Page 135 of His Surrender

I stare at him. “Aubrey.”

“Yes?” he questions like he’s not understanding.

“She’s twenty-two.”

He doesn’t move. “And?”

I blink. “And … I’m thirty-four.”

He folds one ankle over his knee. “So, tell me what you’re really worried about.”

The words spill out before I can organize them. “She works for me. She lives here.”

He nods in acknowledgment but doesn’t say anything.

So, I continue, “Her parents trusted me. I have twelve years on her. I’m supposed to be the responsible one.”

“You are,” he interrupts.

“What if everyone thinks I’m taking advantage of her?”

The room grows quiet. Dad studies me for a long moment.

Then he smiles. “You know what I heard in everything you just said?”

I shake my head.

“A man trying very hard to protect a woman he loves.”

The words hit harder than I expected.

“I never heard you talk about controlling her,” he continues gently. “I never heard you talk about manipulating her. I never heard you say she didn’t have a choice.” He leans forward. “I heard a man terrified of hurting someone.”

I swallow. “I love her.”

The confession leaves my mouth so quietly that I’m not sure I actually said it.

Dad smiles immediately. “I know.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

He laughs. “I don’t think anyone ever does.”

I shake my head. “I fought it.”

“I can imagine.”

“I kept telling myself it wasn’t appropriate.”

“And yet?”

I glance toward the hallway. “She feels like … home.”

Dad follows my gaze. “Exactly.”

He lets the silence linger before speaking again.

“Do you know how old your mother was when we met?”