Page 5 of Boss with Benefits

“Brady—”

“Relax.” He gestured to his custom-made desk: an artistic masterpiece chiseled from granite with their logo attached to the front in polished gold metal: two letters partially entwined with a circle around them. EI, which stood for Elite Images. “Can you pick out the models for the mattress ad? We need to make a decision, and you’re so much better at this stuff than I am.”

Was he trying to flatter her? That wasn’t his usual MO, but anything was possible. Brady liked to keep people off balance so they were easier to deal with. She knew that better than most.

He opened a folder and spread photos of models in front of her, both male and female. She tried to picture them in silk pajamas. The models would be playing a loving couple on a Sunday morning with a newspaper, a cute dog, and breakfast in bed. It only took a moment for her to zero in on her two favorites. She placed a young man with a golden halo of hair next to a stunning woman with longish brown curls.

“I like these two,” she said.

“See?” Brady smiled. “You always know which models to use. It’s a natural instinct with you.”

“Thanks. I think.”

He winked at her and grinned so big that his dimples deepened beneath the facial fuzz. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to join me for a little afternoon delight?”

She sighed. “You’re breaking a cardinal rule again, Brady. At work, we work. We don’t talk about personal stuff. In fact, there isn’t even any personal stuff to talk about anymore. Last night was our last night. Remember?”

“Not if I can talk you into one more time. Then tonight can be our last night together. Get a sitter or sneak me in after the kid is asleep.”

She started to list all the reasons why they shouldn’t have sex again. The intercom buzzer interrupted her before she could begin, and Katherine’s voice came over the intercom. “Jessica, your nanny is on line one.”

“Thank you, Katherine.” Jessica put the call on speaker. “Go ahead, Bridget. I’m here.”

The sound of loud sobbing caught her off guard.

She and Brady exchanged concerned glances.

A wave of fear crashed into her. “Bridget, what’s wrong? Is Axl okay? Did something happen to him?”

Words came out between sobs. “Your ex... lawyer... want Axl...”

Jessica stiffened. “Are you saying Randy wants to take my son from me?”

“Yes! He and his wife... they p-pushed me… out the door. I am... calling… from my car. They won’t... give him to me.”

“No, no, no, no, no!” Jessica’s eyes filled with hot tears at the thought of losing her little boy. The bottom fell out of her world. “Give me a second to call Randy. Don’t go anywhere. Okay? Just sit in your car and wait.”

She dialed her ex’s number with trembling fingers. When the coward answered, she started yelling. There wasn’t time toplan what to say. Her emotions took over. “Randy, you have no right to keep my son from returning home!”

“Our son,” Randy said in a calm, controlled voice. “And I have a lawyer that says otherwise. He’s getting a special order so I don’t have to return Axl. Then we’re taking you to court, and I’m seeking full custody.”

Spiraling out of control, Jessica’s vocal cords froze. She didn’t know what to do. Should she drive to Randy’s home and take her son back by force? Should she contact a lawyer? If she lost Axl, she didn’t think she could survive the pain.

He was a little boy, and he needed his mother.

He neededher.

Brady held a finger up to keep her quiet, and he took over. “This is Brady, the photographer Jessica works for, and I have a team of attorneys, best in the state, just dying to take someone to court. If you don’t hand the boy over to his nanny within the next two minutes, the police will be at your door in ten. You will be arrested for kidnapping. Then my law team will make sure Jess keeps sole custody of her son. When they get done with you, you won’t be trusted with a dog, let alone a child.”

Randy sputtered, “H-how d-dare y-you! I will—”

“Your two minutes started twenty seconds ago,” Brady said in a clipped tone. “I’m picking up my cell to call the police.”

Jessica stood frozen in place with her eyes wide and unblinking. She held her breath. Her entire future hinged on what would happen in the next few seconds. Fortunately, people were afraid of Brady’s money and connections.

He hung up on Randy and dialed Bridget.

“Do you see Jessica’s son?” Brady asked. “That SOB should be—”

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