Page 6 of Til Def
Under different circumstances, I’d shoot him back a few sassy remarks, maybe roll my eyes just enough to show I’m not here to be intimidated. But this is my new job, the one I fought for, so I push down the urge, press my lips together, and remind myself that sometimes holding on is the smarter weapon. I can learn from this every step of the way.
Tucking my hair behind my ear, I meet his gaze head-on, lifting my chin with confidence. “You’re the first,” I admit, my voice firm. “And I’m looking forward to hearing about your progress here and your plans for the future,” I add. “If you’re comfortable with that, of course.”
For a second, his eyes gleam with something unreadable—enjoyment, maybe. He tilts his head slightly, dismissing my words as if they were nothing more than background noise.
“You’re a city girl, aren’t you?” he says, his tone casual, like we’re just making small talk.
I blink, caught off guard. He’s completely disregarded everything I just said, effortlessly shifting the conversation back to me.
“I’m sorry, Ty. I can’t answer too many questions about my personal life. It’s…”
“But you want to know about mine, though, right?” He cuts me off and the silence that follows is stifling, my skin prickling with discomfort.
“I don’t want you here, Raven,” he finally says, each word sinking into me. “You shouldn’t be in a place like this. You’re far too…” He pauses, his dark eyes creeping down my body with a slow, almost greedy gaze. “…precious.”
My pulse jumps.Raven. He just said my real name. I’ve only been in this fucking room for ten minutes—how the hell does he know my name?
“Ms Tate,” I correct, my voice tight as my eyelids narrow, my professional mask slipping for just a second.
His lips twitch upward again, just enough to reveal those damn dimples again, playful and mocking before his face hardens once more, his expression darkening. “I mean it,” he warns gravely. “Stay the fuck away from here.”
“I like my job, Ty,” I reply, forcing the words out almost sternly. “This is my first day. I’m here to help you. I want to—”
“Help me? I’m fixed, remember? That’s what they all said. So why would I need help from you?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. The confidence I had a few seconds ago feels fragile now. Not willing to play any more of his games, I make the decision to end this session. It’s becoming clear that maybe Ty doesn’t want a therapist—or maybe it’s just me he doesn’t want. Either way, I won’t make him talk to me in the right way.
I give him a sharp nod, my throat tightening as I drop my gaze to the notepad in my lap. My fingers move quickly, gathering it and my pen. I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose, feeling his eyes follow my every movement as I start to stand up.
“I’m sorry to have bothered you, Ty,” I say. “I understand if you don’t want me as your therapist. That’s fine. I won’t push. I wish you all the best in your future.”
“Sit your ass back down, kitten,” he orders sharply.
I freeze, halfway out of my seat, my body stiffening at the sudden order. His dominance hits me with such force that for a second, I don’t move—don’t breathe.
I hold my notepad tighter as I start to settle back down in the chair, the leather creaking lightly beneath me. There’s a beat of silence until I glance down at him, meeting his gaze. His lips lift just enough to hint at that wicked smirk he possesses, but the darkness in his eyes masks everything else.
“What’s the rush, Raven?” he asks, dragging my name out slowly, savoring the sound of it on his tongue. “We’re just getting started and I’m far from finished with you.”
That almost sounded like a threat, but I decide to let it slide as he slowly rises in front of me and the room feels shrunk as he towers above. Without a word, he turns his back to me, and despite myself, I can’t stop my eyes from trailing up his tall frame. The way his muscles ripple beneath that tight hoodie, the way his fitted jeans hug his firm ass. He radiates a confidence I’ve never seen in a man before—it’s magnetic.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, the word slipping out before I can stop it.
Ty freezes and my heart lurches as he sharply tilts his head just enough to catch me with a side-eye and the heat that floods my face is instant. My stomach flips as I drop my head quickly, burying myself in the safety of my notepad, opening it with shaky fingers as if it can somehow protect me from the embarrassment coursing through me.
“Say something, freckles?” he asks as he turns to face me, taking a calm seat on the edge of his bed.
“Hmm?” I hum innocently, lifting my head as if I don’t know what he’s talking about.
We lock eyes as he leans over and pulls open the bedside drawer. He withdraws a pack of cigarettes, and I watch, almost fascinated as he bites one out of the packet and lights it, the orange glow of the flame glinting in his eyes.
He takes a long drag, inhaling deeply, the smoke curling lazily from his lips as he exhales through his nose and the room quickly fills with the strong scent of tobacco.
“So…” I say, breaking the silence. “Are you looking forward to getting out? Will you be visiting anyone?”
He studies me through the haze of smoke, his gaze unnervingly relaxed, as if my questions barely register.
“You’ve clearly seen my file, so you know I killed my folks fifteen years ago. That should tell you I’ve got no one in life, Raven,” he takes a short pause before he continues, “But I have plans.”
