Page 104 of At His Beck & Call

“Perhaps another time…” He takes my hand and leads me back into the house.

I try to stop thinking about how right this feels, how happy I am with him in his home, and how desperate I am to be near him.

Chapter 36

Oliver

Iwatch Lissa sitting beside Henry on the bed. She strokes his head, fully focused on him.

Truman leaps up onto the bed, sniffing gently at Henry and settling down beside him. I only have a tiny bit of knowledge about the sixth sense of animals, but Truman seems to be aware that Henry isn’t well. He’s rarely this connected to someone the first time he meets them.

I know I shouldn’t have asked them to come here. I knew as soon as the invitation left my mouth that it was a mistake, but I couldn’t help myself.

Watching her with Henry, so soft and gentle as the snow falls outside the window, I’ve never felt so content and grounded before.

How the hell did I manage to fall for an escort?

There’s no point in denying it—I’ve fallen for her. The final hour of the workday has become what gets me through the rest of the day. I think about that time with her constantly, planning how to make her feel good, how to make her moan for me. But also, to allow her to relax, find a release, and hold her in my arms.

I think about everything she’s been through. I have so much, and she has so little, but she deserves everything the world has to offer.

If I could do more for her, I would.

Pulling out my phone, I open my banking app and deposit a payment for all the extra time we’ve spent together this week. It’s more than I should probably send, but I don’t care.

I want her to have an easier life. I adore her, and I adore Henry too, despite barely knowing him. He’s such an extension of her. Every expression he makes, his thoughtful, slow, careful way of being, reminds me of Lissa.

My heart aches that he’s so sick.

“Have you ever thought about bringing Truman to work with you?” Lissa asks.

I pocket my phone, frowning down at Truman, who has his front paws against Lissa’s thigh.

“Get down, Truman,” I say gently, but Lissa just laughs and picks him up.

“It’s alright, he’s such a sweet boy.”

Truman licks at her chin. “He is. But he’s also a menace sometimes. And no. I’ve never thought about bringing him to AGS. I don’t think the other partners would appreciate it.”

She strokes Truman’s tiny head as his little tail bashes repeatedly against her body. I feel an urge to loop my arm around Lissa’s tiny shoulders, but instead I quickly shove my hands in my pockets.

She wanders quietly into the living room as I go to the kitchen and pick up the discarded wine glasses from the counter, following her with the last of the bottle. I consider opening another, but I’ve already had enough and need to keep a clear head.

My housekeeper lit a fire earlier before she left, and it’s still burning as I enter the room. Truman and Lissa have gravitatedtowards it. She’s so beautiful in the soft golden glow. I can’t stop staring at her as I hand her a little more of the wine.

She sits on the couch opposite the fireplace, and after some indecision, I sit beside her. I’m terrified she’ll be able to read everything on my face. The idea of her discovering my feelings makes nausea rise like acid in my throat. If she knew the ridiculous thoughts running around in my head, she would no doubt laugh in my face.

I sip my wine and try not to clench my jaw. Truman jumps up between us, doing the little thing I love, where he circles around several times before he settles.

He ends up leaning against Lissa’s leg, but she doesn’t seem to mind, one hand coming to rest on his belly as he rolls over, his legs in the air. He’s so ridiculous sometimes.

“Have you ever thought about starting your own firm?” she asks as I pause, glancing at her, raising an eyebrow.

“I have,” I admit slowly. “Many times. But I’ve worked hard to get to where I am at AGS. I’m about to become an equity partner. It’s what I’ve been working toward for a long time.”

She gives me a big approving smile. “And what happens after that?” she asks.

Such an innocent question, but it makes me stop to think. “I guess I’ll keep working like I always have and give Adelaide a raise and more purple gifts.”