Page 71 of At His Beck & Call

“Oh yes—those were delivered today,” Anne says, giving me a warm smile.

I walk over, my fingers running along the edge of the little blue card hanging around the bear’s neck. It simply says “to my brave boy.” I know it’s from James, and it’s natural for a father to want to give a gift to his son, but the relaxed feeling in my body evaporates in an instant.

I feel like a terrible mother for resenting my son’s father sending his love, but I can’t help it.

What if James turns up overnight and I’m alone in the room? What if he’s angry about Oliver and decides to teach me a lesson?

I’ve always been afraid of James. I can admit that much to myself, but now I’m scared in a new way. We’re not together anymore. The trust I used to have in him that he wouldn’t hurt me is completely gone. Everything feels far more alarming now, more volatile and unpredictable.

“He’s a beautiful little boy,” Anne says gently, breaking me out of my spiraling thoughts. “So clever and friendly. And so polite to the staff.”

“I can’t thank you enough for being with him. I hope you haven’t been too tired being here all day.”

“Are you kidding? I found a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in his book bag. I had a wonderful time reading it. I’ll finish reading it to him tomorrow.”

I chuckle, smiling at her. “Anne, you’re a life?—"

“Mommy?”

Every muscle in my body stiffens, and I rush to the bed as Henry’s eyes open.

“Hey, baby!” I say, unable to stop the tears springing into my eyes as he reaches for me, and I kiss him on the forehead. “You okay?”

He nods as I slowly lower into the chair Anne had occupied, and she moves her walker to stand beside me, putting a gentle, reassuring hand on my shoulder as I try to hold my emotions in check.

“Miss Anne gave me some of her juice,” he says, his throat hoarse as he licks his dry lips. I pick up the water glass and hold the straw for him as he drinks.

“She told me you’ve been such a good boy today! How are you feeling?”

“My tummy hurts.”

“I know, baby. We’re gonna make sure it gets better, though, alright? And all these tubes should be out by tomorrow.”

Henry sinks back into his pillow, his eyes lowering as if he might go back to sleep, but instead they focus on the balloons, and he gives a little smile of happiness.

“I should be getting back to my room,” Anne says gently. “But I’ll come by tomorrow if you like. Hopefully, they’ll let me out ofhere soon, but Henry is an excellent companion for an old lady like me.”

“Thank you for the story,” Henry whispers, and I rise with Anne, walking her to the door. As she’s about to leave the room, she turns to me, a sharpness in her gaze that’s new.

“Is his father around?” she asks, and her voice has taken on a new quality, with an edge that wasn’t there before.

“He is. But there are some… restrictions on his visits. He’s not allowed to be here when I am.”

Anne’s eyes darken as she glances back at Henry, then slowly looks across the room to the balloons and stuffed bear. Then, finally, she turns to me with a curt nod.

“You stand your ground, my girl,” she says solemnly, and turns away, heading up the hallway, leaving me with a profound sense that she knows exactly what James is, and understands how much I needed to hear those gentle words of reassurance.

Chapter 25

Lissa

On Thursday evening, I’m sitting with my head against the wall, my legs resting against the base of the sculpture as Oliver slams his body against mine, both of us moaning as we fuck.

It feels as if we’ve been going at it for hours, but neither of us is done. The sessions that were once twenty to thirty minutes are now pushing right up to the hour mark every time.

Oliver’s huge hands clamp against my back as he lifts me off the seat and walks us over to the desk.

He’s only in his shirt today, having lost his tie, jacket, and pants as soon as I walked through his door and locked it behind me. I’m aching to see his muscular chest. I’ve felt the ridges of his abs through the shirt fabric during sex, but he’s yet to take it off.