Paige

PAIGE

I'm pulling on my panties when Eli slips through the door. Henry has a hold of my elbow to keep us from toppling, but when I stand, I can tell he's trying to shield me from whoever's on the opposite side of the door.

It doesn't work, at least, not from the things being said.

Floozy? After his money? Same mistake?

My breath is rolling in my lungs and I can't seem to catch it. Cum runs down the inside of my thighs, and I'm steamrolled by how dirty I suddenly feel.

Yanking my blouse over my head and covering myself back up, I toss my bra in my briefcase and I don't worry about it.

Jake produces my pants, and I step back into them with a little wobbling. I don't hear Eli's voice through the door. No defense for himself. Or me. Just whoever's caught us, dressing him down, and making me feel like a money-grubbing, manipulative whore.

What am I even doing here? Didn't I know how bad of an idea this is? The chances of getting caught?

And instead of spending the evening shopping for Christmas presents for my son, I'm letting my bosses take my body in some pretty unspeakable but spectacular ways. I shove down the shiver of pleasure still coursing through me from the many, many orgasms they've given me.

Buttoning my slacks, I reach for my bag, ready to bolt, as my phone rings. Fumbling with my phone as I see Dad's name flash across the screen, I swipe it open and answer his call, meeting Henry's gaze.

"Hey, Dad. Is something wrong?" As if the panic inside of me could grow any wilder.

"Hey, honey. Yes and no."

I'm wrong. The panic spikes, making me shake.

Before I can ask again, he continues, "Paxton had a nightmare. Usually I can calm him down, but he won't stop crying and calling for you."

My heart seizes, and I press my palm into my chest, willing it not to give out on me. Turning away from Henry and Jake's questioning looks, I say, "Put him on the phone."

There's a rustling and I hear my son's soft sobs. Tears rim my eyes.

"Hey, Bub. It's Mommy."

" Mommy …" He hiccups and whimpers. "I want you home. Mommy, I want you home."

God, my heart breaks. My selfish behavior slaps me with a cold, hard reality. That I'm being foolish. Letting my priorities slip. I know better. "I'm coming, sweetie. I'm on my way."

Paxton whimpers a few more times as I promise to be there soon. When I hang up and turn, Henry's at my back, his hands encasing my shoulders. He searches my eyes for what's wrong.

I shake my head, wiping at the moisture gathered in my lashes. "I need to go."

Stepping out of his grip, I gather my things and make it a few steps before Jake intercepts. "You don't have to run off."

A smile tries and fails to find purchase on my mouth. "I really do."

And as much as I hate the hurt and worry they're both sending my way, I slip away and brace myself to open the door, gathering all of the confidence and boss-bitch attitude I can. Swinging it wide enough to step through without colliding with Eli's back and catching the smallest glimpse of the red-faced man before him, I'm beyond the threshold before either seems to notice.

"…the worst kind of businessman…" The older man's words trail off as he takes me in.

I meet his gaze for a defiant heartbeat before I send a look up to Eli. Even though I should know better, I brush my palm down his arm. Then, I'm marching off toward the elevators.

"?" Eli calls from behind me, and I can feel him following.

But I have to go. It's going to take me too long to get to my son as it is.

"Don't chase after the pussy, son. You look desperate." The man's tone drips with derision.

God, that's his father?

I punch the down button for the elevator and turn enough to see Eli hovering in the entrance of his office extension. His warm brown eyes are turned down at the corners, chasing after his frown and filling the vast space between us with longing and pain.

We stare at each other until the elevator dings and draws my attention away. When I step in, I watch him clench his fists as the doors close me in alone.

Sucking in a huge shaky breath, it hurts. But as I drop to the ground floor, I pull on my coat, tucking myself in tight, and prepare to face the wintery night, slushy wet sidewalks, and a long wait for the train.

With both feet on the sidewalk, I'm stopped by the sight of Liam, their driver. He smiles politely at me, and without hesitation, he opens the back door for me to slip into their car.

"How—?"

He smiles again, something soft and accommodating. "Where to, miss?"

I chew on my response for a few seconds before I give him my father's address. He hands me into the back of the car and I settle against the warm leather seat, clutching my briefcase to my center.

How did I let myself get this carried away? This is the second time in a week that I've put these men, my father's best friends, my bosses, before my son and his needs.

Fuck, I'm a terrible mother.

I deserve all the harsh names Eli's father slung at us. At me.

No matter that I didn't want their money. Would never think of asking for anything more than I earn.

But I am their employee. The dynamic isn't a fair one.

Tears resurface, burning the backs of my eyes. I need to end this. Whatever is building between the four of us. It simply needs to stop for everyone's sake.

The numbing pain in my chest widens.

I'm fooling myself.

It's so much easier to convince myself that whatever is going on is a passing fancy, not important, is going nowhere when I'm alone, but somehow, when I'm with one or all of them, my rational brain flits away and leaves me wanting.

And they handle me with such care. Give me things I didn't think I wanted. Show me how much I've been missing all of these years without someone to take care of my body's needs.

But is that really all they're doing? Playing with my body? Giving me pleasure? Fucking me?

Is that really it?

The way they looked at me when I fled. Again. It was worse than last time.

Because they all know why they couldn't stop me.

If I had only one or two reasons why this isn't smart, maybe this wouldn't fill me with such a mix of raw emotions.

I beat myself up, going back and forth with no logical sense that usually settles me, until we pull into Dad's driveway.

Snow has settled in the sharp corners of the roof where they outline the dormer windows, all dark. Warm light glows from the big picture window where I used to spend my afternoons reading after school. And a gold-glinted wreath hangs on the door around the brass knocker—a leftover from the kind of Christmas my mother always decorated for.

A new pang resonates in my hollow center. For all the things I've missed out on without her.

I can't let my son go without those things.

I Thanked Liam as he helps me out of the car, I beeline for the front door, which opens as I reach the wrap-around porch.

The moment I'm across the threshold, a little brown-haired boy comes barreling at me. I barely have the time to sink down and catch him, but once I have him in my arms, my world clarifies.

This is the most important thing in the world. This little boy.

My little boy.

His small body clings to mine, shaking with fear and relief as I plop on the floor with him, rocking gently as I hold him tight.

"It's okay. Mommy's here. Mommy's home. I'm not going anywhere," I say against his temple, laying kisses in his hair.

I should have been here for him. Even if my plans were innocent, my night did not end that way.

Peering up at Dad, I'm met with his warm smile. His large hand comes down across my hair, and he bends to give us both a kiss.

I cuddle Paxton closer, unwilling to let him go for a long, long time.