An Understated Dominance novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: Sit

We signed the new papers in Bev's office that afternoon, with the door open and two witnesses.

I wrote the terms myself on a legal pad.

Colter kept the twenty-two percent, in his own name, with a seat on the board and one vote.

He would disclose every move before he made it.

He would never again make a call, wire a dollar, or speak to a buyer on my behalf without my knowing.

He read the page, signed the bottom, and slid the pad back across the desk.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Yes. Dinner."

Bev, standing by the window with her arms crossed, raised both eyebrows at the ceiling.

"Not a date," I said. "Strategy. Harcourt hasn't pulled out, and your father hasn't gone away."

"You're going to need to tell me everything you know about him, and I can't think in this building."

"My house?"

"My house," I said. "Seven o'clock. And you're cooking, since I can't."

He did cook.

He made a rack of lamb with rosemary and a salad with shaved fennel.

I sat at the kitchen table with a glass of red wine and watched him move around the stove.

I had watched him do this for six years, and I had never once seen it.

He cooked without noise, and it was wonderful.

Every move was efficient, unhurried, a little tender.

"Why didn't you ever tell me you could do this?" I said.

"You never asked what I ate when you worked late."

"I assumed you had cereal."

"I had cereal twice a week."

"The other nights I made three courses and ate them by myself."

I put down my glass.

"Colter."

"I'm not saying it to hurt you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You're allowed to be sorry," he said, setting the plates down. "You're allowed to be angry, too. Both can stay on the table."

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