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‘Da. And now you know.’ He spread his arms wide. ‘All the dirty details of who I really am and why I can’t be a father to Ty.’
‘No—’ Lexi shook her head ‘—I don’t know that at all.’
He huffed out a laugh. ‘Then you’re not as smart as I thought you were. I’m not a good bet, Lexi. I can’t be responsible for Ty.’
Was that it? Was that why he was so determined that Ty was better off without him? Not because he was afraid of losing his lifestyle, but because he was afraid of becoming his father. Afraid of hurting those who relied on him.
‘Leo, that’s fear talking. It’s not who you are,’ she said, catching her breath at his fierce expression as he swung around to face her again.
‘Haven’t you heard anything I’ve said? I’m a violent man.’
‘You think you’d hurt Ty?’ Lexi shook her head. ‘I don’t.’
‘My father couldn’t help it. Who’s to say I’ll be any different?’
‘Your father could help it. He chose not to.’
Lexi’s heart went out to Leo trapped as a young child in a world with such a damaged adult, but she forced herself to focus on what still needed to be said.
‘Leo, I don’t know who your parents were but I’d say they were two people who shouldn’t have been together. They brought out the worst in each other and maybe didn’t have the maturity to see the error of their ways. But whatever their story is—it doesn’t have to be yours.’
‘It doesn’t matter, Lexi. I’m empty inside. I have nothing to give.’
Lexi frowned. ‘You think you can’t love?’ How much this man had suffered!
‘Not think. I don’t.’
‘What about your uncle?’
‘Yes, maybe. I cared for him. But …’ His voice trailed away and he rubbed the back of his neck. ‘There’s no point talking about this.’
‘Because it hurts too much?’
‘Because I am what I am.’
Leo gripped the railing more tightly and Lexi went to him and laid her hand on his arm. ‘Spend time with Ty. Just the two of you. I haven’t seen you take any time off since we got here.’
‘No.’ He moved his hand out from under hers and flopped down on the sun lounger, his hands dangling between his wide-spread knees.
Lexi could feel him closing off and she didn’t know what els
e to say to him. ‘He needs you, Leo.’
‘He needs a decent father.’
Lexi placed her hands on her hips, determined to get through to him on this point. ‘Yes. You. And you need him.’
He shook his head slowly and the look in his eyes as they swept over her changed, became heated. ‘What I need is for you to go to bed.’
‘I—’
He shook his head, his eyes becoming guarded. ‘No more. There’s only so much happy reminiscing a man can take. Especially when the woman he’s reminiscing with is only half dressed.’ His lips twisted into a wry smile.
‘I’m not half dressed.’
‘Tell me you’re wearing a bra beneath that dress.’
‘Well, no, but—’
