Page 56 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

“Elijah Rodrick Rockwell. Open this door.” The echoing voice transforms me back into an anxious preteen.

What the fuck is my father doing here?

Worry creeps in as I stuff myself back into my slacks and do up my belt. Paige is frowning, covering herself with an arm as she steps out from behind the desk. Retreating.

It’s a sucker punch to my chest that I hardly have time to recover from as I head for the locked door.

Henry pulls Paige behind him as I open it and step through, closing the door behind me.

Coming face-to-face with the cold, dark judgment in my father’s eyes, I bolster myself for the knife he’s going to slide in and the twist that comes with it. His gaze flicks to the door behind me and returns with even more contempt than I could have fathomed.

“Fucking one of your employees again? Another floozy ready to shake you down for money at her earliest convenience?” He shakes his head, the gray hair migrating to a pure white wobbling despite the product he uses to keep it in place.

My heart locks itself back up. I’d made that mistake before, but being with Paige is not a mistake. I can’t let it be.

As if sensing my dismay, my father pushes his blade further home. “I thought you’d learned your lesson, but I guess you’ll never change. No wonder you’re failing to find a foothold against the competitors. Ifthisis how you run your business.”

PAIGE

I’m pulling on my panties when Eli slips through the door. Henry has a hold of my elbow to keep us from toppling, but when I stand, I can tell he’s trying to shield me from whoever’s on the opposite side of the door.

It doesn’t work, at least, not from the things being said.

Floozy? After his money? Same mistake?

My breath is rolling in my lungs and I can’t seem to catch it. Cum runs down the inside of my thighs, and I’m steamrolled by how dirty I suddenly feel.

Yanking my blouse over my head and covering myself back up, I toss my bra in my briefcase and I don’t worry about it.

Jake produces my pants, and I step back into them with a little wobbling. I don’t hear Eli’s voice through the door. No defense for himself. Or me. Just whoever’s caught us, dressing him down, and making me feel like a money-grubbing, manipulative whore.

What am I even doing here? Didn’t I know how bad of an idea this is? The chances of getting caught?

And instead of spending the evening shopping for Christmas presents for my son, I’m letting my bosses take my body insome pretty unspeakable but spectacular ways. I shove down the shiver of pleasure still coursing through me from the many,manyorgasms they’ve given me.

Buttoning my slacks, I reach for my bag, ready to bolt, as my phone rings. Fumbling with my phone as I see Dad’s name flash across the screen, I swipe it open and answer his call, meeting Henry’s gaze.

“Hey, Dad. Is something wrong?” As if the panic inside of me could grow any wilder.

“Hey, honey. Yes and no.”

I’m wrong. The panic spikes, making me shake.

Before I can ask again, he continues, “Paxton had a nightmare. Usually I can calm him down, but he won’t stop crying and calling for you.”

My heart seizes, and I press my palm into my chest, willing it not to give out on me. Turning away from Henry and Jake’s questioning looks, I say, “Put him on the phone.”

There’s a rustling and I hear my son’s soft sobs. Tears rim my eyes.

“Hey, Bub. It’s Mommy.”

“Mommy…” He hiccups and whimpers. “I want you home. Mommy, I want you home.”

God, my heart breaks. My selfish behavior slaps me with a cold, hard reality. That I’m being foolish. Letting my priorities slip. I know better. “I’m coming, sweetie. I’m on my way.”

Paxton whimpers a few more times as I promise to be there soon. When I hang up and turn, Henry’s at my back, his hands encasing my shoulders. He searches my eyes for what’s wrong.

I shake my head, wiping at the moisture gathered in my lashes. “I need to go.”

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