Page 50 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

Henry leans back in his chair, but another form stands from the couch.

I turn toward Jake as he takes three long strides to reach me. His fingers unravel my bun as he presses a kiss on me, soft but hungry. Holding onto him triggers an iron grip low on my back. Which is good because my knees are wobbling.

When he’s satisfied, he leaves me catching my breath.

“I don’t like being ignored.” As inexpressive as he tries to be, I can see the small hurt in his eyes.

I didn’t answer any of their texts the entire weekend. Partly because I don’t like to have my time with Paxton interrupted, but mostly because I needed the time to process everything that happened between the four of us.

“I was with my son all weekend. I get such little time with him already, that I don’t let anyone in on that time.” As hard asmy tone is—I’ve had to be strict about this for as long as he’s been alive—my fingers draw circles over Jake’s heart, hoping he forgives me anyway.

A small nod has him leaning down to me again. “A single text to know you’re alive isn’t asking for much, Paige.”

The way he says my name shakes something loose inside me. So does the way his hand tangles in my hair.

“You can make it up to us later.” The small tug of his grip as he says the words sends heat through me.

I expect his mouth on me again, but he simply teases me with his control before he releases me and returns to the couch, picking up his coffee and his tablet. I’m left shaking as Henry approaches, smoothing my nerves a little as he plants a kiss on my cheek.

“Go on to your office. There’s a stack of paperwork waiting for you, and I’ve pushed our morning meeting back until after lunch.” And Henry turns me, ushering me out the door in a confused haze.

I can’t let it affect me while I’m at work. Or at least, I can’t let anyone else know that it affects me. Drawing my hands through my hair, I twist it back into a bun on my way to my office and take a deep breath once I’m behind my desk.

The relief doesn’t last long as Sabrina knocks on my open door, walking in before I can invite her. Her cold demeanor amplifying as she thrusts a small stack of papers at me.

“Your calls from this morning.” Her frown has my stomach twisting in knots. What did I do to have her react to me this way?

I take the messages from her. Six phone calls I’d missed in the hour I’d spent with Eli. “Thanks.”

“Yeah. I’m not your secretary, you know.” With that Sabrina spins on her toes and saunters out.

Okay. I didn’t know how she got stuck taking my messages. I have an answering machine. And now, that budding friendship seems to be shriveling up in the cold.

Well, shit. I plunk the messages down on the pile of paperwork waiting for me. Lots of details and reports on my team’s progress. And one by one, each of my team members comes to check in with me, asking how I’m doing. If everything’s better.

I try not to give away too many details. It’s not a good look on the boss to unload all of her problems on her team, so I keep it close to my chest. Still, I appreciate their concern.

I’m still behind once lunch hits, so I work through it, nibbling on a baked oat bar from the cafe on the first floor to keep my stomach from growling during our afternoon meeting. Most of it is routine, paring down candidates for the design contest, tweaking contracts and rules, going over mockups of the more typical rooms we want to update and remodel.

It’s slow going, but we’re making progress. I send my team home at five, waving them off as I sit to keep chipping away at my tasks. Every paper that makes it into my outbox offers me a small sense of relief.

Stretching and reaching my arms overhead, I take a deep breath and roll my head to either side. I nearly jump out of my seat when I open my eyes to Henry leaning against my open door. The tall line of him interrupted by the way his arms are crossed makes him look like a model. Graying hair pushed back from his face has me narrowing in on his cool blue eyes.

“Hey,” I manage to say, rooted in my seat.

“What are you still doing here? Don’t you have someone to go home to?” I expect to see a challenge in his eyes, but he’s soft and kind. Like always. Why am I not used to this by now?

“He’s with my dad tonight.”

Henry’s gaze darkens, and heat blooms along my skin. “Good. We need you in Eli’s office in five. So, wrap things up.”

I nod and watch as he walks away. God, that man is sex appeal wrapped in a suit. Struggling to shake myself from the dirty thoughts popping up, I organize my desk for the morning. What’s left won’t take me long tomorrow, which is good because I’ll only get an influx of more paperwork as the day progresses.

Closing up my office, I wrangle my adrenaline, refusing to run to Eli’s office and what I presume are three men waiting for me. Will they actually punish me for this weekend? Why did that thought make me wet?

At the threshold, I pause, seeing the three of them standing by Eli’s desk. My breath catches at the dark hungry looks they’re each giving me in turn.

“Don’t stand there like you’re shy.” Jake points to the spot in front of him. “Get over here.”

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