Page 38 of Hidden Desire

She had always been able to hide her emotions from her father, and now she had to hide them from everyone until she knew what she was going to do.

Besides Taylor giving her a few concerned looks, Grace hid her anguish well. Hannah helped tremendously, keeping her mind off her life, but it also reminded Grace that just being with the little girl was putting her in danger.

Most of the day had passed before she saw Robert. She and Hannah were watching a movie when he walked into the family room.

Grace was startled when Hannah squealed and ran to herfather. As she watched the two together, she couldn’t help but notice their extreme love for each other.

Robert set the girl on her feet and then looked her way. Instantly, she saw him scowl. He held out a hand. “Come with me,” he said.

Grace looked at Hannah.

“She’s fine,” Robert said.

Reluctantly, Grace stood and took his hand. He led her down the hallway and into his office and let go of her hand. When she heard the door shut, she turned around.

Robert stood in front of the door with his arms crossed. She waited for him to say something, and with every tick of the clock, her anxiety rose.

“Taylor came to me and told me you looked sad and the first glance I saw of you, I agree. I know you have that wall built between us again, and I won’t have it.”

She waited for more.

“Did I hurt you last night?”

She could feel her face burn as she shook her head.

“So, what happened to make you sad? Are you upset that we made love last night?” Robert asked.

That question took her by surprise. “No.”

“Then what is it?”

Grace looked down, and her nails dug into her palms so hard she felt the skin break and blood start to ooze. “I want to go home.”

They were both surprised by her outburst, and Grace sighed. She hadn’t meant to blurt that out.

“But this is your home now.”

Grace looked away.

“Grace, look at me,” he growled. “What is going on?”

“Nothing, really. At least nothing you have to worry about.”

His eyebrows rose. “Really?”

God, she was saying this all wrong, but she hadn’t time to come up with a plan before he found her. “I w-want to go back with my father.”

From the look on his face, you would think she’d smacked him.

“Why in the fuck would you do that?” he yelled. “Remember how he treated you?”

Hell, that wasn’t something she’d ever forget, but she’d rather deal with that than know she was putting Hannah in danger and making his life miserable because he had to marry her.

Grace stood mute.

Robert walked over to her and grasped her shoulders. “You’re going to tell me what the hell is going on.”

Grace shook her head. “It’s best this way. I think I’ve disrupted your life more than you’re telling me, and the fact you were gone so much made me think you thought you made a mistake.”

---