Chapter One
Matilda Viveiros was done with men. D-O-N-E, done.
She’d tried, and she’d tried, but in the end, she’d written them off more than a year ago and hadn’t missed them since.
Well, mostly. If there were a way to get the benefits of certain parts of their anatomy without the guilt, shame, and ridiculous bullshit that came along with what she liked todowith those certain parts of their anatomy, she’d go for that.
But that man, and his dick, didn’t exist. She’d looked, and all she’d ended up with was a headache and the conviction that silicone-based appendages ordered through certain discreet websites were a better option.
Those, at least, solved the sex problem. There were still all the other ways the men in her life drove her up a fucking wall.
But not today…
Mati loved her job, but it was a rare and special treat to have her office—let alone the entire house—to herself. She was determined to relish every moment. After kicking off her heels, she put her feet up, pulled off her glasses, and stretched her arms above her head. She had an entire day doing what she loved, without a single soul around, and she refused to miss the company.
When she’d first come here five years ago, she’d thought she’d be interviewing with some old dude named Edwin who was something of a local legend, and an infamous recluse. Instead, she’d met the recently departed old dude’s son, who was also named Edwin but went by his middle name, Reese. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with piercing green eyes, ridiculous cheekbones, and hair only a Disney prince should be able to pull off. And more than just beautiful, he was generous, kind, and remarkably disinclined to leave the house, much like his father had been. She’d also found Hodges, who claimed to be Reese’s driver but was more like his friend and father rolled into one. And who had become a lot like both to Mati, too.
She ran her hand over the desk Reese had bought her in those early days. It was really more of a fussy French table, with inlaid wood on top and delicate, golden legs curling down from each corner. She absolutely adored it, as he’d known she would when he’d caught her drooling over it in the catalog while she was supposed to be checking out the hulking Formica L-shaped monsters in another section.
She smiled at the memory. Then she reminded herself she was wallowing in a man-free day. That meant she shouldn’t be listening for the sounds of Reese moving around in the office next to hers. Or miss his laughter, his sharp wit, and his unfailing trust in her and her abilities.
Reese was in Moncton for a visit with his family. She wasn’t sure if the pang of jealousy was because they got to spend time with Reese, or because Reese got to spend time with them. Reese’s family was fun and funny, generous with their affection, and warm in a way Mati cherished. It didn’t matter one wit that not one member was a blood relation—they could give lessons on loyalty and devotion. Lessons she could only wishherfamily would learn.
She’d had to miss this trip because her mom had needed Mati to take her to an appointment that morning while her brothers and father were tied up with some issue at the family produce distribution business. The business she could run in her sleep, after years and years of being the office drudge, but didn’t have a share in because she was born with a uterus. Go figure.
That crap used to fill her with rage, but these days she was glad her father was a backward—oh, sorry,old-fashioned—thinker. If she’d been atViveiros and Sons…well, it wouldn’t have been called that, for one thing. And she wouldn’t have gotten a job as Reese Lamont’s personal assistant. And she wouldn’t have this lovely office in his beautiful home outside the city, with her ridiculous desk and the sunny windows.
She’d also be making less money, have fewer benefits…
So, yeah, this job was working out pretty well, though a lot had changed in the five years since she’d begun working here.
She still wore a suit every day, because she loved her suits and video conference calls were a consistent part of their lives, but that was about the only formality left. She’d long ago stopped calling ReeseMr. Lamont, and he’d long ago stopped calling herMatilda—though he still vigorously insisted their business associates used either that or Ms. Viveiros.
It was a game they played, letting people wonder what, exactly, was her role. A lot of people—not just the men—assumed she was window dressing. They’d ignore her or speak over her head as if she couldn’t possibly understand. It enraged Reese every time, and Mati certainly didn’t enjoy it, but she did love the looks on their faces when she and Reese took advantage of their stupidity and used it against them.
She had a great job working for a man who, unlike her family, valued her as something more than a producer of grandbabies—an occupation she had no interest in, yet. Maybe someday, if she could find a worthy sperm-donor.
An image of Reese popped into her head, and she nearly slapped herself in the face for it.
He may be perfect, genetically speaking, but in the five years they’d known each other, he’d also been flawlessly respectful. She’d never caught him looking at her legs, her boobs, or anywhere else his eyes shouldn’t have wandered. Instead, he’d taught her everything he could, feeding her curiosity at every turn and building her confidence until she’d started investing her own money in his projects, and building something far beyond a simple job with a salary.
They’d also grown to be good friends. Family, almost. So, while she enjoyed how protective he was of her, she chided herself when it gave her a little thrill. Their relationship was no longer strictly professional, but itwasstrictly platonic.
Even if Mati occasionally let her imagination wander.
She rolled her eyes, well aware one of the most attractive things about Reese was that in five years he’d never once done anything to make her wonder if he was attracted to her. How was that for self-defeating?
And probably another excellent reason her policy on men was a good one. At thirty-one, she really ought to know better.
She checked the clock and decided it was time for a late lunch before she dove back into the review of Reese’s real estate holdings. She grabbed her glasses, but left her shoes under her desk and padded stocking-footed through the house. She’d been intimidated the first time she’d pulled up in front of this massive stone and timber house, but now it felt familiar. Welcoming. Like home.
The slate foyer was freezing, and she hopped across it like she was stepping on hot coals. If Reese or Hodges checked the security camera footage when they got home, they’d tease her for this performance for weeks. She almost looked forward to it.
Slipping down the back hallway, she passed by the wide timber-framed entryway to the formal dining room and through the swinging door into the kitchen. This was the homiest room in the house, and her favorite, aside from her office. Bright white tiles with cobalt accents, steel appliances, and heavy, honey-colored wooden furniture glowed in the winter sun pouring through the massive windows. A blanket of snow covered the back gardens and lawns, beyond which rose a wall of trees, and at their roots, boulders tumbled across the rolling forest floor that would eventually reach the sea.
She opened the fridge and contemplated bringing her laptop back here to enjoy what little sunlight the winter granted them. She was just putting her containers down on the farmhouse table when she heard a noise from the front of the house.
It wasn’t a strange noise, or even an unusual one, but there was no reason the front door should have opened. She’d spoken to Reese an hour ago and knew he was nowhere near home.
