Page 45 of Absolution

I hang up, jaw tight.

I’ve been so focused on the merger that I neglected my clients. Corporate law doesn’t forgive mistakes.

The fallout with Knowles rattles me, but not for long. I shift focus, double down. In this field, there's always another client. Another angle.

The next few weeks pass by in a blur, nothing dramatic, just the slow, quiet grind of life continuing.

Jackie found a nanny. One of those post-COVID burnout cases, used to be a nurse, worked with her sister, quit after the pandemic. This is exactly why women shouldn’t be in high-stress fields. They break. Still, the woman’s overqualified and way too expensive, but since I agreed to pay, I’m stuck footing the bill. Her salary. Jackie’s tuition. Childcare. It’s going to cost a pretty penny.

But I said I’d cover it, and now I can’t really walk it back without looking like an ass. Not that I can’t afford it. The merger with my father’s firm has definitely padded my pockets.

I considered taking her out to celebrate when her acceptance came through. Maybe a dinner. Something small. But honestly, we’ve gotten into a rhythm that works, parallel lives under one roof. Why mess with it?

Most of my focus these days is on the firm. Helping my father’s team negotiate the buyout of the Austin partners. Long days, late nights, endless calls. It’s the kind of grind I live for.

And with everything going on, I haven’t had time for... relief. Not even the quick kind. I’ve been getting antsy. Restless. Irritated for no reason. One second, I'm happy as a cat, next I’m snapping at paralegals.

Which brings me to tonight. It’s late. The building’s nearly empty. I’m still in the office, wrapping up some last-minute filings, and Clara’s hovering like she always does. Every time she walks in, her blouse seems tighter. More undone. A button here. A glance there.

And normally, I’d ignore it.

But tonight... I feel pent up. Unsettled.

So, when Clara comes back in with her shirt practically open, I take the plunge.

“Clara, can you check this for me?” I ask gesturing towards my screen. Rolling my chair backwards, I give her just enough room to wiggle in between me and the desk. There’s barely an inch between her ass and my face when she bends over to inspect the perfect document.

“Mr. Greyson, this is perfect.” She says in a sultry voice.

Gently I put my hand on the inside of her leg, softly dragging it up. “Are you sure?” I ask. She and I both know, I'm not asking about the document.

Looking over her shoulder, she says. “Maybe if I look more closely.” Before dropping right on my lap.

My hand drops to her waist before making its up. I undo the few buttons that are left, pulling her shirt open completely. Roughly I pull the cups of her bra down before grabbing each tit in my hand and squeezing. Letting out a moan, Clara begins gyrating on my lap. I help her without releasing my grip on her tits.

She rubs her ass over my hard dick, causing me to twitch in my pants. Just when I think about bending her over the desk, I feel myself starting to go soft. Releasing one of her tits, I grab her waist, moving her faster. But it all for nothing, despite my efforts, I go completely soft.

What. The. Fuck.

After a few seconds of awkward fumbling, Clara says. “Mr Greyson?”

Pissed I nearly shove her off my lap. “You know what,” I say, voice clipped. “Never mind. Just finish up those drafts and email them before you leave.”

She pauses, probably trying to read me. But I don’t give her anything. Just pick up my pen and act busy.

She nods and walks out without a word while fixing her clothes.

When the door clicks shut, I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling.

What the hell is happening to me?

Chapter Fifteen

Jackie~June, 2024

Hi, my name is Jackie,” I say to the circle I’m sitting in. “Some of you already know this, but… I recently found out my husband was cheating on me.”

There’s a quiet shift in the room. A few people glance up. Most don’t.

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