Page 108 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Harvey, don’t stop.”

“Never, buttercup,” he grunts as he comes.

I crumble at his words, my orgasm tearing through my body until my body collapses. I never thought I’d find a partner again, let alone someone like this.

He pulls away, and I watch his powerful body as he throws away the condom. Then he comes over with my clothes. “We need to get some water and food for you to eat. I’ve got nothing here, so I’ll grab us something on the way back to the office.”

“We should’ve had lunch first.”

I’m so weak now I’m a little dizzy when I stand to get dressed. I sit on his bed as I do.

“Next time.”

I’m too tired and hungry to argue.

Going to his closet, he comes out with a new shirt, and that simple knowledge is sexy. I’ve never had a guy rip his shirt during sex, never been that lost in the moment.

He catches me watching him and flashes a wolfish grin.

“Let’s go, buttercup.”

“Why do you call me buttercup?”

He smirks. “Those flowers I brought you smell as sweet as you do and the nickname for them is—”

“Buttercup,” I finish his sentence with a smile.

After we return to work, we head to our separate offices. It’s funny how easily we slip in and out of roles. Nothing with Harvey ever feels forced.

I’m going through my emails when a call from my realtor comes through. She tells me she has two condos that would be a good fit for me and Chad, and they’ll be available to move into within a few weeks.

That news worries me. I’ve only just found my footing with my company, and now I might have to move during a time when I’m needed here.

After work, I pick up Chad and we head to see the properties. As we pull up to the first one, I notice the clean, tree-lined streets and the well-kept homes around it. It’s also bigger than I expected. But when the agent mentions the price, my chest tightens. It’s above the pre-approved loan amount I was quoted. I don’t want to take a big risk, so I focus on the smaller one we see next. This one is cozier, with polished wooden floors, a kitchen the right size for us, and full-length glass windows allowing the sun to beam in…just like Harvey’s. Chad is darting to every room, gushing and pointing out where he’ll store his toys and how close we’ll be to the park where we saw Harvey running. His bedroom and the living room are bigger, and there’s a spot for a small desk and a laptop, so I could work from home sometimes.

I picture us here, with his school not far away. The safe neighborhood, the many parks for him to play at, and views from every part of the house. I know I need to take this place; I’ll never find something this good within my budget. The agent runs through all the details, and I tell her I’d like to submit an offer.

Later that afternoon, I grab some pizza with Chad and decide to watch a movie. I casually mention that his grandparents want to see him over the weekend. My stomach is in knots, as I brace myself for questions about his father, but he doesn’t ask; he just agrees to catch up with them. I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

After tucking Chad into bed, I send Harvey a text about how I put in an offer on a place.

My night on the sofa is restless as I worry what Butch’s parents might say in front of Chad and whether I should call them to talk about it.

I get up the next morning at five a.m., make my coffee, and get ready for the day. I can’t wait to leave this place and sleep in a new home, with a new sofa and bed, and no memories of my past. Even though there are many good memories, especially recent ones with Harvey, like him bringing over food when Chad was sick or picking me up for our date. I’ll make fresh memories in the new place. I just hope I hear back soon about the offer.

As I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, adjusting my blouse, my thoughts turn to Harvey. What would it be like to date a man like him? A man who’s not only successful but genuinely cares about me and about Chad. It’s hard to wrap my head around the idea of someone so well-off wanting to be a part of my life, wanting to build something with me, with us. He’s been so patient, so supportive, and the way he treats Chad like he’s his own, it’s... it’s more than I ever thought I could ask for.

Maybe this is the fresh start I’ve been waiting for. A new house, a new chapter for Chad, and the possibility of a life with someone who sees the value in not just me, but everything I’m trying to build. I’ve worked so hard to get this far rebuilding my family’s business and putting Chad first, but the idea of having someone like Harvey by my side, someone who’s as invested in the future as I am... it’s almost too good to be true.

But it feels real. I just have to let myself believe it.

Chapter 30

Harvey

The following weekend, wewalk into Madison Square Garden, the air buzzing with the chatter of fans all around us. As we weave through the crowd, the smell of pretzels and popcorn fills the air, mixing with the electric anticipation that pulses through the walls of the stadium. When we find our seats, Chad eagerly sits between us, his eyes wide, and he immediately turns to Jemima and asks if they can switch seats so he can have a better view of the court. She agrees, and as she moves, I can’t help but smirk, tempted to reach out and hold her hand. But I hold back. Chad’s right here, and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. I want to make sure she knows this is at her pace, not mine.

“How did it go with the grandparents today?” I ask, my voice low.

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