Page 82 of Silver Fox's Secret Triplets
"Have you now?"
"Mmm." She kissed me again, deeper this time, her fingers threading through my hair. "I like having you all to myself for a few minutes. No kids demanding breakfast, no phones ringing, no meetings to attend."
"No responsibilities."
"No responsibilities," she agreed, pulling back to look at me. "Just us."
For a moment, we were suspended in time—not the CEO and his assistant, not the parents of three demanding toddlers, not the couple trying to navigate family drama and old wounds. We were simply Duncan and Ivy, two people who had found their way back to each other against all odds.
"I should probably get to work," she said, but she made no move to leave my lap.
"Probably."
"I have emails to answer and calls to return and appointments to schedule."
"Very important work."
"The most important," she said solemnly, then grinned. "But not as important as this."
She kissed me one more time, quick and sweet, then stood up and smoothed her dress. The transformation back to professional mode was almost instantaneous—shoulders straight, expression composed, every inch the efficient assistant.
"I'll be at my desk if you need anything," she said, moving toward the door.
"Ivy."
She paused, hand on the doorknob. "Yes?"
"I love you."
She smiled, the professional mask slipping for just a moment to reveal the woman underneath.
"I love you too."
Then she was gone, leaving me alone with the lingering scent of her perfume and the memory of her lips on mine. I turned back to my laptop, but concentrating on work seemed impossible. The morning had started perfectly, and I found myself looking forward to the day ahead with an enthusiasm I hadn't felt in years.
Twenty minutes later, my office door burst open without warning. Nick stormed in, his face flushed with anger, already talking before he'd fully entered the room.
"You're actually not signing the retirement papers?" He was angry, dark inky eyes staring down at me.
I looked up from my computer, startled by his sudden entrance. "Nick, I we talked about this?—"
"You told me you were reconsidering. I didn't think you meant you were going to throw away everything we've worked toward." He began pacing in front of my desk, his movements sharp and agitated. "Do you have any idea what this means for my future?"
"Keep your voice down."
"I will not keep my voice down. You've been talking about this for two years, Duncan. Two years that I tried convincing you not to. Then I get behind you and start supporting you and bam, you are changing your mind?"
"I know what I said."
"Then explain to me why you're throwing away your chance at the life you claimed you wanted—no schedules, no board meetings, no employees depending on you. You could be on a beach in Thailand by Christmas, or hiking through Europe, or doing whatever the hell you wanted to do. Instead, you'rechoosing to stay chained to a desk for what? A woman who kept your children secret for three years?"
"Nick—"
"No, I'm not finished. You told me you were done with Boston, done with the responsibility, done with everything that kept you from living your life. You said you wanted to disappear, to start fresh somewhere nobody knew your name or your history. You said you wanted to be free with no strings to tie you down."
His words were relentless, hammering away at my conscience. I could see the exact moment Ivy appeared in the doorway, her phone in her hand, her face pale with shock.
"Ivy," I started, but she was already backing away.
