Page 108 of Into These Eyes
“You have to stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Thanking me.”
I shake my head. “Not a chance. Every single time you cook for me, I’m grateful. And I want you to know that.”
“I’m cooking forus, Jamie. It’s no hardship.”
“Tell me that after you’ve been doing it for sixteen years.”
“I’d love to,” he says softly.
My heart fires up like a plane preparing for take-off. When I meet his stare, all I see there is honesty. This morning comes roaring back. His hand exploring, the heat in those eyes focused on mine.
I quickly look down at my empty plate and cross my legs. Goddamn the way he makes my body come alive, reminding me I’m a woman. As much as I’ve suppressed my sexuality all these years, he’s woken it up and it seems to have no desire to go back to sleep.
Not while he’s in close proximity. Who am I kidding? He doesn’t have to be anywhere near me. All I have to do isthinkabout the man.
And it’s wonderful, and exciting. And it scares the shit out of me.
“Let me help you clean up,” I offer without glancing at him.
My plate disappears. “No way. But you can keep me company while I do it.”
“Oh, I nearly forgot. I picked up Dad’s will. I suppose I should take a look.” I grab the will packet from my satchel and slide onto the barstool again. Prying open the flap, I reach in and withdraw the document.
It’s short and to the point, but I read it five times before I understand I haven’t misread anything.
“That fucking arsehole,” I blurt a little too loudly.
Gavin glances up from stacking the dishwasher. “What’s wrong?”
“Dad,” I say, my anger rising. “Fucking Dad.”
Wandering over to the breakfast bar, Gavin glances at the will in my hand. Furious, I hold it up and flap it around.
“He left his whole estate … tome. There’s not a single mention of Anika in here! How could he do that to her?”
Gavin frowns. “You’re sure?”
“You think I don’t know how to read a will?” I snap, then immediately regret it. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Well, he just keeps delivering the hits, doesn’t he?”
I drop my head in my hands and let out a single sob, the exhaustion, the emotional roller coaster, finally overwhelming me.
“Fuck,” Gavin mutters.
Then he’s at my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I lean against him, taking shuddering breaths as I try to get myself under control. He must be so sick of me using him as a crying cushion by now.
“Christ, Jamie. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It was extremely insensitive.”
I shake my head. “It’s so … fucking true.”
“Will Anika be able to contest it?” he asks, rubbing my shoulder.
“No.” I look up at him and wipe away my tears. “She won’t have to, because she’ll never know.”
