The Imperishable Flame⎪✓

❨12❩

♀︎

As the days blur together, I try to get a grip of myself and forget every part of the conversation I had with Elijah after his fight. He forcefully tugged me through scary hallways and into a dark room in the back of the building, my only and first reaction was to protect myself. Of course I trust him, but after seeing his cold stare and how he snapped completely and beat up his opponent, some scared part of me feels the need to stay away and savor the memory of him from high school. 

Dragging my feet across the parking lot in front of the clinic, my palms are sweaty as I unlock the door only to find it open already. Stepping inside, my eyes land on the familiar stare of Rick Franco, he scans my body from top to toe and the action causes a creepy shiver to leave my spine. He hasn't been here any of the other times and seeing my boss while I have to work, it makes me nervous. 

"Good morning, Mr. Franco," I finally greet after getting myself together. 

He smiles at me, "Call me Rick, Dakota. We should be comfortable around each other anyway."

I only manage a nod in response, my fingers grab Elijah's file from the shelf and I tuck it closer to my body. The tension in the room is unreal and hopefully he feels it as well, this can't be me imagining things. Mr. Franco is staring intensely at me and especially at my feet. 

"So, I see you took my advice about clothing into consideration."

Opening the door to my office, "You are my boss, after all, this is a professional atmosphere and I need to be the best I can."

"Sure," He drawls unnecessarily, his eyebrows are raised high as if he tries to imply something. "Have you gotten any more out of Mr. Black? You will be the judge of his character after all and decide whether he gets the full custody of Matilda Black or not."

The news of custody hit me suddenly. So he's here fighting for the custody of Tilly, that's what he has difficulties opening up about. My heart pains for them, but I can't show anything on my face right now, Mr. Franco will pounce on me if I even as much as mention the little to no information I have gotten from Elijah. If this is a custody battle I need to be here for him, I need to be professional and ask the deeper and uncomfortable questions. 

Raising my chin high into the air, I look into the cold blue eyes of my boss, "I haven't reached that stage with him yet, Mr. Franco, my current approach is the focus of the establishment of a relationship and the correct use of silence. Afterward, I will assess and possibly create a collaborative solution, but with the reason being the custody battle I feel the need to do my groundwork without rushing in."

He seems shocked by my retaliation, only confirming my suspicions that he has slim hopes for me in this trial. "You seem to have it under control."

"Of course I do, with the help of my studies I have established a plan for him and I will present it to him today."

"And you didn't feel the need to share it with me?"

"With all due respect, you haven't been here once and I was assigned this client. You surely don't want to hear every choice of mine," I tilt my head to the side in confusion. 

He taps his pencil against the desk twice and purses his lips, "The attitude is unnecessary, Dakota."

"I apologize if you detected an attitude, that wasn't my intention. You are my mentor after all and if you need to hear every step I take with my client, then you have to inform me. As you said so yourself my first day here, communication is key."

He stands up and runs a hand through his ash blonde hair, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have other meetings to attend. Now, I want the basics of your intended process with Elijah Black and updates every week, the first one needs to be on the desk today before you leave."

I don't get to utter another word before he hurries out of the door, the annoyance of his attitude isn't missed and I urge my temper to go down. Walking into my office, I sit down on the chair in front of the couch. Not a second later, Elijah steps inside as well and looks weirdly in Mr. Franco's direction, the way his face twists together in confusion is quite endearing. 

"Good morning, Elijah," I nod at him and he looks in my direction. Immediately, my body relaxes by how easily he carries my gaze, the familiarity of the slight smile on his full lips makes for a painful symphony. "Please sit down."

His body moves with such ease and I lick my lips, crossing one leg over the other and praying I don't flash myself to him. The skirt isn't too long, but it's the only one that was clean in my room this morning, Lucy forgot to do her week of laundry. Hence me sitting in a skirt I grew out of years ago. 

"Who was that tool?" He suddenly asks, the deep voice of his affects me and I try to seem indifferent when my breath hitches. The lust for him is overpowering, even though he and I fought last time we saw each other, there is still the sliver of need for him in the depths of my gut. "Your boyfriend?"

My eyes fly to his instantly and I give him a hard stare, "Today we are here to discuss how you're handling these sessions and how you and I can grow the trust between us. I have some possibilities, none of which include the details of my private life."

He rests his elbows on his thighs and leans forward, his rough hands are interlaced and I try not to focus on the obvious scars from his fight. Some sick and twisted part of me wants him so badly and it messes with my head, I can't get a fucking break. "Please do enlighten me, Ms. Moore."

My mouth desperately tries to blabber out the words I've planned to say, this is a professional atmosphere and I need to act it. Managing to inform him of the rough draft of my plan, my tongue ties over the next couple of words, and I grow annoyed. The intensity of his stare and the little smirk on his sexy lips taunts me, I can't breathe with him in here and my cheeks heat up with each passing second. 

"Can you please stop doing that?" I ask and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Stop doing what?" He smirks and tilts his head to the side. 

"Stop looking at me like that."

He tuts twice and looks at me, "I have no idea what you're talking about, love. Looking at you like what?"

"Like I'm your next fucking meal!" I yell and stand up from my position on the chair. 

He stands up as well and comes closer to me, with each step he takes my breathing quickens and the ache between my legs intensifies. He looks at me like a hunter searching for the prey and it drives me mad with lust, the familiarity of him and the need to give into him shakes my ground. The resolve I spent so long building, too long, it shatters with how he nears me right now. 

"Elijah," I warn him lowly, my voice not conveying even the slightest bit of restraint. 

"Yes," He utters and that one word provokes a lustful shiver down my spine. 

When he traps me against the wall, some part of me awakens and I search his face. The light stubble has grown and gives him a new feeling of masculinity, the small scars scattered all over his handsome features tempt me to run my fingers over them. The scent of citrus hugs my body and I want nothing more than to give into him, but I can't. The thought of him losing Tilly over me is enough for me to utter the next hurtful words to him. 

"You surely are delusional if you think we're going to kiss."

His eyes change in a matter of seconds and suddenly cut mine with a great deal of hurt, the emotion so clear on his features it makes me nauseous. He steps away from me and the feeling of his broad frame and what it can do to my body disappears instantly. I feel so secure with him close, but it would be awfully selfish of me to tempt him like this and ruin his chances of getting a good life with his sister. 

"I don't feel good," He suddenly states and grabs his jacket from the couch. Without turning to me, he walks away from the room completely and slams the front door behind him. My heart screams, but I can't bring myself to change anything. This is more than some fucked up need of mine. He deserves the world and being intimate with his fucking therapist will ruin everything. 

Some part of me hates myself for it, but this is what had to be done. I had to do it in order for him to focus on the important matters again. Even though it pains me to reject him. He means more to me than I would ever dare to admit.