“I have another question,” she whispered against his lips.
“It can wait,” he murmured, wrapping his arm around her.
She pulled back, her brows lifting dramatically. “You won’t distract me from my mission,” she said. “I have too much to learn.”
Deckard tightened his jaw, pulling in a halting breath. “It’s getting late, Evie.”
“Then we’d better talk quickly,” she teased.
Though he didn’t care to answer more questions, he would accept their closeness in exchange. He pulled her over his lap, her legs straddling him, and tightened his grip around her waist. “Ask away,” he said.
Evylin settled her arms on his shoulders, smiling with happiness. “What do you want to do with your life?” she asked.
Deckard tensed. “I’ve already given you that answer.”
“When?”
“In Mouroc,” he said, the words coming out more sharply than he intended. “I told you: Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
“That’s not an answer,” Evylin argued.
“It’s the only one I have.”
Her jaw set with determination, and he could feel her agitation as if it were within himself. “What about whatyouwant, Jonn?”
Suddenly, holding her felt wrong. But as she didn’t seem inclined to move, he simply loosened his grip. “I don’t want anything.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said tersely. “Everyone wantssomething, Jonn. Even martyrs like you.”
Deckard had the urge to shove her off his lap. But he held back his baser instincts and took a deep breath instead.
“What do you want?” Evylin pressed.
“You,” he said automatically.
“You have me,” she replied. “What else?”
“Nothing.”
She ignored his protest. “Do you want a family?”
“Evie—”
“Do you want children?” she demanded.
Deckard couldn’t take their closeness anymore. He pushed her aside as gently as he could, his agitation brewing, and rose from the bed.
“Jonn.”
“I don’t know,” he said sharply. “Yes, I suppose I do, but—”
“Then we’ll have children.”
“No!” He whirled, glaring at her. “That’s not how we make decisions, Evylin. I want children, yes, but if you don’t—”
“I do,” she interrupted.
He stared at her, disbelieving. He didn’t know why, but he’d never expected her to want to be a mother. She was independent, adventurous, and sometimes selfish. She didn’t trust people easily, and she feared losing those she loved. He doubted motherhood would appeal to someone like her.
