Time to distract herself. “You’re not tired?”
Dillon shook his head. “No. I’m usually up pretty late on Sunday nights. Occupational hazard. I’m at the club until around four most nights.”
“Four a.m.?” Annie got up at six most mornings. Emma couldn’t imagine staying up that late.
He turned his head to look at her again. “If you’re not tired, I rented a couple movies. We could watch one if you’d like.”
The anticipation in his tone, ripe with an awkward tension, hinted at his true meaning. He wanted to spend time with her. She wished she could see his eyes.
She twisted her hands together and forced her mind to focus. “I’d like that, but there’s one more thing I want to discuss with you first.”
Dillon studied her for a moment then jerked his head in the direction of the doorway. “Come on.”
That awkward awareness moved with them down the hallway, once again making Emma too aware of him. The masculine feel of him when they made their way into the living room made her tremble with a quiet need to feel his arms close around her again. Filled her mind with the heated fantasy of his mouth closing over hers, an image she’d conjured too often since coming back to town.
Once they reached the couch, Dillon turned to her, brows raised. “So?”
Swallowing hard, she tipped her head back to look up at him and motioned to the sofa. “Sit. Please.”
The way he towered over her made her nervous and Emma was edgy enough already. Maybe if they sat eye to eye, she might be able to get this out without her tongue tying itself into a knot.
He pulled his hands from his pockets and sank to the tan leather sofa, then turned expectantly to her. “I’m all yours.”
Emma ignored the tingle his comment sent shivering down her spine and took the seat beside him, tucking one leg beneath her, drawing the other up against her belly. She drew in a deep breath, sucking up her courage. She didn’t want much, right? Dillon shouldn’t have a problem with it…
Yet, her stomach tightened in apprehension. Two days ago she was sure he didn’t want marriage or kids. She hoped but hadn’t really expected him to take responsibility for Annie. Who knew how he’d react to this one.
“I’d like you to consider something.” She turned to look at him.
He nodded. “Okay.”
“I’d like you to consider joint custody.” Emma sighed and lowered her gaze to the sofa between them. The pain slipped up to wrap around her heart even before the words formed on her tongue, tears burning behind her eyelids. “With Janey gone, she’s the only family I have left.”
She hated admitting her vulnerability, hated knowing Dillon now held the power to take it all away. Not since her near rape in high school had she ever given a man this much power over her. She was never able to do it, not even when she dated. Doing so meant running the risk of getting hurt.
This was different. This was about Annie’s future. Which meant she needed to trust him. Unfortunately, she didn’t know how to do that, simply because she’d never done it before. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. Emma flat out didn’t trust men. Period. The thought of being vulnerable with one made her nauseous.
“I don’t have a problem with that.” Dillon cupped her chin in his palm and tipped her face to meet his. His voice vibrated with quiet understanding. “Family’s important.”
Relief flooded her. Emma smiled, her tense muscles relaxing a fraction. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I didn’t expect it.”
He dropped his hand to his lap. “I have to admit I don’t like how far away you live. Helena’s a good hour and a half’s drive. It’s not an easy, quick commute. It’s not like you’d drop her off at school in the morning and I’d pick her up. She’d have to be gone for a few days at a time. I’m not sure I like the idea of bouncing her back and forth between us. It’d be easier if you lived in town.”
She nodded. “I know. I’ll admit I haven’t figured out all the details yet.” She held his gaze, imploring him to understand. “I just can’t give her up.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to.” He offered a soft smile, the gentle understanding in his eyes instantly soothing ragged nerves.
He’d given her far more than expected. Once again, Dillon James showed her a side of him she was sure hadn’t existed before.
“Give me a few days to mull it over. I’ll see what I can come up with.”
She nodded, then reached out and settled her hand over his. “Thank you.”
She’d meant the gesture to be one of gratitude. He could easily call his lawyer and sue for sole custody. The lawyer she spoke with warned that, providing a DNA test proved him to be Annie’s father, he had the right to contest her guardianship. Emma didn’t want to go the legal route. She hoped they could settle this between themselves and was beyond grateful to discover that they had.