“I don’t know what I want.” She turned and splayed her hands on his chest. “You confuse me, and what I feel for you scares the hell out of me. I’m not good at the relationship thing, but I’m working on it.”

He kissed her forehead. “I suppose I’ll have to give up my wild and crazy dating life and the club scene.”

Hannah snorted and got into the car. “In Scarlet Falls? The only clubs in town have greens fees.”

He closed the door. Long-distance was better than nothing. But he didn’t want her to go to London or anywhere else. He wanted her with him.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Hannah took a cab from Penn Station to the Manhattan office of Black Associates. She swiped her ID at the security desk and took the elevator up to the twenty-fifth floor. Pushing through the double glass doors, she made a beeline for Royce’s office.

Getting off the elevator, she passed two construction workers. The whine of a power tool floated down the hall.

“Miss Barrett. I’m so glad to see you looking well. Mr. Black said you were injured.” The secretary pressed a button on her phone. “Let me buzz Mr. Black for you. Go right in.”

Royce stood as Hannah went into his office.

“You weren’t supposed to come back until the neurologist cleared you.” Was that irritation in Royce’s eyes?

“I got a second opinion.”

He shook his head. “Not good enough.”

What was wrong with him? “I don’t get it, Royce. Why don’t you want me back at work? Obviously, I’m fully recovered.”

“No reason. Of course I’m happy to have you back. I simply wanted you to have the very best care.” He stood, his posture stiff. Something felt wrong. Royce was giving off a very strange emotion. He was definitely not happy she was back. Why not?

You should be worried about what’s going on in your own house.

Herb hadn’t meant house as in Scarlet Falls. He’d meant the law firm.

She raised her gaze. Their eyes locked.

Royce’s went arctic. “Hannah. What am I going to do with you?”

“You?” Disbelief paralyzed her for a few seconds. “You hired those young girls. You like . . .”

Royce made a face. “Of course not. But some men have a taste for youth.”

“The client always gets what the client wants.” Hannah turned away. She slid her hand into her pocket and, glancing down, opened the voice memo app on her cell phone.

“Exactly. See, you really do understand.” Royce said. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll make a deal with you. Full partnership. It’s what you’ve been working day and night toward for five years.”

Hannah turned back to face him. “If I keep quiet about you hiring underage hookers for a client, you’ll make me a full partner?”

“Yes.”