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Fuck.
“You’re here because he needs you.” I lowered my voice. “You’re here because I need you.”
Her sapphire eyes lifted to mine, cutting me right through the chest. Did she know she could take my breath away with one look?
“You don’t act like you need me. You act like a man who is used to being alone. Who doesn’t know what family looks like.”
I knelt in front of her.
“You’re right. I don’t. I never had a real family. I never had Christmas. I never had someone like you.”
I tilted her chin toward me. “Don’t shut me out now, Jules. Not when we just got our shit together.”
“Isn’t that what you did? Shut me out as if I’m not even here?”
I hung my head. “Damn it. I don’t know what I’m doing. I fucked up ok?”
“Do you see those boxes? The suitcases?” She pointed across the room where she had started moving her things over from her apartment. “I can easily take it back. Take all of it back.”
“Fuck. No,” I growled. “You’re not leaving because I screwed up. I can’t do this without you, baby. I don’t want to.”
“You have to include me. No more decisions about Hunter without me. Understand?”
Damn. She had me by the balls. “Got it.”
I thought I saw a grin tug at the corners of her beautiful lips.
“Hunter’s been asleep for two hours.”
“I’ll carry him upstairs. Don’t move.” I didn’t want the tiny bit of forgiveness to evaporate. I had to capitalize on it while I could.
I walked to the living room where the boy was curled under a blanket. The tree twinkled next to him. I lifted him into my arms and took the stairs two at a time. His eyes opened for a second when I lowered him to the bed. I pulled the covers up to his chin and he rolled on his side.
“Good night, son.” I kissed him on the head, turned off the light, and closed the door.
40
Julie
Hawk walked back into the bedroom and locked the door behind him. My emotions were twisted inside me.
I was still angry, but it was nestled inside relief. He had saved Hunter from a legal battle. He had kept him safe. He had fulfilled his promise to me.
“He’s out,” he reported.
I nodded. “He read until he fell asleep.”
I shivered as his glorious green eyes raked over my body. I got lost in the depths of them every time he looked at me that way.
“Come with me.” He offered me his hand.
“What are you doing?” I wasn’t ready to shed the resentment I had. He had hurt me. Whether intentional or not, it didn’t just go away.
“We’re getting in a hot shower together.” He turned the hot water knob and waited for the steam to rise. “And I’m going to wash your body.”
I cocked my head sideways. “I don’t know about that.”
His fingers fastened on the button on my blouse. “I’m going to take care of you always. Even when you’re angry. I promise you won’t walk out of that shower still mad at me.” He winked.
