Chapter 16

The first words that flew out of her mouth were not so flattering. "You just don't give up, do you?"

Devlin got up, his grey eyes sparkling and approached her grinning. "Never".

"I'm sorry but I can't deal with this right now". She tried to push him away but it was like trying to move a rock.

"A migraine?", he asked sounding concerned.

"Yes", she admitted. And you're making it worse, she thought.

"Let me take care of you", he said and she almost cried. Damn him! Why did he have to be so nice when she didn't have the strength or will to fight back? Before she could change her mind she gave him the keys and actually leaned on him.

...

Alex was cooking when she got up later. He heard her quiet footsteps and smiled. If she was feeling better she would certainly try to get rid of him. He had no idea why but fighting with her always made him hard.

"What are you doing?", she said finally.

"What does it look like?", he shot back.

"It looks like you're cooking. But that can't be right because the powerful Alexander Devlin would never cook. You could ruin your manicure, you know", she mocked.

Alex laughed at that. "Your omelet is ready madam". He bowed and saw that the corners of her mouth curled.

Jen pinned her hair at the top of her head and sat at the table. Alex put the plate in front of her and a Diet Coke. "What about you?", she asked seeing that there wasn't enough food for him.

"Are you kidding? I don't eat what I cook!", he lied.

"Why not?"

"I'm not that desperate", he answered.

"Are you trying to scare me Mr. Devlin?"

Alex grinned. "Is it working?", he said and watched her while she took the first bite carefully. He was actually a good cook. He just wanted to tease her because she looked like she needed some fun. When he saw her for the first time after a week he was afraid that she would collapse in front of him. He wanted to discuss some things but instinctively he didn't push her.

Her expression changed as she swallowed. "Is there anything that you can't do Mr. Devlin?"

He appeared to be thoughtful for a moment while she devoured the food. "I can't think of anything. But even if there was I would never admit it", he said finally. She cocked an eyebrow but she didn't speak. "Your brother came by while you were sleeping. He told me that he will be spending the next days in Essex. He wants to be close to your father".

She put down her fork and looked up at him. "How much did he tell you?"

There was no use denying it so he didn't even try. "Everything. Listen, I've thought of something-"

"Why are you really here Mr. Devlin?", she cut him.

He leaned against the kitchen counter. "What do you mean Miss Lawson?"

"I mean that you can't be here just to help me solve my problems. Or fix me an omelet", she added as an afterthought.

"You haven't figured it out yet, have you?" He decided to tell her the truth. She would never believe it and for some perverse reason that made him feel safe. "I'm here because I'm mad about you and I want to help you".

He held her gaze while saying the words, kept his face expressionless and watched her reactions; the surprise first, the way her mesmerizing eyes opened wide and then her pursed lips. She gave him a disbelieving look and he wanted to laugh.

"This isn't funny Mr. Devlin. I wanted an honest answer but it seems that you decided to mock me. Go back to France Mr. Devlin. I assure you, I can take good care of myself".

"Really? Is that why there are dark circles under your eyes? Or why a few hours ago you were suffering again from a migraine? Or why you look so damn miserable?"

He was angry now but so was she. She rose and stood still in front of him. "Why don't you just admit that you're here because you want to take me to France with you? You just can't accept the fact that I quit. I'm some kind of lost property that you want back, right?"

He didn't answer the question. Instead he took her hand in his although she was trying to get away from him and asked her, "Why is it so difficult for you to accept my help?"

The question startled her. "Because I've been on my own for so long. And because I don't trust you".

He should thank her for being honest but he hated the fact that she still had no faith in him. He was there for her and she couldn't believe him. If there was a God, He was laughing at him.

"Well, I'm gonna help you whether you like it or not so get dressed. We're leaving". He put his hand at the small of her back and pushed her towards the bedroom.

She scowled at him. "I'm not going back with you. How many times do I have to tell you?", she shouted.

"We're not going back", he replied calmly. "We're going to see your father. Unless you don't want to".

She was so stunned that she didn't say anything for a while. Then she whispered, "But my mother..."

"Your mother is not home. John just called and said that we can go. But we have to hurry". She nodded and went to the bedroom to get ready silently.

...

Alex and John were waiting for her downstairs while she was in her father's room. She still couldn't understand why Alex had gotten into all this trouble just for her. But she would have more time to ponder the question later. For now she had to say goodbye to the man that had once called her a whore.