoed, seeming to come from the kitchen.
“Did you hear that too?” Patrik spoke behind me, making me jump in fright, almost falling down the stairs. He caught me and frowned. “Did I startle you again?”
I trembled compulsively, feeling pale and breaking out in a cold sweat.
“Is there a thief in the house? Or a murderer?” I spoke with tears in my eyes, fearing it could be the person who had been hunting me for years and might have found me.
“It must be some animal,” he said, narrowing his eyes, puzzled by my reaction. “Are you okay? You don't need to be afraid.”
“Are you sure?” I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears that burned at the edge of my eyes.
Another sound of glass breaking made me go behind him and hide my face in fear. Patrik turned around, smiling, and gently caressed my face, reassuring me.
“Stay here; I'll go downstairs to see who the intruder is, okay?” He kissed my forehead subtly, turning to leave.
I grabbed his arms tightly, scratching his flesh. Mr. Morgan frowned even more and sighed, placing his hands over mine.
“Be careful,” I said, trembling.
“Don't worry, it's common for raccoons to invade cabins in this area.” Patrik smiled casually, without the slightest concern or fear.
He went downstairs, staying for a while, and no other sound could be heard. It seemed like an eternity. I ventured down the stairs step by step, anxious, afraid that an intruder had managed to overpower him or even kill him! I swallowed hard, trying to push away the bad thoughts.
“Mr. Morgan?” I called, but he didn't respond. “Patrik?”
I tiptoed through the living room, leaning slightly toward the kitchen, too afraid to go there.
“BOO!” Patrik popped out from behind the armchair, startling me.
My legs gave way, becoming weak. I fell to the floor, unable to hold myself up, trembling uncontrollably. I burst into desperate tears, struggling to steady my breath and sobbing with every tear!
Patrik hurried to pick me up in his arms, lifting me off the floor, walking to the sofa, and sitting with me on his lap. I buried my face in his clothes, crying uncontrollably.
“Ms. Elisabeth, forgive me; I didn't mean to hurt you…” He spoke with concern and even regret, but I couldn't stop crying to respond. “Please, don't cry; it was just squirrels looking for food; they knocked over the glass I had left on the table.”
I kept crying, and Patrik then wrapped his arms around my body, hugging me tightly and kissing the top of my head. We stayed like that for a while, until the crying subsided and control returned. I sighed, moving away from him, wiping the tears, still shaking.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Patrik,” I finally said, my voice still filled with fear. He raised an eyebrow, and I pointed to his clothes. “I wet your sweater!”
The CEO smiled sweetly, wiping away the tears that kept flowing down my face.
“I'm the one who should apologize. I shouldn't have scared you!” He smiled slightly. “Will you forgive me?”
I lowered my head.
“It wasn't your fault,” I replied softly.
“Who did this to you?” His voice was filled with concern, analyzing every reaction in my body.
“No one!” I spoke hurriedly, getting up, standing at the edge of the stairs, and turning to him, extending my hand. “Aren't you coming to rest?”
Patrik frowned in question.
“With you?” He asked seriously.
“I don't want to be blamed for your insomnia...” I bit my lip, not wanting to admit that I wanted him in my bed to feel protected.
Smiling, Patrik got up, holding my hand and climbing up with me. As soon as we entered the room, I closed and locked the door, seeking safety for both of us. Mr. Morgan was puzzled by my reaction, looking from the door to me. He sighed and approached, lifting my chin to look at him.
“Who hurt you so much that it caused you such terror?” There was a spark of anger and protectiveness in him.
I stared at him, avoiding eye contact, to answer:
“No one, Mr. Morgan...” I threatened to pull away; he grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer and pressing our bodies together.
“If you don't want to tell me, that's okay. Just don't lie to me, ever, okay?” His eyes were ablaze, and his tone, though firm, sounded gentle.
I nodded, and we went to bed in silence. He covered us gently. I turned to the window, back to Mr. Patrik, and pulled his arms over my body, needing to feel his protection. He sighed and pulled me closer, turning me to face him. His expression was serious, as he caressed my face, drying the tears that wouldn't stop falling!
I looked over him to the door, trembling again, I leaned further forward, closer to his warmth. Patrik hugged me tightly, continuing to caress. With my eyes closed, I slid my hands up inside his shirt, caressing his belly up to his chest provocatively.
“Ms. Elisabeth…” He warned. “I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of the situation.”
I opened my eyes, feeling another wave of tears threatening to come.
“Patrik, please… Just make the fear go away…” I murmured, being overwhelmed by tears. “Please…”
I pleaded, and subtly he took my lips in a sweet, calm, and comforting kiss, stroking my hair, caressing my skin unhurriedly, without audacity. Despite his awakened erection, Patrik did not advance and did not demand anything in return. We spent the night between soft kisses, caresses, and sweet words.
I was closing my eyes when he started to caress my eyebrows, descending to the middle over my nose, playing with the outline of my lips. Before falling completely asleep, I heard him say, “Rest, you are safe, I am here!” I sighed, settling more into his chest, finally falling asleep.