He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying me with that quiet intensity that both steadied and unnerved me.
“You are not returning to labor prematurely.”
“Labor,” I repeated dryly. “It’s a basement inventory, not a coal mine.”
“Ma Belle.”
The words landed softly, almost absentmindedly. My heart sang at the words, even if I knew it shouldn’t.
He folded his hands loosely. “If any employee of mine required medical leave,” he said evenly, “I would compensate them without hesitation.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “I am not your employee.”
“No, but we do have the arrangement for extra work. And when you are ready to return, you will. If Geoffrey had a knee injury, I would continue to pay him.”
I blinked. “You’re not serious.”
“I am entirely serious.”
“I’m not taking charity.” I did not like this. I did not like the idea of the man I had feelings for, the man I kissed last night, giving me a handout.
“It is not charity.”
“It feels like it.”
He leaned forward slightly, voice lowering just enough to make it personal instead of performative.
“You would not hesitate to accept medical leave if you worked for a corporation.”
“I don’t work for a corporation.”
He continued, calm and deliberate. “You are injured. You have contributed significantly to my property. You have upheld every agreement made between us.”
“But I haven’t been able to since this.”
“I am aware.”
“You want to pay me.”
“I want you to heal.”
“And you think writing me a check accomplishes that.”
“I think removing financial pressure accomplishes that.”
The room fell quiet for a moment. I hated that he wasn’t wrong. I hated that he saw it so clearly. I hated that it even further complicated the feelings I had for him. How could this be anything when the imbalance between us was so great?
“I’m not helpless,” I said more softly.
“I am aware.”
“I don’t want to be kept.”
His gaze softened in a way that made my throat tighten.
“I am not keeping you,” he said quietly. “I am standing beside you.”
The distinction mattered. He reached, but did not take my hand. He just rested his fingers near mine.
