Page 49 of Takeover

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Ethan’s penthouse is large enough that I don’t hear the woman’s voice until I get to the top of the stairs. Unsure of what I’m supposed to do, I stop and wait for her to leave before I go down.

“Do you need me to stay? He had breakfast, but he might be ready for lunch soon. Isn’t that right, baby?” She coos the last sentence.

I don’t think Vincent replies because I don’t hear his voice.

“We’re all set. You can go. Don’t you have plans soon?”

“They pushed it back an hour, so I can stay.” My ears perk up at that. She actually giggles after inviting herself to stay for the second time. I’d bet money that she’s smiling at him.

“Like I said, we’re good. Feel free to call him before he goes to bed tonight.” I can’t see her, but I can imagine the disappointment in her face by his rejection. She says something else, but she lowers her voice, and I can’t hear. Seconds later, I hear the elevator ding, and I assume she’s gone.

“I’m hungry, Daddy.” I smile at the sound of Vincent’s voice and can’t wait another second to see him.

“Hey, Vinnie,” I shout while I run down the stairs. His eyes light up when he sees me, and he reaches the stairs just as I reach the last step. He runs into my arms, and the instant I lift him up, I spin us around. “I missed you so much.” I smell his hair and kiss the top of his head. “I know this great place in Hell’s Kitchen.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Ethan gets our coats. He points to a bag in the closet, and I pull out a pair of black Christian Louboutin riding boots. Just like the clothes he left on his bed for me, these boots fit perfectly, and I can’t help but do a little spin after I put them on. Ethan walks over and helps me with my coat, but I don’t miss the satisfied smug look on his face.

“I’m keeping these,” I tell him.

“Well, they’re not my size, so…”

“You probably expect me to pay you back, but you can forget it,” I tease.

He helps me with my scarf and hat from last night. The gesture is so unexpected, I have no choice but to stand there and let him do it.

“I’m more than capable of getting my girlfriend a few things.”

We never said what we were to each other but hearing him say the words causes my heart to skip a beat. Instead of wrapping my arms around him and kissing him senseless though, I narrow my eyes at him instead.

“You have a girlfriend? What kind of woman would date you? She must be a complete nut job.”

He nods somberly and says, “Not to mention totally desperate and a complete basket case. I keep her around because,” he looks around the room and lowers his voice. He leans down close to my ear and says, “She’s a good fuck. And I like a project. I told you I’m a humanitarian.”

My eyes widen at his crass words, but when I look in his face, he can’t hide his smile. I playfully punch him in the chest before I tug on his scarf and pull him closer.

“Thank you,” I whisper right before I give him a soft kiss.

“You’re welcome.”

Vincent runs up to us, and we each take one of his hands and get in the elevator.

This Monday started out just like my first Monday waking up in Ethan’s house. He was already up and out of bed. It was like déjà vu when I saw him getting his hair trimmed and face shaved. There was a flurry of activity downstairs when his weekday staff arrived, along with Carla the nanny.

Everyone seemed to know my name, and my breakfast order was requested. Despite Ethan only having coffee due to a breakfast meeting, breakfast was without the awkwardness of the last time. Vincent talked over his pancakes. He told Carla about our lunch at Mom’s Kitchen and our walk through Central Park just as the snow started to fall.

The afternoon before, we ran into Vincent’s best friend, Evan, in the lobby. He’s a five-year-old little boy who’s also being raised by a single father. A giant of a man by the name of Colt Chastain, a basketball player for the Manhattan Mischiefs. As the boys hugged, Ethan wrapped an arm around my waist, pulled me closer, and introduced me to his neighbor. Colt’s eyes widened in surprise and he gave me a wide smile before slowly raising my hand to his lips. When Ethan practically growled at him, he threw his head back and laughed.

I don’t watch basketball, and I’ve never heard of or seen this man before today, but I have to admit that he’s handsome. He’s taller than Ethan, but he’s lean. He has what looks like a permanent five o’clock shadow, and his head is covered in dark curls.

Evan ended up coming in for an impromptu playdate Sunday afternoon, and the boys played together while Ethan and I watched a movie.

I woke up this Monday morning feeling a sense of contentment I haven’t felt in a long time. The only slight damper on my mood was the text I received from Michael when I woke up alerting me of his upcoming visit to New York. He had the audacity to ask to meet me for dinner.

All thoughts of Michael were gone when I turned around and smelled Ethan’s pillow. Even now as we’re sitting in the back of his Maybach while he talks on the phone, he’s holding my hand in his.

“We’ll fly out Thursday afternoon and do the tour on Friday. We’re going to make a weekend of it, so arrange for us to fly back on Sunday afternoon. What’s today looking like? I need fifteen minutes with the COO, and I need the sales projections for the third quarter.” He listens for a second before ending the call. As soon as he puts his phone away, he leans over and kisses my neck.