Page 18 of Royal Bastard

8

Evie

“Evie, I need to see you please.” Henry’s quiet voice broke into my concentration as I worked my way through a pile of appointments that needed to be changed. I looked up and saw we were alone and gave him a sexy grin.

“Sure, Henry. What do you need?” I followed him into the office and closed the door behind me. My eyes went to the couch, before they flicked back to him with an arched brow.

“Not that, well, no, I always need that, but that’s not why I wanted to talk to you. I’ve got the ball rolling with an attorney and he wants to talk to you.” He was behind his desk now, not in front of it, so he wanted to keep some distance between us.

“Oh? It’s only been a day since we talked about it.” My mind was in a million places at once, where were my files, what might the lawyer want to know, would I have to appear in court?

“I know, but I didn’t see much point in putting it off. Is that a problem?” He looked confused, and I couldn’t blame him, I was confused at my hesitation.

“I guess I’ve worried about it for so long now, that I’m afraid I’ll lose. It’s scary, you know? This might the only chance I have to get Violet and Dahlia back.” I sank into a chair, dizziness making my head light. “I’ll pay you back, of course.”

“As I told you, no you won’t. As for the case, she assures me you have a very tight case. You’ll get visitation rights at the very least. I’ve also done a little digging on your ex… he’s not a very nice man, is he?”

“No, he isn’t.” The words were spoken absently, I had something else on my mind. “Look, Henry, I appreciate it this, but I don’t want to be your mistress, your kept woman. That’s not what this is about. You giving me gifts, doing this, it kind of feels like you think that about me.”

His face was stunned, and I knew he hadn’t seen it that way at all. “That’s not it at all, Evie. I don’t think that, no! I’d never treat a woman like that.”

“It feels as if you are, though…” I let the words trail off. He’d been the one that taught me to argue my case, to never back down, and I wasn’t going to now.

“I’ve told you about my mother, right? About how my dad just abandoned her? I wouldn’t do that to another woman.” He got up from his chair and came around to hunch down in front of me. He didn’t stand over me or stare at me with condescension from his desk. He came down to my level.

“I know that and about your history,” I said. “But I can’t help feeling like this isn’t right. I’ve, um, I’ve asked to be put into a new position too.” I dropped that bomb on him suddenly, though I hadn’t meant to. It felt like the right time to tell him, so I did.

“What?” He leaned a little closer, as if he hadn’t heard correctly.

“It’s not fair to you. Our relationship puts you in too much danger of having to face an ethics hearing. I can’t do that to you.”

He stared at me for a minute before he answered. “I have to say, Evie, it won’t be the same without your smiling face here. It’s not just the sex, you’re a wonder! The way you handle your work and brighten up the place. And yes, I’m certain our relationship breaches some kind of ethics law. Perhaps it’s for the best if we do get you another assignment.”

I sighed a breath of relief. He didn’t want to argue over that point, good! Now, about this relationship. I needed a straight answer on what we were building here. I wanted my girls back, and I wanted him to be a part of my life, but if he only wanted a woman to keep his bed warm, well, then I needed to change my plans for the future.

“Where do you want this to go, Henry? Is this a relationship? Are we dating? Or is that just a fling and you’ll find someone new the minute I’m gone?” I realized that sounded desperate and petty, so I carried on before he could interrupt. “If that’s all you want, then that’s fine, I’m good with that. I’d like you to be a part of my life, and my girls’ lives once I can see them again.”

I’d seen how he was with kids, he always treated the children of his clients with a smile, and he wasn’t irritated or cowed by them. I knew Violet and Dahlia would love him. I waited for his answer as he settled down into the floor. He looked down at his well-groomed nails and sighed.

“This is the first time I’ve ever said this to a woman who wasn’t my mother, Evie, so take that on board alright?” He looked up at me, his eyes full of some emotion I could not name. Was that…was it fear? “I think I’m in love with you. I’ve never felt it like this, this need, this longing, this whatever the hell it is. I want to see you, to be with you, to laugh with you.”

Tears pricked at my eyes suddenly, and I swiped at them. “What?”

“I don’t know if it’s love, Evie, but I think it is. I’m certain it is. I want things with you. A life, a future. I’ve never thought about those things, not for myself. I’d even...” He stopped the flow of words and looked at his nails again. “I’d even like to have kids with you one day, if you’d want more.”

“Wow. Henry…” I was speechless. I had not come here in the hope that I’d snag myself a new husband, but Henry had just offered more than a husband, he’d offered a partner. “Let’s take it one day at a time, shall we?”

“Oh, of course. Damn, I don’t blame you if you want to run away and not look back now.” He laughed at himself, and I leaned down to take his hand.

“What you’ve said sounds wonderful, Henry. I just need time, that’s all.” Somehow, our roles had reversed. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one declaring my undying love and begging him not to run? “It’s been a long time for me, and I, well, I like how things are right now.”

“I understand, Evie. I do.” He looked worried, so I went down to the floor with him. I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t interested, I just wanted him to slow his roll, so to speak.

“Henry, I’m just as excited about all of this as you are. I’ve just…” I hated to use it as an excuse, but it was the truth. “I’ve just been through a lot. I want to be careful and take my time. You taught me to ask for what I want, and this is what I want. You, in a relationship that has time to grow. You might not want me once you’ve seen me in mom-mode, you know?”

“I think you’d be an angel at it, Evie.” He grinned at me, but then gave me a wink. “I know it isn’t easy for you, and I’m glad you know what you want. I’m good with that. I am.”

I took another deep sigh and breathed out happily. “Good, now, about that other aspect of our relationship.”