Page 27 of Broken Vows
“Is that so?”
She eyes me curiously, like she senses the darker edge of my thoughts, and I take a steadying breath, trying to rein it in. She’s flighty, apprehensive, and I don’t blame her for it. I’m not about to do one goddamn thing to scare her away, not when she’s softened throughout our lunch, her shoulders lowering as she grows more comfortable with me.
I’ve managed to steer the conversation into more neutral territory, using this opportunity to get to know her. I already know she’s mine on a primal level, but now, I want every other detail—small or otherwise. Everything that makes her Lynley.
No, not want.Need.
There are still so many puzzle pieces missing from the bigger picture of who she is. It would be easy enough to take Knox up on his offer of making a dossier on her, but I want Lynley to give me those pieces on her own.
Some things I need to discover for myself, like what she looks like when she first wakes in the morning, or how she spends her time relaxing in the evening. I want to know what book she’s reading, so I can read it too. I want to know everything that goes through her head, every single detail she hides behind her vivid blue eyes—a shade dark enough they could be mistaken for violet.
Lynley looks up, her brow furrowing as she realizes that my dessert is sitting untouched. “You don’t like it?”
“I’m not a huge fan of sweet stuff,” I murmur. “But I think that could change.”
She doesn’t miss the silky meaning behind my words, and her cheeks flush the sweetest pink, her eyes gleaming right before they skate away from mine. She likes the attention—the appreciation in my eyes, the flirting—but she’s still recovering from the damage her husband inflicted.
The damage he’s still inflicting, just by breathing.
I need to get her to trust me, to let me in. It’s a delicate dance, a balance, but I’m a patient man, especially when it comes to getting something I want.
“You told me you’ve never been married,” she says now, and it feels like she’s reminding herself of why I’m not a safe bet. It’s enough to have my arousal flagging, which is a relief. It would have been embarrassing if she caught me with an erection over the way she’s licking the last of her panna cotta off her spoon.
“That’s right.” I stretch my legs out, my shin brushing against her calf. She jerks like I gave her an electric shock. “Iwas always more focused on building my business. Plus, my brother married young, and that was—” I cut myself off with a grimace.
She lets out a soft sound of humor. “As bad as my marriage?”
I don’t answer, not wanting to touch the mess that is Thatcher and Meredith. “Tell me about your kids. Mase and Ginny, right?” I tap a finger against the table, giving her an enigmatic smile.
Pleasure washes over her face, as if she didn’t expect me to remember their names. She’ll learn that I remember everything she tells me. “Yes. Ginny is my daredevil. She always has been, from the moment she realized she could run, climb, and jump. I’m kind of surprised this is the first time she’s broken a bone, actually. Not that I want to go through it again any time soon.”
I smile. “She sounds like a firecracker.”
Her smile widens. “That’s a good way of describing her. She’s into ballet right now, and is gutted to be missing so many practices. Mase…” The happiness dims slightly, and I lean forward, hating it. “He’s more serious. Solemn, I guess. He’s obsessed with baseball, and he was really excited about moving to Sterling Creek so he could play. But…” She shakes her head. “The coach recently broke his leg, and Mase is devastated.”
Sports were never my thing growing up, even though my father pushed me to get into football, believing my stature and bulk would make me a perfect defensive lineman. I don’t know a goddamn thing about baseball, but seeing the worry for her son painted across Lynley’s face, I’m determined to learn.
“They sound like great kids.”
“They are,” she says, tone warm. Her phone vibrates inher bag, and she pulls it out, her face falling. “Oh. I didn’t realize... I need to go if I want to get the kids on time.” Her attention falls to the USB drive, still sitting on the table between us. She swallows hard, her expression uncertain.
“Thank you for doing this,” she murmurs. “I would’ve found a way to prove his infidelity without it, but you’ve made my life a lot easier.” She hesitates, never lifting her eyes to mine. “Are you sure you’re okay with the potential fallout for you?”
Unable to stop myself from touching her, I reach out and grasp her fingers, my thumb stroking over the delicate skin covering her knuckles. “Lynley, there are no consequences I wouldn’t face to help you.”
Startled, her eyes finally lift to mine. “You shouldn’t say things like that,” she chides, firming her chin. “You don’t know me. And I’m married. With children.”
“Not for much longer.” I give her a sharp smile. “And I can’t wait to meet Mase and Ginny.” Her mouth tightens at the corners, and I know I’ve pushed too much for the day. “Will you be safe?” I tip my head at the drive. “Just while everything is getting sorted. You shouldn’t be in the house with Christopher.”
“I’ve told him I’m spending a few days with my mother,” she says, and relief spills through me, my shoulders sinking.
“Good, good.” I make a show of checking my watch. “You’re right about the time. I actually have a meeting I need to get to.” She starts to gather her things, her fingers trembling just the slightest bit. “But Lynne…” She freezes, her head down. “I want you to call me if you need anything. Understand?”
She presses her lips together, eyes reluctant.
“I mean it, Lynley.” I firm my voice, going forthe tone that has had more than one man cowering in a boardroom. This is important. I need to be her first point of call, especially if she’s ever in a situation where she feels unsafe. I don’t trust Christopher, and when he realizes he’s about to lose everything, he’ll become unpredictable. The idea of Lynley and her kids being in danger is untenable.
“I’m a grown woman, Grafton,” she tells me, her tone implacable. “I appreciate what you’ve done to help me, but I can handle this on my own.”
