AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But he missed his children; he loved them so. She knew this because, although he’d never said it directly, he called her and he was worried. While he made her promise to be nice to his wife, he had called her nonetheless, asking her to check on the kids. Penny had certainly tried, that was for sure. Of course, their mother enjoyed keeping her away from her grandchildren. So as you can imagine, it shocked Penny when Addison called her asking for a favor. Really threw her for a loop. And this was how she knew that Addison was up to something. Penny even told her husband as much.
“We know Patrick took that promotion in China just to get away from her, to get as far away as he could. But he misses his children, Clark. He called me, worried, asking me to check in on the kids. It’s just a matter of time before she loses it. I just know it. She doesn’t have what it takes. You know she’s not good enough for him. And she’s certainly not good enough to raise those precious babies. Clark, we’ve got to do something.”
“What is it that you want to do, Penny?”
Penny smiled. “I’m thinking on it. Trust me.”
She would do something, anything, and quick. That woman was a terrible example for her precious, innocent grandchildren. At least her son had a choice in the matter. Her grandchildren never did. But that was about to change. Penny guaranteed it. Her daughter-in-law was up to something, and knowing her, it was no good. Penny was determined to find out what it was. No one messed with her family and got away with it. In the end, she’d show her.
Eleven
Addie was ready to give William a piece of her mind. The e-mails, phone calls, and invitations to Italy needed to stop.
Yes, she had made the mistake of sleeping with him again and again in his apartment the day she met him there, but she wouldn’t allow it to happen anymore. While she liked him and was certainly attracted to him, she knew this had to end and it had to end then and there.
Sure, she was sad and lonely, and sure, William Hartman was dark, fun, and exciting, and, yes, she was having the best sex of her life. But she was a wife and a mother, and what she was doing was wrong. There was simply no way around it, no justification that could make what she was doing ok, even in her own mind, especially in her own mind. Addie knew she had to get a hold on the situation before it was too late.
She dug her phone out of her purse and texted William.
I need to see you.
He replied a few seconds later.
The feeling is mutual. I’m in my office. Top floor. Where are you?
Addie felt her face grow hot and her pulse quicken. She hadn’t put two and two together before now, realizing he worked in the same building. His building.
Leaving my office. I assume with the tools at your disposal you know where that is too.
Damn, she was flirting. Why was she flirting? And why couldn’t she help herself? Get it together, Addison.
Come up. My receptionist will see you in.
Addie thought twice about it, knowing it was risky. But after weighing her options, she decided it was probably less risky than meeting him anywhere else. For one, she was calling things off and he couldn’t cause a scene at the office. And two, there was little to no risk of her sleeping with him there.
Addie was shown in by William’s beautiful but disapproving secretary. She wasn’t exactly rude, but Addie knew the “Who do you think you are?” look well. So she gave the girl her best kiss-my-ass grin and waltzed into William’s office as though she owned the place.
If she’d learned anything in the past few weeks, it was that you have to look and own the part, even when you don’t feel like it. Her clients and potential clients were some of the wealthiest men and women in the world. And they smelled bullshit a mile away. So that’s exactly what she’d intended to do walking into William’s office that day: play the part.
Addie was a bit surprised walking into William’s office. Of course, it was gorgeous, but it was something more. There was something about the way he sat behind his desk legs up, feet crossed, chewing on his pen, staring at her intently. He was in his element, more himself. And goddammit if that didn’t make him all the more attractive.
“So, you needed to see me,” William said, his voice deep and sultry, lingering on the word needed a few seconds too long.
So, he’d decided to play a part too.
Addie sat down in the chair opposite his desk and crossed her legs. Keep it professional, Addison.
“Yes. I needed to speak with you, actually. I . . . Uh . . . We . . . This has to stop, William. I’m married to a wonderful man, and we have three children, but it seems you already knew that, seeing that you invited them to Italy. While I appreciate your offer, I think we both know that this is wrong. I’m sorry that I let it go on this long.”
William didn’t bat an eye. He leaned back in his chair, glaring at her. “Are you really, Addison?”
“Am I really what? “
“Sorry? Married to a wonderful man? All of it. Because I’m not buying it.”
Addie raised her voice slightly. “I beg your pardon? Yes, of course, I am.”
“And just where is this wonderful man you’re married to?”
