TWO
SAM
My back slumps against the door of my house the minute I’m inside, my bag sliding from my fingers to the floor with a soft thud.
My eyes close with a heavy sigh, my breathing still shaky, my pulse barely returned to normal despite the hour-long drive home.
From King Security.
Devon’s company.
I reach up, and rub a spot in the middle of my chest, a spot that hasn’t stopped buzzing since the moment I stepped into his office and our eyes met.
Devon Kingston. Company owner.
The handsome alpha from that night.
And so much more than that.
I can still smell him. His cedarwood and bergamot scent wrapped softly around me the moment I walked into the vast office, but it enveloped me completely when he stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth that emanated from his body.
I would have known that scent anywhere.
It’s as familiar to me as my own now.
He remembered me. There wasn’t even a hint of surprise in his gaze when he looked at me, no momentary doubt or hesitation.
God, he was so kind to me. So kind and understanding, his blue-gray eyes warm and smiling the entire time I was there.
Would he still be like that if he knew—
“If you’re an intruder, you chose the wrong family, because we will fuck you up!”
A laugh startles out of me, snapping me out of my thoughts, and I’m still chuckling when I call out so he can hear me.
“Dad, it’s me!”
There is a shuffling of feet before my dad rounds the corner to the living room, exhaling dramatically in relief.
“Oh, good. I would have hated to get violent. Not that I could have, of course. But your Pops could have. It’d give him a chance to use all that outrageous brawn he’s packing.”
“Are you talking shit about me again?” comes Pops’ deep rumble from a different room.
Dad snickers, throwing me a conspiratory look when heavy steps sound in the small hallway.
I roll my eyes, shaking my head at them as I take my suit jacket off, more than used to their bickering.
My Pops’ huge frame fills the doorway, and he crosses his arms in front of his chest, the baby monitor tiny in his hand.
“Is it talking shit if it’s true though, honey?
” Dad says, hand on his hip, flipping his long dark braid over his shoulder, the silver in it shimmering in the light.
“I’m all pretty and graceful, and you have all,” he makes a vague gesture towards Pops’ burly stature, clearing his throat as he does, “That.”
Pops glances at me, throwing me a smile, before his hand shoots out and he pulls Dad into his arms, chuckling when Dad yelps.
“Never heard any complaints from you, sweetheart.”
Dad blushes like crazy before they make moony eyes at each other, and I groan, which makes both of them laugh.
“Sorry, son. How did the interview go?”
Something squeezes hard in my chest, pulsing in tandem with my heartbeat.
“Good. It was good, I got the job.”
The pure joy on their faces makes a lump climb up my throat, and I swallow thickly, trying to blink away the tears gathering in my eyes.
Damn it, I hate this. I hate being emotional all the fucking time. I hate the concern that chases away their earlier smiles. I hate that I’m always making them worry.
“What is it, baby? Did something happen?” Dad asks as they both come closer, Pops’ large palm rubbing my back.
“No. No, everything’s alright. I just—I just missed Eli, that’s all.”
It’s not the entire truth, but it’s not a lie either.
Emotions ravage my insides, everything inside me still shaken from seeing him again, and I need more than anything to hold my baby right now.
“Of course, sweetie.” Dad smiles. “He’s been an angel the whole time.”
I nod, not trusting my voice to answer immediately.
“Thank you for looking after him.” Me. Us.
There’s nothing but fierce love in the look they both give me.
“Always, Sam. Anything for you and Eli,” Pops states firmly as his freckled hand squeezes mine.
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from bawling my damn heart out, and I hug them extra hard before they leave.
Heading to the bedroom, I change into sweats and a T-shirt, and then wash up as best as I can before I go to Eli’s crib, my face splitting into a smile when I see him looking up at me.
His chubby cheeks puff up with a smile of his own, his small fists rising and his tiny fingers wiggling towards me.
I pick him up, peppering his face with dozens of kisses until I’ve gotten my fill and he’s giggling and squirming.
“How was my baby this morning? Did you miss your daddy?”
He grabs my finger when I’ve sat on the couch and laid him in the crook of my arm, Eli sucking on the fingertip and drooling all over the place, while he blinks at me.
“Did Grandpa Gabriel and Grandpa Zach drive you crazy?”
He coos as if in answer, and I chuckle.
“They love you very much, you know.” He looks up at me with his big, gray eyes, his subtle scent soothing my soul.
Like dewy roses with a hint of citrus resting on warm wood.
My throat is tight when I lean down and kiss his forehead, nuzzling his skin.
“I love you too, Eli,” I whisper to him. “So much.”
When he starts to fuss and frown at my finger, I can’t help but let out a small laugh, because I know what that means.
I pull up my T-shirt and he immediately latches onto my nipple, the initial sting followed by wonderful relief as soon as I feel my milk flow.
God, the pressure in my chest has been insane lately.
It’s probably because Eli’s feeding schedule has been changing—frequent, small feedings slowly turning into longer feedings more hours apart—but it feels as if I’m constantly so full I’m bursting, my nipples always aching and sensitive from both breast-feeding and breast-pumping.
Not to mention my emotions that have been all over the place.
Before Eli, I had no idea that someone could be perfectly content and happy while feeling like crying all the time for no reason. That it’s possible to be utterly exhausted, and in desperate need of sleep, but still smile at the lightest sound coming from the small bundle sleeping next to you.
That love could ever be so terrifying.
I sigh, sinking back into the cushions of the couch as the pressure eases, gently running my hand through Eli’s soft tuft of dark hair.
Fuck, it’s going to be hard being away from him for so many hours every day while I’m at work.
With Devon.
My heart skips a beat, and a tiny thrill shoots in my veins at the thought of that—of being around him every day, of maybe getting to know him a bit better, even like this. Like my boss.
He looked the same.
He looked exactly the same as that night, if not even better—tall, strong, commanding as he sat in his office chair, the city spread wide at his back.
Dimple digging into his cheek.
A quiet laugh escapes me, and for some reason, I feel lighter than I’ve felt in a long while.
Eli’s eyes droop, trying to drink more even as he fights to stay awake.
His little fingers brush against my chest, trying to hold on to me, and I’ve never felt warmer.
I saw your dad today, Eli.
An uneven breath leaves me as something sharp, and burning, and hopeless courses through me.
God, I’m so stupid. Just because he gave me the job, it doesn’t mean that—that—
I let out a huff of frustration that startles Eli enough for him to unlatch and blink up at me.
He was just kind, and polite, and professional.
There’s a very good chance he hired me because he felt sorry for me.
The idea makes something wither inside me. But even as I think that, it doesn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like he was sorry for me. It felt like he may have… wanted me there.
I groan softly, shaking my head at myself.
Great. Apparently, exhausted and delusional go hand in hand.
This is a job, and I’m going to be extremely professional about it.
Yes, I spent a brain-meltingly hot night with my now-boss a year ago.
And yes, something unexpected and wonderful came out of it.
But that’s it.
We were just two strangers who collided for one perfect moment, and now he’ll be my boss and I’ll be his personal assistant. Making his life easier. Catering to his needs.
His work-related needs, of course.
Nothing but professional.
No catering to any other needs, whatsoever.
My face heats, and I bury my blush against my shoulder, pressing my lips together to smother the smile that’s begging to come out.
Your daddy is hopeless, Eli.
Monday can’t come soon enough.
***
At eight o’clock on Monday morning, I’m at King Security, after having dropped off Eli at my parents’ place.
Hopefully, Colin, the administrative assistant currently filling me in on my duties, responsibilities, and Devon’s schedule, can’t notice how red my eyes still are from trying—and failing—not to tear up when Dad waved me goodbye with Eli’s tiny hand.
But the excitement at being able to work again, and get back to doing everything I’m good at slowly dispels any lingering wistfulness.
“The company handles everything from bodyguard services to high-status clients, to guarding buildings and events, as well as monitoring and containing threats of any kind. As Mr. Kingston’s PA, you will have access to sensitive individual and corporate data that the majority of company employees do not.
” Colin hesitates for a second, before going on.
“Mr. Kingston is a good and fair boss, and he values loyalty above all. He’s kind, but do not mistake that for weakness.
He’s ruthless if his trust is betrayed.”
It’s the way he says the last part, like warning disguised as advice, that has my senses sharpening.
“Did something happen?” I ask, voice calm but firm, peering at Colin steadily.
Colin presses his lips together as uneasiness wafts off him in waves.
“There was an… incident. With Mr. Kingston’s previous PA.”
Something unpleasant I have no business feeling twinges in my chest.
“What kind of incident?”
Colin clears his throat, shifting on his feet.
“The unreciprocated affection kind.”
My eyes widen, my heartbeat speeding up.
“Oh,” is the only thing I manage to say.
He nods, somber look on his face.