CHAPTER 7
ELEANOR
I stare into my closet and blow out a breath. This is ridiculous. I remind myself that it’s just a family dinner. Heck, I’ve hosted thousands of them through the years, and this is an easy one. It’s just us and the kids.
My phone buzzes on the bathroom counter, and I already know it’s Robert.
I bite back a smile, grab my phone, and read the text. “I’m outside.” That’s it. He’s not demanding or pressuring me; he’s just letting me know that he’s outside waiting for me.
I type back, “Coming.”
I smooth my hands down the front of my black dress and glance at myself one more time in the mirror. My dress is simple and came from my closet. I’ve worn it many times, and the family has seen it before whether they realize it or not. It’s fitted, with long sleeves. It’s one that Bobby always liked because he said it hugged me in all the right places.
My stomach flutters at the thought. Dang, I’m nervous.
I grab my purse, and when I open my apartment door, Robert is standing on the other side.
I should have known he wouldn’t wait for me outside. His mouth drops when he sees me, and the way this man looks at me after thirty-five years should be illegal. His gaze slowly drags over my body, and his jaw tightens slightly. “Fuck, Ellie.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “What?”
He puts his hand at my waist. “You know what.”
I try not to smile as he leads me to the elevator. As soon as we’re shut inside, heat surrounds me. He stands facing me as I look at the closed elevator doors. Blushing, I glance over at him. “What? Why are you staring at me?”
His hand glides up and down my back. “You think you can look like that and I’m not going to stare at you?” He blows out a fast breath. “It’s killing me not having you with me.”
Instantly, I tense. That’s not what this is supposed to be about. This was supposed to be family dinner. This was supposed to be no pressure and no expectations, but before I can say anything, he holds his hands up. “Sorry. I’m sorry.”
He runs a hand through his hair and turns to stare at the elevator doors. “Betsy is fixing prime rib for dinner.”
I smile. “Sounds good.”
When we reach the ground floor, the doors open, and Paul and a few others are standing there waiting. They walk with us to the SUV, and Robert helps me in.
A few seconds later, he climbs in beside me and immediately reaches for my hand like he can’t help himself.
I glance down at our intertwined fingers, and my chest tightens.
Robert strokes his thumb across my knuckles. “You nervous?”
I let out a laugh. “A little.”
His eyebrows pull together. “Why?”
“Because I haven’t been to a family dinner since I left.”
His expression darkens, and I squeeze his hand. “Bobby, I wasn’t trying to hurt anybody.”
“I know.” He says it immediately. “But you did.”
Pain flashes through me. I know he’s right. I hurt him. And even though our boys are grown men who moved out of the house years ago, I know I hurt them too. I didn’t want to, but I didn’t see any other way that would make my husband listen.
He lifts my hand to his mouth and brushes his lips against my knuckles. “The house hasn’t been the same without you.”
Emotion clogs my throat, and I look out the window before I decide to completely give in to him. He has that kind of power over me, and just looking at him, dressed all in black with his smoldering eyes, makes me want to say yes to everything he’s asking for.
The rest of the drive passes quietly, and when we pull through the gates of the Kingston estate, my stomach twists harder.
