Cherry came back, carrying the peach cobbler and custard. She took a seat on the opposite side of Mindy.
He’d taken the time to wash her in the shower, teasing her until she was aroused. Her nipples pressed against her shirt, pointing at him. When Mindy was in bed, he was taking her to his room, and tonight she wasn’t leaving his bed. He didn’t care if he had to tie her down, she was staying by his side.
She served them some cobbler while Mindy talked about everything and nothing. The food was delicious. Ever since Cherry had started teaching Mindy, the food had improved tenfold.
After dinner, Mindy went to finish her homework, and he entered the kitchen to help Cherry with the dishes.
“Mindy knows about us,” he said.
Cherry jerked around to look at him. “How does she know about us? I’ve not told her.”
“I know and neither have I, but she knows.”
Cherry stared at the floor between them. “Do you want to stop?”
“No. I want you to spend the night in my bed.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where you belong.”
He picked up a plate and started to dry it.
“We don’t know each other.”
“You’d be surprised how much we know about each other.”
“You were married before, weren’t you?”
“I was. She was nothing like you, and that’s a good thing.”
“Do you miss her?” Cherry asked.
“Sometimes.”
Since Cherry had entered his life, he’d not missed her once. They finished off the dishes in silence. Elijah left her to go to his study. He opened the drawer where he’d stored his wife’s picture. Bethan smiled up at him. It was time to move on from her. It had been fifteen years since she died.
Putting her picture away, Elijah leaned back in his chair. Staring down at the file on his desk, Elijah opened it up to see the name of the next foster home Cherry had been part of. She spent a great deal of time with this family, a full year when she was fifteen, but for some reason it didn’t work out.
He looked up to find Cherry standing in the doorway.
“You’re looking at my file again,” she said.
“Why did you stay with this family a year?” He pointed down at the piece of paper. She entered the room, closing the door. “Don’t lie to me, Cherry.”
“What is your cover for your real business?” she asked, taking a seat.
“What?” He tilted his head to the side.
“I want to know more about you. If the only way to get information about you is to answer your questions, then I want mine answered.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “I’m interested in knowing the truth.”
He leaned back in his chair, wondering what her game was. In the month that he’d known Cherry, she didn’t play games. She was blunt with him in all things. The one condition she’d set he’d stuck to until the attraction had been too much for both of them.
“Do you really think you’re in a position to question me?” he asked.
“Then you won’t get your answers.”
She folded her arms over her chest to face him.
“You’ve been quite the little survivor, haven’t you?” he asked.
“I’ve been what I needed to be to live to this moment, yes.”
“You don’t have to survive with me.”
“Then what do I have to do?”
“Live. That’s all you need to do with me. You don’t have to fight for your place. I’ll take care of you in everything.” He turned the file around for her to see. “I’m an investor. I invest a lot of my money into companies that need it. I also work the stock markets. I’ve got one hell of an accountant. I also invest with Caleb and Henry. You’ve met them.”
“Neither of them are just club owners?” she asked.
“No, they’re not. They own guns, drugs, and women. They’re in the lifestyle with me. On paper, we’re all businessmen. Now tell me, why did you stay with the Blooms for a year?”
“They were good people, but they had a lot on their plate.”
“I see they had a son. Why did you leave such a good home?” Elijah asked.
“Their eldest son was diagnosed with leukemia. They needed all the money they could get, and I was just an extra expense. I left them so they could save him.”
“Why? You were living a good life.”
“Wouldn’t you make sacrifices for people you loved?” Cherry asked.
He thought about Mindy. Elijah would die for her, but looking at the woman before him, he’d die for her, too.
“Will you ever get married again?”
Elijah took the file back and turned the page. “You know you’ve got limited questions, right?”