Crystal came through for me the way she always did. It took her less than a day to get us set up with a child psychologist, though it helped that money was no object. The twins had an initial assessment appointment the next week in an Alexandria office with follow-ups as needed in the partnering Manhattan practice.

The other thing Crystal managed to do was get into my head. She often proved she knew me better than I knew myself, and for that reason, I felt uneasy. It wasn't my intention for Augustine to develop feelings for me. It wasn't my intention to gain feelings for any of the members of this family but the twins and Matthew had my heart long ago. I couldn't tell how much of my desire for him stemmed from my love for them, and how much, if anything, existed on its own.

I hadn't had the time to figure that out. And, I wasn't sure if I wanted to.

Tabitha spun and leaped with the song Sebastian practiced with his instructor in the adjoining room. I looked through the doorway and watched the intent look on his face fade to a smile the more the song went by.

As complicated as our relationship was, nothing could tear me from my need to protect them and provide for their emotional and mental stability. Though their father seemed to be onboard, finally, I had no idea how to breach the subject of repairing what set all of this into motion.

Sebastian couldn't possibly think I was his mother. Right?

He was confused, possibly lacking the words to describe what we meant to one another. I could apply that to Augustine as well.

The song ended and I clapped for Tabby emphatically. "You are both so talented," I gushed. "I'm so lucky to be able to watch you."

She came up to me and leaned her hands onto my knees. "When do our classes start?" she asked with sparkling eyes.

I leaned in closer. "I still have to ask your daddy if it's okay."

Her eyes widened. "My teachers said if I work real hard this summer, they'll move me up to level two!"

"I don't doubt that one bit. Look how quickly you improve."

"Please, Aubrey. Please tell Daddy to let us go."

I chuckled. "I will, I will." Peeking into the other room, Bastian's instructor packed his things away. "Ready to go?" I asked Tabby.

She nodded and I took her by the hand. I looked over to call Sebastian to me. As he ran toward me, Augustine appeared in view. He kneeled down and stopped Sebastian in his arms.

I watched as he took a knee in front of his son, placing himself just below his eye level. I realized I hadn't moved when Tabby pulled on my hand. "Go find your brother in the lounge," I told her. "I'll be there soon." She looked toward her twin with a frown but did as she was told. 

Augustine held Sebastian by his sides as he spoke. I stepped closer to the doorway and listened.

"Daddy gets very sad when he thinks about how Mommy is no longer with us." His voice was gentle and kind. "Sometimes when we're sad, it makes it seem as if we're mad at those around us. But I was never upset with you. I am sorry if I ever made you feel as if I were."

Sebastian nodded in understanding.

"Can you forgive me?" Augustine asked. Sebastian leaned forward and hugged his father around the neck. Augustine pulled him against his chest and returned it. He rubbed his hand against his son's back, his brow furrowing for just a second. "Thank you, my darling." He pulled Sebastian's head close and pressed a kiss to his cheek, letting him go right after. Sebastian ran to me like the carefree child he was, but I was frozen in emotion.

Augustine stood. His head turned when he spotted me in the doorway. We locked eyes as mine began to water.

"Aubrey, let's go," Sebastian pulled me by the hand and away from my thoughts. 

. . .

With the twins down for a nap and Matthew engrossed in his video game and trash-talking with friends, I had slipped away to my room to grab the package. I made my way down the grand stairwell, feeling my nerves return.

Downstairs and around the corner, I peered through the open door. Augustine stood near the lounge in his office with the butler and some other staff, staring down at the phone in his hand, the shattered screen slowing the usual speed of his typing. The sight made me smile at first, but the package hidden behind my back reminded me of my guilt.

He didn't look my way when he said, "Something you need, Ms. Nielson?"

His formality calmed me. "Yes, but it can wait."

"Please," he gestured me closer. "We are ironing out the details of our summer relocation, but I believe we're finished here, no?" he looked at his company in question. 

The men agreed, exchanged a few more words, and then left the room. The butler looked at me while he closed the door behind them. 

 I walked closer to Augustine, gripping the box. "You didn't have to do that."

"Believe me, I was praying for an interruption. What was it you needed?"

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I broke your phone."

He smirked and gave me a quick glance. "You're not."

I allowed myself a sheepish grin but dropped it before holding the new phone out to him. He looked at it, then his gaze lifted to mine. "I'm sure you've already ordered a replacement, but we passed by the store on the way back and I figured . . ." I trailed off, feeling awkward stammering out an excuse for my gift.

The surprise on his face was replaced by one of the most sincere smiles I had ever seen him make. He lifted it from my hand. "Thank you, love."

His unwitting nickname made my heart squeeze. "You're welcome."

We stared at one another, an odd sense of fear hidden beneath the discomfort of our vocalized appreciation for one another. When his dark eyes dropped from mine, I breathed a sigh of relief.

He took the phone box to the front of his desk and sat his old one down. The dreaded pair of scissors made their reappearance as he cut the taped sides.

"I need to talk to you about the appointments, too," I added.

"Right."

I crossed my arms over my chest and returned to his side, watching him fiddle with the phones as I talked. "The office I selected has a location here and an associated office in the city. There are sessions available next week if that works for you and your schedule."

He kept his focus on the phones. "I will make it work. When do the summer arts programs begin?"

"The second of next month."

"We'll have the children's appointments, then we can travel to the loft soon after, if that sounds alright."

"That sounds perfect. I'll let them know." I watched him set up the transfer of his information to the new device. "Have you . . . given any more thought to scheduling a session for yourself?"

"No."

"Well, I've been considering one. For me."

He looked up at me in confusion. "Why?"

"It's good maintenance. To make sure I'm still balanced, not reverting to old habits and such."

"Old habits like what?"

"Pretending sex is a therapy session."

The twist of his mouth showed me he picked up on my message. He let my words slide for a moment, and then asked, "Did it work for you? Therapy?"

"If it hadn't, I wouldn't be standing here with you right now."

The brief furrow of his brow betrayed his stone façade. "I'd rather not imagine that."

"I'm sorry," I apologized, fearing I had triggered him. "What I mean is . . . I see a lot of myself in the kids. And in you. It's ultimately your decision, but I just wanted you to know I've gotten a lot of reward from talking things through with strangers."

He pulled me toward him by my waist until I came to stand with my feet between his, our hips light pressed against one another's. In his position leaned back against his desk, we were eye to eye. "I've gotten plenty of reward from you."

He brushed a kiss against my cheek, his hand leaving my waist to sink down and grip my ass. My body warmed with his touch, an erotic pull in my core. If this was his version of a hug, I wasn't complaining.

As I pressed my hands against his chest, a faint red mark became visible beneath his shirt. My mind went back to Crystal's accusation, and more so, that night, the last words he said before we fell asleep. Anxiety crept over my skin.

"When will I see you tonight?" he asked.

I took a breath, my eyes still fixed to his chest. "I think it would be best if we take a little more time," I said with reluctance. "Our last scene was very intense for me, and I don't know if I'm in the best headspace to give you what you need right now. Taking some time would let us . . . process it."

He hummed his disagreement. "I'd rather process it without clothes." His hand disappeared and returned with a hard slap. I let out a soft moan with the pain. "I want you bound beneath me, helpless . . ." My heart pounded nervously when his thumb ran over my lip, testing my resolve. His hand dropped, his fingers traced the swell of my breasts visible behind the V-neck of my shirt. The teasing caress made my skin prickle and the air harder to breathe. "Bruised and breathless whilst I take you in whichever manner I choose."

My teeth sank into my lip. His hand lifted again and gripped my throat. 

"Do you need time to process that?" he asked, staring me in the eyes. 

I knew the desire showed on my face when I fought myself to say the words. The corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk. He leaned in closer.

Suddenly, a tap on the door made me jump. I tried to step away from him but he held me by the waist.

"Mr. Montgomery," the butler interrupted as he walked back inside. I pushed Augustine's hands from me. A scowl darkened his previously lustful gaze. "The contractor is here to speak with you."

Though the butler would never allow his professionalism to wane, I felt exposed, like I had betrayed the loyalty and respect he expected from everyone else in the house. I could only postulate what his reaction would be.

"I'll be ready for them shortly," Augustine answered him.

The butler left and we returned to the murky nature of our prior conversation. Augustine looked at me expectantly as if he could read my mind.

So much of me wanted to run away, yet so much of me wanted to stay and let him have whatever he wanted. But, I couldn't overcome my hesitation. "I need some time," I whispered.

He leaned his hands onto the edge of the desk behind him, his knuckles whitening with his grip. "Whatever you need," he looked me up and down, desire still in his eyes. "I'll be here. Waiting."

I turned to leave, but before I got too far, I stopped again. "Thank you for apologizing to Sebastian earlier today. I know it's difficult for you to talk about her, but I'm really glad you did." He said nothing in return. I watched him for any sign of negative emotion. To my surprise, nothing was there. "If you ever want to talk to someone who isn't quite a stranger, or if you want to talk more about her . . . Whatever you need. I'll be here."

He seemed to consider it for a moment then nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course."

After that, I slipped through the door. As I rounded the corner to the stairs, I caught eyes with the butler. He looked at me with muted judgment, just as I expected. 

As little as I wanted people to make assumptions about my relationship with Augustine before I managed to pin it down for myself, I wouldn't allow him to make assumptions about me. 

I stopped in my tracks and crossed my arms, returning his stare, daring him to say something. 

After a moment, his gaze fell from mine. He turned and walked away without a word. "That's what I thought," I murmured as I continued on my way.

_____

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please be sure to vote, comment, and add to your library if you want more!