Page 14 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

Good question. I sat back, using the few seconds to think of a job I could give her. "If you could have a dream job, what would it be?" Maybe if she told me what she wanted to do, I could hire her to do it.

She shrugged and let out a breath. "What I would like to do is impossible at this time."

My brow furrowed, intrigued by her comment. "Tell me what it is anyway."

"I'd like to do what Tori did. Start my own business."

"Running social media for companies?" I didn't need that in my company.

"At first, that's what I thought, but then I've been thinking about consulting. Going into large organizations and doing social media audits and assessments, training their people."

Bingo. "That is an excellent business idea, Samantha. How about this? Let me be your first client."

She cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowing as they scrutinized me. "That makes it sound like you didn't really have a position for me."

I tried not to shift and give away the truth of her comment. "I do have a position for you, but remember, I am wallowing and groveling to make up for my misdeeds with you. So, I want to give you the job you want to do." I couldn't be sure that she accepted that.

"I don't have a business license or any of the legalities to take on a client."

"Then I’ll hire you as our social media auditor and trainer, and whatever other job goes with what you want to do." The more I thought about it, the more perfect it sounded. "You will get the experience you need and the ability to set up your processes and systems using my company as your guinea pig. Then when it's time for you to move on, you will have not only my endorsement, but I'm sure many endorsements from the other heads of my various media platforms."

The energy in her changed. It was subtle and yet palpable. The slight upward tug of her lips, the way she sat up taller, and the sparkle in her eye. She was radiant. Her response told me that she thought this situation was perfect as well.

"I would love to do that, Henry." She looked down, and that energy I'd felt a moment before waned.

"Is there a problem?"

"I think your restitution is much more than I deserve based on your offense."

"Not at all, Samantha."

"You’re offering me a job and place to stay at great expense to you."

I shook my head. "It’s all just money, Samantha. There is no amount of money in the world that could make up for what I did to you, what I took from you. And while I'm being selfish here, I'm hoping that you will take anything and everything that I offer to help alleviate the guilt that I've been feeling all these years."

She let out a breath. "I'm going to accept this position because I am giving something in return. But I don't want you just offering things because you're taking pity on me or because of guilt, and especially because you don't think I'm capable, because I am."

Because my hard-on had finally dissipated, I rose from my chair and walked around my desk, sitting on the edge of it. "Don't think for a minute that I believe the woman sitting in front of me is incapable. I see a strong, intelligent, independent woman who has prioritized her son over her pride. I admire that, Samantha. More than you know."

She gave a single curt nod and rose from her chair. I straightened from the desk, realizing too late that it put us both in very close proximity. The sweet scent of her perfume wrapped around me, and I couldn't stop my eyes from dropping to those luscious lips of hers.

Yes, I was in serious trouble.

I took a step back and then rounded my desk to sit in my chair. "I know you need to pack up and move, so you don't need to start until next week.” I realized that I wasn’t sure she was taking me up on the offer to stay in my home. The truth was, I could put her in one of our corporate apartments or give her money now to find a place. But I didn’t want that. I wanted her close by. Heaven help me.

“I want to get out of the house as soon as possible, but I plan for my stay at your home to be short.”

“Of course. Just so you know, you’re welcome as long as you need a place to stay. You, Pax, and...” I couldn’t remember the name of the woman who had worked for Gwen.

“Marie.”

“Yes. Marie too. Also, I am giving you a signing bonus."

She gave me a dissatisfied look. "I told you I don't want your charity."

"It's not charity, it's a signing bonus. If it makes you feel any better, you can pay it back through installments from your salary."

She nodded again. "Thank you, Henry."

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