“Oh.”
I looked off to the side. I knew better than to pry. But I would be lying if I said I was curious.
He let out a long, drawn-out sigh, bringing my eyes back to his. “Elodie’s mom isn’t in the picture.”
My eyes softened in sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I knew how it would be when I got into this.”
At his cryptic words, my brows pulled down in a frown. What the hell did that mean?
The look in his eyes told me he wasn’t going to explain. “Do you miss it?” I asked instead.
“What?”
“Bachelorhood?”
Was that the word to describe it? Jensen had been a man with the world at his fingertips. He had everything going for him. Money, good looks, a position as the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company. I imagined fatherhood to have changed his life drastically.
He let out a laugh. “Fuck, no.”
“No?”
He shook his head, smiling at me. I couldn’t help but mirror his expression. “No. Honestly? I didn’t really think about fatherhood. Not even in the months leading up to Elodie’s birth. I knew I would be a father soon. I also knew my life would change, but I had been trying to save a dying company to really give too much thought to fatherhood.
“And then Elodie arrived into this world kicking and screaming, as if she was afraid no one would notice her unless she made the biggest ruckus.”
He smiled a little at that, and I looked down, my heart melting for the man who obviously loved his daughter very much.
“By that time, I was completely in. She was the most perfect little baby I had ever held in my arms. And so fucking tiny. I only ever wanted to do right by her. She’s my greatest joy. So, no, I don’t miss it.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I can see that now.”
We didn’t say anything for a moment, but the tension in the air was so tense between us, I could slice it in half with my hand. Jensen tapped the mug he was holding with one finger. My mug looked tiny in his hands. Like he was simply holding onto a child’s toy teacup.
I never noticed just how huge he was. Especially compared to me, and now I was having inappropriate thoughts about my student’s dad.
“I should go,” he said, standing up. “I have to get back to work.”
I worked hard to hide my disappointment. I wondered how successful I was when I caught the look he shot my way. I made a move to stand too, but he placed his hands on my shoulders, bending down so he could meet my eyes.
“Stay, okay? Rest up, and if you can help it, don’t go to work today.”
“I can’t just not go.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Why? That’s my business, that’s why.”
“Yes, but it’s a business you can run for a day on your computer, can’t you?”
Technically, yes, but I was less productive on my computer at home than I was in my office at the dance studio.
“Just today, sweetheart. To keep me from worrying.”
“I’m not your sweetheart,” I muttered petulantly.
He looked at me. I glanced off to the side, unable to hold his gaze any longer. He squeezed my shoulders, and I felt that stupid, innocent touch more than I did with any of my previous bed partners.