Chapter Eleven

Amy woke up in the middle of the night and stretched. Ouch! She was incredibly sore. It took her a minute to fully awaken, and as she became more aware, it only took seconds for her to sit straight up in bed. What had she done? She had sex with her boss.

She had sex with her boss?

How stupid could she have been? Did he now think she’d be at his beck and call anytime he felt like getting his needs met? He probably thought he could just come around, have sex with her, and then slink off in the middle of the night.

There was no way in hell he was going to use her and discard her. How was she going to handle it? She had a couple of options. She could make a big scene, yell at him, and quit her job, though that didn’t sound appealing. Her other option was to pretend nothing had happened. She liked that option a whole lot better. She’d just make sure she didn’t place herself in any more compromising positions.

She wouldn’t have him in her place alone — ever.

She knew that one simple touch from him made her forget all her careful planning and any idea of resistance. She couldn’t allow herself to be in situations where he’d be touching her.

She’d make up a boyfriend. That would stop him from thinking he could take advantage of her. She’d just tell him she was in a long-term relationship, and she’d slipped up. She felt a little regret, knowing she wouldn’t get to repeat such an extremely satisfying experience.

For her first time making love, the experience was unforgettable. She had no idea her body could give and receive so much pleasure in so many places. She was certainly and most deliciously sore, but it had been oh-so-worth-it. She now understood what all the fuss was about. She’d read that sex for the first time wasn’t a good experience. Those women must not have been making love to someone like Lucas Anderson.

She had to smile at the irony. The man looked like a Greek god, had more money than anyone needed, and made love like every girl’s fantasy come true. None of that mattered, though. It was a mistake, and one she wouldn’t be repeating. One mistake wasn’t going to change her life plans.

Amy went into the bathroom and cleaned up. She was lying back down when it finally hit her that they hadn’t used protection. She bolted upright in bed again. She was dismayed to think of the stupidity of having unprotected sex. She wasn’t prepared to be a mother yet. She’d always dreamed of having her own child, but not made this way. She wouldn’t give the child up if she did get pregnant, but how would she be able to manage it all?

She’d have to sleep on it and figure everything out later. She didn’t know anything yet. She was most likely overreacting. They’d only had sex one time. The odds were unlikely she’d make a baby the first and only time she had sex.

Amy slept fitfully the rest of the night. She dreamt she’d just delivered the most beautiful little girl. She was holding her close to her chest, bonding with her newborn. The baby was perfect in every way. Suddenly, Lucas stepped into the room with three men, all in designer suits.

They started speaking legal jargon, and suddenly she looked down and she was no longer holding the baby. Lucas had her. Then in walked a tall, blonde bombshell of a woman, and he handed the baby to her. “Here you go, sweetheart. I told you I’d get a baby for you. Anything you want is yours,” he said as they walked out together, leaving Amy crying for her baby in the cold hospital room.

Amy woke up terrified. The dream had seemed so real. She was surprised to find real tears falling down her cheeks. She considered herself a strong woman, but there was one thing that could bring her to her knees. She couldn’t survive it if someone were to take away the family she so desperately wanted.

She gave up on sleep and got out of bed to fix herself breakfast. She tried to read for a while but couldn’t concentrate. Each movement she made awoke the unfamiliar soreness she felt and reminded her body of the sizzling encounter with Lucas. She decided she’d take a walk around the grounds and focus breathing in the beautiful, clean morning air. It was exactly what she needed to clear her head.

She had wandered around for a couple of hours when Joseph snuck up on her and nearly made her jump out of her skin.

“How are you doing, young lady? I hope you slept well.” She wondered how such an enormous man could so easily sneak up on her.

“I slept very well,” she automatically replied. The circles under her eyes gave away her lie, but he was too much of a gentleman to call her on it.

“You seem a little anxious about something. If there’s anything I can help with, all you need to do is ask.”

“Everything is great, Mr. Anderson. I’m just thinking about the move and work. You’ve been too kind already, and I don’t want to take advantage. I felt a bit guilty about even staying in the cottage last night,” she replied.

“Now, Amy, don’t hurt my feelings. I thought the cottage was pretty comfortable. I’ve slept there myself a time or two when my wife got sick of my attitude,” he chuckled.

“Oh, no, Mr. Anderson, I love the cottage. It’s just very difficult for me to take handouts. I do appreciate a place to stay, and I have to tell you, I’ve already fallen in love with the cottage. It’s perfect in every way possible,” she quickly responded.

“Katherine’s still sleeping. She must get her beauty rest,” he said with a smile. “Please come join me on the terrace for breakfast. I love having a beautiful young woman to eat with. It makes the food taste so much better.” He then held his arm out for her and she took it. They walked arm in arm to the main house.

They were laughing while eating breakfast when Lucas strolled in. Amy could see he was instantly on alert.

“Good morning, Dad,” he said as he sat down. “Ms. Harper, I hope the accommodations were to your liking,” he added formally.

Amy looked at him for a moment, trying to figure him out. It took her about ten seconds. The man had already gotten what he wanted, and now he was letting her know it was back to business and nothing more. She already knew this was how he was, so why did his attitude sting so?

Well, she thought, two could play the game of “cold as ice.”

“I slept perfectly, Mr. Anderson. The beginning of the night I had this bad nausea and a nasty headache, but then it went away, and the rest of the night was flawless,” she said in a voice even colder than his.

His eyes turned into slits and if looks could kill, she figured she’d be a pile of ash. She decided she’d push her luck just a bit more and smirked at him before turning away and ignoring him completely.