by Kate Benson
“Ciao, Richard,” I smile, pulling away and holding his hand in mine, giving it a gentle pat. “I’m very good but have missed you. How have you been? How is your cuore?”
“Much better, my darling. Thank you for asking. It isn’t everyday I’ve got such a pretty girl worryin’ about me.”
“Alright, that’ll do, old man,” Adam teases, pulling a low chuckle from Richard’s chest when Adam reaches for me.
“You never let me have any fun,” Richard waves him off playfully.
“I know the feeling,” I whisper, making him laugh harder as Adam directs me to a nearby chair and shakes his head at our exchange, handing me a glass of champagne.
“So, how has my nephew been doing over there?” he asks me as I begin to sip. “I hope he’s not been too rough on you.”
His words make me choke on my drink, my cheeks heating for a moment as I ignore the smirk on Adam’s lips.
“Excuse me,” I manage, righting myself. “He’s been great,” I clear my throat. “Extremely thorough.”
Adam
Despite her nerves, Isabella’s behavior is beautiful all afternoon, just as I knew it would be when I invited her. About an hour after our arrival, she excuses herself to the bathroom and I watch her go for a moment before Richard’s voice pulls my attention back to him.
“She’s quite the remarkable young woman,” he muses, making me nod.
“Yes, she is,” I agree.
“I just hope you’re being smart about this, son,” he offers, patting my shoulder. “You’ve made quite a life for yourself. You’re secure in ways I didn’t see until I was much older than you are now. I’d hate to see a roll in the hay take any of that down.”
“Well, it’s moved far beyond that,” I admit, my chest clenching at the truth in the words. “But yes, we’re keeping things rather discreet. The last thing any of us want is another media frenzy on our hands.”
“You’re right about that,” Richard sighs. “Just don’t let the board catch wind, either. I’m not here to tell you what to do in your free time, kid. I had my fair share of fun back in my heyday and you’ve obviously got a better handle on things than you get credit for around here,” he continues, gesturing toward our arrogant relatives inside. “But if you care about her or have any attachment, you don’t want them on your ass.”
“Why would the board care?” I ask, leaning forward on my knees as I sip my scotch. “Avery doesn’t have any interoffice dating restrictions.”
“She doesn’t,” he nods toward Bella, making her way back across the porch, stopping to lift another glass of champagne from a passing tray. “But you do.”
“Wait,” I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about your contract, son,” he explains, his voice low. “When you signed on to take over the company, how well did you read that paperwork?”
“I read it quickly, sent it to my lawyer,” I admit. “I didn’t scour it if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Adam…”
“You needed me to step in when Simon couldn’t, so I did what I had to do.”
“I was afraid of that,” he sighs, rubbing his palm over his jaw before glancing back at me. “You feel anything for this woman?” he asks, pulling a nod from me that has him patting my arm again. “Read your paperwork, kid. Call a lawyer, just in case the board finds out and you need to cover your ass,” he advises. “You need to do that anyway, regardless of what happens with her. I love my son, but Simon’s proving to be more of a loose cannon than he ever was before.”
“Why? What’s going on with Simon?”
“He has this idea that all these stints in rehab are little more than a fucking getaway until he’s ready to pull his head out of his ass. He feels like he’s owed something more than the small fortune I’ve spent just trying to keep him out of trouble,” he shakes his head. “Anyway, don’t be surprised if you hear from him, but you should know by now not to believe a word…”
“Yes, I know,” I nod.
Silent understanding of his warning moves through me as I toss back the last of my scotch and release a low sigh of annoyance, both at the situation and my own negligence. Simon may be my cousin, Richard’s son, but it’s no secret he’s about as untrustworthy and twisted as they come.
“Just cover your ass, kid. There’s never any harm in that.”
“Yes, agreed,” I nod, gesturing toward Isabella as she grows closer. Her blue eyes hold me captive for a moment before I pry myself free, returning my attention to Richard. “As far as she goes, what happens if they find out before I can come up with something?”
“The board?” he asks, pulling another nod from me. “Don’t let them find out, Adam,” he warns. “One bad vote is all it will take.”
“For what?”
“For you to lose all of it.”
Chapter Six
Adam
I decide not to say anything to Isabella about the conversation I had with Richard, deciding it better that I try and diffuse the situation before it even becomes one.
She’s already overwhelmed with so many other things, the last thing I want is to add more to her plate.
The best thing I can do for both of us is maintain our discretion and take Richard’s advice to get on the phone as quickly as possible.
We arrive back to the penthouse and once she’s settled, I excuse myself to my office, grateful for the ridiculously high retainer that ensures my lawyers don’t give a shit that I’m calling them on a Sunday afternoon.
“Mr. Avery,” he answers. “How are you?”
“Hi Paul,” I pinch the bridge of my nose, hating the need for pleasantries more than usual right now. “I’m good. How are Pam and the kids?”
“We’re all well, thank you. What can I do for you?”
“I think I have a situation,” I admit, taking a seat at my desk as I stare down at the contract I signed seven months back. “I need your counsel.”
“Of course. When can you get down here?”
“When can you see me?”
“That bad, huh?” he chuckles. “What’s going on?”
“Potentially,” I confess. “I’d rather discuss it with you in person.”
“I’ll get you in tomorrow then,” he promises. “I’m in court all morning, but I can see you in the afternoon.”
“Okay,” I nod, sending Margaret a quick email to cancel everything after lunch at the office and move everything back. “Thank you, Paul. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I make my way back to her bedroom, I can hear the music pouring out before I get to the doorway. It’s thumping loudly in the background, yet I don’t see her.
I move across the room, calling out to her before I step into the sitting room in the back of her closet, finding her in nothing more than her lace bra and panties, hips swaying as she slowly moves around the pole.
“I’m in here!” she replies, smiling wide when she makes her way around to face me. “I didn’t know you were there.”
“I just walked in,” I admit, raking my eyes over her before returning my gaze to hers.
She sips her wine, watching me as I move toward the small bar, pouring myself a drink before settling onto the couch, resting my arm over its back and staring back at her.
“Go on, kitten,” I gesture, making her blush. “Don’t stop on my account.”
“As you wish,” she winks, tipping her head back to finish the last of her wine before setting the glass to the side before reaching for the remote.
Avicii’s cover of ‘Feeling Good’ starts slow and she makes her way back to the center of the room, her eyes drifting shut for a moment as she hums along with the opening notes. As the horns sound out, her hips gently begin to sway in time, one hand stroking the metal rod while t
he other snaps along.
She begins to grind against it, tracing the curve of her ass along its center. As she bends in half, she gives her hips a gentle shake that has my mouth going dry before rising to toss her bra into my lap, putting a wicked smirk on my lips.
Her pace increases with the song, her legs wrapping around the gold as her hair flies behind her on her journey back down. She rises and turns to face me, her fingers running along the edge of the lace around her hips before she bends, peeling her panties away slowly.
She lifts, holding them on the tip of her finger and dropping them between us on the floor as she gives me a coy smile.
“Come,” I husk. “Bring Daddy your panties.”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispers.
Her body sways as she lowers slowly and with a subtle dip of her head, she slips the lace between her teeth. Her eyes return to mine and she begins crawling across the floor until she makes it to my feet. She rests back on her feet, waiting for my nod of approval before climbing up and settling in against my lap, her hips still grinding along with the beat. Before the song can come to an end, I’m gripping the back of her neck and pulling her lips to mine, the taste of her arousal on the panties still clenched between her teeth making me growl.
I pull them away and pant against her lips, pulling a sigh of content from her before I turn her in my arms, positioning her over the arm of the couch to give her ass a hard smack.
“Ah!” she gasps. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all, darling,” I admit, rubbing the afflicted spot. “But sometimes even good girls need a spanking.”
I bring my palm down onto her skin once more, this time watching her mouth fall open as her eyelashes flutter slightly. By the time I turn her back around to straddle me moments later, her ass is red, her chest is heaving and her hair wild as she meets my gaze.
I lift her into my arms, carrying her back into her bedroom and drop her onto the bed, watching her back up slowly until she’s positioned in the center.
“Touch yourself,” I order as I unbutton my shirt, tossing it onto her nightstand. “Show me how you’d like me to touch you.”
She keeps her eyes on me as she slowly moves her hands down her stomach, coming to a stop between her legs. She spreads herself wide, a low hum leaving her lips as she slips a finger inside and traces it back up her center. When I pull my belt free, she bites down on her lip, pulling a low groan from me.
I come to the edge of the mattress, my fingers lowering between her thighs and stroking her, finding her already drenched.
“Do I need to fuck you slow?” I ask, stroking her. “Are you still sore?”
“No, Daddy.”
“How does your pussy feel, kitten?”
“Desperate, Sir.”
Isabella
“I’ve got to leave the office for a meeting at lunch today,” Adam says as we slide out of his town car the next morning, pulling my eyes to him. “I’ll have the car waiting for you downstairs when you’re ready to go.”
“Will you be gone that long?” I ask, the disappointment clear in my voice.
“Yes, baby. Unfortunately, it’s a long drive and I won’t be back until close to seven,” he sighs, pressing his lips to my hair. “I’ll get you fed and ready for bed once I’m home.”
“Okay,” I nod, biting my lip. “Are you sure you even have to go? You can’t just demand they give you whatever you want?”
“It’s not that simple, sweetheart,” he says with a soft smile.
“Well, I don’t see why not,” I shrug as we step into the elevator. “That strategy works alright with me.”
He grins before leaning in, his fingers caressing my jaw as he holds me in place and gives me a deep, lingering kiss. When he pulls away, I gently wipe the lipstick from his skin and move my eyes to his, hating that this is our last private moment together for hours.
“I love you,” he whispers, kissing my hair.
“I love you, too,” I reply, my hand resting flat on his chest. “I hope you have a good day. Be safe on your trip.”
“I will,” he promises, kissing my forehead. “You, too, kitten. Promise me you’ll call me once you’re home safe.”
“I promise.”
The ding of the elevator pulls him from me and I curse it, swallowing hard as the doors slide open. He squares his shoulders and exits, leaving me. I wait a moment before I step out behind him, narrowly avoiding one of the girls from accounting, my relief bittersweet when she doesn’t notice me because she’s too busy staring at him.
I hate this part of it.
Adam is worth the secrecy, he’s worth the risk, but I can’t shake the resentment that comes with having to silently share him with the rest of the world.
Stop hiding your truth and just tell them, Bella.
Tell all of them he’s yours.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Adam
“So, basically, you’re fucked.”
I stare back at my lawyer, his blunt words both shocking and infuriating me all at once.
“What do you mean I’m fucked, Paul?” I demand, sitting up straighter in my chair. “I pay you too much to ever hear those words come out of your mouth.”
“Don’t get upset…”
“I’m not upset. I’m just not taking ‘you’re fucked’ as your professional legal opinion,” I insist. “There has to be a loophole, something I can do to get around this.”
“There might be something in the fine print I can finagle, but at face value, there’s nothing I can work with here. It’s airtight, Adam,” he says bluntly. “Without even considering the other three full pages of terms you’ve agreed to, you’re under legal obligation to Avery for a minimum of five years and are restricted from any personal fraternization with anyone on the company’s payroll. Any negligence on your part completely forfeits any stocks or investments listed under Avery and will result in not just a hearing with the board, but a potential lawsuit I’m convinced even your bank account wouldn’t survive,” he sighs, dropping the paperwork onto the desk between us. “I can check a few cases, see what I come up with, but it will mean you spending a shit ton of money.”
I hold his eyes and consider his words carefully, although I know I don’t need it. I already knew when I walked into his office there wasn’t much, if anything, I wouldn’t do to keep this from escalating.
“Would I get to keep them both?”
“I have no idea,” he admits. “I mean, I’m sure you’re not the first idiot to pull this shit. There has to be a precedent, but who the fuck knows?”
“Is this the kind of fucking legal counsel I’m keeping you on retainer for, Paul?” I demand with an annoyed shrug as I lean back in the chair. “‘Who the fuck knows?’”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Be worth the amount of fucking money I’m paying you.”
“Okay,” he says, putting his hands up. “Alright, fine. We’ll do it your way, but I’ll need some time.”
“How much time are we talking?”
“I’m not sure,” he shakes his head. “At least a month, maybe two.”
“A month or two?” I groan, raking my palm over my jaw. “I may not have that kind of time, Paul.”
“Well, I can’t get it to you in a week, Adam. Be reasonable!” he throws his hands up. “And what’s the problem? Are people asking questions?”
“No, but I did just spend weeks dodging reporters every morning on my way to work. Even if that wouldn’t completely expose us and financially bury me, I’m not in love with the idea of dealing with it again and I’m damn sure not putting her through it.”
“Adam, look. I understand. And you know if I can get it done faster, I will,” he offers, making me nod. “I just ha
ve a lot of string pulling and favors to call in before I can even touch the fine print in this contract,” he shakes his head, already exhausted. “This is like the fucking Fort Knox of legal documents.”
“Fine,” I nod, raking my palms over my face in frustration, before I face him. “I don’t care how many people you have to get on this, Paul. Please just fix it.”
“I’ll do everything I can,” he promises, standing with me and extending his hand. “In the meantime, just lay low and tell her to do the same, okay?”
“We will.”
“You’re about to spend a lot of money,” he starts, his grip remaining firm on my hand, stalling me from leaving for a moment. “Man-to-man, friend-to-friend, is she worth this to you? Are you sure you trust her?”
“Absolutely,” I answer immediately. “I trust her with my life.”
Chapter Seven
Adam
As I finally step inside my front door, I’m surprised when I find it mostly dark inside. Isabella had texted me on her way home, promising me she was coming straight here. From the looks of it though, no one is.
“Bella?” I call out, silence meeting me. I set my things down and head toward her bedroom, my concern spiking when I find it empty. “Isabella?” I try again, my footsteps moving faster as I moved across the house, relieved when I see her in my bed, fast asleep as she clenches my pillow.
I set my phone onto her nightstand before I climb in behind her, praying our days aren’t numbered. My hand slowly runs over her legs, gently rubbing her awake as I press my lips to her shoulder.
“Bella, wake up,” I whisper as she begins to stir. “I’m home, darling.”
“Hi, Daddy,” she whispers, her voice husky with sleep as she rolls over, moving closer to my chest.
“Hi, little one,” I kiss her forehead, my hand still moving slowly over her skin.
“I’m glad you’re home. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, pumpkin,” I admit. “Have you already eaten?”
“Yes, Sir,” she nods, stifling a yawn before nuzzling into my chest, her floral scent wrapping itself around me. “Vera made me a salad before she left for the day.”
