Chapter 13
Addison
It’s been two days since Axel walked out of my office, and the tension hasn’t eased.
Both brothers told me it’s fine. Liam said he’s not asking for commitment. Axel said to stop giving away my power and choose what I want.
Except wanting them both creates a different kind of pressure.
At work, Liam maintains professional distance.
Mostly. His hand lingers on my lower back when he passes in the hallway.
He stands closer than necessary when reviewing documents.
Small touches that nobody else would notice.
But when we both left the office last night, we had mind-blowing sex in the front seat of his SUV.
Axel is less subtle when we are at the office. But at least he keeps it professional when other people are around.
This morning, he fucked me on his office couch after he called me in for a meeting. When he gave me that infuriating half-smile, I couldn’t resist.
Navigating one new relationship is tough. Navigating two new relationships is nearly impossible.
River knocks twice and enters. “The investor dinner is at seven. Car service is picking you up at six-thirty.”
“Thanks.”
He hesitates at the door. “Are you okay?”
“Of course.”
He doesn’t believe me but leaves anyway.
I change into the dress I brought this morning—black, simple, appropriate for an investor dinner. Touch up my makeup. Pull my hair down from the bun I wore all day.
At six-fifteen, Liam appears in my doorway. He’s changed into a different suit—darker, perfectly tailored. His eyes move over me once before he catches himself.
“Ready?”
“The car service isn’t here yet.”
“Change of plans.” He walks over and kisses my cheek. “We’re taking my car. Nolan and Axel are waiting downstairs.”
I gather my bag and follow him to the elevator. The ride down is silent. When the doors open to the parking garage, Axel and Nolan are standing beside Liam’s SUV.
Axel’s jacket is off, sleeves rolled to his forearms. Nolan looks polished as always.
“You look good,” Axel says.
Liam shoots him a look.
“What? She does.”
I climb into the back seat. Nolan slides in beside me. Axel takes the front passenger seat. Liam drives.
The restaurant is twenty minutes away.
“Jonathan Brooks is bringing his wife tonight,” Liam says. “Bethany runs a nonprofit focused on ethical business practices.”
“Perfect audience,” Nolan adds.
“Just be professional,” I tell them. “All of you.”
Axel glances back at me. “We know how to behave.”
“You fucked me on your couch this morning,” I remind him.
He chuckles. “I was careful. I made sure the door was locked, so nobody would walk in.”
Liam’s hands tighten on the wheel. “Axel.”
“What? I’m just saying—”
“Don’t,” Liam cuts him off.
We pull up to the restaurant, and the valet takes the keys.
Inside, Jonathan and Bethany are already waiting at the bar.
Jonathan stands when we approach. He’s in his late fifties, with silver hair and a confident handshake. Bethany is younger, maybe early forties, with warm eyes and an easy smile.
Introductions are made. Bethany is engaging and asks thoughtful questions. Jonathan is all business but clearly respects his wife’s opinion.
We’re seated at a round table. I’m between Axel and Nolan. Liam’s across from me, next to Jonathan. Bethany is on Jonathan’s other side.
The brothers are on their best behavior. Except Axel’s knee is pressed against mine under the table.
I shift slightly. He doesn’t move.
Jonathan asks about the independent audit timeline. I walk through the phases—initial assessment, full review, and implementation of new protocols. He nods along, asking smart questions that tell me he’s actually reading the reports we send.
“This is exactly what we wanted to see,” he says. “Real accountability.”
“That’s our goal.” Liam’s voice is smooth. “We have a new communication strategy that Addison put together, which will launch over the next few weeks.”
Bethany asks about our portfolio company oversight. Nolan answers, walking through the new vetting process we’ve implemented. His explanation is thorough without being tedious.
Jonathan raises his wine glass. “To ethical investing. And to partners who actually mean it.”
We toast.
The server arrives with the first course.
Under the table, Axel grabs my knee and then his hand inches upward, under my skirt and settles on my thigh.
I go still.
He traces slow circles on my inner thigh, each pass climbing higher.
I cut into my appetizer. Take a bite. Chew.
Bethany turns to me. “So, Addison, tell me about yourself. How did you end up working with Palmer Capital?”
“They acquired my media company six weeks ago.” I keep my voice steady even as his hand inches upward. “I stayed on as a crisis consultant.”
“She’s being modest,” Liam adds. “She’s the reason we’re having this conversation. Her strategy rebuilt our credibility after the Harrison Luxe fiasco.”
Axel’s fingers move just an inch higher, and liquid heat begins to pool at my center. My fork pauses halfway to my mouth. I set it down with deliberate care, the clink of metal against china too loud in my ears.
“That’s quite a compliment,” Bethany says. “How are you finding the work?”
“Challenging,” I tell her. “But rewarding.”
Axel’s fingertips brush the edge of my underwear.
He can’t be serious. Not here. Not during a business dinner with investors three feet away.
His fingers hook into the fabric and pull it aside.
He’s absolutely serious.
Heat floods through me. I reach for my water glass, grateful for something to do with my hands.
“And outside of work?” Bethany smiles. “Are you seeing anyone?”
The question is friendly. Just casual dinner conversation.
Axel’s fingers stroke through my wetness. Slow. Exploring. Testing how wet I am.
The water glass shakes slightly as I set it down. I pray no one notices.
“No. Just focused on work right now.”
“Really?” Bethany glances between the three brothers. “I’m surprised. You seem like you’d have plenty of options.”
Axel slides two fingers inside me without warning.
My breath catches audibly. I cover it with a cough, reaching for my napkin.
Across the table, Liam’s eyes sharpen. His gaze moves from my face to Axel, then back to me. Understanding flickers across his expression, followed by something darker.
Then Nolan’s gaze flicks to me. His expression doesn’t change, but I see the exact moment he figures out what’s going on. His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.
“Addison’s dedicated to her work,” Nolan says smoothly, drawing Bethany’s attention. “She probably doesn’t have time for dating.”
Axel’s fingers move inside me. Not thrusting. Just stroking. Curling slightly.
I force myself to stay relaxed. To keep my legs apart. To not react.
“That’s a shame.” Bethany cuts into her salmon. “Though I have to say, the three of you seem awfully attentive to her.”
The table goes quiet.
Axel’s fingers curl deeper, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek.
Jonathan laughs, breaking the tension. “Bethany, you’re imagining things.”
“Am I?” Bethany’s smile stays friendly. Curious. “I’ve been watching all evening. The way you three look at her. Defer to her. Liam, you haven’t taken your eyes off her since we sat down.”
Liam’s knuckles whiten around his wine glass. “Addison’s insights are valuable. We pay attention when she speaks.”
Axel’s thumb finds my clit and presses.
My hand jerks, knocking my fork. It clatters against the plate.
Everyone looks at me.
“Sorry.” I manage a smile. “Clumsy.”
Bethany laughs. “Don’t worry about it.”
The conversation shifts, but I have no idea what they’re saying. All I can focus on is Axel’s hand between my legs, the steady rhythm of his fingers, the pressure coiling inside of me.
I have to focus on this conversation.
Jonathan is talking about market trends. Liam responds, but his eyes keep returning to me. There’s heat in his gaze. Possession. Like he’s cataloging every micro-expression on my face.
Nolan shifts beside me, angling his body slightly. Creating a visual barrier between Jonathan and me. Shielding me.
Axel’s fingers move faster. Deeper. His thumb circles my clit in time with the thrusts.
I’m going to come. At a business dinner. With investors three feet away.
My breath comes shorter. I reach for my wine, needing something—anything—to ground me.
The pressure builds. Tightens. I’m right on the edge.
Jonathan turns to me. “Addison, what’s your timeline for the media rollout? I’d like to coordinate our own PR around your announcements.”
I force my expression to stay neutral even as my body coils tighter.
“We’re... we’re staggering the announcements.” My voice sounds strained, even to my own ears. “One major outlet per week to maintain... momentum.”
Nolan’s gaze flicks to me, then to Axel.
“I can send you the full schedule tomorrow so you can plan accordingly,” Nolan says smoothly, drawing Jonathan’s attention.
Jonathan nods, satisfied, and continues asking Nolan questions.
Axel’s thumb circles faster. His fingers curl, hitting that spot inside me that makes everything go white.
I’m going to come.
Now.
The orgasm slams into me.
I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek, tasting copper. My hand grips my wine glass so tight I’m afraid it’ll shatter. Every muscle in my body locks.
But I don’t make a sound.
My face stays neutral. My posture stays straight. I even manage to nod along to something Jonathan is saying, though I have no idea what it is.
Inside, I’m shattering. Wave after wave crashes through me, and Axel’s fingers keep moving, drawing it out until I’m trembling.
Across the table, Liam’s eyes are pure fire. He knows. He’s watching me fall apart, and the hunger in his expression makes me clench around Axel’s fingers all over again.
Finally—finally—Axel withdraws his hand. Slowly. Deliberately.
He reaches for his water glass with the same hand and takes a sip, maintaining eye contact with Liam the entire time.
The message is clear: I just made her come, and there was nothing you could do about it.
I reach for my wine and drain half the glass in one long swallow.
My hands are shaking. I set the glass down carefully and fold them in my lap.
Nolan leans closer, his voice barely a whisper. “You okay?”
I nod once.
He smirks and then turns back to the conversation.
The rest of the dinner passes in a blur. Jonathan and Bethany ask questions. The brothers answer. I contribute when necessary, but my brain is still recovering.
Dessert arrives. I don’t taste it.
Coffee comes. I drink it automatically.
Bethany and Jonathan seem pleased. They talk about moving forward with a larger investment, pending final due diligence.
Liam shakes Jonathan’s hand.
But when his eyes meet mine across the table, there’s a promise there.
This isn’t over.
We say our goodbyes, and the valet brings the car around.
We climb in—same configuration as before. Liam driving. Axel in front. Nolan and me in back.
The doors close.
Silence.
Liam pulls into traffic, his grip white-knuckled on the steering wheel.
No one speaks for three blocks.
Then Liam breaks the silence. “That was reckless.”
He’s not looking at Axel. He’s looking at me in the rearview mirror.
“Don’t blame her,” Axel says.
“I’m not.” Liam’s voice is cold. “I’m blaming you.”
I turn in my seat to face them both. “We need to talk about what just happened.”
Axel chuckles. “You want to talk about me fingering you during a business dinner. And how I made you come so hard, you could barely hold yourself together.”
Liam’s hands go white on the steering wheel. “You can’t do shit like that, Axel.”
“She didn’t stop me,” Axel repeats.
“That’s not the point,” I say.
“Then what is the point?” Liam asks.
“The point is my credibility is being compromised.” I look between all three of them, then I focus on Axel, who is turning to look at me. “I really enjoy your talented fingers. Truly.”
He smiles. “My pleasure.”
“But my entire value to Palmer Capital is that people believe me. That when I say something is ethical or true, they trust it.” I fidget with my seat belt strap. “If people begin to notice how you treat me, people will believe I’m compromised, and then the whole rebranding fails.”
Axel winks. “I would have stopped if you asked me.”
He’s infuriating.
“Obviously, this is my fault, too. But I need you guys to support me in this.”
“What do you want us to do?” Liam asks.
“Back off. At work. In public.” I exhale. “Whatever this is between us, it needs to stay private.”
Silence fills the car.
Liam responds first. “We’ll maintain professional distance in public.”
“Promise me.” I hate that I sound like I am begging.
“I promise.” His eyes meet mine, briefly taking his eyes off the road, before quickly turning back to focus on driving. “No touching. No heated looks.”
I turn to Axel. “You?”
“Yeah. I’ll keep my hands to myself.” His smile sharpens. “At work.”
“Nolan?”
“I haven’t done anything,” he points out.
“Not yet.” I can’t quite meet his eyes. “But you looked at me tonight like you wanted to.”
Color touches his cheeks. “I’ll be more careful.”
I nod once. “Thank you.”
The drive to my apartment takes fifteen minutes. Nobody speaks.
When we pull up to my building, I reach for the door handle.
“Addison.”
I stop and look back at Nolan, and he takes my hand in his.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night. Just the two of us.”
“Okay,” I agree.
He blinks, then smiles. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Dress casually. I want you to be comfortable.”
He releases my hand, and I climb out.
The building door clicks shut behind me, and only then does the SUV pull away. Two Palmer brothers down. One to go.