Page 57 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

Stepping out of his grip, I gather my things and make it a few steps before Jake intercepts. “You don’t have to run off.”

A smile tries and fails to find purchase on my mouth. “I really do.”

And as much as I hate the hurt and worry they’re both sending my way, I slip away and brace myself to open the door, gathering all of the confidence and boss-bitch attitude I can. Swinging it wide enough to step through without colliding with Eli’s back and catching the smallest glimpse of the red-faced man before him, I’m beyond the threshold before either seems to notice.

“…the worst kind of businessman…” The older man’s words trail off as he takes me in.

I meet his gaze for a defiant heartbeat before I send a look up to Eli. Even though I should know better, I brush my palm down his arm. Then, I’m marching off toward the elevators.

“Paige?” Eli calls from behind me, and I can feel him following.

But I have to go. It’s going to take me too long to get to my son as it is.

“Don’t chase after the pussy, son. You look desperate.” The man’s tone drips with derision.

God, that’s his father?

I punch the down button for the elevator and turn enough to see Eli hovering in the entrance of his office extension. His warm brown eyes are turned down at the corners, chasing after his frown and filling the vast space between us with longing and pain.

We stare at each other until the elevator dings and draws my attention away. When I step in, I watch him clench his fists as the doors close me in alone.

Sucking in a huge shaky breath, it hurts. But as I drop to the ground floor, I pull on my coat, tucking myself in tight, and prepare to face the wintery night, slushy wet sidewalks, and a long wait for the train.

With both feet on the sidewalk, I’m stopped by the sight of Liam, their driver. He smiles politely at me, and without hesitation, he opens the back door for me to slip into their car.

“How—?”

He smiles again, something soft and accommodating. “Where to, miss?”

I chew on my response for a few seconds before I give him my father’s address. He hands me into the back of the car and I settle against the warm leather seat, clutching my briefcase to my center.

How did I let myself get this carried away? This is the second time in a week that I’ve put these men, my father’s best friends, my bosses, before my son and his needs.

Fuck, I’m a terrible mother.

I deserve all the harsh names Eli’s father slung at us. At me.

No matter that I didn’t want their money. Would never think of asking for anything more than I earn.

But I am their employee. The dynamic isn’t a fair one.

Tears resurface, burning the backs of my eyes. I need to end this. Whatever is building between the four of us. It simply needs to stop for everyone’s sake.

The numbing pain in my chest widens.

I’m fooling myself.

It’s so much easier to convince myself that whatever is going on is a passing fancy, not important, is going nowhere when I’m alone, but somehow, when I’m with one or all of them, my rational brain flits away and leaves me wanting.

And they handle me with such care. Give me things I didn’t think I wanted. Show me how much I’ve been missing all of these years without someone to take care of my body’s needs.

But is that really all they’re doing? Playing with my body? Giving me pleasure? Fucking me?

Is that really it?

The way they looked at me when I fled. Again. It was worse than last time.

Because they all know why they couldn’t stop me.

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