Page 29 of Silver Fox's Christmas Scandal

"People don't mind their own business, Lucian. Not when it comes to you." She touched the diamond necklace at her throat. "Besides, I'm seeing someone new myself."

"Good for you."

"He's thirty-two."

The hypocrisy hit me immediately. "Interesting." I scoffed and shook my head as I looked out the window, but my eyes were fixed on her reflection there, not the lights twinkling in the distance. She was smirking.

So she can date a man fourteen years younger and that's okay, but if I attempt an age gap, I'm a bad person?

"It's different."

"How?" I ask, turning back to face her as her hardened expression returns.

"I'm not his boss. I'm not risking his career or mine. And I'm not parading him around business functions where people will talk." She finished her wine, then checked her watch. "I have to go. He's taking me to the symphony."

"Viktoria."

She paused, halfway out of her chair.

"The children will be fine. They always are."

"I hope you're right." She gathered her purse, then looked at me one more time. "For their sake, I hope you know what you're doing."

After she left, I sat in the empty booth, staring at the city lights and wondering why fate was always so cruel to me. The bar had grown crowded, filled with couples and business dinners, the low hum of conversation mixing with soft jazz.

I ordered another glass of wine and pulled out my phone because after that showdown, I needed to see Tessa just to convince myself I wasn't completely senile and she really did want me.

Lucian: 9:47 PM: Can you come to the penthouse?

I stewed, wondering if I'd been making things up or if Tessa was as attracted to me as I was to her.

How I let Viktoria get under my skin was beyond me, but she had, and I hated it.

Tessa: 9:52 PM: Everything okay?

When Tessa did respond, I instantly felt better. I did have to warn her about this new development, but more than that, I needed release, and I knew how amazing she made me feel. In more than just a sexual way.

Lucian: 9:53 PM: I need to see you.

Tessa: 9:55 PM: On my way.

I finished my drink and left cash on the table, then took a cab back to my building.

The elevator ride to the penthouse felt longer than usual, my mind replaying Viktoria's words.

The children were worried. The board was watching. People were talking.

Two months ago, those concerns would've been enough to make me end whatever this was with Tessa. I'd built my entire life around control, around managing perceptions and minimizing risk.

A relationship with my assistant was the definition of reckless.

But I couldn't bring myself to care anymore.

I changed out of my suit into jeans and a sweater, then grabbed a bottle of Macallan and headed to the terrace.

The January air bit through my clothes, but I needed the cold to clear my head.

Chicago spread out below me, a grid of lights, and I thought about how everything had changed since Christmas.