Page 49 of The Boss's Hideaway Baby

“Morning,” she whispers, her eyes fluttering open to reveal those warm brown depths that make me feel like I’m falling all over again.

The corners of her mouth curve into a gentle smile, and I can’t help but return it.

“Good morning.” I lean down to press a tender kiss against her forehead.

She fits so damn perfectly, both in my embrace and in my life. There’s a sense of peace and contentment that washes over me, making me wish that time could stand still, allowing us to stay in this moment forever.

But that doesn’t happen. My eyes snap open, and I’m met with the cold reality of an empty bed, crisp sheets, and the faint sound of city traffic far below my penthouse apartment.

It was just a dream. A bittersweet reminder of what I want but can’t seem to have.

“Damn it.” I rub my face with my hands as I try to shake off the lingering traces of my dream. “Get it together, Nathan.”

As I lie there, trying to focus on the day ahead, I can’t help but ponder the significance of what just happened.

Why am I dreaming about Maria? Is it because I’ve been keeping her at arm’s length, protecting myself from the kind of heartache I saw tear my parents apart? Or is it because deep down, I know that she might just be the one who can break through my defenses and show me what true love really is?

“Who am I kidding?” I force my thoughts away from Maria and back to the reality of my life. I’m not the kind of man who takes risks when it comes to matters of the heart.

With a sigh, I throw off the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed. The cold hardwood floor beneath my feet feels like a metaphor for the emptiness in my heart. As I stand up, I glance around my massive penthouse — a space that’s never felt so barren before.

Usually I relish the quiet, but as I pad into the kitchen and begin my morning routine, everything feels off. My heart aches as I remember the dream — Maria’s soft skin, her sweet scent…

I grab a mug from the cupboard and pour myself a cup of black coffee, willing the bitter taste to ground me back in reality.

Leaving the kitchen, I make my way to the expansive windows lining one wall of my apartment. The city sprawls out below me, bustling with life. But all I can think about is how much I’d rather be somewhere, anywhere else.

“Maybe that’s what I need,” I muse out loud, pondering the idea as I sip my coffee. “A break from all this.”

I pull out my phone and dial Don, who manages my private jet. It’s been forever since I’ve taken time away from work, but something inside me is screaming for a change of pace. Maybe a couple of days off will help me get my head on straight.

“Hey, it’s Nathan,” I say when he picks up. “I’m going to need the jet this weekend. I’m not sure where yet… maybe Paris? Costa Rica? Just have it fueled up and ready to go.”

“Sure thing, Nathan.” His response is a cheerful one. “It’s about time you took a break, if you don’t mind me saying. I’ll have everything prepped and ready for you.”

“Thanks,” I say with a weak smile, then hang up. The prospect of getting away is both exciting and terrifying, but maybe that’s exactly what I need right now.

My thoughts keep drifting back to Maria as I step into the shower and try to wash away the lingering traces of my dream. It’s futile, though — every droplet of water that cascades down my skin feels like her touch, every curl of steam like her warm breath beside me. I can’t escape her, no matter how hard I try.

Shutting off the water, I step out of the shower and wrap up in a towel. I make my way back to the bedroom and get dressed, forcing myself to focus on the day ahead. Work will be my refuge, the one place where I can put Maria out of my mind, at least for a little while.

She’ll be there when I walk into the office, of course. And I won’t be firing her. She doesn’t deserve that.

Nor does she deserve to be moved to another part of the company. Her position for me is a high-profile one, and there’s nothing that could happen between us that would make me mess with her career. She’s worked hard to get where she is.

The shrill sound of my phone pulls me out of my thoughts, causing my heart to race. I glance at the screen and see it’s the doorman. My stomach drops. What could he possibly want this early in the morning?

“Hello?” I answer hesitantly.

“Mr. Colton, you have a guest.”

“A guest?” I frown at the same time as my heart races. Could it be…?

No. Maria wouldn’t come here. And I don’t want her to, either.

“It’s your father.”

My father? I haven’t seen him in years, even though we live in the same city. What could possibly bring him here today, especially at such an ungodly hour?

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