The expression on Eric’s face nearly broke my heart. His brown eyes swam with sadness, sadness for me. I moved over to him and laid over his chest, taking a deep breath as he wrapped me in his strong arms, rubbing my back with the washcloth.
“I don’t think I’m the woman for you or your brothers, or any man, for that matter,” I mumbled.
Eric’s hands stilled. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I can’t give any of you what you want.”
“What do you think we want besides you?”
“Kids.” The word tumbled out of my mouth with a sob. “I told Tate I can’t have kids, and he flipped.” I relayed everything that had happened at the London Eye this morning.
“Fuck,” Eric grumbled.
“I’ve never seen him so mad. What am I supposed to do, Eric? I can’t give him what he wants, what Jack wants. What good am I if I can’t give the men I love everything they desire, just as you’ve given me?”
“You’re not responsible for giving us everything we desire. We’re more than capable of achieving our goals ourselves like you are. I told you before… there are other ways to have children if that’s what you want. Is it what you want, Lou?”
“Tate—”
Eric waved his hand in a cutting motion. “Forget about Tate. You’re not responsible for him or his ego. You know what you want. If it’s children, then we’ll have children, all of us together. Or are there other things that are more important to you?” His hands carried on with their soothing motions over my skin. “You don’t need to give me an answer, Lou. But I’ll bet you know in your heart what it is, and I think I know you well enough to know what your heart’s telling you.”
I was silent as I thoughtfully took in Eric’s words.
Eric stroked my hair out of my eyes. “No matter how much you love us, don’t ever compromise who you are or what you want. You’re as important as any of us.”
Tate
The familiar sounds of the office toned down the anxiety I was feeling regarding Lou’s untimely revelation. My world was in a tailspin. The thought that I would never be a father cut me to the bone, especially given I would never want a child with any woman but her.
I stepped out of the elevator and onto the executive floor of Rawlins Industries London and made my way down the thickly carpeted hallway, past lounges and offices to Roger’s large office. I nodded at the employees who greeted me as I passed. They stood at attention and practically kissed my ass. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy that. I liked it when people knew who was boss.
Knocking on the door of Roger’s office, I entered without waiting to be invited. His weathered face wrinkled up even more as he shifted his attention from the paperwork in front of him. I didn’t shy away from him. This guy may have been around since my father’s days, but he didn’t frighten me like he did so many others. I was his boss now.
Roger’s expression mellowed, and he got to his feet. “Tate. You made it.”
“Roger.” I strode over and shook his outstretched hand.
“How are you feeling this morning, sir?”
Teeth gritted, I unbuttoned the front of my suit jacket. “I could be better. I’m looking forward to checking in with the employees and the projects happening here.”
This was more important than my argument with Lou, so I did my best not to dwell. I needed to make sure the London offices were up to par.
“Quite right. I’d like to go over the progress we’ve been making with our wind and marine projects with you. But first, I thought you might like to meet our newest employee. He says you might be familiar with him.”
I racked my brain and frowned in confusion. I didn’t know any interns here.Who had the balls to claim that he knew me?
Roger led me to the meeting room. A young man was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows. His slightly too long, dark blond hair was a stylish mess on his head. He straightened his cuff as he turned toward me, a confident smirk curling up one corner of his mouth, which was surrounded by a short, barely-there beard. “Bonjour, Tate.”
His voice was almost as deep as mine, though with a French lilt.
I widened my eyes. “Blaise?”
“Oui, it is me, cousin. I have grown since you last saw me, huh?”
“I’ll say. It’s good to see you. Welcome to the family company.” I extended my hand for him to shake, but he took hold of my shoulders and pecked both cheeks.
“How are you and your brothers?”