Chapter Sixty-two

The top seven floors of the Century Plaza Hotel had been reserved exclusively for the Gathering. They got the earliest flight they could, after sunset, and arrived at the hotel about an hour after events were officially scheduled to begin.

Assured that their luggage would be transported to their rooms, Nate turned to Lindy's parents. He held Liam in his arms, intending to take his son with them to the banquet room for the 'orientation.' "You guys are more than welcome to come with us. This part's pretty informal, just a chance to say hello to people we haven't seen in a while. There will be food and drinks, too. Or, if you'd rather check out the city, I'll be glad to get you a car. But we'll probably need you to take Liam at one. That's when the Council meeting starts."

Jess, Walter, and Alex looked at each other and shrugged. "Actually, I think we'll pass and get set up in our rooms," Walter said.

"But one of us will be back down here at one to take him," Alex added.

"Okay. If you need anything, just charge it to the room. Everything's taken care of. And thanks for agreeing to this. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome."

Nate watched as they departed, then turned to Lindy. "You ready for this?"

Lindy took a deep breath, nodding a bit nervously. She was trying to remind herself that it was okay, that she was one of them now. She looked over at Bryn, who was clutching Anton's hand so tightly he was wincing slightly. "How about you?"

Bryn glanced around the lobby, cringing internally whenever she noticed someone looking at her. Especially the women. She'd realized, before boarding the plane, that she'd never even seen Natasha before. She had no clue what the woman looked like. It wouldn't be impossible for her to be staring the vampiress in the face at that very moment, and not even know it.

Swallowing heavily, she murmured, "A-As ready as I'll ever be."

Anton gently squeezed her hand. "Everything will be fine, my dear." He knew that Bryn was nervous. He was half tempted to tell her that she could go up to their room and wait for him, just to ease her fears. But that would only be putting off the inevitable. She would need to be introduces to the larger vampire society, especially if she was eventually to become one.

She glanced up at him with a dubious expression, but didn't reply. She felt a little silly clinging to him like a child, but she wasn't about to let go. Following along as they started heading towards the banquet room, she tried to guess just who was a vampire and who wasn't. Since there were many 'mortal' guests staying at the hotel, the Gathering had been scheduled as a business conference. Still, it was sometimes ridiculously easy to notice a vampire among the crowd. Entering the banquet room, however, was surreal. Almost everyone looked so normal. There were families and couples, men dressed in casual suits, women in elegant Laura Ashley dresses. Young and old...but appearances were definitely deceiving.

Nate grabbed them a table, pointing out that, as the crowd got bigger, others were likely to join them. As Lindy sat down, he handed Liam over. "Do you want something to eat, Lind?"

"Not at the moment, thanks." Lindy looked over the crowd, balancing Liam on her lap. Everyone looked so normal. There wasn't any way she could tell who was vampire, and who was human. People stood in small knots, talking, greeting each other, making acquaintances. She looked over to Bryn and Anton. "If I didn't know better..."

Bryn gave her a half-smile. "I was about to say we probably stick out like sort thumbs, but I guess that's just me."

"Actually," Nate said, looking around, "I've already counted two other pregnant women here. There may be more."

"That seems a little odd."

"Why? A lot of couples use sperm donation, if it's possible."

"I guess I never really thought about that." Strangely, it did make her feel a bit less noticeable. Glancing over at Anton, she gave him a genuine smile. This had been one of the few occasions where he put on a suit and tie. He looked very elegant. She felt a bit like they were playing dress-up. Leaning over, she softly said, "You look gorgeous, sugar. I guess I better get used to every woman in the room staring at you."

"They are?" Anton raised his eyebrows. "Funny I didn't notice any other woman in the room." He glanced over to the buffet table. "Would you like me to get you something, my dear?"

Still smiling at his compliment, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "No, thank you. I think I'll go myself. I'll probably be there a while." She grinned at him, pushing out of her chair. "But can I get you something while I'm up?"

"No thanks, my dear." He was paying attention to her, but also scanning the crowd, watching for Natasha. He didn't think she'd show up, or at least not until the council meeting started. But there was no way to know for certain.

She placed her hand somewhat possessively on his shoulder as she walked past, glancing at him over her shoulder as she headed towards the well-stocked buffet. She received a few curious looks along the way, but nothing threatening. Although still intimidated, she was starting to feel a little better. Good enough to eat, anyway, but that wasn't really much of a stretch. Reaching for a plate, she made small talk with a couple in line who evidently knew Anton. From what she could gather, he was pretty well-known among almost everyone. By the time the young couple returned to their table, she was almost to the end of the buffet.

Gathering up some desserts--basically as many as her plate would hold--she heard a voice next to her say "I certainly wish I could eat like that. I take one bite of cheesecake and I blow up like a balloon."

Turning her gaze to the woman who'd made the comment, Bryn smiled. She looked harmless enough with her dark hair in two braids on either side of her neck. Very thin and tall, she wore a skinny gray catsuit. She looked like a model. "I'm sorry, I'm new here," Bryn said. "Are you a vampire?"

"I'm dating one," the woman said. "Not my first, either. There's just something about vampire men...but I'm sure you know that. With all of these gorgeous boys, and desserts, I'm trying to sneak in a few treats before I get in trouble. That chocolate cake looks divine."

"Yeah, it does...along with everything else." Bryn picked up a few petit fours, balancing them precariously on her plate. "I probably should be watching what I eat, too, but I've got another stomach speaking for me."

"I can't even imagine. If I had anything growing in me, it would have to fight my inner demon for space."

And at that moment, her inner demon was struggling to come out. But that would spoil Natasha's plans, no matter how badly she wanted to sink her fangs into Anton's wife's neck. There would be time enough for that later. But not here, not now. Keeping her expression mild, she continued the chitchat, trying to mine Bryn for any tidbit of information she could find useful. "Have you been with your vampire for long? It must be interesting, you carrying a child that couldn't be his."

Bryn could feel her expression souring and tried to smile. "Interesting isn't exactly the word I would've used, but I guess it has been. Then he's a very interesting man." She glanced back at where Anton sat, seeing him talking with a couple she'd never met. "We've been together for eight months now...well, twenty, if you count the time in between."

"In between?"

"Yeah. We spent a year apart. I was trying to get used to what he was." Bryn met her gaze directly, the desserts temporarily forgotten. "Was it scary to you, meeting a vampire for the first time?"

"No. Actually, it was incredibly exciting. If he hadn't made the first move, I would've been all over him. We practically broke his bed. He was...is such a talented lover. Best I ever had, and hope to have again."

"You're not with him currently?"

"No. We had a falling out many years ago. A silly argument, really. But what he didn't realize was that I truly did love him."

"That's too bad." Although the woman had given her way too much information, Bryn felt sorry for her. She did look genuinely hurt. "Is he here? Maybe you should try to apologize, even if it wasn't your fault. I know how stupid arguments can be...besides, making up is the fun part anyway." She smiled.

"I don't think that is possible, at least not right now. He's remarried recently, you see." Glancing at the table she had seen Bryn seated at, she noticed Anton standing up, looking in their direction. Knowing that either Anton or Nathaniel would recognize her under closer scrutiny. "If you'll excuse me, I see an old friend I must go say hello to."

"Oh, of course." Bryn smiled once more and watched the woman leave. She'd been hoping to escape anyway. With a sigh, she grabbed a sealed bottle of water and started back to the table. Noticing Anton heading towards her, she grinned. As she reached him, she said, "I told you I'd be a while."

"I know. Who were you talking to?"

"I don't know. Some woman. I think she was lonely and needed someone to talk to. I just happened to be the lucky sucker." She rolled her eyes, then led the way back to the table when he gestured for her to proceed. "I guess I shouldn't say that. She was very nice. She just got into way too much detail. If she hadn't stopped talking, I might've had to drag her back to the table with me."

Anton nodded. There had been something familiar about the woman he had seen Bryn with, but something he couldn't place. But there were many acquaintances he had among the vampires at the Gathering. It was probably someone he had met once in passing. "Are you up to meeting more people, my dear? Another set of couples or two may be joining us before the night is over."

"That's fine," she said, finally reaching their table. She sat down in her chair, noticing that Nate and Lindy were busy introducing Liam to a couple at the next table. Liam was beaming, once again the center of attention and loving it. Turning her attention back to Anton as he sat beside her, she said, "Have you seen anyone you really wanted to talk to? You don't have to sit with me if you'd rather mingle, or whatever."

"We'll mingle later, my dear." He looked over her shoulder. "And as for people I'd want to talk to, here comes one now."

"Well, I declare, Anton Rudenko sitting at the same table as Nathaniel Adrik, and both of them still alive to tell the tale." Bryn turned to look at the speaker behind her with the soft Southern accent. The blond woman in the dark pantsuit appeared to be in her late teens. "Will miracles never cease." She looked at Bryn, and smiled. "Don't tell me you've gone and gotten yourself married again, Anton. You know I refuse to have an affair with a married man."

Anton shook his head in amusement. "Bryn, this is an old friend of mine, Clarissa Beaumont. Clarissa, this is my wife, Sabryn."

Bryn wiped her hands on her cloth napkin before offering one to Clarissa. "Nice to meet you." She had to admit, the 'affair' comment had gotten her attention, but Anton didn't seem to be at all rattled, so she didn't question it. "Um, how do you two know each other?"

Anton slipped one of his hands over hers. "Clarissa and I met at a Gathering over 150 years ago. We've kept in contact over the years."

"Wow. Did you ever date?" She meant it as an innocent question. Although she knew Anton had only ever had sex with his wives--with her--she wasn't sure if he'd ever dated anyone else.

"No, although that horrible Natasha did try to imply that to my husband fifty years ago." She shook her head in disgust. "I swear, Anton. I don't know what you or Nathaniel saw in her."

Bryn bit back a smile. She was starting to like this woman already. "Why don't you have a seat? I'm sure Nate and Lindy will be finished in a minute. Even if they aren't, I'm sure they'll love having one more person to introduce their son to."

"Nathaniel has son?" Clarissa asked as she took a seat. "He's gone and gotten himself married too?"

Anton nodded. "How about you, Clarissa? Are you here with anyone?"

"No," she said. The vampiress lost some of the bounce she had been displaying. "I haven't had the urge since Roger passed on fifteen years earlier."

Fidgeting with her ruby necklace, Bryn said, "I'm sorry to hear that. You must've been together for a long time."

"Sixty-two years," Clarissa said, nodding. "He died of old age, but you never would've known it. He was very young at heart."

"And he didn't want to be Transformed?"

Clarissa shook her head. "No. Despite our love, he didn't want this kind of life for himself." Pulling a tissue out of her purse, she dabbed at her eyes. "Excuse me," she said softly, standing.

Anton watched her leave their table. "Still so much in love with him," he said with a slight shake of his head.

"I can easily understand that," Bryn said, her heart squeezing as well. "I'm still in love with you, nine hundred or so years later." She smiled at him, then took another bite of her cheesecake. After swallowing the bite, she said, "So...did you date anyone, you know, in between?"

"Yes," he said honestly. "On occasion, I did go out with someone. But it never worked out, for obvious reasons. One or two outings, and one of us would lose interest, or something would come up. It was more...expected social obligations than anything. The real passion would begin again once I found you."

She swallowed heavily, then glanced around the room. "I find myself wondering how many of these people I've met before. I do know that they aren't what I expected. I thought there would be at least one weird person here, but they all look so normal." She knew she was skipping back and forth on subjects, but she didn't want to sound too worried. Or annoying. "Anton...are there any other women that you wanted to sleep with, but didn't?"

Anton took both her hands in his. "Bryn, Natasha and Lindy aside, the only women I wanted to sleep or slept with I married."

"Oh." She stared at their joined hands, then gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry I'm asking so many questions. I'm just nervous, and I don't know what to do with myself." She squeezed his hands. "If you want to get up and talk to someone, I'll come with you."

"In a few minutes, my dear. Why don't you finish your dessert first?" Anton continued to scan the room. So far he had not spotted Natasha, which was a great relief to him.

She nodded, scooping up another bite of cheesecake, and watched as Nate and Lindy got up from the table. Liam bounced along on Lindy's shoulder, babbling continuously as they walked across the room.

Nate held on to Lindy's hand, squeezing lightly as they neared a tall redheaded man. His dark copper hair was wild, lightly spiked, somewhat like flames leaping from his head. Turning to face Nate, he grinned widely, white teeth sparkling, and pulled him into a hearty embrace. The pats he landed on Nate's back nearly echoed in the room.

"Dinna tell me you're still alive, mate. I thought that harpy woulda killed ya long ago."

"Believe me, she tried," Nate said, grinning. "Aidan, I want you to meet my wife, Lindy, and our son, Liam."

"Wife an' a son? What happened to ya?" He winked at Lindy, giving her a charming smile. "No offense, madame. I'm just surprised the old fart finally got some sense in him." Aidan bowed slightly. "Aidan O'Niall. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lindy."

"Likewise," Lindy said. She couldn't help but grin. "I take it you and Nate are old friends?" she asked, rocking Liam on her shoulder.

Aidan glanced back at Nate, green eyes sparkling. "Ol' enemies is more like it. We met when he tried seducin' my fiancŽe. I dinna realize 'til later that he did me a favor." He shook his head, then focused his gaze on their son. "Liam, a good Irish name. Kinna believe you're a da. I'm impressed, mate. Couldna be more impressed than I am with yer wife, though. No wonder I dinna see ya with ol' Tasha."

Lindy cocked an eyebrow in Nate's direction. "Nate's told me about some of his old habits. But I've got to warn you, trying a little turnabout revenge would just be a waste of your time." She readjusted Liam on her shoulder. "Would you like to hold him?"

Aidan chuckled. "A spitfire, this one. An' o'course I'd like to hold him." He reached for Liam as Lindy handed him over, his head cocking to the side as he drew the boy closer. "Is it just my rattled brain, or does the boy look a bit off? He's a wolf, is he not?"

"Yes," Lindy said a bit cautiously. "He is. Like I once was." Was there something obvious she was overlooking? Did everyone know that Liam wasn't human? "How did you know?"

"I'm Irish, dear...dinna you know we know everything?" He smiled again, readjusting his grip on their son. "It's in his eyes, girl. They way he stares, the shape, the intelligence, like windows to his soul. That, an' he looks like my Mhairi." He nodded his head in Nate's direction. "My mate here isn't the only one who married a wolf."

Lindy's eyes went wide. "You married a werewolf? Is she here? My parents would love to speak with her."

His eyes lost some of their sparkle. "No, she..."

"She died a long time ago, Lind," Nate said, quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she murmured.

"'Tis all right. I've had many years to grieve. But I do know of her family, and they are still very alive. Several generations new, but still the rulin' pack of Ulster. They served as guardians to my ancestors, since Niall o' the Nine Hostages. If you wish, I can try to contact them for ya. It may take a while, though."

"Please," she said softly. "The pack I grew up with never had any contact with other werewolves, and were always watching for others. We'd really appreciate it." She still felt a bit awkward having not realized earlier that Aidan's werewolf wife had probably died a long time ago.

"It will be pleasure," he said, nodding slightly. Still bouncing Liam in his arms, he turned his attention to Nate. "Did I see ya talkin' to Rudenko earlier? I thought my eyes were gonna pop out o' my head."

"Yes, you did. We managed to patch things up, just recently."

Aidan shook his head. "I willna believe it 'til I see it for myself. Would you mind, miss, if we take this wee one back to the table? I'll be glad to escort ya myself."

"Certainly." As they all headed back to the table, Lindy leaned over to whisper in Nate's ear. "I feel like such and idiot now for bringing up his deceased wife. I didn't even think that she was probably dead."

"Don't worry, baby. You were just excited about meeting more werewolves. He understands. Besides, she's been gone almost two hundred years. It's not a fresh wound." He rubbed her back gently. "Just relax, Lind. No harm done."

As Aidan reached the table, he ran his hand through his shock of red hair, making it stand even taller, if that was possible. "Jay-sus. 'Twas not my eyes, was it? Rudenko an' Adrik at the same table. Thanks be to God ye dinna kill each other. Yet."

"It's good to see you too, Aidan." Anton stood up to shake the Irish vampire's hand. "I see you've met Nathaniel's wife," he said, sitting back down and gesturing Aidan to take a seat as well. "Let me introduce you to mine." He put an arm around Bryn's shoulders. "This is Sabryn."

"How are you, leannán? 'Tis nice to meet ye."

Bryn smiled. She had no clue what he'd just called her, but it sounded nice. "I'm good, thanks. Nice to meet you, too, Aidan."

Balancing Liam on his thigh, Aidan bounced the boy lightly as Lindy and Nate took their seats. "Well...how did it happen? I willna leave 'til one o' ye tells me how you two started talkin' without throwin' punches."

"It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that much." Anton sat back, running his hand up and down Bryn's shoulder. "Lindy works for me, and started dating Nathaniel without my knowledge. She and Bryn convinced me that a nine hundred years was too long to hold a grudge. Now how they convinced Nathaniel, you'll have to ask him."

"Cattle prod," Nate said, laughing when Lindy poked him in the ribs with her finger. "Actually, I'd been ready to end the feud for a while now. Too stressful. Luckily, I smartened up and walked away from Natasha while I was still alive."

Handing Liam back over to Lindy, Aidan shook his head. "Please tell me she isna here tonight. Better yet, someone tell me you're gonna get rid o' that harpy once and for all.

Anton's grip on Bryn became fractionally tighter. "I haven't seen her tonight. If she does show her face, she'll have to answer a few questions from the Council about her recent actions. And answer to me."

Bryn yawned, leaning sleepily against Anton on the elevator ride up to the ninth floor. It was almost four in the morning. After being joined by two more couples at the table and getting to know everyone, they'd eventually headed to the adjoining room for the first Council meeting of the 2001 North American Gathering.

Although it was somewhat boring, they had learned some interesting things. Besides Lindy, ten more vampires attending were newly initiated in the last year...six more than the year before. All of them would be introduced at the gala tomorrow evening, as would the new candidates for Council. One of the previous leaders had perished in an accidental car fire several weeks ago, and his long life would be remembered during the ceremony. Bryn was a bit surprised by how quiet the room became after the news came. She supposed it would've very sad to lose someone so old. But she was even more surprised when Anton's name had been mentioned as one of the candidates to take his place on the Council.

Anton had been surprised as well. He had stepped down from the European Council over one hundred years earlier, but hadn't seriously thought he'd be considered for the Northern American. Rarely was a vampire asked to serve twice.

And he wasn't certain he'd be willing to serve again. Not with his son on the way. Still, if he were on the Council again, it might make it easier to have something done about Natasha. But it was a heavy responsibility. One he wouldn't take on without discussing it fully with Bryn. "So, what did you think, my dear?" he asked, sitting down on the bed.

Bryn closed the door, then slipped off her shoes. She was glad to see that all of the curtains had already been drawn, and that their luggage was neatly stored in the closet. Walking over to where he sat, she took a seat next to him and flexed her calves.

"I'm never wearing those shoes again, that's what I think." She sighed, then leaned back carefully until she was lying on top of the comforter. "Everyone we met was really nice. The food was good, too. But most of the Council meeting went right over my head. I think I only understood about half of what they were talking about." Tucking her chin so she could look at him, she said, "Why didn't you tell me you were thinking about being a Councilman?"

"Because I didn't know I was up for it again." Anton rolled onto his side. "It's a big responsibility, Bryn. One I've had before, and I'm not sure if I'm willing to take on again. Or at least not now." He gently rubbed circles on her stomach. "It would mean I'd have to travel to wherever the Council convenes every three months, let alone the emergency sessions. I'd be involved in making the decisions as to how to resolve feuds and protect ourselves from humanity."

"Are you interested in doing it?"

"I'd consider it, yes. But only if you're okay with it."

She swallowed heavily. Although she hated the idea of him having to travel so much, he would have a lot more power as a Council member. Probably even the power to get rid of Natasha for good. Or at least deport the wench.

Scooting closer to him, she pressed her forehead against his collarbone and wrapped her arms around his waist. "If you want to do it, then do it. It would probably be a very good idea, with Natasha on the loose. I just don't like the idea of being apart when you go to wherever it is you have to go, but I guess I can learn to deal with it."

"I'd want you to come with me, when it was possible. And yes, it would provide us a measure of protection from Natasha. Not to mention make it easier for me to have her brought to justice. But that means I'd be away from the warehouse more. Which reminds me." He rolled over and stood up. Walking to where his jacket was hanging, he pulled an envelope out of the inner pocket. Walking back to the bed, he settled back on the bed and placed it on her stomach.

She picked up the envelope, frowning at Anton. "What's this, sugar?"

"Open it and find out." He watched as she ripped the envelope open and read over the papers inside. "That's right," he said when her surprised eyes met his. "I'm putting half of my business in your name. And your name alone. All you need to do is sign off on that paperwork, and it's done. You wanted to help make decisions, and I'm glad to have that help. So what do you say, partner?"

She sat up abruptly, reading over the papers more carefully. She placed her hand over her mouth, her eyes watering. "Anton...this is a mistake."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Lindy's...Lindy is your business partner. This should go to her. She knows what she's doing, I'm just- -I don't have a clue." She set the papers down, stood up and backed away from the bed. "I understand what you're trying to do, but..."

Bryn squeezed her eyes shut, letting out a soft sob. She felt as if he'd just taken the last bit of him that belonged to Lindy and handed it to her. And she should've been happy about that...should've been grateful that he was all hers now. But it felt very wrong. Maybe that part of him really should've been Lindy's all along.

"I don't want you to regret this, Anton, and I'm so afraid that if you give it to me, you will. I appreciate it very much, and it was so sweet of you, and it's not that I don't want it...but I don't know what I'm doing and she does. I just think...I think it should've gone to her."

"What makes you think we didn't discuss this before I contacted my lawyer?" Anton, who had sat up when she got off the bed, patted the blankets beside him in an attempt to lure her back. "I didn't explain it fully, Bryn. This is a split of the shares I own, 70%. She has a 15% interest, and the remaining 15% is for employees. You're not taking away anything from her."

"And as for not knowing what you're doing, neither did she when she started. She has a gift for what she is doing, and that's why she got so high up so young. I don't expect you to know everything right away about the business. But I do expect you to try to learn. If it doesn't work out, I'll buy back those shares and you can do whatever you like with the money. No strings attached. I want you to have this Bryn. Don't feel you have to say no because you don't deserve it. Because you do, and so much more."

She took a deep breath, then walked over and knelt on the floor in front of him. Meeting his gaze, she placed her hands on his thighs. "I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to surprise me. And even though this makes me very nervous, it also makes me very happy that you have so much faith in me. I just hope I don't disappoint you. Because I love you so much. I love you even more every day."

"Bryn, you could never disappoint me." He placed his hands over hers. "I don't mean to make you nervous, but I'm glad it makes you happy." He gently squeezed her hands. "So I take it the answer is yes?"

She nodded, letting out a soft sigh as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Anton. You don't have any idea what this means to me." She squeezed his hands in return. "I'm just wondering what it means to you...I mean, am I mainly a silent partner, or what? Am I, I don't know, going to start coming to work with you? I want to know what's expected of me."

He gave her a slightly rueful grin. "To tell you the truth, my dear, I hadn't thought that far ahead. If you wish to start coming to work with me, that would be fine. Or you could stay home with Max and be a silent partner. Whatever you are more comfortable with. And you don't have to decide right away."

"Okay." Bracing herself, she got her feet beneath her, and pushed him back onto the bed, crawling up to straddle him. Her fingers toyed with his loosened tie, not yet removing it. "The question is, what are you more comfortable with? Would you rather have some time to yourself at work?"

"There will be times that I need to work alone," Anton admitted, pulling her a little more firmly down on his lap. "But there are also time when I need to take a break." He leaned forward so his lips just barely brushed hers as he spoke. "I never told you what I did for my coffee break, did I?"

"No, you didn't." She continued to toy with his tie, a devious little grin coming across her face. "You aren't in the bathroom frantically masturbating, are you?"

He grinned back. "Maybe. But I guarantee if you go to work with me, I won't." Now it was his turn to run his hands up and down her thighs. "In fact, we may have to get a couch for my office."

He continued to grin, his fingers traveling further upwards to stroke her bare skin. "I'd rather tell you what I'm going to be doing on my coffee breaks once you start working." He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "And we'll have to make sure there's a couch in your office too."

She shuddered lightly, then turned her head to kiss his lips. She sucked lightly at his lower lip, her fingers deftly removing the buttons of his shirt from their corresponding holes. Tracing lightly over the cross around his neck, she lifted a fraction from his mouth to say, "And a playpen, and God knows what else. As much as I like the idea of working with you, I'm not at all thrilled with leaving Max with a sitter...unless you think we can talk Jess into doing that."

"I think we might be able to convince her." His hands slipped out from beneath her skirt to lightly trace along the collar of her dress. "We just have to make sure your office's security camera is wired into the same circuit as mine. I don't want to share any of this," he cupped her breasts, "with anyone else."

She sucked in a sharp breath, sitting down just below his groin. She rocked her hips lightly, leaning in to his touch. "You're so possessive...do you have any idea how much I love that?" Giving him a little grin, she leaned over him and pulled his shirt open. Kissing his chest with her open mouth, nipping at him. Deliberately sliding her belly against his erect cock.

Anton cradled her head against him with one hand gathering up the fabri