"It hurts."

"I wish I could take it away."

"I question why he left and didn't come back. It's hard to shake it. I go round and around trying to work out why..."

"Absolutely nothing. Taking the blame is usual for victims."

"You've helped me see it wasn't my fault, Cameron," she said. "I'm not sure I want him in my life. I choose to do what's healthy for me. That's my prerogative."

"He lost the privilege of knowing you. Any relationship would be on your terms."

It was good to see Mia opening up and we talked a little more, exploring her feelings and working towards soothing her heartache. We were some way off her healing, but it was a start.

With an unfamiliar serenity, sleep pulled me down again.

I stirred and raised my head to peer down to watch Mia sleep, trying to wrap my mind around the fact this exquisite young woman was really mine. Mia woke soon after and we wallowed in bed, stirring to greet what would start out as a leisurely morning. We showered together and it was a challenge to keep my hands off her.

Eventually we pried ourselves from the house.

I drove us to Venice in the Bentley convertible. We both went for casual, with me in jeans and a shirt and Mia in jeans too and a sweater she'd pulled from one of the suitcases that Richard had dropped off at my place earlier.

The remnants of Mia's life were stored away in boxes and several suitcases. They'd been left in the foyer for her to unpack later.

She'd stared at them warily on the way out and I'd reassured her we'd find a place for all her things. I wanted her settle in as soon as possible. Having Mia feel at home was my priority. I loved sharing all I had with her.

"Not sure my stuff goes with your stuff," she said.

"Well there's always Goodwill."

"How about we get rid of your stuff and keep my stuff."

"And have my interior designer on my case? I don't think so."

"Fire her."

"She's a he. How about this as a viable option? I pull the car over and spank you again?"

She twisted in her seat. "Will you always be this bossy?"

"Yes."

"How many cars do you own?"

I steered us onto Elevado Avenue. "I've lost count."

"That's silly."

She'd yet to see my subterranean collection of vehicles beneath the house.

"Not as silly as being gifted a BMW and giving it back."

She shifted to look at me. "Those were unusual circumstances."

"In what way?" But I knew.

"It's just that I'm without a car now."

"Deal's off I'm afraid. Now all you're getting is a 1999 beat up old Mini to replace your last one."

"That was a 2006."

"I should have paid more attention. Oh well." I beamed at her.

"Maybe I can borrow one of yours?"

"As if."

"Then you'll have to come with me to a car dealer."

"Choose a color."

"Really?" She squealed with delight and tugged on my shirtsleeve.

It made me laugh.

"We can't buy a brand new one though," she said. "A car loses its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. Like thousands." She glanced over at me. "You probably know that."

"I'm sure we can work something out."

She giggled and slid down the seat.

With a push of a button on the front screen, I said, "Call HQ."

Suri responded: "Calling HQ".

"The house," came Dominic's gruff reply.

"Dom, good morning. You're on speaker. Mia's in the car."

'"Good morning, Dr. Cole," said Dominic. "Good morning, Mia. I trust you had a wonderful New Year?"

"We did, thank you," I said. "How was yours?"

"Playful. Our bash at Chrysalis went without a hitch. You were missed, sir."

"Good to hear. Look, Dominic, I won't keep you long. I want you to enjoy your day, but I have an issue."

"Consider it dealt with."

I smirked at his confidence. As a loyal friend and attorney and the man who stood in for me at Chrysalis when I couldn't be there, he'd proven invaluable. "One word. Or should I say name."

"Go on."

I glanced over at Mia. "Carter."

"As in McKenzie Carter?" he said.

"Afraid so."

Mia's gaze rose to meet mine.

"I see," said Dominic.

"No further contact," I said. "That's my stipulation."

"We'll slam her with a restraining order."

"Let's proceed delicately."

"Delicately it is," he said. "Plans for today, Cam?"

"We're visiting Henry in Venice. You?"

"I have ponies to feed." He chuckled. "All in a day's work."

"Have fun."

"Well I'm here at your den of iniquity, so it's a surety."

I laughed and pressed the screen to hang up. "Mia, you didn't hear that last part."

She pressed her hand against her chest, her accent pure southern bell. "Why sir, I am shocked to my core. You're the devil himself."

"Guess what?" I reached for her hand and kissed it.

"What?"

"We're going to sleep together tonight," I whispered it.

Mia melted into her seat.

CHAPTER 9.

MY HAND FOUND its way back to her.

It rested on her inner thigh then slid up her dress. Her silky skin was perfectly smooth beneath my touch.

Mia blinked at me. "Cameron, thank you for letting me visit Henry with you."

"Pleasure's all mine."

She was a breath of fresh air and a wonderful distraction from all the usual testosterone fueled business dealings I'd been engrossed in lately.

I'd spent the last few days taking a slew of conference calls with my father, owner and CEO of Cole tea and Tempest Coffees. We'd strategized together on the best way forward with the impending advertising campaign.

The shareholders had been getting antsy and the board of directors had all but placed the thumbscrews on my father, demanding he cut costs and improve profits.

My dad had always insisted the company take care of its employees and honor its charitable responsibilities, which had been a real influence on me. Charlie's Soup Kitchen in Santa Monica was testament to that. The small restaurant that served the homeless had been my first philanthropic endeavor. I'd started it in my twenties, so it held a special place in my heart.

Mia had expressed a desire to take more shifts there to help out, and though I didn't need any validation on why she was perfect for me, her desire to help others was it.

I'd built my life on that philosophy. My psychiatric practice in Los Angeles was thriving, though lately I'd been juggling too much. Mia was proving the best remedy. Her playfulness, her intuition to know what I needed and when, had turned my life upside down. All for the better.

Her interference in my older brother Henry's wellbeing when she visited him in Big Bear, and somehow tempted him out of seclusion, verged on a therapeutic miracle.

She really was my perfect little angel.

"I can't wait to see him," she said.

I marveled at her ability to pick up on my thoughts.

We drove the rest of the way with my hand refusing to let go of hers, and Mia relaxed and seemed soothed by my touch.

I parked the Bentley in the garage next to the house. We headed around to the front door.

I knocked, despite having a key, wanting Henry to know I respected his privacy. I'd given him this place and wanted him to know he was safe here.

The door flew open and a smiling Henry appeared. "You're late."

Mia knelt to greet Dex, who leapt onto her lap and greeted her with licks and brushes of his head, his tail wagging. Henry had always had a thing for Labradors.

A check of my watch confirmed we were in fact late. I'd told Henry we'd be here by 11AM. It was 11:05.

With an arch of a brow, I gave him a look of seriously?

Dex left Mia's lap and sprang over to me.

"Hello, boy." I scratched his chin and ran my fingers over his thick black coat.

Mia flew into Henry's arms to give him the biggest hug. "There was traffic," she explained, gazing up at him.

"You're forgiven."