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“She paid off my student loans and gave me a lump sum in exchange for my signature on papers relinquishing all rights to any Harrington inheritance or paternity suits. I don’t know if it would actually hold up in a court of law, but I wanted nothing to do with that vile family after that. I figured we were better off without them.”
I blink back tears. “Yeah. Agreed. But you let her pay for my education?”
“I didn’t realize she was the one pulling strings at first. By the time I did, you were already a sophomore. You didn’t like it socially, but you were excelling so much academically, I couldn’t bear to pull you out. I talked to you about it, remember? You wanted to stay because you could take six AP classes a semester there. You loved the challenge.”
She’s right. I did. Academic success was a new game for me then. I loved pushing myself to see how far and fast I could go. “I remember.”
“I’ve debated telling you, but I wasn’t sure it would do anything but hurt you.”
“Yeah. I get that. Knowing does hurt.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I really am. They’re classist assholes. She has no right to contact you now. What–she waited to see how you turned out, and now that you’re a Princeton grad working on Wall Street, you’re good enough? That’s a steaming pile of bullshit, as far as I’m concerned.”
My mom doesn’t usually resort to cursing, and I suddenly want to hug her. The Harringtons’ assholery affected her far more than it has me. I was oblivious to the rejection, while she had to live with it and hide it from me all these years.
“It’s fine. But you’re right. That’s exactly the score.”
After a moment of silence, my mom asks, “What are you going to do?” The fact that she sounds scared–like she might lose me to these assholes–guts me.
“I’m going to tell her to go fuck herself,” I say although it’s more for my mom than for me.
My mom lets out an audible breath.
“I love you, Mom.”
“Oh, Madi.” She’s choked up. “I love you so much. I’m sorry if this hurt you.”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry it hurt you. I have to go, but let’s do dinner tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’d like that. Bye, sweetie.”
Chapter Ten
Brick
I overheard Madi’s conversation with her mother and gave her space in case she needed to process things. At six, I summon her to bring my tux in from the closet. I had some foolish idea about changing in front of her–remembering how turned on she’d been that second week when she’d spilled water on me and walked in when I had my shirt off.
Screwing her in the office has taken the edge off, but it’s not the same as taking a female to bed. I don’t get to see her naked. There are things I want to do to her that take more time than a quickie stolen during work hours.
Fuck. Me.
She comes in wearing the dress she wore to the charity ball. Of course–it’s not like she has another gown. We’ve already established that. But its effect on me is immediate and painful.
“Oh, honey. You made a huge tactical error wearing that dress again.” I’ve taken off my jacket, tie, and dress shirt, so I’m standing in my undershirt. I eat up the way her gaze traces where my biceps pop out of the sleeves.
I expect a sassy response, but her expression flickers to doubt, and she freezes in place. “I did?”
I take the tuxedo bag from her and toss it on a chair. “You did.” I pick her up and sit her on my desk.
“Jesus, you are strong.” She grabs onto my arms and squeezes, like she’s testing the muscles. Same thing she did that day she pretended she was blotting the water from my abs.
“Uh huh.” I lower my head and trail my tongue lightly around the V of her window, delving between her perky breasts. “You left me with blue balls the last time you wore this, and I haven’t forgiven you for it.”
She spreads her thighs wide, encouraging me closer. “You haven’t?” Her voice is husky and sweet.
“No, Windows. Punishment is definitely in order.”
Her pupils dilate. Breath quickens. The scent of her arousal drugs me.
