The CEO's Contracted Mistress

High Dive Shenanigans

It had been a long week. She hadn’t seen Olivier even once since the night he accosted her in the office and then saved her in the elevator. Hopefully, he had left the hotel and was long gone buying her time.

Grady and Everly had both agreed she was going to have to tell him about the kids. If it ever came back, she had known the truth, or at least his version of it, and she ran off with the kids and he found out about them later, it would look significantly worse if they went to court.

She wasn’t going to chase him down. She was simply going to remain in his hotel and if he showed up again, if she were brave enough, she’d tell him. However, all week, she believed she was dodging the proverbial bullet because he’d been nowhere to be found.

As she entered the lobby of the hotel though, she realized she had been a bit too naïve because he was sitting in the lobby again and she felt her stomach plummet as he stood up. She was on her own coming back from the offices, Grady stopping to pick up a gift for Everly for their anniversary. She had hoped at the very least if she needed to run into him, she’d have the support of her lawyer and best friend.

“Ms. Caron,” the concierge called her name and she immediately considered kissing the woman’s face as Olivier looked irritated at the intrusion and Bobbie diverted quickly in her direction.

“Hi,” she walked straight to her. “Did you get them?”

“I did,” the woman held up two envelopes. “I made reservations for Mr. and Ms. Hoffman at the restaurant you requested. These are the tickets for the show they can take in after. These,” she passed the second envelope, “are the tickets for the space center tour. We’ve arranged your transport in the morning. You just need to be ready and waiting by nine.”

“You are a godsend. Thank you very much.”

Grady’s voice calling her name behind her made her turn around. He had made great time. From the look on his face, he didn’t miss the man watching them.

“Hey, the concierge managed to get you reservations at the French restaurant like you requested. Tell me you found the necklace.” She begged him to play it cool.

The lawyer in him followed her plan beautifully, contrary to the fact he felt strongly she should have searched him out and told him the minute she began to believe maybe the man wasn’t a s*x trafficker. He patted his pocket nodding as he tucked her arm in his and pulled her past the blonde man who had approached, “thank God you remembered this morning it was our anniversary. I swear to heavens she’d have my balls on a plate if I’d forgotten.”

“It’s why you pay me the big bucks,” she nudged him playfully ignoring the man who was following them. “You can sleep in tomorrow morning. I’m taking the kids to the space center.”

“I wanted to go!”

She chuckled, “I know. I’m screwing with you. I got tickets for all of us and arranged a shuttle.”

He pulled her close and kissed her temple, “best not-sister ever!”

She patted his chest and wiped her head at the same time. “Don’t ever do that again. Your mom may have pseudo-adopted me but you’re still gross. I know where you put those lips. Your wife is my best friend, and she shares very sordid details. Every single detail.”

Grady glared at her, “bullshit.”

“I know about a specific freckle,” she started speaking but he covered her mouth and looked around frantically.

“My wife and I will be having a chat about boundaries later.”

“You don’t have boundaries.”

Grady looked to Olivier who had gotten into the elevator with them, pressing the button for the penthouse and swiping his key card after Bobbie had pressed their floor number.

The tension was palpable, but Grady did what he did best and kept things neutral. “Thanks for watching the little assholes tonight so we can go out.”

“I can’t believe she’s spent nine years with you and hasn’t murdered you.”

“She might have murdered me if you hadn’t remembered this morning.”

“I want a raise.”

“I just gave you a raise on Monday for forcing you to come to Houston with the entire family in tow.”

“Remind me why I put up with your shit.”

“Because you are the best not-sister ever, we just went over this.” Grady laughed and gently punched her arm as they exited the elevator without a glance at the silent man.

When the doors closed, he turned on her, “you need to tell him.”

“I will when I’m ready.”

“He evidently is back from wherever he was this week. He was going to talk to you. I saw him approach you in the lobby.”

“Do you think he knows?” she felt a moment of panic and nervously chewed her fingernail.

Grady slapped her hand out of her mouth, “you just touched the elevator button. Go wash your hands and your mouth and frankly if he knows, nothing is going to stop him from saying something, not even me being with you in the elevator.”

Raucous laughter trailed into the corridor, and they looked at each other. “What the hell?”

They stepped into Grady’s suite of rooms and then stopped with their mouths hanging open. Everly, Prue and the three kids were in the middle of a full-on pillow fight, and it was obvious one pillow had been exploded. They were all frozen as if caught in the middle of a terrible act.

“You’re having a pillow fight?” Grady asked incredulously

“Without us?” Bobbie exclaimed as they dropped their gear and rushed into the room to join in.

The wails of laughter and hilarity did much to ease Bobbie’s nerves about Olivier’s return to the hotel if he’d even left. Grady was right. It had been obvious he had been going to attempt to speak to her had Grady not intercepted. This was what she needed, she thought as she took a pillow to the back from her daughter.

An hour and a half later, she had the kids in the pool area and was sitting there while they played Marco Polo. She was half-reading a murder mystery novel, but her eyes were more on the kids than anything else. The three of them had been in swim lessons since months old and could easily outswim her but as a parent, you just never knew.

Prue was having dinner with friends and Everly and Grady were gone for their special night out. She was having fun times with the kids, or at least, it’s what they called it.

She looked up when the door to the gym at the far end of the pool opened and Olivier walked out with a towel wrapped around his neck, sweat staining the front of his sleeveless tank. She settled deeper into her chair and prayed he didn’t notice her.

“Bobbie!” Lark called her name and instantly wondered what she had done to the child to make her hate her so much.

“What’s up buttercup?” she called back.

“Can we have McDonalds for supper?”

“Already ordered it. They’ll deliver it later. We’re going to eat junk food, watch Disney movies and stay up late tonight.” Ignoring him was easy when she was focused on the kids. All she needed was for them to not call her ‘Mom.’ She wasn’t ready.

“Nana Prue is on a date.” Ollie swam to the side of the pool, “and she said she’s not coming back tonight. Can I sleep in the spare bed all alone?”

“Uh, no,” she pulled her head back. “I’ve slept with the three of you all week. I want my own bed tonight. I’m stretching my tootsies out.”

“No fair!” Ollie splashed her feet, but she was grinning when she said it.

“If you’re good though, I’ll order banana splits from room service for a snack.”

“You’re the coolest Auntie ever!” Lark screamed with excitement and pulled Ollie away knowing her friend was likely to say something to get the treats revoked.

“Banana splits were always your favorite,” Olivier spoke as he stood next to her chair.

“Still are,” she kept her lips smiling on the kids, but her merriment was a long way away.

He sat down on the lounger beside her, “I know I promised to leave you alone, but I wanted you to know I’ve spoken with Bernard, and he confirmed the allegations made against him after a bit of persuading.”

“I didn’t make allegations. I stated facts.” She corrected him, her tone sharp and her eyes averted. She considered there were too many people around for her to punch him in the face and get away with it. The pool was probably under CCTV as well. Why did he smell and look so damn good even sweaty? She hated him but her body was instinctively pulling towards him. What was wrong with her?

“I’m sorry, Roberta.”

“It’s Bobbie,” she looked at him finally, “the name is Bobbie. Roberta was a high-priced escort. The only person who ever used the name Roberta was a s*x-trafficking John. My name is Bobbie.”

He nodded once accepting her angry words, “I’m sorry Bobbie. I didn’t know about your sister. I had my head of security check in to find out why Darian walked out and didn’t even pick up his last check and his story was confirmed. We were unable to track him down until this week but the minute I found out the truth I began to conduct my own investigation into this nasty story.”

She looked away from him in disgust, “don’t care. My story isn’t the one whose is nasty. You tried to traffic me.”

“I didn’t,” he protested. “I had no idea Bernard did what he did. I thought you took the contract with you when you left. I assumed you would use it to blackmail me later, take it to the press for example. I cornered him and he admitted everything last night. I reiterate I never signed anything over. I never would have traded you like he suggested. I’m so sorry I put you in danger with him.”

“Bobbie!” Lark’s voice called out interrupting the words from him. Her heart ached with wanting to believe him. She was a stupid fool.

She looked to Lark who was pointing at the tall platform high above the pool where Ollie was standing

“Jesus Christ, should she be up there?” Olivier’s voice was awestruck.

She ignored him while her eldest twin waved hello frantically sporting her devil may care grin. Bobbie made a movement with her fingers to signal to dive. Ollie shook her head indicating she wanted to cannonball. Bobbie shook her head again and signaled her to dive. Ollie had been practicing diving for a year now but sometimes she got nervous and just jumped her way into feeling safe.

Ollie nodded at her once, biting her bottom lip.

“You’re encouraging this?” Olivier’s voice was higher than normal. “Her parents must hate you.”

She stood up ignoring him, watching with complete focus as her eight-year-old daredevil assumed a dive pose and then made the leap. She cut a clean line into the water and Lark and Max were screaming with pride and several other kids were clapping as Ollie surfaced.

“That’s my girl!” she yelled proudly. Bobbie walked to the edge of the pool and high-fived the girl brushing her matted hair off her face, “that was amazing. I am so proud of you. You did it!” She leaned over the pool edge and kissed her lips. “I’m so proud.”

“I did it!” she squeaked. “I really did it. I’m going to go do it again.”

“You do it baby girl. You go do it!” she watched as her child pulled herself out of the pool and raced in the direction of the ladder but stopping to talk to another family of kids on the way. Ollie was a social butterfly and her personality reminded her so much of her sister sometimes it caused an ache deep in her soul.

“Mom! Mom!” Max raced around the pool. “Did you see it? Ollie did it. She did it. She actually dove instead of jumped! Ollie you’re the coolest sister ever!” He raced after her and gave her a hug which Ollie acted embarrassed to get but then Lark joined in and the three of them were giggling.

“Two minutes kids and then we’re out of here,” Bobbie realized the man who had been sitting on the lounge chair was now standing immediately behind her, the tension oozing in an aura of rage behind her. Max had outed her with his glee, and she evaded Olivier’s eyes as she collected her books and began stacking the children’s belongings into a pile.

“They are yours,” his words were quiet.

“Two are, one is not.”

“How old are they?” When she didn’t answer he stepped closer and his fingers curled around her forearm, “how old are they?” Each syllable of his words was uttered with precision, his breath uneven.

She reached down and peeled his fingers off her, “none of your business. Touch me again and I’ll file a restraining order. This is twice in a week you’ve put your hands on me. Don’t make it a third.”

“Are they –" he was cut off by Max’s approaching feet smacking the tiled floor.

“Mom, Lark wants to watch Mulan again, but Ollie and I want to watch Tangled.” His voice whined and sulked.

“Max, we can watch both! We have all night. It’s only coming on seven. We’ll watch one while we eat dinner and watch the other with snacks.” She kept her tone even. It wasn’t Max’s fault his father was a giant jerk.

“Mom!” Ollie called from up high. “I’m going to dive again.”

She turned and gave her full attention to the child, “tuck your chin!”

Ollie nodded and took a breath. Max whispered moving to stand in front Bobbie, tugging her arms around his chest, “she’s so brave, Mom.” She clutched him tightly as Lark wrapped her arms around her middle. They stared as Ollie performed her dive. They cheered her as she emerged from the depths of the water beaming with pride. She swam through the water and then edged out of the pool.

“Did you see Mom?”

“I sure did, sweetheart. Now, I believe we have two movies and junk food on the docket for tonight. Let’s go take warm showers, get into pjs, and have dinner.” She wrapped them all in towels and then ushered them toward the door.

“Are we really going to the space center tomorrow?” Max asked excitedly.

“Dad said he’s even coming,” Lark jumped up and down. “I’m so happy. We’re going to have family day!”

“We sure are,” she waved them forward. “Let’s go.”

“Ro – “Olivier called out, “Bobbie,” he corrected himself, his voice quiet.

“Kids, go wait by the door. I’ll be right there.” She turned and faced him. “Leave me alone.”

“Are they mine?” he whispered quietly, as if he didn’t want anyone to hear the question, or worse, was terrified of her answer.

“They are mine. Nobody else’s but mine.”

“You should have –" he pushed.

“What? Brought them around a s*x trafficker and his sleazy friends? No. I don’t think so. Stay away from us.” She forgot everything she and Grady had talked about as she grabbed her bag off the chair and then followed the kids, making her voice playful as she reached them, “forgot my bag. Good thing I remembered. I’m starving. I may need to eat all of Max’s chicken nuggets.”

As Max squealed in protest, she fought the rush of panic in her chest as the man followed at a short distance.

At the elevator, her heart thundered when he got in with them. He swiped his key card to the penthouse suite.

“Hey Mister, you have a fancy card for your room.”

“I do.”

“Are you rich?” Ollie asked bluntly

“Ollie don’t talk to strangers,” Lark whispered looking up at the big quiet man staring at them.

“You’re rude, Ollie,” Max chastised her.

“Mom’s right here. It’s not like he’s going to kidnap us. Are you going to try to kidnap us mister?”

“No, I’m not going to kidnap you.” He smiled softly studying the brown eyes so much like his as if noting for the first time the resemblance he had missed.

“Good. Our mom is the best but she’s scary. She’d kick your ass.” Ollie grinned her teeth on full display as the man grinned back at her. She loved an audience.

“Language Ollie,” Bobbie kept her back straight as Olivier chuckled at her language. When she met his eyes, the same smile he gave Ollie was not sent in her direction. He was furious.

“Sorry Mom. She’d kick your butt,” Ollie corrected herself with a smirk. “Better?” she eyed her mother.

“Yeah,” never had Bobbie been so grateful for the opening of elevator doors as she almost dragged the kids towards their room.

Olivier leaned past the steel of the folding doors and called out, “we’ll talk soon Bobbie.”

She looked over her shoulder and saw the cold fury in his eyes and shuddered. She was screwed.

Ollie was tugging her hand all the way down the hall asking how she knew the man with the fancy key to his room and why he knew her name. She looked up to see Olivier still watching them from the elevator and she pushed the kids into the room and closed the door. Once again, she leaned against the door and closed her eyes. Her stomach was in knots, her heart was in tatters, and she was on the verge of tears.

She and the Hoffmans had made a clear plan on what needed to be done to ensure a billionaire tycoon didn’t swoop in and take her kids from her and instead she had antagonized him and threatened him. She was a fool if she thought for one minute the hungry look on his face as he’d watched them walk to their room was anything but desire to take them.

She had a horrible feeling their worlds were all about to change and she didn’t know what she could do, if anything, to stop it.