Only his surrogate

Fifthteen

He was back home later than expected, but why should I care right?
Jane made us dinner for this evening, as my request because I needed to speak with him.
"Hey, I got Jane to make dinner. I figured we could talk?" I smile as he walks into the kitchen, white shirt half unbuttoned, black trousers. Damn.
"talk? Sounds ominous"
"About me. Work."
"You don't need to work. Especially not now."
"Figured. But I will be working, my graduation is next week. I have a job offer for the week after. Nursing. At the hospital. it's not what you want to hear probably but it doesn't effect our .. deal"
He frowns. "April. Deal or no deal, you shouldn't be working. You need to recover."
he eats his food. Drinks his wine,
"Leyton. I cannot stay here 24/7 i will lose my mind, I didn't stay up countless hours, studying, I didn't work endless hours to not get a job at the end, I appreciate everything you are and have given me so far, but I need this for me" I sighed.
"How can I protect you when you're not under my watch, April" he asks dark eyes.
"Why do you protect me anyway when we're not even together?! I'm just in this for you to use my womb that's it. Speaking of which ... I think we should try again, in a week."
He looks up at me from his wine glass. "Just because we're not together doesn't mean I don't care for you, April. You think you're ready?"
I shake my head. "No. I don't think anyone is ready. But it is the contract."
"I'll make an appointment."
I feel like we're no further forward than we were. But we finished our dinner, talking. A distraction.

We both cleaned the plates and dishes together. His sleeves pulled up to his elbows. His arms tense as he dries. He looks so .... Devine.
I could feel myself getting hotter.

"It's rude to stare." He finally says. I blush. "I wasn't staring, just ... looking, there is a difference" I cough slightly, finishing up washing the remaining dishes. "Anything take your fancy, miss Rhodes?" I shake my head "nope. Not really! you know I've been thinking, about dating?" I knew this would trigger something. And it did, his posture changed, stiffened. "I don't think so." "Excuse me? I mean I didn't seem to ask your permission, Leyton." I folded my arms across my chest.

"You didn't, but I'm telling you. No." I scoff. "No? And what gives you the right to say no?! what possible reason do you have?" He was frustrating. "Because you're under my roof. we have a contract. Once it's completed. You can date." By now he's looking at me. I can't read his face, which is really annoying. "You do not dictate my life. Leyton. that's not a good enough reason!! hell if it's that much bother I'll move out and live my life! I've been controlled before, I will not ... go through it again" I winced. I forgot I was still healing. His posture untensed he was by my side. "Are you ok? Pain?" He asks.

"I'm fine. I need to sleep." I say coldly brushing past him.
"April wait .." he took my hand lightly.
"No. Leyton, I've been here months now ... I'm sorry I haven't given what you need, but it kills me living with you ... knowing ... it doesn't matter. but I'll be gone soon"
He let me go. I walked up to my room and closed the door slightly but I knew he would be up soon so I left it slightly open.

I took my medication with my water. How can one man be incredibly frustrating? I switched off my lamp, attempting to fall asleep.

I could feel his presence at the door. but then he disappeared.

I needed to leave. It was for the best.