I hug her to me briefly before placing my hand in the small of her back and leading her to the doorway of Leo’s. We are ushered to my favorite table in the back, giving us the privacy I know Lia needs for her first outing. I help her into the corner booth before sliding in next to her. I immediately drop my arm over her shoulders, pulling her into my side. I’m so proud of her for doing this tonight, even though I know she didn’t really want to. I order us a bottle of wine and our waiter brings some fresh bread and olive oil. After a week of very little appetite on either of our parts, I find myself suddenly starving. Lia grins at me indulgently as I polish off the small loaf and ask for another. I point to it, saying, “You better get in here before it’s gone.”
After our first glass of wine, I feel her relax. We are in our own world, with only the waiter appearing briefly to refill our glasses and bring our next course. I’m trying to talk Lia into splitting dessert with me when someone clears their throat, bringing both of our heads up. I stiffen in anger when I see Lee Jacks standing before us; there is no way that him being here is a coincidence. I was sure he’d had someone watching Lia, but now I’m certain. It fucking pisses me off after telling him he needed to give her time to recover before trying to spring her long-lost father on her. I know I’ll lose my shit if he tries to make any revelations to her tonight. I wasn’t lying to him when I said she wasn’t ready. After what happened earlier in the shower, I’m more certain than ever that she needs more time.
Lia looks at me apprehensively when I continue to sit woodenly, not acknowledging the other man. Finally, he steps forward with his hand extended and an amused expression on his face. Fucker. “Quinn, it’s good to see you again.”
Yeah, I just bet it is. I have little choice but to return his handshake, saying simply, “Jacks.” He makes a point to turn to Lia next, and my good manners won’t allow me to exclude her from the greeting. “Lia, this is Lee Jacks.” I turn back to the other man, narrowing my eyes before I add, “Lee, this is my girlfriend, Lia Adams.”
Two things happen when I finish the introduction. First, Lee takes Lia’s hand gently, surprising me with the level of emotion that seems to flit across his usually impassive face. Second, I think of how absurd it sounds for someone my age to be addressing the woman who lives with him as his ‘girlfriend.’ It seems so high school to me, but I’m not sure what a more appropriate word would be. I guess, truthfully, I wasn’t much older than a teenager the last time I had a woman in my life who qualified for a status other than one-night stand, or in Laurie’s case, more like a high-class hooker. Lia had been a bit angry over my description of Laurie’s former place in my life, but as I assured her, there was no comparison between the two. Lia might have had a tough time financially trying to put herself through school, but Laurie’s need to spend more money than she had on frivolous items to keep up with her high-society friends made her as different from Lia as night and day in my mind. That left Lia being the only woman to occupy a close place in my life since Cassie. So, yeah, I was treading water every day balancing my need to protect what is left of my heart with my overwhelming desire for the woman sitting next to me. I’d been fucking lost the first moment I met her, and the days that pass only make my desire to keep her in my life impossible to resist.
Lee makes no mention of the bandages on Lia’s nose as he says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lia. I believe we saw each other briefly at Lucian’s apartment a few days ago.” I wonder if she even remembers since she was still taking pain pills then, but she seems to recognize him.
“That’s right,” she answers shyly. “I remember seeing you in Luc’s office. I’m sorry I didn’t speak, but I wasn’t feeling well then.” I doubt that Lia notices, but I see Lee’s mouth tighten briefly before he relaxes. It’s obvious that Lia’s injuries bother him a great deal. I recall Max saying something about not knowing if Lee would be more interested in a daughter because she was family or a possible social problem for him if the knowledge fell into the wrong hands. Seeing his reaction to her tonight, I almost think it’s the first. Whatever the reason, he seems to feel something for her; trapping me into this informal meeting so he can be near her attests to that fact.
They both look at me when he continues to stand there, and I reluctantly indicate the other side of the table to him. “Would you like to join us for a moment?” I hope like hell that he’ll turn the invitation down, but he wastes no time seating himself opposite from us. I dart a quick glance at Lia and find her self-consciously rubbing the bandages over her nose as if trying to hide them from our unwanted guest. I shoot a glare at Lee, hoping he’ll get the message, but the bastard completely ignores me and turns his attention back to Lia…his daughter.
“So, Miss Adams, Lucian mentioned that you are in college. What is your major?” I feel the childish urge to kick Lee under the table. No doubt, he already knows the answer to the question he is asking.