~ ~ Beatrix ~ ~

I woke up from my dreamy slumber cocooned in warmth, using Finn's arm as a pillow.  He was already awake as his finger drew circles on my hip bone.

"Morning, beautiful," he whispered, his lips seeking the spot just below my ear.

Yesterday I woke up with Cam's morning wood. Today it was Finn's nestled between my arse cheeks. I pressed back just a little to tease.

"Jesus, Trix. you make me so hard; I'm aching here." His gravelly voice had my skin popping with goosebumps as he sucked on my earlobe.

"Mmhmm, " I mumbled, in no rush to move, wishing the three of us could stay here in bed all day. "What time is it?"  I angled my head slightly to see the tips of Finn's fingers poking from his bandaged hand, teasing the end of Cam's hair. Cam's chest rose and fell in deep, even breaths.  He was dead to the world. With his lips slightly parted, and cheeks flushed, he looked peaceful. Something I'd not seen in the last few days.

"Just after five," sighed Finn.

"Do you think he's okay?" I kept my voice to a low hum even though I knew Cam well enough to know he'd only wake when his body clock kicked in.

"He's getting there," said Finn, a smile in his voice. "You being here helps."

I hoped so. He was tense as fuck when he'd found me and Finn naked in the bedroom, but slowly the tension had eased from his frame and evaporated altogether when he stripped off and joined us. I knew he was struggling with the idea of us being a three even with finally admitting to his changing feelings toward Finn. And I also had my suspicions his family would be a bone of contention. His dad being ultra conservative and old fashioned in his views on what family should be.

"I love waking up with you in my bed, between us." Finn breathed me in. "Just love you being here," he added, letting his hand trace up my body to cup my breast. "Hmm, feels right."

"Left..."

"Eh?" His hand paused.

"You're feeling my left tit." I grinned.

"Sexy and funny... how the fuck did I get so lucky?"  He rolled my nipple between his fingers until it hardened to a point and my body hummed with need and I clenched instinctively. If only we had time.

But he was right. I'd thought the same yesterday and today was no different. It felt like home... not the flat.  No, being with them.  I hadn't felt that way for years.

"You're all ours now, beautiful.  You know that, right?"

I smiled. "Should I be worried I might awake one morning to find my arse tattooed with property of Finn and Cam?" 

He chuckled; the sound vibrating across my back as he palmed my breast to prove his point. "Stay again tonight?" he asked.

"Ah-hu, sure."

"Good." He pressed a firm kiss to my head. "Lift!" His arm flexed as he pulled it from under me, taking my pillow and heat with it.  Finn shifted, dipping the mattress. He stretched and yawned before rising letting the mattress spring back. I lay there sighing with a front row seat on his sexy naked arse... an arse that had no right looking that sexy.

"I can feel you staring," he whispered, looking at me sideways, to give me a delightful view of his dick saluting me.

"You have a problem with that?" My eyebrows rose and stuck.

He turned with a throaty laugh. "No. I'm all yours... and his." His eyes danced over Cam as he dragged on his sweats before moving to his drawer to pull out a worn looking grey t-shirt.

"Whatever is possessing you to get up... leaving us?" I pouted.

"Running." He pulled the t-shirt over his head. "You need to leave stuff here, then you can join me."

I honestly didn't know where he found the energy.  We'd only fell asleep around two. He walked back to the bed and bent, kissing my bare shoulder.  "See you tonight and no working late.  I have plans for you. Both of you!"

"I'm gonna need to know what these plans are."

"Yeah?" He did a sexy little growl in the back of his throat moving over me. "My mouth." He sucked my nipple into his mouth, humming. "Fingers."  Up, he kissed the pulse in my throat. "And last, my dick." His tongue teased a trail up to my ear. "And all three finish with you coming." He righted himself, looking down at me, his gaze lingering on my breasts. "Fuck you're gorgeous."

Regardless that I was lying here naked and only hours ago engaged in things that would make an editor of 'Hard' blush, the simple compliment made me feel vulnerable. "I could easily fall in love a man with a plan." Fuck, I hadn't meant to say the L word in any way shape or form...not yet. Not until I knew we were all on the same page. The three of us.

Finn froze, shocked. I was going to tell him I was teasing, but his eyes grew heavy with an intensity I'd not seen before. Eyes locked I watched a slow smile spread out...not his cocky smirk. No, this was full heart squeezing, soul searing smile. He swallowed. "I'm giving you fair warning Trix. You better prepare to fall hard and deep, because my plans for you are big...huge and pretty much take up the next fifty odd years...give or take a few."

My heart stuttered. "That's a big plan, Finn."

"Go big or go home," he replied and before I could usher a response he was swiping his phone from the bed-side table, winking on his way out.

I should have been freaked out by his words. Was it all happening too fast...too soon? But in truth, I wasn't. And that in itself was the scariest part.

I mentally groaned, well aware I needed to get up, but looking over Cam... ten more minutes wouldn't hurt as I snuggled closer to him.  And not my intention to wake him. His hand slid over my waist, pulling me closer as his eyelids peeled open.  Blinking a few times, he pressed forward and kissed my forehead, then yawned.  In a raspy voice, "I could feel you watching me." He didn't hide his smile.

"Amazing view."

"Not as good as mine."  Cam lifted his head.  "Finn gone?"

"Yeah, running."

He grumbled. "I wish we didn't have to leave this bed today."  His eyebrows raised.  "Surely sleeping with the boss has some duvet day perks?"

I grinned.  "And that's the very reason we can't."

Cam tutted, blowing out a breath as an uneasiness crawled over me.  I had to tell him about Sean's visit.  Ivy was right.  If I wanted honesty from them, I needed to dish it out too.

"I need to tell you something." His facial expression didn't change.  "Ivy told you management was coming over from Canada?"

"Yeah, go on..."

"It's Sean.  Sean's coming over."

"Your Sean—Sean Peterson?"  Confusion draped over his eyes.

"He's not my Sean, Cam."  He never was.

"He's never been to the UK office—well, as far as I know.  Why, why now?"

Why?  Not a clue, or at least one I was willing to share.  "Your guess is as good as mine.  Sean's never been one to share his reasons for doing anything."

"Are you worried?"  he asked, jaw tensing, but at the same time his eyes flooded with concern.

"No," I lied.

"Don't lie to me Bea."

I rolled flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. "Okay, I'm worried he will think I'm doing a crappy job."

Cam pushed up, resting on his elbow.  "You know that's bullshit, Bea."  He eyed me thoughtfully. "Do you think about him... and his wife, Sadie?"

I could answer this honestly. "No, hardly ever." I lifted my hand, pushing my fingers through his hair. "He's only on my mind now because I don't want him to think it was a mistake handing me this job."  I knew deep down I still craved Sean's approval. Ivy was sure I had some hidden daddy issues.

"What if he's coming because he realises his mistake?" Pausing, then clarified.  "In letting you go?" His shrewd eyes narrowed, and the seriousness in his question was obvious. He was nervous that Sean was about to land.

But I had no answers to his questions.  "If that was the case, then I'm sure he would have been in touch before now." I swallowed the stone in my throat down to my stomach, as it churned around  within its own little tumble drier.

"Does he know about us?"

"No, only Ivy knows."  He trailed a finger down my bare arm. "And it has to stay that way... for now."

His finger paused but nodded, and something flashed through his eyes. But it was gone before I could decipher it.  Grumbling, "I need to get my arse out of bed."  I went to move, but Cam pushed me back down and climbed over me, caging me beneath him.

"I think you're amazing." Pride reflected is his dark greys. "And no one else could have turned it around in such a short amount of time."

I had to bite down on the sudden rise of emotion.  That meant a lot.  My job had been Cam's by rights. I'd seen the interview notes.  Cam had beaten the other two applicants' hands down.  "Thank you. It means a lot when you say that."

He pressed a quick kiss to my nose before falling next to me on the mattress.  We lay side by side, my gaze frozen on the ceiling, still not making a move.  Cam's hand sought mine, and I squeezed his in-return gripping it for everything the gesture signified.  Silence settled between us, but not in an awkward way, no, It felt right, as it always had with Cam. We didn't need to say anything when it was just us, alone.

"I love you, Bea."

"I don't doubt it." And I'd never get tired of hearing it, either. "Love you more."

~ ~

Although having remained in bed with Cam for another half-hour, I still made it home, showered, changed and in work with time to spare, which left me with time on my hands to dwell on Sean's visit.

Stood rigidly, I stared out my full-length windows, tilting my head up. The sky was filled with clouds, with the early morning sun filtering through.  I thought back to last time I'd seen him.  It had been my last day in the Canadian HQ.  My colleagues had bought my gifts and were in the middle of throwing a small farewell party.  Sean had remained in the background, but I'd felt his eyes watching me.

I raised my finger to my mouth, teasing the edge of my French-tipped nail between my teeth.

"Quit that," said Ivy parking herself alongside me.  I dropped my hand, peering at her outstretched hand, offering me a cup of something.

"What's that?"  Steam floated from the cup of strange watery liquid.

"Peppermint tea."

"Ewe... dare I ask why this is replacing my coffee fix?" To be honest, I didn't want a coffee either. My stomach was far from being settled.

Ivy brushed off my rebuff. "Don't give me stink-eye. Try it. It will invigorate, relax and calm you all at once."

I balked like I was shocked at her suggestion. "And who told you that?"

"The label." She grinned.  "Just try it," adding, "that crazy look in your eyes is freaking me out."

"Fine." One sip and my face fell into a frown.

"Oh...and he's on his way up. Reception just called."

My stomach plummeted, and I tried not to fidget or chew every nail on my finger.  Thankfully, I had Ivy to distract me.

"On a brighter note," she said with an appreciative smile.  "You look freaking hot today." Her hand waved over my outfit.  "Almost as good as me...and love, love, love that skirt, makes your legs look longer the Mackenzie River."

I smiled, peering down, smoothing my hand across the high waist.  "It's new." Ivy opened her mouth, but her head swivelled as the door opened and in walked Sean escorted by Harriet Von-Braithwaite.

And... oh shit.

Behind Sean was James Callaghan.

Ivy's gulp was audible.

James was infamous in Peterson House.  No one knew exactly what he did.  A tech genius. A problem solver. A hatchet man.  He rarely looked up from his phone, but loved to serve orders and manipulate people's lives.  I'd always avoided the man and stayed clear of his radar.

Me and Ivy shared a brief look and no doubt the same thoughts passed through her mind.

"Thank you, Ms Von-Braithwaite," said Sean.

Harriet fluttered her caked in mascara eyelashes at him. "Harriet, Mr Peterson. Call me Harriet."  She stroked his arm.

I held back a wince— Sean didn't like to be touched and his haughty glare cut deeper than any words. Harriet dropped her hand, her cheeks flushing.  "Please escort Mr Callaghan to where he needs to go."

Harriet nodded, not daring to glance in my direction as she led Mr Callaghan from my office.  Sean's gaze swung to mine, and my cheeks heated.

There was no forgetting a man like Sean Peterson and not one feature made him handsome from the intensity of his eyes to the way he held himself. The man reeked of sin and authority.  He was polished exquisitely and that had made me painfully attracted to him when I'd first met him.

"Beatrix." His deep voice rumbled as his heavy-lidded stare sent bolts of lightning down to my belly.  His dark gaze paused on my lips.

Keep it friendly. "Sean. You look well." My tone was light, but professional.  He was my boss. And that was the only thing between us now.  Sean didn't have friends.  Friends were a liability he'd always preached.

He acknowledged Ivy without looking away from me.

Ivy stiffened next to me and the words, 'fuck off, Peterson' were on the tip of her tongue. Sean's presence had never affected her.  In all honesty, she thought little of him.   "Mr Peterson." She tilted her chin up.  "Can I get you anything—?"

Ivy was, however, professional—to his face.

"Coffee, black."   

She nodded once and left the room just as her mobile started to ring, leaving just me and Sean. "How's Sadie?"

"She's well."

His curt reply shouldn't have surprised me. Sean, never was one for talking unless he was commanding me to do something, but his eyes followed as I walked around my table, trailing my finger along the smooth wood.  As I neared, the air petered out and I found myself fighting for more air.

Keeping a safe distance, my legs pressed against my table. "What brings you here, Sean?" I asked, skipping past further pointless pleasantries.

Finally dropping his eyes, he looked around my office.  "You've settled in, I take it?" Walking toward my shelf of books.

"Yes, I've made changes.  Much needed changes—"

Cutting in. "—Yes. I've read the reports."

He turned away from the books and headed back toward me.  I braced myself, angling my head up as he came to stand, barely an inch away, crowding me back against the table. His hands moved to my waist, gripping it slightly, then loosening.  He caught me off guard as he leaned in, pressing his lips against my ear and I felt the tip of his tongue along the edge of my lobe.

I shivered and stiffened.

"I've missed you, Beatrix."

My stomach roiled at his words and I held my breath, not saying a thing.  The air eased out of my lungs as his hands dropped and he stepped back.  Anxiety spiked my pulse and for a moment silence reigned, filled only by the low hum of my laptop.

"Let sit."  He walked toward the sofa, unbuttoning his suit jacket before sitting.   He leaned back, resting one arm across the back of the small sofa and lifting his foot to rest his ankle on the opposite knee. "I'll cut to the chase."

Anyone might be conned into thinking he was relaxed, happy.  But I wasn't duped.  Sean liked to play with people. "Is there a problem, Sean?"

His eyes lifted to mine.

One beat.  Two beats.

"Yes Beatrix.  There's a fucking problem."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

"Sit Beatrix," he instructed, his eyes dropping to the space next to him, and I had to force my feet to move.  Sitting, I perched on the edge, back straight, angled to face him.  If he was going to stick a knife in, to gut me.  I wanted to see it coming, figuratively speaking.

"A problem?" I asked, thankful my tone didn't waver or sound weak.

His eyes flashed with a hint of humour.  Sean got a kick out of flustering people.  Knocking them off balance.  I'd seen it lots of times.

He raised an eyebrow. "Cameron Harte."

Cam?  He was here about Cam? "What about Cameron Harte?"

He didn't answer my question.  "James is in his office searching through his desktop and his laptop."

"What?" I pulled my head back.  "Why?"

He didn't answer, and my frustration itched.

"I want him out of here by the close of play today."

"Fire him?" I had to clench my jaw to stop it from dropping.  "I'm clearly missing something here, Sean.  Why?" I echoed.

"A conflict of interest."

"What sort of conflict of interest?"

He studied me. "Software."

Software?  My mind flicked back to yesterday. His words.  This would put you in an awkward position, Bea.

Sean continued.  "If James finds evidence on any of his company equipment, then his intellectual property becomes mine," he paused, adding smugly, "... property of Peterson House Publishing."

What?  "Step up.  Where's this information come from? About this software?"

"You tell me Beatrix."

The fuck? Did he think I was lying to him? No, this was Sean's modus operandi. He always played his cards close to his chest.

I stood up.  "Sean.  You can't just walk in here and demand I fire my staff."

"My staff Beatrix!" he corrected me as you would a child.

"Fine." I bristled.  "Your staff... but you still can't just walk in here and fire people. He has rights."  My voice rose. "He'll sue!"

"The lawyers will handle that."

I shook my head. "No. I head up the London office." I pressed my hand to my chest. "Me, Sean. And you can't stroll in here and demand I do something that I'm not comfortable with.  It's not professional."  My spine stiffened, and I stood taller.  "I won't fire him."

The silence was ear shattering, but curiously, his demeanour changed straight away.  "Is there something between you?" Eyes sharpening. "—You and this Mr Harte?"

What the hell could I say to that? His gaze hardened, waiting for my reply. 

Sean never showed emotion. But what I saw was clear. Jealously.

One... two...three.

He stood, stepping closer, and I froze as he brushed his knuckle across my jaw before cupping the back of my head, almost possessively, but didn't close the distance between our mouths.  "I want you back... in Canada."

The office door handle jiggled and then swung open. I pulled away from Sean and turned to face Ivy.

Something was wrong—very wrong. "What's the matter, Ivy?"

In the four years I'd known Ivy, she'd never cried—not once.  Ivy didn't cry.   But there she stood, eyes puffy, cheeks red and damp.

Forgetting all about Sean, I moved toward her. "Ivy?"  She stared at me blankly.

"Ivy?" I repeated, gently rubbing her upper arm.  She double blinked and swallowed.

"I have to get home, Trix. Today. I have to leave now."

"Tell me what's happened?"

"It's my dad." But she didn't elaborate further as she bit back a strangled sob.

She didn't need to say any more.  I'd become close to Ivy's family, and they'd loved and accepted me like I was one of their own children. I spoke and skype'd them just as often as Ivy. Had there been some kind of accident? My mind ran wild.

I remembered Sean when he came to stand behind me.  He rested his hands on my hips, his heat warmed my back and  I should have moved away, but I was too focused on Ivy.  "I'll get you home," I promised.

"Miss Simcox can use my private plane if she needs to get home today," said Sean.

Ivy's eyes shot to mine, pleading.

"You too Beatrix. Take Ms Simcox home.  I'll make the arrangements."  He moved away from me to reach inside his suit jacket, pulling out his phone.  I stepped up to Ivy and pulled her into arms.

"I'm sorry Trix," she mumbled.

"Don't be." The anxiety I now experienced was very different.

"He's dead, Trix... gone. My dad."

My eyes fell closed as a tightness spread across my chest.  It wasn't even a question that I would return to Canada. Ivy needed me.