Sitting on the couch, he pushed his shoulders back, not finding any comfort. Following him, she held back, unsure how to start. Her eyes flew up to his when he met her gaze and spoke first. “Penny, I have to tell you, my mother intends to sabotage my company because she has a diabolical need to control me.”
His mother? Sighing, she fidgeted with her clothes in an effort to explain herself. In a quiet voice, she told him, “My mother will not stop until I wind up pregnant with your baby, collecting child payments for the next eighteen years. I won’t do that. I’m not a gold digger.”
Giving her a curt nod, he set his jaw. “Sexiness, no, of course you’re not. I trusted you even when I thought I lost the ability to trust anyone.”
Putting her hand on her forehead, she managed a small smile. His words warmed her. Sitting up, she inched closer to him to put her hand on his knee. “Your mother is controlling. It doesn’t mean all people have that capacity.”
Leaning closer to her, he commanded her attention with his eyes. “We have to focus, Sexiness. My mother must believe she can work with yours to get what she wants.”
What question did she ask first? She should have asked a lot. Straightening her shoulders, she asked, “Which is?”
His calm breathing was a good sign, though he tightened his fists. “Information. I have enough of it to take out my own father in business. I decided against it because my dad does whatever Mom says, but he’s not a bad person, just weak. She cannot believe I’d let Dad off the hook, and thinks I’m playing him in business. My company will make more than they ever did by the end of the year.”
She rubbed his back. “That’s really good.”
Turning toward her, he took her hand from him and held it. “Mom cannot use the trust fund she amassed to control me like she used to.”
Lowering her eyes, then looking back up, she nodded. “Good. Congratulations.”
Shaking his head, he kept her hands in his. “Penny, they are going to use my soft spot for you. I need to know if I am being stupid when I trust you.”
Her legs turned into his. “I won’t let them manipulate me. I have enough issues at the moment.”
His brow furrowed. “What issue is getting to you?”
Now was not the time. Besides, her interview on Monday could solve the drama, and she would refuse to speak to her mother. Taking her hand out of his, she forged on. “Like, will all this drama with our mothers mean I will be showering without you?”
A laugh erupted out of his mouth, followed by that smile. Leaning closer, he kissed her lightly. “Still tender and delicious. I wish I had known years ago that you were all I needed.”
A silly grin must have spread on her face. She broke through. Yeah. “Keep talking like that and you’ll never get rid of me.”