Page 17 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

"He must have a big house."

"It’s on Riverside. It must be five or six floors."

She gave me a devilish smile. "Your father will be so jealous."

She was right. And while there could be some enjoyment in making my father jealous, I also knew that it was also the sort of emotion that made him do despicable things.

6

Henry

Samantha, her son, and Marie were due to arrive at any moment. I stood just inside my office leaning against the door, waiting with the anticipation of a teenage boy expecting to see a girl he liked. It was fucking annoying, especially since I'd never been like this as a teenager or in college. Back then, if there was a girl I liked, I let her know, and she always liked me back. I never had trouble with women.

But of course, this was different because while the attraction to Samantha was as strong as ever, all the reasons I couldn't have her continued to exist. I'd made a deal with myself that I would allow this one-time encounter to welcome her and her son and Marie into my home and get them settled, but then I’d do my damnedest to stay out of their way.

I learned five years ago not to tempt myself around her, so my safest bet was to avoid her. Perhaps it was rude, but then if she thought I was an ill-mannered pest, that would work in my favor.

The knock on the door came, and I shut my eyes as my heart picked up its pace. I listened as Knightly made his way to the front door. I pulled in a long breath, calming my nerves. I wanted to be welcoming but not appear overly eager.

"Welcome, Miss Layton. Mr. Banion has arranged for you to stay on the third floor,” Knightly greeted them.

I gave them a moment to get inside the house, and when I heard the door close, I straightened from the door, took another breath, then opened it and stepped out into the foyer. "I thought I heard the door. Welcome."

Samantha smiled, but it looked forced. "Thank you for letting us stay. We'll do our best not to get in the way."

I waved her comment away. "Nonsense. Besides, this home is very large." I looked down at the child, who was hiding behind Samantha's legs. "This must be Paxton."

Samantha tensed, and I wondered what it meant. Was she worried I wouldn't like her son? Sure, I didn't like the idea that she had moved on so quickly after she left, despite the fact that I had no right to feel like that since I was the one who'd pushed her away. But I certainly wasn't going to hold that against her son.

I squatted down, holding out my hand. "It's nice to meet you."

His right hand came out, and I took it and gave it a shake.

"Everyone calls me Pax."

"That's a terrific name, Pax. Did you know that it means peace?"

Pax his eyes lifted to his mother's, as if he was uncertain how to respond.

"Welcome to my home, Pax. I hope that you and your mom and Marie will be comfortable here while you stay." I straightened and reached out my hand toward Marie. "I'm Henry Banion. It's nice to meet you."

Marie gave me a firm shake. "It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Banion. It's a wonderful thing that you are doing. And it's really nice to meet Victoria's father in person."

"How about I show you to the third floor and all the rooms that are available to you up there?" I turned to Knightly. “Can you arrange to get their things upstairs as well?”

“Yes, of course.”

I led my guests toward the stairs. "We do have an elevator if you would prefer. But I find if I take the stairs, I don't need to go to the gym."

"The stairs are fine,” Samantha said.

We reached the second floor, rounding the landing and heading up to the third. “What's on this floor?" Pax asked.

"Let’s not be nosy, now," Samantha said to him.

"It's not nosy. The second floor is where I stay. And when Tori was growing up, she was on the floor as well. I believe you've been on this level before, Samantha."

She stared at me and blinked wide-eyed. It was only then that I realized what I had said.

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