Instead of doing what I wanted, I did what had to be done and took a step back. Then another. I walked outside, going straight to my car without looking back. If I looked back, I’d lose the ability to leave.
We needed distance and a few hours to rest before we faced the world and pretended we were nothing more than boss and employee.
Lila met me at the door with a glass of wine and a smile. “Tell me everything.”
I fell onto the couch and replayed every moment, telling her what I could but keeping many things for myself. I loved her, butsome of the things I’d done with Dante, Julian, and Alexander were for the four of us and no one else.
Lila refilled my wine halfway through and curled into the corner of the couch. By the time I finished, her eyes were wide and her smile had stretched to match. “I’m so fucking happy for you. Jealous as shit, but happy too. You deserve this, Harper.” She patted my knee and finished her wine.
I held my argument back. I didn’t deserve them. I’d lied to them. A lie by omission but still a lie.
19
ALEXANDER
I’d never been more sexually satisfied in my life. And yet I would take Harper again in an instant if given the chance. I could not get enough of her. I’d lost count of how many times we fucked over the weekend. Still not enough.
All day.
Every day.
For the rest of my life.
Maybe after fifty years or so, I’d finally be able to go a day without wanting her.
Doubtful. But by then I’d probably be dead and waiting for her in the afterlife.
I’d claimed Harper in every possible way, and I would do it all again.
I wrenched my thoughts away from our weekend together and poured a cup of coffee. The rich aroma reminded me to check in on the coffee corner downstairs. Julian had mentioned theywere using cheap beans, when I knew for a fact I’d expressly ordered they shop the best.
Only the best for our employees. That was the promise we’d built Elevate on, and it was the guarantee I’d pledged to uphold.
I opened the blinds on my way to my desk and paused to admire the view. New York in early morning created a unique backdrop to the work day. Cars trekked up and down the street far below. No doubt horns honked and people shouted, but I was high enough to be removed from the sounds and smells. Instead, I enjoyed a quietness that settled in my bones.
A satisfied sigh loosened the coiled muscles in my back and shoulders. We’d needed the weekend away, a chance to fully be ourselves without consequences or prying eyes.
Turning away from the window, I scanned my office on my way to my desk. Memories cut across my mind, the images sharp as a blade. Harper on my desk. Harper on the couch with all three of us inside her. It was enough to bring out a wide smile and an urge to track her down and invite her up for another meeting.
Except we’d promised to keep things professional at work, which meant I needed to settle the fuck down and do my job.
The coffee scalded my tongue on the first sip, but I drank it anyway as I sank into the thick leather chair and turned on my computer. An alert pinged as soon as I logged in.
What the hell? I’d set up my own system that tracked any news outlets and social media that mentioned us. The alerts were infrequent enough that they always caused a jolt in my gut. I set the cup aside and clicked to open the alert. A dozen images filled my computer screen, along with headlines not fit for public reading.
“Fuck.” I slammed my closed fist onto the desk. More images appeared, Harper in all of them.
Harper in the bedroom with us, her body spread across the bed and Dante between her legs.
Harper on her knees with my cock in her mouth and Julian in her ass.
Image after image of Harper in the cabin with us. They kept going. These were more than compromising. These were damning. I punched in Julian’s number, then Dante’s on my cell. Both answered after the first ring. “Get to my office. Now.” I hung up before they had a chance to ask a single question.
Minutes later, the door burst open and Dante strode in. He reminded me of a dark angel when he did that. All righteous fury and brooding intensity.
In contrast, Julian would be heaven’s angel with his golden hair and jaunty stride. It wasn’t jaunty today. He stormed in with the same kind of purposeful energy as Dante.
“What?” Dante powered forward until he reached my desk. He stopped at the corner and looked around. “Why did you order us here?”
