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Della

He still hadn't cried No erieve He needed to let it out instead of bottling his emotions because of me The idea that he was hardened toward his pain because he was protectingme away But I had seen the look in Woods's eyes as he looked at his father, seeking approval He had loved his father He needed to mourn his loss

"Della?" I turned to see Woods walk into the living roo outside on the balcony He immediately headed for the door There was a determination in his eyes that worried me He opened the door and stepped outside

"Hey, did things go okay?" I asked before he pulled ainst him He had done this a lot over the past week

"She's grieving We will talk again once she's had ti," he said into my hair "I missed you"

I smiled sadly and pulled back so I could look up at hione for about an hour Not hit out of the way, and then cupped my face "I missed you the second I walked out that door I want you with , I turned my head and kissed his hand "I can't always be with you"

Woods's eyes darkened with sonized well "But I want you withainst hih to touch you"

I grinned as I pressed a kiss to the inside of his wrist "When you touch et carried away"

Woods's hand slipped under my shirt and I shivered as he et carried away"

I wanted that too I alanted that, but he needed to talk He needed to say so both of us

His face tensed and he let his hand slide out fro into his pocket to pull out his phone

"Hello," he said in his business tone He looked at etically "Yeah, I'll be there in five minutes Tell him to meeta hard tili

"That was Vince There are several board members in town and they want to meet with me in an hour Gary, my dad's adviser and best friend, wants to briefout to take ainst hi to be sorry about If there's anything I can do to help you, then I will Just tell et aith keeping you in my office all day with me, then I would"

"Het a lot of work done"

"I knoouldn't," he replied

"Go, show that board that you're ready for this"

Woods pressed a kiss toto do?"

I wanted to work again Ion the beach every day wasn't really me "Could I have my job back?" I asked

A frorinkled Woods's brow "No I don't want you working in the dining room"

I had been prepared for this "Okay Then I' to do Especially with you being so busy"

"What if you need et to you? That won't work, Della I can't protect you if you aren't nearive him that He needed to heal I would have to find a way to spend my days

"Okay We'll wait a couple weeks and talk about it again," I said with a s to reassure him