Chapter 19

Nicholas

I check my watch – a Breitling – and raise an eyebrow, perching on the edge of my vast walnut desk in the office. “He’s late, as usual.”

Heather stands beside me, not leaning against the desk, but with her arms folded across her chest. She wears the silk blouse I bought for her, and a pencil skirt clinging to her curves. She’s gorgeous but the nerves have silenced her.

I hate the fact that my son can bring silence to her, even though it’s been a month since we returned from Mystique Island. A month of pure pleasure with each other, and the absolute joy of watching her flourish, watching her study and enjoy her life with me.

“I don’t understand why we have to do this,” she says, and clears her throat. “He already knows we’re an item. This just feels like we’re throwing it in his face. He cheated on me but I don’t want him to suffer.”

“Jake won’t suffer from this,” I say. “And this is a necessary evil. I need to do this in order to do the next thing on my list.”

“What’s after this?” Heather asks, and her bottom lip trembles.

I’ve already taken her over the desk, spread those ass cheeks and injected that hot cunt full of cum, right here, but I’ll never be able to get enough of this woman. I force myself to break eye contact. I don’t need the boner, now. “You’ll see,” I say.

A knock sounds at the door, three sharps raps, not in the least bit timid.

“Come in,” I say.

This is the first time my son has deigned to meet me in the month since my return. I’m not nervous for shit.

Jake opens the office door and storms inside. He looks like his mother when he’s angry. His mother who left me with all the responsibility and a broken heart. He halts and runs his hand over his short, blond hair.

He glares at Heather. “What the fuck? What’s she doing here?”

“She’s here because she’s with me,” I say. “We’re a couple now.”

Heather inhales. It’s something I haven’t brought up with her yet. I simply assumed she understood that by how much time we spend together.

“This is some kind of sick joke,” Jake says. “Dad, I can’t believe you’d do this to me. I can’t believe it.”

“It’s not about you, son,” I say, firmly. “That’s a concept you seem loathe to grasp. None of this is about you. The world does not revolve around Jake Bennett. Heather is my partner, now, and you’re going to have to deal with that. Perhaps, if you’d treated her as you should have, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Jake’s mouth flaps open and closed.

“I know what happened between you two, Jake. I have to say I’m disappointed. I didn’t raise you to behave that way.”

“That’s rich coming from you,” he spits.

“Silence.” I drag my hand through the air and he obeys, instantly. “I’ve called you here today, simply to tell you the score. Heather is my partner and there will be no more handouts from me. If you fail another course, I won’t pay for your tuition this year. Is that understood?”

Jake vibrates in place. He’s beyond pissed but he’s brought this upon himself.

“I’ve let you get away with too much, it seems. From now on, you’ll work to earn as much of your tuition as possible. I’ll pay the rest, but at the end of your college career, you will pay me back as you would a bank.”

His eyes widen. “B-but –”

“That’s all,” I say.

“You – I – I’m not going to –” The words don’t quite make it across the room. He takes a single step back, shakes his head, glances first at Heather, then fixes his gaze on me. “Fine,” he says. “I’ll do it.”

“Good. You’ll leave now. I have a prior appointment.”

Jake hesitates, and for a minute, my resolve melts. I’ve loved this kid since the day I first held him in my arms, but I’ve been too soft on him and his recent dickish behavior is a result of that.

Finally, he nods and leaves the room. He shuts the office door behind himself, quietly.

Heather lets out a sigh. “Oh, god, that was horrible.”

“Don’t feel bad for him. It’s a lesson he has to learn,” I say, and take her into my arms, pressing my fingers to her lips.

I kiss her, a soft peck, rather than the make-out session that started our little naughty spree on the desk earlier. “Now, to the next thing on my list.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve got news. I bought a villa on Mystique Island. It’s on the strictly non-party section of the place. Same white sand beaches, turquoise ocean, without all the fucking in plain sight.”

Her face lights up. “That’s great! I’m so happy for you.”

“So happy for us,” I reply. “I want you to move in with me there. You can study long distance, if necessary. I’ll spare no expense in helping you achieve your goals, Heather.”

“But –”

“Don’t say you can’t accept it. I won’t take no for an answer.” I kiss her again, this time deeper, drawing a long moan from her throat. “I told you in the beginning, gorgeous. You’re mine.”

She hesitates, then a smile parts those luscious, blow job lips. “Yes, Daddy.”