Page 108 of Forbidden Eyes
“Being young doesn’t mean you don’t know what you want. I’ve had to work since I was much younger than you. And Carter. Age shouldn’t dictate or influence how you feel or act,” he said.
And of course, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear because if he'd told me that I was young and would get over everything that’s happened to me in the last few weeks, I would have screamed at him.
“Carter has never had to fight for anything. Not since he’s been with me, anyway, and before that he wouldn’t remember. I consider him a son, and as such, I’ve taught him everything I know, but he’s not had to dig his way out of the dirt and grime, never had to work at getting something he wants because he’s Carter Wade. And although it’s not Cane at the end of his name, my influence goes a long way. He’s not used to having to fight other than for business, Fia. Until you. He stood up for you, took everything he knew was coming just as I’d taught him. But there’s no fucking way I’ve prepared him for being in love. Hell, I’m still figuring that shit out. It took Emily to knock my head together and I still think it’s a fucking miracle she’s mine.”
“What are you trying to say?” I asked, unsure. As soon as Quinn mentioned love, my heart took off and turned my stomach into a pool of dread.
“That the boy doesn’t know his own fucking feelings. And that you’ve got to make him work for you.”
“What if he doesn’t, you know, realise?” That question should have told me everything I needed to know about my own feelings for Carter. I was petrified that he wasn’t in love with me. He hadn’t said it and certainly hadn’t shown it, and his actions gave me a very blurry picture of his feelings.
“He’s wrapped up about you just as I was about Emily. Trust me. Just don’t make it easy on him. He should understand the importance and feel the risk of losing you.”
“You want me to play hard to get?” I wasn’t sure where I stood with Carter at the time. Jeopardising anything we could have seemed to go against everything I should have been doing.
“No. But don’t allow him just to click his fingers and have everything fall into place. He’ll do the work, but have you thought about your own terms? You’re the one holding the power. Never forget that.”
“Power?” I muttered the words, still unsure.
“Yes, power. It’s all yours. You just need to hold your nerve and take it.”
“Uncle Quinn, I have no idea what you’re saying I should do.” I looked at him, completely lost as to what he was telling me to do.
“Take some time and figure out what you want your next move to be. You know you have a home here. Emily’s told you that, and now I am as well. Don’t you ever forget that. Remember who you came to at the start of all this. There's a reason for that.
“I want to be with Carter. Or at least try.”
“Think bigger than that. Carter isn’t your life. He’ll be part of it, and he'll love you, no doubt, but don’t fall into the trap of not having anything for you.”
Those last words still echo in my ear as I stare out the window. Part one is done.
Now comes the hard part.
What can he offer me?
“Do you really need an answer to that?” Carter’s voice is quieter, less sure.
“Yes. You know what I think of my father’s world. An'I love you' won’t make that disappear. Otherwise, I’d be back at home with my mom and dad, pretending again.” I turn around to look at him, knees weakening at the sight now I'm within touching distance again, but I can’t relax. I owe it to myself to see this through.
“What do you need from me? I won’t leave the business if that's what you're suggesting. Quinn and Nate have just signed it over to me.”
“I would never ask that of you.”
“Then what are you asking me for?”
“What are your intentions for me?” I keep my nerve and look him in the eye. “Apart from screwing me whatever way you can when I let you into my bedroom.”
His lips quirk up, and the heat in his eyes roars to life at my comment, but this needs to be about more than just lust.
“Honestly, I don’t fucking know. All I know is that I love you. I’ve never felt like this for another woman. And I don’t care if I’m spouting cliché shit. It’s the truth. So, help me out here.”
“I want to continue what I started in university. It’s important to me, now more than ever.”
“That’s in New York.” Carter’s tone is flat, and the spark in his eyes from a moment ago dies instantly.
“Yes. I told you, I won’t just go along with a life that is built on misery. If you don’t understand that, if you can’t see why this is important to me, then perhaps you’re in love with the wrong girl.” His eyes drift over me,a small smirk coming as he rakes me up and down.
“Damn sure I'm in love with exactly the right woman,especially with this attitude coming at me.”