Page 6 of Sexting the Silverfox

“Aiming for perfection,” Rita says with a wink.

“Fair enough. But I expect you to tell me everything about what you’re learning along the way,” I tell Lily. “And I hope you’ll keep practicing on our piano as well.”

I bought the Steinway & Sons in our living room specifically for her. As soon as Rita suggested piano lessons and Lily said yes, I immediately went ahead and ordered one. It’s been with us for a week, and it looks good in the room; I just can’t wait to hear my daughter play it.

“I will, Daddy!” Lily promises.

Rita comes over and takes Lily into her arms. “Come on, time to get changed and ready for dinner.”

“You should go home,” I tell Rita. “I can cook or order something in.”

“Nonsense, Mr. Winchester, it’s my pleasure,” Rita retorts. “You do enough as it is.”

“Well, so do you. It’s the weekend; you shouldn’t have troubled yourself.”

Rita puts on a warm smile while Lily plays with the locks of her greying hair. “I have been working with you long enough to recognize that there are moments, even on the weekends when you could use more time to yourself, so I urge you to take advantage of my presence and go and pour yourself another drink,” she says. “You deserve it.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I simply understand how hard you work on a daily basis,” Rita replies. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, this little one needs to change so she can help me with dinner.”

“Thank you, Rita.”

“What are we eating? Spaghetti and meatballs?” Lily chimes in, her eyes wide with excitement. “Please?”

“All right, all right,” Rita feigns exhaustion. “Spaghetti and meatballs it is. You’re lucky I went grocery shopping yesterday.”

I laugh and plant a kiss on my daughter’s cheek before I leave her in Rita’s care. The penthouse is big enough for them to move around in without us crossing paths, though Lily will find every moment she can to either come over to check on me or to call me into the kitchen so I can help them with something. Not that I mind; I welcome the momentary respite.

For a few minutes there, my mind felt clear.

Rita can read me so well. I believe she can tell when I’m about to tune out. Maybe she can read it on my face. She is one of the most intuitive people I’ve ever come across, and it’s certainly one of the reasons why our professional relationship is working out so well. That, and she treats and loves my daughter like her own flesh and blood. I couldn’t ask for more.

Once I’m back in my seat by the window, I pour myself another scotch and go through the stock exchange dashboard to see where we’re at. Most brokers are off for the weekend, but I do plenty of speculation on my own whenever I get the chance. S&P is looking good this afternoon.

A sudden text message pops up.

“Audrey,” I whisper. My breath gets stuck in my throat. My thumb won’t move, but I am eager to open the message. My heart is racing. Does she regret what she wrote last night? Did I make an even bigger fool of myself by replying?

I’ll never know unless I open the damned thing.

I won’t apologize for that text, it reads, and I can’t help but smile.

A sense of relief washes over me. I can almost see her, with her messy hair and wide eyes, trying to look defiant. I don’t like the idea of her living in a cold apartment, though. I don’t like the idea of her being in any kind of discomfort.

I wouldn’t want you to, I reply, then lean back into my chair.

I have no idea where this conversation will lead, but I know I want to know more about her. And I most certainly want to put that list of hers to the test.

Chapter 4

Audrey

I’ve become so enthralled with this text message exchange that I’ve almost forgotten how cold my apartment is. It’s late on Saturday night, and I’m not shivering on the sofa. I’m too busy giggling at each of Jason’s messages.

They get naughtier by the minute, and I realize I don’t even need alcohol to loosen up and respond in kind anymore. Every ball he sends my way, I show up to serve without hesitation.

He brings out the devil in me.

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