Page 60 of Boss with Benefits

He sighed and rubbed the place between his eyes that throbbed when a headache was coming on. She knew the feeling. But she didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy for him.

“I’m not leaving because of you,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about going back on the road to photograph wild animals and exotic locations. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. You can either sell the agency or get someone to replace me. I’ll sell you my seventy percent if you want.”

Her brain felt like it might explode, so crammed full with new information she couldn’t think. She needed to take a moment to breathe. How was she supposed to make life-altering decisions when her world was falling apart?

“No rush,” he said. “I’ll drop you a postcard, and you can let me know what you want to do about the business.”

“This is happening too fast.”

“I have my airline ticket, and my bags are packed.”

She gaped at him with her mouth slightly open. What was happening? She gestured to the champagne, strawberries, and chocolate. “Why did you do all this if you were planning to walk out on me.”

“I’m not...” He raked a hand through his thick dark hair and turned away for a moment. “I am not walking out on you, Jess. This was the deal from the start. I promised you I wouldn’t let you lose Axl, and I kept my word. I feel like I need a fresh start somewhere else, and I hope you can understand.”

She twisted her fingers while desperately searching for something to say. He was right, of course. Somehow, he had gotten Randy to change his mind and sign over his parental rights. She couldn’t be mad at him. So what if he got sex out of the deal? She’d already been sleeping with him before Randy got the not-so-brilliant idea to take her son away.

“You say you’ve been thinking about this for a while?” She shrugged. “Can’t say I’m really shocked. You haven’t seemed happy with the business lately.”

He looked surprised she’d noticed. “Making coffee and mattress ads isn’t exactly my dream. You know that.”

“You’ve had some successful art showings at galleries around the country. I figured you would do it on the side.”

“I’ve been in touch with a few places wanting to showcase my work, but I need fresh photographs. Better ones. I need to blow them away if I want to be on top and stay there.”

Jessica nodded. “I’ll support you in whatever you want to do, of course. But can’t you work at the agencyandfollow your dream? You can take off every two or three months for a week. Maybe more often. I can do the parts you hate, pick the models and meet with clients. Can’t you take your artistic photos here and there while still working with me?”

A wistful smile came to his face, and his feet ate the distance between them. He placed a long, lingering kiss on her mouth. It was a goodbye kiss. She didn’t need to be a psychic to know that. He was saying his final goodbye.

Then he kissed her forehead. “I am going to miss you like crazy.”

Emotion choked her, and she couldn’t speak for a moment.

She nodded as tears filled her eyes. “Right back at you, stud.”

He walked around the corner to the hallway, headed for the bedroom alone.

She took shaky breaths and tried to get a grip on her emotions. If he wanted to leave them, there wasn’t anything she could do about it. Poor Axl would be crushed by the news. He loved Brady, too.

Several minutes later, Brady returned with his packed suitcases. He gave her a quick kiss. It was all happening too fast for her. She couldn’t think straight.

There were things she wanted to say to him, important things, but her vocal cords refused to work. She simply stood there staring at him. Her eyes devoured the sight of him, every inch, while her mind tried to memorize everything.

“Stay here as long as you want,” he said. “Seriously. You’ll be doing me a favor by not leaving the place empty. I’ll call to let you know where I am as soon as I can.”

Then he was gone.

She wanted to chase his car down the street, but her legs refused to move. Instead, she crumpled to her knees on the fur rug and let the dam burst wide open. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Sobs wracked her body. How was she going to survive without him?

She had her son, but she’d lost her heart all the same.

Living without Brady wouldn’t be living at all.

Chapter Fourteen

“I can’t believe you’re leaving,” Deacon said.

They stood on the sidewalk in front of Deacon’s office building, staring at each other. Brady knew his best friend was disappointed, but he hoped Deacon could understand his need to leave town. He needed a fresh start. Maybe someday after he got over Jessica he could return at least long enough for a visit.

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