by Kate Benson
“No, we haven’t,” I admit, reaching to give Bella’s shoulders a gentle squeeze of reassurance before kissing her head. “We won’t have a choice in the morning, but for today, we’re staying put.”
“That’s probably the best thing you can do,” Vera agrees.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a nightmare,” Isabella says with a long, exhausted sigh, rubbing her temples.
“No, it won’t,” I promise, hoping I’m right. “Everything’s going to be just fine, darling.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to cause you any more anxiety about it,” Vera apologizes, pulling a warm smile from Isabella.
“It’s okay. Please don’t feel the need to apologize, Vera,” she shakes her head. “It’s not as if we won’t have to face it eventually. It’s better to know what we’re walking into than not.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Vera admits, her expression still stained with regret. “But Mr. Avery is absolutely right. Everything will be just fine. They go crazy any time he does the slightest thing and it always tends to even out in the end.”
“Thank you. I’m sure you’re both right,” Bella nods, giving her another small smile before she clears her throat and glances toward the kitchen. “Dinner smells delicious, by the way.”
“She’s right. It does,” I offer, just as eager to change the subject. “What are you spoiling us with tonight?”
“Well, I assumed Miss Isabella might be feeling a little homesick, so I thought I’d cater to her Italian side,” she smirks at Bella’s blush. “This is mushroom and leek risotto. There’s also a nice garden salad and some fresh garlic bread baking in the oven. I hope you’re both hungry.”
“I’m starving,” she admits, the sight of her absentmindedly rubbing her belly endearing. “And that sounds amazing. You don’t have to cater to me, though, Vera.”
“Well, my darling, even if that weren’t true, it’s my pleasure,” she winks with a chuckle. “I understand you grew up visiting Italy?”
“I did,” she smiles, her eyes moving to mine for a moment in adoration before returning to Vera’s. “My grandparents lived there, and I’d visit them every summer.”
“I’m not sure it’ll hold a candle to what you’ve grown up with, but hopefully it will at least hit the spot for tonight.”
“Everything you make is fantastic, Vera. This will be no exception,” I offer, moving back to the table and reaching for Bella, pulling her from her seat. “If it’s alright with you, I think we’ll have dinner outside tonight. We could use the fresh air.”
“Of course,” she says, waving us off. “Go. I’ll bring it out to you when it’s ready.”
“Thank you,” I smile, threading my fingers into Bella’s hand. “Come, darling.”
I lead her out onto the main balcony and I watch her settle quietly against the cushions, her eyes on me as I move across to the small bar.
“Would you like a drink?” I ask, pulling a nod from her almost immediately.
“Yes, please.”
I make myself a scotch and pour her favorite wine before I make my way back over to her, pulling her close when I see a slight chill make its way over her skin.
“Are you cold?” I ask, pulling another nod from her. “Come here, kitten.” She settles into my lap, her long legs draping over mine and her nerves noticeably calming as she nuzzles in closer to my chest. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, Sir,” she replies. “I’m just a little nervous about what’s coming.”
“I know,” I sigh, pressing my lips to her hair. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I’m not sure really what to say that we both haven’t already said,” she admits. “I thought avoiding the internet and the news would be best, but now I’m not wondering if it was a mistake. We’ve been holed up all weekend, closed off from the world. It’s been perfect, exactly what I needed, but we have no idea what’s waiting for us when we walk back out into it.”
“You’re right,” I whisper. “But I think our time was much better spent avoiding the world then getting wrapped up in its foolishness. I’ve quite enjoyed thinking only of ourselves this weekend. Haven’t you?”
“Very much,” she nods immediately, her cheeks heating into a blush that makes my chest clench with affection. “It’s too bad we can’t just stay here, work from your place.”
“It’s a nice idea, but I don’t think I’d manage to get very much done if that were the case, darling,” I confess, bending to press my lips to her neck. “You’re quite the distraction.”
“Well, I would apologize, but I know how much you hate lying,” she counters, making me smirk against her skin.
Her breathing grows heavier when I move my grip further up her thighs, tracing the edge of her panties with my fingertips.
I gently begin to tease her beneath the soft silk of her robe, her nipples growing hard against my chest as she turns to face me, pressing her lips to my jaw.
The sound of the door creaking open pulls her lips away from mine and I settle my touch, chuckling to myself when I see her cheeks begin to blaze as Vera walks outside. I lift her from my lap and we move to the table, sitting close as we enjoy each other’s company.
Rather than returning to the worries of tomorrow, we keep the conversation light, focusing on making the most of the last few hours of privacy.
Once the table is cleared, we shower and I take her to bed, losing ourselves in each other until our eyes are heavy, our bodies useless. She settles in against my chest, the feel of her skin against mine as her breathing slowly begins to slow pulling a sigh of content from me. I press my lips to her shoulder, savoring in the feel of her nuzzling in deeper.
My eyes trace the skyline as my hands roam over her body freely, gently soothing her to sleep.
Her breathing evens out before long and I know she’s finally drifted off, her troubled mind at ease for at least the next few hours. I should be doing the same. Instead, I keep my gaze trained on the shadows falling over her skin.
I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring, but right now, that doesn’t matter.
Tonight, I just need her.
Chapter Eight
ISABELLA
Mayhem.
That’s the only way I can describe what we walk into the moment we step outside the familiar walls of Adam’s penthouse.
The number of reporters that had been waiting for us on Friday had more than tripled, each of them shouting nonsensical questions, desperate to find out any scrap detail about Adam Avery and the new woman in his life who threatened to take both him and his empire down.
The office is even worse.
Thanks to heightened security surrounding the front of the building, we’re able to slip into his private garage without much trouble, but the fact remains.
Our secret romance will never be that way again.
My nerves are shot by the time we slip out of his Maserati. However, since we aren’t thrown to it blindly, I handle it much better than I had the first time. I take a few minutes in the car with Adam to collect myself before I glance out the passenger window.
“Who are all these people?” I ask, the half dozen black suits that surround us the moment we slipped inside the garage making me nervous.
“I’ve increased our personal security,” Adam replies, taking my hand.
“Adam, there are six of them,” I glance over at him anxiously. “Do we need six security guards to get us to the elevator?”
“There are actually eight and they’ve been with us since Friday night, darling,” he admits, my eyes going wide in shock. “I only kept it from you because of how shaken up you’d been when I got you home. I didn’t want to alarm you.”
“Oh, my God,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “So, they’ve been watching us the whole weekend?”
“Not watching us like you’re thinking, but they’ve been at the penthouse, yes,” he admits. “However, they’ve only come inside while we’re sleeping and they’ve all signed very strict confidentiality agreements. You can feel free to speak and behave freely around them.”
“Okay,” I manage, giving him a look of apology when I begin to bite my nail and he pulls it from my lips.
“And I’m sure it’s more than safe in here now, but they got in before. It’s best to not take chances and I refuse to do so where you’re concerned.” I nod gently, acknowledging his words and squeezing his hand in mine with gratitude for his protectiveness. He searches my features for a moment before he leans in, cradling the back of my head before he gives me a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to keep you safe, little one. I know there are various aspects of this that cause you worry, but don’t ever let that be one of them.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, prompting him to tilt my chin upward and press his lips to mine.
“You’re welcome, darling.”
His eyes shift toward the entrance to the elevator and he releases a low sigh, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before he steps out of the car. He says something to the group of guards surrounding us, gesturing toward me more than once before receiving a round of nods and yes, sirs. Seemingly satisfied, he steps toward my door and pulls it open, reaching for my hand and helping me out.
“Bella, this is Maya and Troy,” he starts, gesturing toward the two guards on his left. “They’ve been assigned to you exclusively and have been ordered not to leave your side.”
I glance behind Adam to find them both dressed impeccably, giving me small smiles as a greeting. They look like they’re in the secret service, the small wire communication sets resting over their ears something I’d only ever seen on the news.
Troy is massive. His strawberry blonde hair is cut short, military style, and his shoulders are so broad, they seem to threaten the material of his black suit when he extends his hand.
“Good morning, Miss Baxter,” he offers.
My eyes shift to Adam’s and pull a nod from him. I don’t miss his silent appreciation in the gesture.
“Good morning,” I manage, swallowing hard as the edge of the holster he’s wearing beneath his jacket peeks through just slightly.
Maya steps forward, her small but athletic frame dressed similarly, yet her smile much warmer as she takes my hand.
“Miss Baxter, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she offers, a faint accent leaving her that I can’t identify.
“Thank you,” I reply.
“We’re going to try them out for today, see if you’re comfortable,” Adam offers, his hand low on my waist. “They’re both highly trained and well-armed. You’ll be completely safe whether I’m with you or not.”
“Where are you going?” I ask, my eyes widening slightly in worry as I glance toward the exit, the sounds of shouting still faint despite the metal barrier between us. “You’re not going out there, are you?”
“No, darling,” he shakes his head, smiling small at my protective side slipping out. “But I do have meetings all day.”
“Inside, right?” I ask, gesturing toward the office pulling a nod from him.
“Yes,” he promises, easing the pounding in my chest, if only just. “Don’t worry about me, Bella. You have two jobs to do today and they are to say nothing to anyone that isn’t work related and stay with your security team at all times so that I know you’re safe. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” I nod, taking his hand and following closely as he leads me to the elevator.
We step inside, the usually spacious area suddenly cramped with the extra four bodies stepping on beside us. The closeness of the strangers has me moving closer to Adam, chewing my lip as I fidget nervously.
“Calm down,” he orders gently, pulling my eyes to his.
“I’m sorry. I’m just not used to people being with us,” I admit, my voice as low as I can make it slipping through my clenched teeth. “Especially not so many of them.” He glances down at me, his lips quirking up on either side. “It feels extremely weird.”
“You’re very subtle,” he smirks, his voice dry with sarcasm making me stifle an eye roll. “I saw that.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, resting my hand on the crook of his elbow. “I just feel like today is going to suck.”
“Everything is going to be fine, kitten,” he promises, the lights on the elevator dinging, threatening to distract me from him. “Rule the day, don’t let it rule you.”
“I have no idea how to do that,” I admit, the numbers growing larger only causing my anxiety to do the same.
His lips on my hair ease the tension, his hot breath washing over my shoulder making me melt just slightly and I look up at him, holding his hooded gaze.
“You know what they say, darling,” he begins, his voice slightly husky. “Sometimes you just have to take the day over your knee and give it a good spanking.”
ADAM
The almost silent whimper that slips from her chest makes me stifle a chuckle. I wink down at her, grateful when I see her features begin to relax and happy she can’t feel the way my own heart is pounding.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried, that I hadn’t had a tough time falling asleep last night considering all the unwelcome news I’d received over the weekend. However, I know I can’t let her see any of that. Throughout all of this, regardless of what comes our way, it’s my responsibility, my privilege as her Dom and her companion, to protect her at all costs.
That protection isn’t limited just to her body, but all of her.
The final ding of the elevator signals our arrival and I bend to give her a gentle kiss before the doors slide open. Her hand gives mine a squeeze of affection before I release her, holding her gaze for as long as the world will allow.
“I love you,” I whisper, moving my lips to her forehead and inhaling her floral scent as completely as I can before I’m forced to leave her.
“I love you, too,” she replies, her voice just as soft.
“Let me know if you need anything,” I say, smiling at her nod before I give her another playful wink. “Miss Baxter.”
“Mr. Avery.”
The first part of my morning brings nothing but chaos. Endless phone calls, emails and phone calls are the bulk of my day. Despite my qualms with her in the past, my assistant Margaret has proven to be worth her weight in gold by lunchtime.
I’d not heard much from Isabella. However, I’d been in contact with her security and taken more than one trip to the small window in my office facing the main floor, so I know she’s safe. I hate that she’s having to endure this, but I also know regardless of how much I’d love nothing more, this problem isn’t just going to resolve itself.
“Mr. Avery?” Margaret calls out, pulling me from my thoughts and earning my attention as she pushes the door to my office open.
“Yes?”
“I took the liberty of ordering your lunch,” she offers, stepping inside with a small paper bag from the deli across the way. “I thought you could use something to eat. You’ve had quite the trying day and it’s not yet noon.”
“That was very thoughtful of you, Margaret,” I smile, standing to round the corner of my desk and take the bag from her. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, sir,” she nods, moving toward the door. “I also made sure to include something for Isabella,” she admits, pulling my eyes back to hers. “She’s one of the only people in the office who ever takes the time to say hello to me. I guess I just wanted to return the kindness and let you know you’ve got my support.”
Her words surprise me, fill my chest with warmth and gratefulness that I’ve not felt much since I’d arrived at Avery from anyone outside of Bella. The gesture tugs at my
memories and I recall a conversation I’d had with my mother not long before she died.
“Uncle Richard’s birthday is coming,” I mentioned. “I have no idea what to get him. The man is a billionaire. He doesn’t need anything at all.”
“Money doesn’t make those kinds of promises, dear,” she’d insisted. “If you want to know what to do for a man who seems to have everything, uncover the one thing he’s missing from his life. That’s where you start.”
“I have no idea what that would be,” I admitted. “You’ve been to his place. He’s surrounded by things.”
“But not people who truly care for him,” she countered. “Sometimes the best gift you can give someone isn’t a thing, but a thought… a gesture.” I stared back at her blankly, pulling a sweet, motherly laugh from her chest. “Give the man who has everything compassion, understanding and friendship. In my experience, that’s the one thing men like your uncle are typically without.”
I swallow hard at the memory and I’m forced to clear my throat of emotion before I can respond.
“That’s very sweet and means a lot to us both,” I assure her, giving her a genuine smile. “Thank you.”
She responds with a nod and slips out of my office, leaving me alone for only a moment before I move toward the door, finding Isabella sitting awkwardly at her desk, headphones in place.
I pull my phone from my pocket, sending her a quick text and watch her glance over, swiping at the screen before her eyes move to my doorway, seemingly surprised to find me standing there. She gives me a relieved smile, quickly saving her work and rising from her seat, her cheeks heating with the two dozen eyes that watch her every step.
Maya and Troy move to stand with her and although I’m silently pleased, I gesture for them to remain at her desk, pulling my door open wider as she approaches.
“Good afternoon, Margaret,” she smiles at my assistant before moving toward me, slipping inside and releasing a low breath of relief when I push the door shut. “Oh, thank God,” she whispers, facing me as I turn to her. “This has been the longest morning of my entire existence.” I start to ask her what happened, but before I can speak, she continues, pacing nervously in front of my desk. “Do people not teach their children not to gawk at other people anymore? Jesus Christ. I feel like one of those nude models at a community college,” she admits, making me stifle a smirk. “I can’t even pee by myself, Adam. I got up to go to the bathroom this morning and Maya was on my ass the whole time. She said you told her to come with me?”