“Gramps.” Adam shook his head. “Twenty years ago.”
His mother pursed her lips. “Well, why is that girl here and not upstairs with your grandfather?”
“Cassidyis on call.” Adam’s jaw tightened. “And if Gramps needs her, she’ll be there.”
William’s eyes were fixed on Finn. “And the child?”
“He’s mine.” I lifted my chin as I stepped forward. “Finn, this is Mr. and Mrs. Harlow.”
“I distinctly remember you stating you had no children on your application,” Caroline said, ignoring Finn’s attempt to greet them.
“Yes, well…”
“I told her to leave it off,” Josie spoke up. “Her family really isn’t any of our business.”
“Our business?” Caroline glared at her. “The Harlow business has never been yours, Josie.”
“Mom!” Grayson snapped, startling Harrison. “Don’t start this shit again.” With a growl, he marched over to the stroller and picked up his whimpering son while Josie gathered up their things.
“Come on, Finn,” Josie called out as she wheeled the stroller toward the exit. “Let’s take Luci for another walk.”
Finn gazed up at me, full of worry. “Will you be okay?”
I grasped his face and kissed his forehead. “Of course, baby. Enjoy the walk.”
With a small smile, he ran after Josie and Grayson as they vanished out the side door into the garden.
“Pack your things immediately, Cassidy,” Caroline ordered. “I won’t tolera—”
“No!” Adam roared. “You’re not in charge here. Gramps is. Cassidy has been nothing but a godsend for him, and you will not send her away or make her or her son feel unwelcome.”
“What has gotten into you?” his mother asked, flustered. “I’d expect this from Grayson, but not you.”
“And why is that?” Adam asked while his fists grew whiter. “Because I’ve always done as you’ve asked? Because I’ve always lived by your fucked-up rules?”
William blew out a long sigh. “You’re clearly not coping with the pressure of your new role.”
“I’m dealing just fine,Dad. In fact, I’ve got a team of people looking after it for me these days…so I can take some well-deserved time off.”
“Who?! Are they trustworthy?”
“Probably not by your standards, but I’m sick of working myself to the bone, trying to reach your level of perfection. What I’ve come to realize, since taking over the company, is that I’m never going to get your approval. I’m never going to do things the way you want them done. So, I’m not anymore.”
William grew pale. “You’re going to ruin everything I built.”
“Hopefully,” Adam chortled. “Then, I can do things my way.”
As William and Caroline gaped, Adam grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room.
I jogged to keep up with his strides. “Whoa, Adam…slow down.”
With a backward glance, he dragged me into the media room and slammed the door shut. “Kiss me,” he ordered with eyes full of anguish. “Before I break something.”
Without taking a breath, I reached up and pulled his mouth down to mine. His body responded twofold, taking me into his arms until our bodies completely aligned. As our animalistic kiss deepened into something more sweet and sensual, Adam’s energy shifted, taking us both by surprise.
“Wow,” Adam gushed as we pulled apart. “Did you feel that?”
I rested my hand on his chest. “I feel everything with you. Anger…sadness…regret…”