Chapter Four

Bianca

I was shocked, but relieved, when Jason sent me home yesterday. I needed the time to gather my thoughts, to think about what to do about Oliver's adoption case. He's been mine for four years, I can't lose him, he is my son.

I've already given up so much to keep Oliver, my college experience, my personal life, I mean, I'm still a virgin for God's sake. It was all worth it for him, but now that his birth father has come back into the picture, I'm questioning how this could even be happening to me. I need to make a plan.

Just as I resign myself to spending the morning spiraling in my bed, I hear a soft "Mommy?" I look to see Oliver standing by my doorway in his cute little dinosaur pajamas, whose buttons are adorably misaligned because he insisted on doing them himself. Like every morning, his short brown hair is disheveled, sticking up in every direction, his beautiful blue-gray eyes half-glazed with sleep. My heart instantly fills up with warmth and a familiar sense of fulfillment that his presence never fails to invoke. I can never get tired of the picture he makes when he comes into my room like this every morning.

"Hey, Puppy," I say, holding out my arms with a big smile. "Want to join mommy in bed?"

His little face lights up as he bobs his head with a toothy smile. He runs over and climbs into my bed, snuggling close to me. I wrap my arms around him, holding him tight. I remain that way for a while, soaking in his warmth. He's all the comfort I need. Even now, I feel so much better. Oliver starts to wiggle after a while and I let him go, laughing at his antics.

"Did you sleep well, baby?" I ask, gently cupping his cheek in my palm.

"Yah," he mutters, his voice still groggy with sleep. "No monsters in my sleep because Dino protect me."

Dino is his stuffed Dinosaur. Oliver can't sleep without it and always tells stories of how it protected him from sleep monsters.

"I see," I mutter, ruffling his hair with a fond smile. "All thanks to Dino the Hero."

Oliver gives me a toothy smile and furrows deeper into my arms. "Want to get ready for school?" I ask, glancing at the bedside clock again.

"No," he grumbles, and I chuckle in response.

"Why not?"

"There's a bug in my stomach… I think."

"A bug?" I ask, trying but failing to keep a straight face. Oliver comes up with the most ridiculous things when he doesn't want to go to school, and I know just how to get him to go.

"That sounds serious, how about we go see the doctor?

He scrunches up his face, shaking his head vigorously. "No, mommy. Can I go to the park with you and Aunt Ronnie instead?"

I chuckle and wrap my arms around him a little tighter, savoring the moment of cuddles. "We'll go to the park later today, how about that?" I suggest gently. "But first, we need to get you ready for school."

Oliver sighs dramatically, but he nods in agreement. "Okay, Mommy," he says, with an expression that indicates he's making a big sacrifice.

"You're such a good boy, Puppy," I tell him, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Now, let's get you dressed and ready for breakfast."

I get out of bed, taking Oliver's hand in mine, and together, we head to the bathroom. We go about our morning routine as usual; I get Oliver prepped for school, and while he's having breakfast, I quickly get ready for work. In another forty minutes, I've dropped Oliver at school and I've arrived at the office.

As I settle at my desk and back into my work routine, I start to feel the anxiety over Oliver's custody ebb a bit. I am hoping that if I stay busy today and just focus on my work, I will be able to keep the thoughts at bay and feel more like myself. I need to be in a better space for Oliver when I get home today, I want to be able to enjoy our time at the park without the weight of potentially losing him weighing me down.

After I finish updating our source lists, replying to Jason's endless scheduling requests, and organizing my workspace, I decide I deserve a fresh cup of coffee. I rise from my desk and immediately find myself face-to-face with Jason, who must have just arrived.

I've placed my hands on his chest in a feeble attempt to hold myself steady. I definitely could've picked a better spot to put my hands, but I can't seem to move them. The warmth radiating from his body and through my hands is sending a wave of desire through me. He looks at me, his blue eyes darkening, and swallows.

"I-I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," I stammer out, beginning to lift my hands. As I do, he grabs my wrists and holds my hands to his chest. I am… so confused.

"Quite alright, Miss Harris. I apologize for spooking you," he says, his hands still wrapped around my wrists. With a squeeze, he lets go of my wrists and continues into his office.

What the heck just happened?

Is it possible that Jason finds me attractive? He's a handsome man, despite being quite a bit older than me, he has blonde hair that gives him a younger-looking, yet severe edge. I've thought he was hot from the moment I met him, but I never would've risked pursuing anything further between us.

As my mind whirls with the aftermath of our interaction, I finally begin my walk to the break room to grab my coffee.

As my latte brews from the pod-based machine, I feel my phone vibrating in my hand. My stomach drops when I see it's Oliver's school.

"Hello?" I answer, barely hiding my nerves.

"Miss Harris, hi. It's Kelly Jenkins, the nurse at Oliver's school. I am calling to let you know that Oliver has come down with a stomach bug and needs to be picked up immediately," she informs me.

"I'll be right there," I say before hanging up and abandoning my half-brewed latte to race back to my desk. I remember Oliver trying to tell me he wasn't feeling well this morning. I'd dismissed his complaints as an excuse for not wanting to attend school. Guilt washes over me as the implication of my actions dawns on me.

With a deep breath, I steel myself to tell Jason I have to leave to pick up Oliver. I haven't even mentioned that I have a son to him before, so this could be awkward, especially in the wake of our encounter this morning.

I knock on his door and he waves me in, "I'm sorry, sir but I just got a call from my son's preschool about him being sick. He has a fever, and I need to pick him up. I will take my computer with me, so I can work from home for the remainder of the afternoon."

He gives me a long, unreadable look, one that makes me feel warm and gooey under my clothes. I can feel my face warming up under the intensity of his gaze, my heartbeat picking up at an uneven tempo. I wonder what must be going on in his head but only briefly. I've learned he is near-impossible to read.

"Why can't your spouse pick him up?" he asks in a flat tone that contradicts the intensity in his eyes as they quietly search my face.

"There's no spouse…" I reply, shifting awkwardly on my feet. "I'm a single parent."

I never feel uneasy talking about my single-parent status, but the way Jason stares at me makes me feel exposed in a way I'm not used to. It's as if he's assessing me, but for what, I can't quite tell. The moment stretches on for a heartbeat too long, and I have to fight the urge to fidget under his scrutiny.

"Very well then," he says with a dismissive nod. "Go and take care of your son. I'll be in touch within the next hour or so, please make sure you're available."

"Yes, sir," I respond and start to leave, but for some reason, I pause and turn around to look back at him.

"Thank you," I mutter awkwardly, slipping out before he has the chance to say anything else.

Outside, I stop by my desk to pick up my bag and laptop and rush out to the elevator. On my way to the garage, I make a mental list in my head of what I have at home and what I may need to grab at the store after picking Oliver up. Sure, my day took an unexpected turn, but once my baby is in my arms, it'll get better for both of us. Maybe this is what I need, especially after the stress of yesterday coupled with my strange interaction with Jason today. Some cuddle time, sick or not, always does Oliver and I both good.

The thought reminds me of the last time Oliver was sick. I had taken a day off work to stay home with him, and he spent the day curled up on the couch with me, his little head on my lap. We watched his favorite shows, and read his favorite books, and I let him have a little extra screen time on his tablet. Even though it was hard seeing him under the weather, it was also a time for us to bond.

He had suddenly looked up at me at one point, with those big, blue-gray eyes, and said, "You're the best mommy in the world."

Those simple words touched me deeply and reminded me why I chose this path–because it's fulfilling. Even on challenging days, knowing he needs me makes it all worth it. His smile and laughter are like medicine to my soul, and I'm grateful to have the chance to be his mom. If I were to go back in time, I'd choose to be Oliver's mom over and over again.

When I get into my car and try to start it, I quickly realize that things aren't going to get better just yet. My car won't start.

"Shit. Fuck. Shit," I mutter under my breath, my frustration mounting as I turn the key again and again to no avail.

"Not today. Not today," I mutter with a tight hiss.

I need to get to my son, to make sure he is home safe and snuggly with me until he feels better. As much as I want to hit the steering and vent my anger, I take a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm. There's no point in getting upset—it won't change the situation. I have to think fast.

With a soft sigh, I get out of my car and grab Oliver's booster seat from the back. Hoisting it over my shoulder, I head back towards the entrance of the parking garage, walking as fast as I can.

Chapter Five

Jason

She has a son?

I still can't wrap my head around the fact Bianca has a son. I never would've imagined it in a thousand years… I've never met a woman that's so shrouded in mystery. It feels like every time I think I may have figured her out, I discover a new layer that I never saw coming. I don't know how to feel about this new development. Hell, I have so many questions spinning around in my head.

And after touching her this morning—and frankly, grabbing her for longer than I should have—I can't help but want to know every little thing about her.

Who exactly is Bianca Harris?

What kind of life does she lead outside of work?

Does her son have the same gorgeous gray eyes as her?

I find myself increasingly intrigued by her strength and resilience. The thought of her being a single parent tugs at something deep inside me. What kind of struggles might she be facing that I haven't even considered? Does she have the support she needs? The more I think about it, the more I realize I should have treated her with more kindness and put my lust aside to make sure she was taken care of.

I should put a lid on this maddening attraction now that a child is in the equation, but I can't seem to stop myself. There's something about Bianca that's different from anyone else I've ever met. She's strong, but there's also a vulnerability, an innocence about her that draws me in. Maybe it's because she doesn't let anyone see it or because she keeps so much of herself hidden away.

It's so damn confusing. I've never felt this way about anyone in all my thirty-nine years. Sure, I've had a few women in my life in the past, but none ever came close to making me feel this way. My attraction to Bianca isn't just physical; there's an emotional pull that goes beyond anything I've experienced before. It feels like a craving I can't satisfy, a puzzle I can't solve.

It's not just that she's beautiful, although she is. It's something deeper, something that makes me want to protect her, to be there for her in ways I've never imagined. This is so out of character for me. I recognize the need to keep my distance, to regain control over my emotions, but I can't help myself; I want her. Badly.

My phone beeps, the sound jerking me back to reality. I let out a ragged breath as I reach for the phone. It's a reminder for a lunch meeting with the company's executives. I grab my jacket and head out of my office, pushing aside the mushy emotions clouding my mind. I need a clear head if I'm going to survive a meeting with the funny men in suits that I work with. I cannot let myself be the sheep in a pack of wolves who wouldn't hesitate to tear me apart, just because I've fallen in love with a woman.

The thought brings me to a sudden halt. Did I just admit to myself that I'm in love with Bianca?

Muttering a soft curse under my breath, I resume walking towards the elevator. As I drive out of the garage, I'm surprised to see Bianca, hauling a heavy-looking car seat over her shoulders as she hurries along the sidewalk.

I pull my car to a stop beside her, leaning forward and pressing my horn to get her attention. "Bianca?"

She stops walking and looks in my direction, her expression caught between surprise and confusion. The car seat seems to be weighing her down so that her posture looks a little slumped. I notice she looks more frazzled and tired than usual, causing an unexpected tightness in my chest.

"What happened?" I ask, glancing from her face to the car seat on her shoulder with a questioning frown.

She blushes slightly, avoiding my gaze. "My car won't start," she replies with an embarrassed shrug. "I'm hoping to catch a taxi even though it's nearly impossible at this time of day. I just need to get to Oliver."

"Hop in," I blurt out without thinking. "I'll give you a ride." I know, in that moment, that this is what I was meant to do today, lunch meeting be damned.

"No, I can manage," she says, shaking her head. "I wouldn't want to impose."

Without saying another word, I get out of the car, walk around to her side, and take the car seat from her.

"What are you doing?"

Ignoring her question, I open the back door of my car and begin installing the car seat. The installation is more difficult than one would imagine, but I finally manage to piece the whole thing together. Not without some struggle though. Bianca watched the whole process over my shoulder, silently snickering at my struggle.

"Easy enough" I mutter in a satisfactory tone, taking a step back to inspect my work. "We're good to go."

The corner of her mouth turns up slightly in an amused smirk as she goes to adjust the seat, moving it this and that way. "Pretty solid," she says almost begrudgingly. "You did a good job."

I can't help but smirk, enjoying the glint of amusement in her eyes. "See, I'm more than just a powerful CEO with a pretty face," I say with a wink. "Now, what's the address?"

Bianca rattles off the address to her son's preschool and I plug it into the GPS, trying not to focus on the flowery scent of her perfume or the effect that her proximity has on me. A tense silence settles between us, thick and tangible as we get on the road.

I risk a glance in her direction and our gazes clash, causing my heart to lurch unexpectedly. Her. eyes grow wide in shock, her lips parting up in a soundless gasp. I let my eyes linger on those supple lips, imagining what it would feel like to kiss her, to taste her. The thought sends a jolt through me, and I quickly look back at the road, trying to steady myself. This isn't the time or place to indulge in fantasies.

"I appreciate the ride," Bianca finally breaks the silence, her voice calm and even. "Thank you."

"It's nothing," I reply, trying to keep my tone casual even though my pulse is racing. "Just glad I can help."

"Well, at least this gives us a chance to get over the awkwardness of whatever happened by my desk this morning," she says with a cheeky grin and a glance to me hands.

I burst into laughter, surprised to witness such a quirky side to her. She joins in the laughter, and I am instantly mesmerized by the transformation of her face. I find myself getting lost in the upward curve of her lips and the sparkling beauty of her eyes. The tinkling sound of her laughter surrounds me like a warm blanket creating a feeling of fuzziness in my chest. I'd never seen her like this, so young… so carefree, and at that moment, I realized I'd do anything to keep her laughing.

"You're gorgeous when you laugh like that," I blurt without thinking.

She freezes, her laughter dying down as weariness seeps into her eyes. She clears her throat awkwardly, breaking out eye contact. Just then, we pull into the preschool.

"Thank you for the ride," she says, reaching for the door handle, but I place a hand on her arm to stop her. She turns back to me. I let my eyes fall to her mouth, lingering deliberately before returning my gaze to her face, taking in her rosy cheeks and slightly parted lips.

Without thinking, I start to lean forward, almost as if pulled by an invisible force beyond my control. Her eyes light up with awareness. She knows my intention, but she isn't running away. My heart lurches when I glimpse the lick of fire in the beautiful gray depths of her eyes, a reluctant yet potent desire that caught me by surprise. Oh, fuck.

Suddenly, there's a knock on the window and just like that, the moment is gone, like it never happened. Bianca pushes open the door and goes to speak with the sunny-haired woman who knocked on the window. The woman is Bianca's son's class teacher and as I watch them walk away together, I find myself reeling from emotions that I never thought I was capable of.

Bianca comes back outside carrying a cute little boy in her arms. His little backpack is slung over her shoulder, and he looks just like a miniature version of her. He's curled up against her, his cheeks rosy from the fever, and I can't help but be struck by how similar they look with their striking gray eyes and glossy dark hair. My chest tightens with a warm feeling as I watch Bianca get closer. She looks so comely with a child in her arms, irresistibly stunning and I find myself falling for her all over again.

"Jason, this is Oliver," Bianca introduces as she buckles him up in his car seat.

"Hi, Oliver," I say, trying to keep my voice gentle, but Oliver looks away shyly, burrowing his head in Bianca's chest. She ruffles his hair and looks at me with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that; he's shy when meeting people for the first time."

"You don't have to apologize," I say, giving her what I hope is a reassuring smile.

Bianca nods and leans forward to place a soft kiss on Oliver's head before coming to join me at the front. I start driving, and the car fills up with an awkward silence. The moment we shared moments ago seems now like a distant memory or a figment of my fevered imagination.

"Do we need to stop anywhere?" I ask, breaking the painful silence. "Anything you need on the way home?"

"Yeah," she responds hesitantly, her cheeks coloring up in that adorable way it does whenever she's embarrassed. "If you don't mind, I'd like us to stop at the drugstore. I need to get some cough medicine for Oliver."

I nod, keeping my gaze on the road ahead. "Alright, we'll make a quick stop then."

At the drugstore, Bianca tries to get out, but I stop her with a hand to her shoulder. "You should stay here with Oliver; he feels more comfortable with you. I'll run in and get what you need. Just tell me the brand."

Bianca's expression softens, her lips curling upward in an appreciative smile: "Thanks, Jason. It's the Kiddies brand."

I hurry inside, making my way to the medicine aisle. As I scan the shelf, I find the brand she asked for, but it comes in so many flavors that I just can't decide which to choose. Just to be safe, I grab all the available options, and also some extra tissues and a small toy car for Oliver, thinking it might cheer him up. When I return to the car and hand Bianca the bag of medicine, she blinks at me in surprise.

"I got all the flavors, just in case he doesn't like one," I explain with an awkward shrug.

"Thank you, Jason," she says with a warm smile that had my heart doing cartwheels. "That's really thoughtful of you." As she takes the bag from me, our fingers brush, sending electric shivers up my spine.

"Sure, no problem," I mutter, trying to play it cool. She remains in the backseat with Oliver, telling me her address as she strokes his head in an effort to relax him. As we drive back to Bianca's place, the tension starts to ease. Bianca seems more at ease too, and as I watch her take care of Oliver in the backseat, I feel a new kind of respect for her. She's got her hands full, but she handles it all with grace.

"How's he feeling now?" I ask, glancing in the rearview mirror to check on Oliver.

"He's hanging in there," Bianca says, looking down at him with a fond smile, then she looks back up at me, her smile turning intimate. "Thank you," she mouths, holding my gaze through the rearview mirror.

I look away as my cheeks warm up, keeping my gaze straight ahead and hoping she doesn't hear the unrhythmic thudding of my heartbeat.