“She’s going to be taking a job with Robert,” he said.
“Then send them to her work. Would you like me to give Robert a call to make sure he has no objection?”
“No. I couldn’t give a fuck even if he did have a problem.”
Nothing was going to get in his way. First, he had to get his kid back. Then he had to get his woman back.
Temperance was his woman, and he was going to make sure she got everything her heart desired.
Chapter Thirteen
Temperance started back at the Thompsons’ a week later. The moment Robert took her to his home they were all waiting, and they rushed toward her, wrapping their arms around her, each of them complaining about what had been going on and how their life had nearly been destroyed. She listened to them talk, and then she was swept upstairs to their rooms, where they showed her everything she’d missed out on.
Each of the children signed her cast for her, and Catherine came up to the room, handing over the file. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to make a new one.”
“Okay.”
“It’s good to have you back,” Catherine said before disappearing.
A lot of people thought taking care of kids was easy, but it wasn’t.
The kids had gone to have something to eat, and grabbing her crutches, Temperance headed down toward the kitchen. She never ate with the family.
A large bouquet of roses arrived as she was heading downstairs.
“Oh, Robert, you didn’t have to,” Catherine said.
“I didn’t.” Robert frowned, grabbing the card and opening it up. He began to smile and looked up toward her. “They’re for you, Temperance.”
She moved downstairs, being careful, and taking the crutches that Britney had been kind enough to help her with. Taking the card, she opened it up.
I’m not a monster. I’m going to get him back, and then I’m coming for you. Those were the words, signed with a simple W.
Licking her dry lips, she stared at the roses. Was he going to get Timothy? It seemed … crazy. He’d wanted the boy gone. She leaned in, sniffing one of the roses just as the doorbell rang.
Robert opened the door, and she heard Wayne’s voice.
“I’ve only just got her,” Robert said.
“I want to take her for a walk, if she’d go with me.”
She nodded, holding onto the crutches. Following him outside, she was aware of everyone watching them. Nothing like this had ever happened before.
The door closed, offering them privacy.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to see you. I don’t expect you to forgive me. I hurt you badly, and that’s my fault.” He reached out, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Your hair is always so wild.”
“I’m thinking of getting it cut.”
“Please don’t. Wild is the look that suits you. You’re a beautiful woman, and you don’t need to tame anything. Let it be wild and free.”
She smiled. “You’re using charm now.”
“I can’t get the sound of you and Timothy out of my head. My apartment is empty, and the cleaner I employed put his toys away. I put them back on the table. She tried to remove his pirate room. Again, I put it all back. I put everything back the way it was because I thought I wanted something, but I don’t.” He reached out, cupping her face. “I love you, Temperance. I have never spoken those words to anyone else. I didn’t even think I was capable of love. I wanted it. I always wanted it, but I didn’t think I’d ever find someone I’d want to give it to.” He stroked her cheek.
“This is all really sudden.” She wanted to believe him. All she could remember was the look on his face on that day in the hospital. He’d been so cold, so closed off from her. “I don’t know what’s real.”
“I’ve never taken my time with anything. I’ve gone after what I wanted, but with you, I want it to be different. It’s going to be different. I know you’re working for Robert, and the kids adore you. I was wondering if on Saturday you’d go out with me. On a proper date. I want to take you to dinner.”
She saw his nerves.
Temperance closed her eyes, enjoying the touch of his fingers on her face. Every part of her was saying to hell with it, but she had to protect herself. He’d broken her heart once before, and even though she loved him, he had the power to ruin her.
“Dinner?”
“Yes. Dinner and a second chance. I’ve never asked for anything like that before in my life.”
She nodded. “I’ll go to dinner with you.”
“I want to get to know you, Temperance, and I want you to get to know me.”
“You’re putting yourself out there?” she asked.
“Yes.” He stroked her cheek. “I want to kiss you right now.”