Page 80 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

I meet his gaze.

“I see a woman who has carried responsibilities that should never have been hers.”

My anger falters.

He continues before I can recover. “A woman who built a successful practice without assistance, lives far beneath her means because every discretionary dollar has been directed toward someone she loves, and still believes accepting help somehow diminishes what she has accomplished.”

“That isn’t what I said.”

“No. It’s what I said.”

His words undo me. Does he really see that? “But you can’t make me feel cared for by removing every choice I have.”

For a moment, softness flickers in his eyes, but he schools it away so fast that I wonder if I had hallucinated it.

I take a breath. “You keep saying I won’t have to carry everything alone. Do you understand that there is a difference between sharing a burden with me and taking the entire decision out of my hands?”

“Yes.”

Lucian’s answer surprises me.

“Then why are we having this conversation?”

“Because there are some risks I will not permit you to take.”

The words are quiet, decisive.

Lucian Hawthorne has listened to every word I said, understood all of it, and still intends to move me into his home.

A strange heaviness settles through me.

“At least you’re honest.”

“I have never lied to you about what I am.”

“No. You haven’t.” I’m under no illusions. That may be one of the most frightening things about him.

Caleb comes closer, stopping well outside touching distance. “We can put a camera outside your apartment and give you access.”

I frown, not following him.

“You can keep the apartment.”

My gaze snaps to Lucian.

His expression hardens immediately, but Caleb doesn’t look at him.

“I wasn’t asking your permission.”

“I know.” Caleb remains focused on me. “Keep the lease. Keep your furniture there. Keep whatever you need to know it still belongs to you.”

Lucian’s jaw flexes once.

“But you sleep here.”

There it is.

A concession wrapped around an order.