Third Chance by Ann Mayburn, Julie Naughton Read Free Book Online

and grabbed her in a hug. “Fuck. That’s why you don’t want to leave?”
    Emma nodded against his chest, trying to ignore the way her tears soaked the fabric of his shirt. “I think about going outside, and all my brain wants to remember is how he could be out there, watching me, watching you. This blind fear is so stupid and irrational, so not me, and that makes me angry even as this lack of control over myself makes me want scream. I’m always in control, always, and that’s how I like it. To lose control over my own mind because of this bullshit makes me hate how pathetic I am.”
    “You are not pathetic. Shit, Emma, anyone in your situation would feel the same way. It doesn’t make you crazy, it makes you human.”
    Ryan’s words managed to penetrate the emotional storm whirling through Emma’s head and she softened just the slightest bit, her tense muscles easing. He sounded so sure, so confident when he said that. So strong. She needed his strength right now.
    “Kiss me.”
    Instead of doing as she’d asked, he pulled his head back from her searching lips. “I would love nothing more than to kiss you, but we need to figure out how to help you.”
    Even though she knew it was irrational, his avoiding her lips made her angry. “I’ll deal with it.”
    Ryan fisted his hand in the back of Emma’s hair and tipped her head back, his frustration and anger evident in his snarl. “We, we will deal with it. You are not alone, Emma. I’m here now, and you never have to face anything on your own again. I will always be here for you, in any way you need, and there is nothing that you could say or do that would ever make me think you were weak. Think about it this way. Is there more strength in facing your fears or pretending they don’t exist? All I’m asking for is a little trust. I promise I won’t let you down.”
    She tried to look away from his intent gaze, but he wasn’t letting her. Despite the fact that he was her sexual submissive in the bedroom, she knew Ryan was about as dominant as they came outside of the dungeon. Especially when it came to protecting her, even if it was from herself. His obvious caring turned her on and she softened against him. In return, his hold on her hair gentled. “I do trust you, I do, but I don’t know how to handle this.”
    “I know a great psychiatrist—”
    “No. No shrinks.”
    “But—”
    “No. There is no fucking way I’m telling some stranger paid to hear my bullshit about my inability to handle my own mind.”
    “Fine, but you need to talk to someone in addition to me. Someone who has the tools to help you through this. I have a cousin who’s a PTSD therapist. Maybe she could recommend someone.”
    “I don’t have PTSD.”
    The look in his eyes said that he plainly thought she did, but he didn’t argue with her. “Will you think about it for me, please?”
    “Fine.” Emma rubbed her face with both hands and mumbled. “I could talk to Chris.”
    Ryan stiffened against her. “Master Chris?”
    “Yeah. In addition to being a pervert of the highest order, he’s also a shrink, and from what I hear, a damn good one. He mainly works with teens who have lost loved ones, but I think I could talk to him.”
    Ryan cupped her face in his hands and leaned forward, then kissed the tip of Emma’s nose. “I have a really weird mental image of Master Chris all leathered out while sitting in some cluttered professor’s office smoking a pipe.”
    Emma laughed, then brushed her lips against his. “He actually cleans up nicely. I’ve been to a few of the benefit auctions he organizes for the scholarship foundation he runs for children who have lost a parent.”
    Shaking his head, Ryan took a step away, then grabbed her hand. “Never judge a book by its cover, I guess. What about Tanya? Is she a pink-haired brain surgeon in her spare time?”
    Laughing, she allowed Ryan to lead her out of the kitchen. “No, she’s just our fairy princess.”
    He grinned