“So, I found a job,” Eden announced later that evening. They were once again in the living room and while Eden held Liam on her lap, intermittently cooing at him, her best friend was polishing off the rest of her meal.

“You did?” Jenna raised an arched brow, her puzzlement written clearly on her face. She was still trying to understand how Eden’s mind worked; how one could be so opposed to simply basking in the luxury that surrounded them. Despite her best efforts, Jenna could not prevent the small stabs of jealousy that had been frequent as of late when she thought about Eden. If a man of Dominic’s caliber wanted to cage her in his twenty six thousand square foot home and shower her with innumerable gifts, while only asking for the pleasure of her body every now and then, Jenna knew she would’ve spread her legs open in a heartbeat. She couldn’t understand why Eden fought so hard against it. Why go out and bust your ass looking for work when you had a sugar daddy that could support you? Why runaway to nothing when you had such an abundance of wealth waiting for you right here? Not only that, but Eden had a child with Dominic, a surefire way to guarantee her livelihood for years. Yet with all this, Eden wanted to leave. She wanted a life of misery and hard work.

Eden smiled brightly ignorant of the resentment that afflicted Jenna. “Yeah, it’s a waitressing job at Carver’s Grill on North Main Street,” she divulged. “It’s only part time for now, but I can make really good tips. If it’s going to be a problem watching Liam, I can find a sitter—”

Jenna snorted. “What and let someone else watch my little butterball? Don’t worry about it, Ede. I told you I’m here for you. Do what you have to do; I’ll watch Liam whenever you need me.”

“I feel like I’m taking advantage of you. Are you sure you’re okay with this, Jen? Please don’t feel obligated—”

“Eden,” Jenna interrupted, looking pointedly at the other woman. “I’m good. If I wasn’t, I would’ve told you by now. Don’t stress about Liam, he and I are used to each other now anyway. Bringing in someone new might mess that up.”

“You’re the best, Jenna. Thank you. Did you hear that, Lee, Auntie Jenna can watch you while Mommy’s working. Yay, Auntie Jenna!” With Eden so absorbed in speaking to the infant on her lap, Jenna’s resentment abated somewhat at the image. Regardless of her own complex emotions, Jenna was glad to know that at the very least she could take joy in watching her best friend with her baby. Eden had done a lot for her so far and Jenna owed her a lot, it was just going to take some time to come out of her own head.

Now that Liam finally slept through the night, Eden was given a reprieve from her every-four-hour scheduled feedings to sleep, too. When she woke up the following morning, she was well and thoroughly rested. But alarm swiftly shot through her when she headed to Liam’s crib and found him missing. She told herself not to panic but hastened to Jenna’s room, sure that she would find him there.

“I didn’t take him.” Jenna informed her moments later, clearly as rattled as Eden.

“Oh, God.” Color bled out of her face as terror seized her, making her world spin. She put a hand to her chest, feeling the thundering of her heart against her clammy palm. “I…we need…we need to find him, Jenna.”

Jenna took Eden’s other hand within her own and held on tight. “Don’t worry. He’s probably with the housekeeper. I’ll go check downstairs; you stay up here and wait to see if she comes back.” She took a deep breath, attempting to bolster her friend’s flagging spirits. “She probably took him down to give you time to rest.”

It wasn’t likely though, because despite Jenna’s reassurance, they both knew no one else in the house came near Liam except for the two of them. If it wasn’t Jenna, it was always Eden, and that was exactly how Eden had wanted it. She hadn’t wanted to rely on Dominic’s people and she’d made that clear in the first few days of returning to the mansion. She knew the housekeeper, Jacqueline, a stout, matronly woman who’d been in Dominic’s employ for years. She had been there when Eden had initially moved in after her wedding and had been a quiet spectator to their dysfunction, turning a dutiful blind eye to her employer’s oftentimes sadistic vices. Eden knew she couldn’t have possibly taken Liam, at least not without telling her first. But then again, Jacqueline didn’t work for her.

That sudden thought was swiftly followed by another and working on nothing but her suspicion alone, Eden raced from Jenna’s bedroom down the hall. The master bedroom was in the east wing at the end of the hallway she shot right and sprinted to the bedroom she’d once shared with Dominic. She wrapped both hands around the matte black handles and yanked them open. Memories instantly assailed her, crashing into Eden like a massive wave at the sight of the massive sleigh bed that stood raised on a dais. She shook her head to dislodge them; there was only one thing on her mind now, and as she searched the expansive bedroom, her eyes shooting from one extravagant corner to the other, she found no hint of him. The bed was neatly made, the pristine cream colored sheets and curtains standing out against the dark chocolate of the furniture.

Everything was custom made, built exactly to Dominic’s specifications, even the tray ceiling with its sunken levels and crown moldings was precisely how he’d wanted it. The white double pillars framed French doors that led to the open terrace. A flash, a memory of a chain, a delicate, fine black lace domino mask, a riding crop and Dominic gripping her as she stepped between those pillars. But again, Eden shoved those memories where they belonged and continued forward. It was there that she found him, seated in a wicker recliner, one leg slightly tossed over the other so that it formed a square and it was in the cradle of that square that he had Liam nestled on his lap. It was beautiful outside and even though there was a slight warm breeze blowing every now and then, Liam was well and truly bundled.

Utterly conflicted by the image, Eden summoned an emotion that was far more familiar to her and used confront him.

“How dare you just come and grab him from my room without my permission,” she kvetched, coming around to face him, hands at her hips and a fire in her gold eyes that could scorch a lesser man.

Impassive features conveyed nothing as Dominic quietly surveyed her, attuned to the anger that burned off her like sparks; he wanted nothing more than to capture the succulent pout of her lips and taste that fury for himself. “I didn’t realize I had to ask permission to visit with my son.”

“Your son?” she exclaimed. “When did he start becoming your son? Or is he your son when it’s only convenient to your needs.”

“Keep your voice down,” he instructed, the rumble of his voice conveying his burgeoning irritation. “He has always been my son.”

“You told me you didn’t want him.”

“It appears I’ve changed my mind,” he imparted coolly.

“Change it back,” she returned, hating his cavalier approach to something so meaningful to her. “He isn’t a toy, Dominic. He’s not something you can pick up and play with, and then abandon the next day. He’s a child, he’s my child, and I am the only parent he’s going to need.”

“He needs a father.”

“You’re the furthest thing he needs. You are as incapable of being a father as you are of being a good husband,” she spat venomously.

For a long moment he said nothing and when he unfurled his body from the recliner and came to his full height with Liam held carefully in his arms, Eden stood her ground to face him. Standing there, towering over her, it seemed as though he would say something. In his dark green eyes, Eden tried to decipher the emotions that were whirling like black smoke, but he closed himself off before she could glean anything, withdrawing into the depths of his twisted mind. He wordlessly turned from her and headed back inside the bedroom with Liam.

“Oh thank God, you found him!” Jenna exclaimed, having found her way to the master bedroom with Jacqueline’s help. She’d practically ran to find it. She nearly lost the breath she was trying so hard to recuperate when her blue eyes landed on Dominic’s formidable form as he entered the bedroom. She’d only seen him once before in passing over the last week, but was finally given the opportunity to look at him fully, and the full-on view was astounding. Dominic Armstrong possessed the sort of look that made a woman instantaneously aware of herself, made her aware of the sort of wickedness he could invoke with just one look from those smoldering, dark green eyes.

He was strikingly handsome, tall in the way that made a woman feel delicate and vulnerable beneath his towering height. Dark, jet black hair was cut stylishly short to fit the symmetry of his face. True masculine beauty shone in his lean features; a perfect aquiline nose, high cheekbones and a wide, sensual mouth made her stare openly. The long sleeved sky blue shirt he sported, neatly tucked into a pair of fitted dark trousers, outlined the definition of his physique. Broad shoulders, long muscular arms, what she could only assume to be a washboard abdomen led to narrowed hips. Knowing she was gawking, Jenna returned her gaze back up to that beautiful face and flushed embarrassingly at that one curious raised brow. There was a frighteningly powerful energy about him, something dark and a little sinister that threw Jenna off balance, and she was forced to avert her gaze when he regarded her in kind, those rapier sharp green eyes skewering her.

Beautiful and frightening. That was Jenna’s impression of Dominic Armstrong, and she was now vaguely aware why Eden wanted nothing to do with him. He looked like he could pleasure a girl and devastate her all in the same breath without even trying. And that was even more dangerous than the glint in his green eyes.

“Yes, but given that he was not lost in the first place, I don’t see the cause for alarm,” he drawled.

“Of course you don’t see the cause for alarm because you can’t possibly know what it’s like to wake up and find your child missing,” Eden fumed, reaching out her arms to take Liam from him, but he used his substantial height to evade her, smoothly sidestepping around her. “Give me my son.”

With complete disregard to Eden, he handed Liam over to Jenna. “If you will excuse us for a few minutes.” His dismissal was said with the cool confidence of a man who was used to getting his way, and against her will, Jenna found herself ready to do his bidding.

“Jen…” Eden called hurrying after the other woman, but Dominic’s immediate snatch of her wrist prevented her from going too far. “Jenna!”

Jenna turned. “We’ll be right outside, Ede.” With that she made her exit, the door closing quietly behind her retreating back.

Whirling on him, Eden wrenched her hand from his grasp and shoved at his chest for good measure, but assault did very little in budging him. “Damn you, Dominic, damn you to hell!” she screeched, so consumed with anger that she was shaking from it. Tears of frustration stung her eyes and made her heart race. She cursed him again, cursed him to the deepest, darkest part of hell and hoped that he burned.

“You’re trembling,” he noted quietly, advancing on her, closing the space between them in one long swift stride that imprisoned Eden between his all-consuming body and one of the pillars behind her. And in a move that was at contrast with his typical cool, he cupped her face in his hands and took possession of her lips in a kiss that split through Eden like a bolt of lightning. She fought, honestly she fought against it, fought him to release her, fought not to succumb, but failure was imminent in the face of his expertise. Balled fists, unfurled to flatten against his hard chest, only to clench again, holding on to his shirt as he pried her lips open with a tongue eager to delve deeper. God, the man could kiss.

Her heart felt like a battering ram in her chest, while blood rushed to her head, making Eden lightheaded, so she held on even tighter, knowing she should push him away but failing in doing so as she surrendered to him. Recognizing her submission, a ragged groan of intense need rumbled through him as he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist to pull her inexorably close to his straining erection. He threaded his fingers through her hair before fisting and anchoring his hand in the warmth. Eden whimpered at that marked assault of dominance. He awakened her, made Eden painstakingly aware of the pleasure that pooled between her thighs and dampened her panties. He was waging an all-out war against her, one that her body was ready to surrender to if the prize was his ravishment. But Eden wasn’t ready, she wasn’t mentally ready for this and as she found herself moving painstakingly slow against the thigh he’d thrust between her parted legs, she was completely appalled at herself.

“St…stop…” she managed unevenly, looking down to avoid his gaze and to calm her beating heart. An unbelievable wave of shame washed over her, putting color high on her cheeks. “Let me go.”

“Look at me,” he ordered from above her, not at all rattled like she obviously was.

“No,” she replied petulantly, childish to even her own ears. But she couldn’t possibly look at him knowing how close she’d come to betraying herself. She felt like the world’s biggest hypocrite in that instant and fleeing would’ve been her best option had he not been blocking her path.

Slipping his thumb beneath her chin so that she had little choice but to look up, Eden caught her breath at the rapacious gleam she saw in his hunter green eyes. “I hate you,” she declared wretchedly in the vibrating, lust filled air.

He leaned in close, lips barely touching hers as he nudged at her cheek with his nose, his warm breath a seduction of its own until he was at her ear, “No, sweet pet, you hate that you want me,” he imparted huskily. “Do you feel that?” Her kiss bruised mouth parted in a soft gasp, her golden eyes widening as she felt his fingers dancing just beyond the damp barrier of her panties. “How wet you are? That’s your pussy salivating for my cock.” The words crackled through her like electricity. It didn’t take him much at all to nudge that delicate barrier aside to gain access to her volcanic center. Eden’s eyes clenched shut as she bit hard on her bottom lip to keep the moan from tearing through her. “Say it,” he demanded raggedly, barely restraining himself in the process of his seduction. “Tell me how much you want it.” He laid an open mouth kiss on her cheek and sensually ran his tongue down the side of her neck.

“N…no…” It wasn’t at all convincing, but all the same, Eden was proud of herself for having said it. She expected him to continue his overwhelming seduction, so it came as an utter shock when he relinquished his hold and stepped away from her. Trembling, breathless and utterly unhinged she blinked, looking up to find him at a distance, a look of pure male satisfaction painted on his arrestingly handsome features.

“I have a proposal for you,” he revealed, his narrowed green gaze intent upon her impending reaction. “I am prepared to give you that one thing you want so badly.”

“What?”

He angled a mocking brow at her. “Your freedom, of course. My signature on those divorce papers.”

She had every right to be skeptical. “What’s the catch?” There was always a catch, always a price to pay.

The devil was in the curve of his smile. “Have dinner with me tonight, and I will be more than happy to discuss the details.”

“I won’t play games with you, Dominic,” she pronounced stiffly.

“I assure you, Eden, I am completely serious in this,” he said with flourish, convinced that she would readily agree to the offer once he’d spelled out the details. She had much to gain, and he was putting a lot at stake, but Dominic was sure the final outcome would be in his favor.

On her way to Carver’s later that evening, Eden remained uneasy at having agreed to the dinner with him. She didn’t know what to expect, but given Dominic’s track record, Eden knew to anticipate the worst, but surely it was worth going if it meant that she would be free of him? After the horrifying episode this morning and her desperate reaction to him, Eden was not ashamed to say that she had avoided him until he’d left some time in the afternoon. God, she’d practically thrown herself at him, and all it’d taken was a kiss. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel him, still feel the impression of his mouth on her lips, still feel his index and middle finger gliding down the center of her clit.

“Damn it.” She raked her hand through her hair in frustration and thanked the lord she’d finally arrived at her destination. Stepping out of the car, Eden peered down at her watch. She had nearly two hours until she was to meet Dominic for their scheduled dinner. But for now, Eden shoved him to the back of her mind as she stepped inside Carver’s. It was busy, loud, with the scent of alcohol and grilled food permeating the air. Eden made a beeline for the bar, knowing it was her best bet to finding Lena again. She bypassed waitresses who balanced several plates on each arm with a deftness that awed her. The bar was crowded, women and men alike vying to get their drink orders in to the bartender. Eden made an attempt to get through the crowd, elbowing and shoving, but unfortunately there was no getting her diminutive frame on the other side. She took a resigned step back and nearly collided with a waitress who skillfully managed to jump out of the way.

“Watch it!” she snapped, tossing a glare over her shoulder at a flustered Eden.

“I’m sorry!” she called but knew her apology was neither heard nor wanted. Standing in the middle of the crowd feeling overwhelmed and slightly out of her element, Eden contemplated bolting, but reminded of what awaited she bolstered her spirits and continued her search for the elusive Lena.

“Eden, over here!” Eden whirled at the sound of her name grateful that Lena had found her instead she doubled back and walked to meet the other woman. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

“No, I just got here.”

“Let’s head to the backroom where it’s a little quieter.” With Lena in the lead, Eden followed her through the double doors marked “Employees Only” that was just to the right of the bar. They walked through the bustling kitchen and further back through another set of doors that led to a surprisingly quiet and pleasant sitting room with black micro suede couches. There were three in total positioned in a semicircle with a glass coffee table at the center. Lena invited Eden to take a seat and after offering some beverages to which Eden politely declined, they got to work. It was straightforward paperwork, her application mostly and her identifications. Once that was done, Lena handed her an employee handbook. She advised Eden to read it but essentially summarized it for her.

“We’re about five things here at Carver’s: tits, ass, food, service, and entertainment. The majority of our customers are men. We get them all—frat boys from the surrounding colleges, businessmen from downtown and the regulars, who work a nine to five—and they only want to come here, unwind with a pitcher of beer, and stare at our girls. The harder they stare, the more tips you make.”

“What if they get out of control?”

“We have Vin and Randy to keep them in line. Most of our patrons know our rules, and they’re typically harmless when it comes to the girls. Like I said yesterday, if you’re shy you’re either going to have to get over it very quickly or tell me now so I can look for someone else.”

“I’ll be fine,” Eden affirmed. “I used to be a stripper.”

Lena laughed. “Well then, this should be a cakewalk. Come on, I’ll show you around the place.”

By the time they were finished, Eden was understandably overwhelmed, but it was too late to turn back now. Lena had already scheduled her to work a closing shift this upcoming Saturday, so bailing was no longer an option. With the impending dinner with Dominic still looming in front of her, Eden reluctantly made her way to the mansion. She made a quick dash to check on Liam and Jenna, who told her Dominic, had charged her to watch over Liam while they dined. There’d been an odd mood about her. She hadn’t seemed her usual cheerful self, and Eden wondered at that, worried that leaving Liam with her all the time was finally taking its toll. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to bring up the matter, and settled to speak to Jenna later.

When she finally made it to her room, it was nearly eight, giving her only a half hour to shower and get dressed. It was when she found herself in front of the mirror, fussing with her appearance and vacillating on what to wear that she took a momentary step back to reprimand herself on her behavior. What did it matter what she looked like? It wasn’t like she was going on a date. Without thought Eden scrambled for the bathroom to rid herself of the makeup she’d applied. When she was through, she rummaged through her clothes and found a faded navy blue shirt and a pair of comfortable skinny jeans. She shrugged out of the dress she’d initially slipped on and threw on the clothes she’d picked out. And, because she knew he’d always preferred her hair down, Eden gathered it all up in a topknot and tucked the wispy tendrils behind her ears. Returning to the mirror, she smiled at the woman staring back at her. Naked face, comfy clothes, and catching sight of her wiggling toes, she grinned mischievously, she might just go down with no shoes on.