Seduction (Bayfront Billionaires)

“Yes.” She swallowed hard. Then smiled . . . though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Exactly. That’s all.”

Lex’s heart constricted; conversely, relief washed over him. Jax had just done what he could not. He’d freed her. Expressed their appreciation and affection without taking it to the next level—to the level it was really at—by revealing their true feelings for her.

So that Lily would be able to leave this house and fulfill her dreams.

Chapter Eleven

Lily and Greta were sipping wine at Bristol’s in River Cross, not far from Bayfront. They’d had a couple of hours to slip away, and Lily had suggested the venue. She needed some perspective. And Greta was damn good at providing it.

She said, “I still have a few days left in my employment contract, but I’m wondering if you’ll release me, since you’ve already found a permanent replacement.”

Greta’s head snapped back. “Lily. I thought you liked the mansion.

“I do. Of course I do. But what’s the point of sticking around? I’ll lose some pay, yet I’ll survive considering the salary Lex and Jax gave me.”

“But I have to train the new person and it would be infinitely helpful to still have you around when I do.”

“Greta. Come on. He’s been a butler for over twenty years. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”

The older woman scowled. “That’s not the point, and you know it.”

“Yes. But . . . the truth is, I’ve served my purpose. I did my job and I also gave Lex and Jax what they wanted. Or needed. The whole muse thing. And in turn, I learned quite a bit about myself. Was inspired as well, in fact. By them.”

“Lily, I was rather hoping you might change your mind about leaving altogether.”

This took her aback. “What on earth would make y

ou think that? You’ve moved forward with selecting someone to fill the position.”

“As a precautionary measure, yes. But he has other prospects. It wouldn’t be a problem to cut him loose. He’ll land another job tomorrow.”

Lily gnawed her lip. “Greta . . . I’m going to Europe because it’s something I’ve always felt I need to do. Something I feel compelled to do. I’m very excited about it.”

“Fine,” she said, clasping her hands on the table in front of her. “You’re going. But not for another week. So why the sudden exit from the estate?”

“It’s just . . . not a very comfortable scenario anymore.”

Since Lex and Jax had returned from New York and Jax had basically thanked her for services rendered—in all capacities—she’d felt awkward in their presence. There were things she wanted to say to them, about how amazing the entire experience had been, about how much she adored them. But even if she said those particular things, she’d still be taking the easy way out.

The entire experience hadn’t just been amazing. It’d been extraordinary. A once-in-a-lifetime affair.

And she didn’t just adore them. She was, indeed, in love.

With both of them.

She’d realized it when they’d come back from New York. When she’d joined them in the music room and they’d looked at her like . . . like . . .

Like, Thank God we’re finally home. With her.

But she’d completely misread them. And Jax had set her straight. She’d fulfilled a personal need. And a professional duty. Now it was time for them to all move on.

Exactly as was planned from the get-go.

And though Lily was crushed, she couldn’t let on to Greta. Or to Lex and Jax.

She hadn’t gone to either of their suites that night. She’d claimed the champagne had given her a headache.

What she really had was heartache. She’d felt it then. She felt it now.