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Chapter 4
Brennan
Peter, Riley, and Holdenhad been with me three or four days now. I was at ease because I knew Petey was in good hands. I heard crying, both from him and Holden. I also heard lots of laughter. The three new voices rang out throughout the mansion at all times of the day, and they added a certain warmth that I hadn’t realized was missing. Before, the house had been full, but it was just me and my staff. Not a family.
And yet, I was still working sixteen-hour days most of the time, getting home long after everybody had fallen asleep.
“I’m missing out,” I said to myself, after kicking my shoes off at eleven on the fifth night, which was the time I usually got home from the office. “I told myself I was going to be an involved parent, not just somebody who throws money at their kid. My kid. It’s still so weird.”
You also want to know Riley better.Of course I did. I had made a snap decision to employ him just based on what he told me about his credentials, his need for help, and how good he was with Petey.Let’s be real, you also hired him for how he made you feel. His looks didn’t hurt, either.Yeah. I wasn’t going to lie to myself about that. It was rare that I felt a connection like that with anyone, especially within the first hour of meeting. I wasn’t about to ignore it.
I kicked off my shoes and pulled off my suit, letting it drop haphazardly to the ground. It was such a gift not to have to think about those types of things. Someone would come and get the suit, have it professionally cleaned and pressed, and arrange it and the shoes neatly in my closet until I wanted to use them again, and they’d be set out neatly for me the night before, ready for me to just step in after I showered.
I was an alpha who had everything. The only thing that had been missing for a while was a mate to share it with.
I picked up my pajamas from my bed, perfectly laundered and folded, waiting for me after each long day, and carried them into the bathroom to change. It was a massive bathroom with marble everywhere, a giant jacuzzi-style soaking tub, heated floors, a five-head rain shower with twelve different heat and pressure settings. There were two sinks in front of the mirror. I only ever used one. There was a separate vanity area for a partner. It stood empty, besides me sometimes throwing my own clothes over there, knowing my cleaning staff would soon come and put them in their proper place.
There had been room in my house for my mate for a long time. In my heart, too.
I flossed my teeth, watching myself in the mirror. “You’re not getting any younger, old bear.” More and more gray appeared at my temples every day. It made me wonder if it wasn’t too late to find The One. I could buy attention, affection, and sex, no problem. What I wanted was the real thing.
That’s why, for these last four or five days, I hadn’t been able to get Riley out of my head. I hadn’t even seen him since the first day, just heard the sounds of him and the kids echoing through the house. It felt alive there now. Like a home. Sometimes I wanted to join in, but I had to work. The idea of seeing the kids enjoy themselves made me consider taking a day off for the first time in years. The idea of seeing Riley smile, of smelling his scent, fresh and a bit nutty like his favorite snack, made the thought even more appealing. Maybe...
There was a knock at my door. Now, that was strange. Nobody just popped up at my door without advanced notice, and permission to come.
Curious, I walked over and opened the door. I looked left and right and saw no one. I grunted, some of my grizzly-bear-grumpiness showing through.What the heck?
“Down here.” There was a little wave from farther down in my line of vision. It was Riley. He was so short and petite, the epitome of a squirrel, and it was the cutest thing in the world. I immediately felt warm all over. Hot in some places. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Riley. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He chewed his nails nervously, both hands to his mouth like he was holding a pinecone.
“Are you sure it’s a pleasure and not a pain? It’s pretty late at night, but I didn’t know what other time to catch you.”
“Now is fine. What can I do for you?” I leaned against the doorframe, raising one arm over my head and resting the forearm against the wood.
Riley fully looked at me and stuttered. “A-a-are you sure I wasn’t interrupting anything?” His already large eyes were wide, staring me up and down. That’s right. I was so surprised someone was knocking at my door that I’d neglected to put on a shirt.
“I’m sure.” Whoops. I hadn’t meant to show up half-naked in front of my new hire, but to be honest, I was in excellent shape and wanted to peacock for him. The oddest feeling came over me. Proud, but also hopeful, also nervous, also...bashful? That was a new one. “What do you need? I’m here to help.”
A light blush rose on his cheeks, which had a light dusting of barely-there freckles. He smiled, definitely bashful, and dropped his chin. His eyelashes were delicate against his cheeks. His scent grew stronger, creeping all the way up to my nostrils, waking my bear up out of hibernation.
Riley seemed to gather himself, clearing his throat and putting on a serious face. “It’s about Petey.”
