Page 109 of Almost Paradise

“Why the hell not? I’ve already turned off the cameras,” he says.

“You do realize your security knows why those cameras are turned off almost every afternoon, right?”

“So? And they know to shut up about it,” he replies. “But that’s not why I called. I have to leave for an offsite meeting in half an hour. Have you looked at those schools? We need to pick one, baby girl.”

I groan, but he’s right. Ms. Dot is retiring and moving to North Carolina to be closer to her daughter, so we have to enroll Carter in a new school. As a thank you, Drake wrote her a six-figure check. Her jaw almost hit the floor when she saw it.

“I was thinking of Carrington and Friends. It’s close to the office and the students and teachers are pretty diverse. Do you think he’ll get in?” I ask.

He huffs as if the idea of him not getting accepted is ridiculous. “I guarantee it.”

“There’s one more thing I want to ask you,” I tell him. He stays quiet while I take a breath and blurt, “Can I set up college funds for Mason and Kyle?” I hold my breath and wait.

“Baby girl, you don’t need to ask me. I’ll have one of our account managers contact you about setting it up. Set up trust funds too.”

“Really? It’s that easy?”

“It’s that easy. You’re a Paradise, and Kyle and Mason are our nephews. Talk to your brother and see if he wants them to go to Carrington. If so, we can make it happen, and they can start in September. Aunt Nia and Uncle Drake will take care of the tuition and costs.”

I hadn’t thought of that, and I don’t know if Ray will agree, but I will try.

“I’ll ask him,” I tell my husband.

“Okay, then. I’ll have everything handled. Let me know what Ray says, and I might be a little late today, so you’ll have to get Carter without me.”

I pout into the phone, but I know my husband is a busy man. I’m spoiled with all the time I get with him.

“Okay, and don’t forget next Friday is my mom’s banquet. She wants all of us there.” The Boston Public Library is honoring my mother for twenty-five years of service with a dinner and an award. She wants the entire family there, and that includes my husband.

“I have it marked down. We’ll make a donation in her honor as well. We’re good, baby girl. Come to my office so you can tell me you love me in person. I’ll keep my pants on. I promise.”

I don’t fully trust him to do that. When I had lunch with Audrey a few days ago, he asked me to bring him something back. When I got to his office to deliver it, he put me on his desk, lifted my skirt, and ate me until I orgasmed in his mouth. Then he lifted me off the desk, turned me around, bent me over, and slid into me.

The only blight on our bliss has been Scarlett, who still manages to call him at least a few times per week. Drake has cut all ties with her family’s company as well.

I check my makeup in my office, the same one I had when I worked here previously. Drake wanted me to have an office next to his, which makes no sense since that’s not even on the same floor as my department. I insisted on taking the same job and my old office. He agreed, but he reminds me weekly that I don’t need to work.

I find him with his back turned. He has his phone pressed to his ear. “Well, that’s what happens when your daughter messes with my life. I mess with yours, so suffer the consequences. Don’t call me again.” He slams the phone down and his eyes clash with mine.

He opens his arms, and I go in, wrapping mine around him and resting my head on his chest. “What happened?” I ask.

“I blocked a deal Foley was trying to get, but I don’t want to talk about that. I want to kiss my wife before leaving the building.” So I let my husband kiss me. I tilt my face up and his warm soft lips land on mine. I slide my hand through his soft hair and moan when his tongue meets mine. He tastes like he always does, like my husband. Like the only man I will ever love.

“I made a decision. I was thinking,” I say when we both reluctantly pull away, “that when we go to Berlin, I might not pack my birth control pills.” I bite my bottom lip while I look into his eyes and wait for his reaction.

He lifts me off my feet and spins me around. “That would make me the happiest man on earth.” Then he puts a large palm on my stomach. “I want a girl this time.”

“You’ll get what you get, and you’ll be happy about it,” I tell him. “Now, go so you can hurry up and get home.”

Chapter 63

Nia

It’s the third time a strange number has called my cell phone. I don’t answer unknown numbers, so I hit ignore. Moments later, my office phone rings, and it’s the same number. If it was anyone I know, they would send a text, but curiosity gets the better of me, so I answer.

“This is Nia Paradise.” I almost giggle after saying my new last name. The other line stays quiet, and I say, “Hello? This is Nia Paradise.”

“You whore,” the voice says. It’s a woman’s voice that sounds familiar.

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