Page 19 of Erotic Behavior (Observant Behaviors)
“Will I go there with you?”
“I hope so.My hope is that when we figure this all out, you will always be with me.”
I turned toward the glass door that had just opened and watched a young man placed a plate of French toast, oranges, and bacon in front of me.Then he poured my coffee, asking me what I’d like in it.When he walked away, I felt like I was being served at a five-star restaurant, not a place I was going to live for the next few years.
“Do you ever get used to it?”
“What?”
“All the people?I mean, everything is so fancy.Do you have days where you wish you could just walk into the kitchen and make some toast with no one bothering you?”
Beckett let out a small laugh, “I grew up with people always doing things for me and I forget sometimes how awkward it can be.To answer your question, no, I don’t think you ever get used to it.But I have certain rules and routines in place that help me keep my sanity.The staff here works twenty-four hours, but this is the only property that is set up that way.I left it because I spend a lot of time working from here and I have meetings and employees that come by regularly.”
“Like Pamela?”
“Yes.Like Pamela.”
“By 8PM, our area of the penthouse is off limits to anyone other than the two of us.No one should be down that hallway unless we call for them, and the property upstate only has a cook and a groundskeeper.They live in a smaller house out back and have taken care of that property ever since I bought it.It’s just as much their home as it is mine.”
“Does Pamela ever go there to work with you as well?”
“No.Only here.”His attention shifted behind me, and a small scowl crossed his face.“Speak of the devil.”
Setting Boundaries
Beckett
SeeingPamelaheadingstraightfor us was like a kick in the gut.The questions Raven was asking had me nervous.She was struggling with Pamela’s presence and now the first morning we have together was about to be interrupted by the cause of her unease.
“Good morning everyone!”she said in an overly cheery voice that grated on my last nerve.“I have a few documents for you to sign, Mr.Haynes.so I thought I’d bring them up and get them out of the way early this morning.”
She took a seat next to me at the table and reached for the coffee in front of me, taking it for herself.It was something that wouldn’t have bothered me in the past, but I had been clear anything between us was finished months ago.I didn’t like the way she was trying to stamp a claim on me when she had none.
I watched as Raven sat up straight and pushed her plate away from her.She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs, and eventually her arms as she looked anywhere but at me or Pamela.I hated how uncomfortable she was.I reached for my coffee, putting it back in front of me, then I moved Raven’s plate back to her.
“Please eat, little one.”
When she didn’t move.I reached for her, unfolding her arms and handing her the fork.Reluctantly, she took it from me as I placed my hand on her thigh, rubbing it lightly and turned to Pamela.
“Nothing needs my attention right now.You can leave whatever you brought up here on the desk in my office and stop in the kitchen for your own coffee on the way out.”
“But—“
“No, Pamela.This weekend is for Raven, not for work.I was clear about that last night.”
Pamela pushed back and stood up, giving one last look at my little girl before tuning and leaving without another word.
“I’m sorry about that.Boundaries aren’t her strong suit, but she will learn.”
“Does she travel with you to your other house as well?”
“No.”
She just nodded her head and reached for her water, avoiding eye contact with me.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”