“I’m miserable without her. I’m going to do whatever it takes to convince her that the lessons we can learn together are even better than sex. I need to know where you stand.”
“Fuck, that’s what I was coming to tell you. Fate brought us together and I’m not about to ignore the lessons Natalie taught me.”
I’m put at ease that my twin and I are on the same page. It’s like the universe is giving us the green light.
“Are you willing to let this be the three of us?” I ask.
“All or none.”
“The judge might not look kindly on a relationship like this,” I caution.
“I’ve gone over that possibility a million times, and we might have to lay low until I get custody back, but I’m trusting fate.”
“If I take that job at your security company, do you promise not to lord it over me that you’re my boss?”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t live without Natalie, and I don’t want her to have to find a new job. If I work for you, will you be cool about being my boss?”
“You’d be my partner, my equal. That’ll be easy. I’m more worried about convincing Natalie to accept me and my son.”
I grab my cell phone and rush to the door. “You stay here. I’m going to find her. If she shows up, call me.”
When I find her in the Human Resources office, she tries to excuse herself, but I catch her arm. “Come with me.”
“I didn’t say anything,” she whispers as I guide her into the hallway.
“I trust you.”
One of the HR reps calls out, pointing out that this isn’t a good look. I take my hand off of Natalie's arm and nod for her to come with me, which calms the rep down.
“Then what are you doing?” I ask. Safely away from prying ears, I add, “Don’t quit until you hear Jefferson and me out.”
“I get it, we had fun, but I know this isn’t real. I heard his call.”
I struggle to keep my voice down, to do anything but wrap her in my arms and kiss her. “First of all, the lessons you taught me are the biggest dose of reality ever. And second…which call?”
The wind deflates from my sales as I admit confusion.
“When he told his lawyer he could look like a family man now.”
“We better get back to my office. He’s there. We can explain everything.”
Unable to touch her as we navigate our way back, my hands shake with the need to hold her. When we’re close, intimate, I can sense every emotion she has, and right now, I desperately need to know that she feels loved.
Jefferson rushes to her as I pause to lock the door. When I turn around, I’m frustrated to see that she’s motioned for him to stay a step back.
This conversation can’t happen fast enough. I offer her a chair, but she stays by the door. We give the distance she insists on. We’re like hungry wolves surrounding our prey, and I catch the flicker of nervousness in her expression before she ducks her head.
I nod at Jefferson and he takes a step back when I do. With the breathing room, she lifts her gaze appreciatively.
Seventeen
Jefferson
Seeingmybabydollflinch away from us hurts me at levels I didn’t know were possible.
Lincoln leads. “Jefferson, Natalie overheard a call where you made her feel like you were using her to keep up appearances.”