I close my eyes and refocus quickly on the backside of her head. I can’t believe I am ogling over my stepdaughter, well, ex-stepdaughter… but still. She is all of nineteen, way too young for a jaded forty-six-year-old man. Yet, there’s a small part of me that feels a forbidden thrill just thinking of her in bed.
As we walk into the study, I’ve never felt more pleased to have the monster of a desk I have now.
Piper flops down in the chair across from me, giving me an amused smile. “I can’t believe you thought Antonio was my boyfriend. He’s worked for you for forever, and you didn’t know he’s gay?”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I don’t make it a habit of prying into my employee’s private lives.”
Even though I say those words, deep inside, I feel ashamed. Antonio and I have chatted several times over the years, but even during our conversations, I was always distracted by something else. Just another thing to add to my list of to-dos; apologize to my chef for being a self-absorbed ass.
I turn my attention back to Piper.
“Now tell me, Piper, what are you doing here?”
Her face loses color and turns a bright red. Seeing her tanned skin makes me want even more to rip her clothes off and have her right here, right on this desk.
“Did Mom not tell you I was coming?” She rolls her eyes again. “Typical. I’m going through a bit of a rough patch and she offered to let me stay here for a few months, just until I can get back on my feet.”
I steeple my fingers and search for her face. If I didn’t know better, I would be sure Piper had no idea her mother no longer lives here.
“Where is she anyway? Is she out shopping or something?”
Scrutinizing her face for the lie she is surely telling me, I deliver my expected line.
“Piper, as I’m sure you’re aware, your mother no longer lives here. She left me for another man two weeks ago.”
Watching the color drain from the girl’s face, I know in my gut she isn’t faking. Marine didn’t fucking tell her. My heart goes out to the girl. Maybe this apple did fall far from the tree.
4
PIPER
I stare at him open-mouthed. I can feel the color drain from my face and then as quickly rush back in, aflame with embarrassment. I can’t believe she would do this! Mom can be flighty and selfish, but this is a new low.
I steadily keep my gaze on my hands, trying my best not to make eye contact with this gorgeous man who will soon be my ex-stepfather.
“I am very sorry, Mr. Wellington. I know you probably won’t believe this, but I had no idea. The last time I talked to her was a week ago, and even then, it seemed like everything was fine. I’m sure you already know this, but we aren’t close; she was actually my last resort,” I pause.
“I’ll give her a call and be out of your hair soon after.” I don’t wait for him to respond. I run out of the room and up to the spare bedroom I had always stayed in whenever I visited.
Grabbing my phone off of the charge, I stab at my mother’s contact, frowning at the smiling face in the photo popping up.
“Piper darling, how is everything?” Her voice comes across the line. I roll my eyes. This affectation she has taken on since she went from a waitress in a rundown restaurant to the wife of a billionaire, makes me grit my teeth.
“How am I? Guess where I am right now?”
She blows out an irritated breath. “Piper, you know how I hate these little guessing games of yours. How am I supposed to know where you are?”
“Well, mom, I’m at your house where the stepfather I hadn’t even met yet just informed me that you’re filing for divorce and have moved out of here.”
“Oh, then good, he broke the news to you. I was going to call to tell you in a few days, right after Pierre and I were settled in.”
“You don’t even remember, do you?” My irritation must be evident at this point.
“Did we have a visit planned? I’m sorry, darling, everything just moved so fast.”
I fist my hands at my sides. “Where are you right now?”
“In the south of France. Pierre has a lovely flat with a view of the vineyards that is to die for.”