Chapter 51 - 51 (2/2)

”I have to leave town. There has been a family emergency and I'm pretty sure that I won't be back until next Monday,” he explained, his voice back to a professional tone.

My brow furrowed in concern. I suddenly felt guilty for dumping all this on him since obviously this is what he was talking to Jordan about this morning.

”Is everything alright?” I asked worriedly.

”No, my father-in-law is in the hospital. It doesn't look like he'll make it through the night. So, I'm going back to Seattle for the week to help,” he explained, ”All I need from you is to arrange my schedule so I can leave. Jordan will take charge for the rest of the week and I'll be back on Monday.”

”When did you find out?” I asked, my thoughts having trouble moving beyond that.

”He went into the hospital on Friday. We got the news this morning that he had taken a turn. Are you going to come back to the office today?” he asked.

”I never left. I just went to go get coffee, I was in such a hurry this morning I didn't have a chance to drink any,” I broke off not willing to discuss this morning with him. ”Was there anything else you needed me to do?”

There was a long pause and I found myself growing nervous about what he was going to ask me to do. A pair of shoes came into view. I looked up to see him standing next to me. He hung up and held out his hand to me, the worry was so apparent on his face that I couldn't deny him.

”Come give me a proper goodbye,” he demanded.

He was using his Dom voice even though his eyes were clouded and troubled. The submissive in me immediately responded to my Master's troubles. I wrapped my arms around him and laying my head on his chest. I felt his head sit on the top of mine. I could hear him take a deep breath in and out as if having me in his arms was giving him strength. We pulled back slowly until he could grasp my chin and lowered his head down to plant a gentle kiss on my lips. I felt myself unwittingly melt into him and as if that was a signal to him, he set me away from him and nodded seemingly satisfied.

”I'll see you on Monday.” was all he said before he turned and left.

I felt the air whoosh out of my lungs and my legs almost give out as if he'd taken all of me with him. I just stared after him wondering what the hell was happening and why did I get this sickening feeling I was in love with that man.

Confusion and sadness churned in me, along with a strange hole that seemed to grow bigger the further away he got. Beneath it all I felt a ray of hope, he still wanted me. Maybe he was right, maybe I should have waited longer. I looked over at Lizzie and her face held a smile that was full of the hope that I was feeling. She came over and hugged me tightly letting me draw strength from her.

”Everything's going to be okay. I can tell, honey,” she said reassuringly.

”God, I hope you're right.. Let's finish our coffee, I have a feeling I'm going to have a busy day.”