14
I wanted to lash out at her and tell her that he wasn’t her father because she never met him, but even as fucked up as my head was I knew that was a dick move.
“I don’t know okay.” I didn’t tell her that I couldn’t stand the thought of her loving someone else more than me.
That I was insanely jealous of a dead man, a man who was no longer any threat to me. Not physically anyway. But what about mentally, emotionally?
“Look I know it sounds crazy. But your unwillingness to share anything about him only makes it worst. It’s as if you’re holding onto him. Like the two of you have this special bond that no one else can be a part of.”
“How did you come to that conclusion when as you say I don’t even talk about him?” I took her hand and pulled her down the hallway.
“Maybe this was my first clue.” It’s like a living monument.”
“That’s for Amber so she doesn’t forget her dad. I don’t want to confuse her.”
“Are you sure about that? Amber seems pretty open and accepting of me.”
“Don’t let it go to your head, she’s like that with everyone.”
“Have you been with someone else since he died?” I still couldn’t bring myself to call him her husband.
She made a sound and I looked down to see my hand around her neck. I didn’t remember putting it there.
“You want me to have a relationship with you and you’re always manhandling me?”
“I will never hurt you. Not in that way anyway.”
“In what way then?” I squeezed my hand around her throat before releasing her and stepping back.
“There’s a good chance that once I get my cock in you it’s gonna hurt like hell.”
Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned red. I rubbed my thumb along her lips. “Don’t worry princess, I promise to take my time and go slow until I fit. That is of course if you don’t make me wait too long. If that should happen I’m not making any promises.”
“Think a lot of yourself don’t you?” She said that as if to say she wasn’t buying it.
“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. You haven’t answered my question. Has there been anyone else?”
This time I didn’t threaten to choke her but instead pushed the hair back from her face. She looked down, avoiding my eyes. “No!”
“Good girl. Lock up behind me. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stole one last smooch of her lips before heading out the door with her following behind me.
I waited until I heard the lock turn and the chain slip into place before heading down the stairs. I wasn’t happy about leaving them here but there was nothing I could do about it for now.
It was turning dark by the time I made it down to the car and I hated the neighborhood even more in this atmosphere.
There were more people on the street and not the one of them looked reputable. I looked up at her window one last time before getting in and instructing Stanley to take me home.
There was a lot I had to do before our trip. Things that I didn’t know were needed until a few days ago.
Once in the privacy of my own home I called my go to girl, mom and asked her for some advice.
Maybe not my smartest move at this stage in the game, but she’s the only one I trust to help with this sort of thing.
She complimented me on being such a good boss, but from the little chuckle in her voice I knew she was sticking her nose in my shit.
I hurried her off the phone and sat for a few minutes thinking about the move I was about to make. It was sure to ruffle Gia’s feathers, but I find it’s always best to know your enemy and I’m pretty sure from what I know of her so far, that I had no other choice.
I ate a light dinner and made it an early night. I’d got her phone number from her file at work so I called her before hitting the sack and was just a little surprised that she actually answered.
“How is Amber?”
“She’s fine, she got up for a little while but then she went right back down again.”
“Are you coming in tomorrow or do you need more time?”
“No that’s fine, I’ve already called the sitter I should be there at my usual time.”
“That’s fine then, I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well, my number’s in your phone now, call me if you need me.”
I knew she wouldn’t but I was hoping that if it was anything serious she would use her head. “Okay thanks, I will.” Liar!
After we hung up the phone I realized that I hadn’t really shown her any softness. So far I’ve only been gruff with her, something I never am with women.
So why is it that the one I wanted most brings out the worst in me? You’re at fault here Evan you’ve been too much in your head lately.
Whatever, tomorrow I’ll start being nice to her, at least now she knows how I feel. I saw that damn wall as soon as I closed my eyes and that burning in my gut started up again.
The next day I was at the office earlier than usual, but that wasn’t such a bad thing since I had a lot to catch up on after spending all those days at the hospital with her.
I knew the minute she entered the building because I had the security screen up on my computer and had been watching the door every few minutes for her arrival.
My heart settled down at the sight of her and I was able to relax as I watched her make her way to the elevator and then all the way up.
Was she thinking of me I wonder? Did I stay on her mind all night like she did mine? Was I her first thought after her daughter when she opened her eyes this morning? Or was he?
Mom chose that moment to call and I switched gears. “That’s perfect mom I’d prefer to do the interview here myself say around eleven?”
“I’ll take care of it son. How is little Amber doing? Gavin said she was released yesterday.”
“Yes, she’s made great improvement so far and we’re hopeful.”
“That’s good to hear, keep me posted and of course you know if there’s anything I can help with you have only to ask.”
Again I wasn’t sure if I should read between the lines or if she was just being concerned for an employee’s child. Whatever the case may be, I had more important things on my mind right now.
I told myself to give her time to get settled in for the day. If I go rushing off to her office like a love sick boy it would only give the office gossips something to talk about.
I lasted ten minutes. For once she was in her own office and not my brother’s and from the looks of things had already got back to work.
She looked up at my entrance and color came into her cheeks. Right now it was my only sign that she was aware of me as a man. Getting her to give me any more than that was going to take time.
It would help if you stopped acting like a damn lunatic and start treating her with the care and respect due the woman you plan to marry.
She started to rise from her seat, “don’t get up,” I walked over to her desk and looked down at her. There were dark circles under her eyes.
I walked around the desk and lifted her chin in my hand. “Was Amber sick during the night?” She took her face out of my hand and played around with the papers on her desk.
“No, but I slept in her room and she was very restless.” Yet again she showed her deep love and care for the child. She’s supposed to Evan, it’s her child you idiot.
But she’s also his. Does she go to the extreme because she’s a part of him? What the fuck goes on in your head Evan? Seriously?
I took her chin in my hand again and turned her face to me. “You look tired, why don’t you go home, take another day.”
“I’m fine, I have to get some stuff done before the trip. By the way, when is the new date?”
“Don’t worry about it right now.” I turned to leave.
“By the way, I need you in my office at about ten after eleven. There’s someone I need you to meet.”
“Yes sir.” I looked back at her with a smirk. “I like hearing you call me sir.”
I looked around her office. “But this is the wrong venue. You can call me Evan.” I left her office and headed back to mine, pleased about who the fuck knows what.
Maybe I was pleased at the fact that I hadn’t done or said anything stupid this time. I still had a smile on my face when I sat behind my desk.
The look on her face when I made that crack about her calling me sir was priceless. I looked down at my zipper where my dick was doing a slow rise.
Nothing new there, he’s been doing that ever since I bumped into her in that coffee shop. I shook my head and tried to concentrate on work.
Before her nothing and no one had ever been able to distract me from my business. Now it seems she and her daughter had taken up residence in my head and were fast becoming the most important things in my life.