Ellis

 

Hungry for lunch and needing to stretch my legs, I forego having Irene bring me something to eat in my office, and I instead walk to the kitchen.

Admittedly, I’m also curious as to how Camilla will interact with me today after what transpired last night. I’ve heard little noise in the house, and Christopher hasn’t popped in much.

I avoided asking him about her this morning. I didn’t want to encourage him to speak with her. I could swear there’s a protective look in his eyes when her name is spoken by either of us, and it displeases me. If he’s lusting after her, we’ve got a serious problem.

Reaching the kitchen, I see Irene moving about. After turning to me, she brushes her hands over her apron and sweeps her dark hair from her cheek.

“Ah, Mr. Burke. I was about to bring you lunch. I got a little off schedule since I’m serving Ms. Rose and her son, as well, but I’ll make adjustments so it won’t happen again.”

“It’s no problem. Where are they?”

“They’ve already eaten, so I’m unsure.”

“And Mr. Day?”

“I believe he’s in the library working.”

“Thank you. I’ll have lunch in the dining room.” Leaving her alone, I stride to the library on the main level and find Christopher working at his desk. This has become his office until we turn another room into one.

“Hello,” I say.

“Hello. I was about to look for you. A Mr. Lawrence made an appointment for tomorrow. He said it’s for a personal job, not his business. I saw your calendar was clear at 4:00 p.m., so I added him.”

“Yes, I know Mr. Lawrence. That’s fine.”

“Also, Camilla and Liam are in his room. I believe she’s resting on his bed.”

“Why would she be lying down?”

“She said she has a problem with her back, and it’s bothering her today. I offered to help with Liam, but she declined.”

Her back… Our sex last night.

“The nanny starts tomorrow, so we won’t need your help with Liam. I’m going to go have lunch. We can talk later.” Irritated that he knows more about Camilla than I do, I march out and head to the dining room.

Salmon atop a salad is waiting for me at the table, along with a plate of fruit, but Irene knows to bring me something sweet to eat later. Most of the males in the Burke family prefer scotch, whereas I have a weakness for sweets.

Sitting in silence, I remember why I usually eat my meals at my desk. It’s a distraction from the otherwise lonely existence in this spacious home.

Camilla’s back is likely hurting because of how I pounded into her on the solid kitchen island, and I can’t deny that I’d do it all over again. My cock twitches from the memory alone.

The thought of needing her well and not pissed at me when I take her to the playroom gives me an idea. Pulling my phone from the pocket of my khakis, I Google the nearest flower shop.

“Hello, I’d like to place a delivery.”

“Yes, sir,” a woman replies. “What would you like to order?”

“I need five dozen red roses.”

Once I place the order, I march back to the library to speak to Christopher. “I need you to do something for me.”

“What’s that?”

“Go to the nearest drugstore, and ask the pharmacist to show you everything over-the-counter that could help ease Camilla’s back pain. Pills, a heating pad… Whatever he recommends, buy it.”

I start to leave the room but stop and turn. “Oh, and bring the items to my office. I want to be the one who gives them to Camilla.” Staring me down, a jealousy from him I previously thought might be a figment of my imagination is confirmed.

“Is there a problem?”

“She was sad again this morning. I don’t believe this is where she wants to be, and I’ve been thinking that maybe it’d be less of a headache for you and intrusion on your space, if you allowed her and her son to return home in exchange for a set visitation with Liam.”

I give him a smug look. “It sounds as if you’ve put a lot of thought into this, which means you’ve put a lot of time into thinking about Camilla. I suggest you stop that. She’s my responsibility, not yours.”

Turning my back on him, I grip the doorframe. “Don’t worry, I plan to take good care of her, along with my nephew.”

Leaving Christopher with that remark to stew over, I march upstairs. I’m about to enter my office when I hear Liam playing down at the other end of the hallway.

For some reason, curiosity maybe, I’m drawn that direction. Arriving at his closed door, I listen in.

“Vroom, vroom,” he says. “Momma, the car goes super-fast.” Not hearing Camilla respond, I crack the door open.

She’s asleep on Liam’s bed while he plays on the floor next to her. He looks to me with a serious stare, so I smile at the kid. He softens and returns a smile.

“Hi, Boss,” he says, and I laugh. Yes, Camilla’s going to hate that. She opens her eyes, and upon seeing me, she sits up in bed. Wincing, she grabs her lower back.

“I hear you’re not feeling well.”

“I’m fine.”

“Liam, would you like to see my office?”

He hesitates, but being a curious one like his uncle, he nods.

“I think he should stay with me. I can’t have you sending him mixed signals about wanting to spend time with him.” She’s curt with her words, and I know what she’s implying.

“He’s going with me, and you better get used to us spending time together. I have three years to make up for, and it’s what Tony would’ve wanted.”

Rolling her eyes, Camilla utters something unintelligible under her breath. I’m adding another tally to her list of offenses.

I reach my hand out to Liam, and he looks to his mother for approval. It takes effort on her part, but she eventually smiles and nods.

“You can go. I’ll be right here when you get back.” She glances to me. “Not long please; he needs a nap.”

“And I need you well, so rest while we’re gone.”

Taking hold of Liam’s hand, I walk him beside me down the long hallway to my office.

Once we’re inside, his eyes take in all the surroundings, from my massive cherry desk and bookcases to the different trinkets sitting around.

Distinguished leather chairs are to his right with a small table between them. “Do you want to sit in the chair?” He shakes his head no. “Do you wish to sit at my big desk?”

With eyes gleaming, he nods and heads right for it. I help him onto the chair, and his small arms sit atop the leather armrests. Pushing my laptop back out of his reach, I then scoot him close to my desk.

His eyes roam over the space before zooming in on a photo of Tony and me when we were about five or six. I’m only ten months older than my brother, thanks to an affair my father had, so we look similar in age and size.

Liam’s blue eyes light up as he points at me in the photo with one hand and pats his chest with the other.

“That’s me, Liam.”

“Uh, no, that’s me.”

His forehead scrunches. “That’s not me?”

“No, that’s Boss.”

He snickers and points to Tony.

“Who’s that?” Damn, what do I tell him? Camilla and I need to have this discussion.

“That’s my brother.”

Patting his chest again, his head shakes.

“I don’t have a brother.”

“No, you don’t. Would you like to draw?”

“Crayons?” he asks.

“No, the crayons are in your bedroom. I have pens and paper. Why don’t you draw over at that table while I do some work?”

Reaching for my printer, I steal some paper off the tray and grab a few different color ink pens from my desk drawer. I then help Liam out of my office chair and lead him over to the small table.

In a flash, he drops to his knees and begins drawing with one of the pens. As soon as he sees the green ink, he beams up at me.

“It’s gween, Boss.”

“It sure is,” I reply with a chuckle. I tousle his hair and stroll back to my desk. I got this under control. As long as I’m comfortable around Liam, my parents will buy that he’s mine. Now, I have to get Camilla on board with the plan.