Page 48 of Yearner

“Allison, I've been doing this for years. If I were the kind of person who went around sharing my patients' secrets, everyone would have heard about yours by now.”

He rose from his chair and led her toward the door. “Now, before we begin counseling, we need to draw some blood and check your overall health.”

Allison gave him a small smile and followed him out. The nurse drew her blood, and while the samples were sent for testing, Jackson reviewed her medical records and conducted her psychiatric session. Once they were finished, Allison finally headed home.

By the time Silas returned that night, it was already late in the evening. Allison was sitting on the floor beside the couch, surrounded by work. With her laptop open in front of her, she was going through data to determine whether she should purchase new manufacturing equipment, along with the financial figures she still needed to review. She was so absorbed in her work that she barely noticed the time passing.

The sound of someone entering the house made her lift her head.

Silas walked into the living room with his hands hidden behind his back.

Allison's face brightened as soon as she saw him. She set her work aside and watched him approach, a smile spreading across her lips. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her heart race. For some reason, no matter how many times she saw him, she still felt as though her entire world was falling apart and coming together around him. Even the sight of him walking toward her was enough to make her heart pound wildly against her chest.

Silas stopped in front of her, his eyes lingering on her face.

“Have you had dinner yet?” he asked.

“I have. What about you? Would you like me to ask the maids to set the dinner table for you?”

“No, I had a business dinner today, so I'm not hungry.” His lips curved into a smile as he finally brought his hands forward. “But I have something for you.”

Allison's eyes widened when she saw the bouquet of flowers in his hands. The flowers were a gorgeous shade of pink, arranged beautifully into a lovely bouquet.

Her face lit up with delight as she accepted them.

“Thank you,” she said warmly, looking from the flowers to him.

Silas smiled at her reaction and settled onto the couch. Reaching for her, he gently caressed her cheek, his gaze softening as he watched her admire the bouquet.

Allison brought the flowers closer, taking a moment to appreciate them, when a maid suddenly entered the living room carrying a large silver box.

“Mrs. Black, this was just delivered for you,” she said, approaching them with the box.

Allison placed the bouquet on the table before reaching out to take it from her. The maid quietly excused herself and left the living room, leaving the couple alone again.

Allison turned toward Silas, holding the box in her lap.

“Did you bring this for me too?”

Silas shook his head. “No, I didn't. I suppose I'll have to bring you another gift next time.”

Allison smiled at his response. “I was just asking. I don't need another gift from you. It's fine.”

He smiled back as she lowered her gaze to the box and turned it around, searching for a name or any indication of who had sent it. Finding nothing on the outside, she carefully opened the lid.

Inside, she found a note.

‘Summer,

Your wedding gift.’

A smile appeared on Allison's face. She looked into the box, where a piece of black fabric rested on a velvet cushion.

Curious, she rose to her feet and began pulling the black cloth out of the box. As she unfolded it, she soon realized it was a piece of sexy lingerie.

Allison stared at it, momentarily speechless.

Her eyes widened as she instinctively glanced at Silas, her expression turning horrified.