“I’ll make you a deal. You pay for the flights; I’ll pay for the hotel. I know you said your dad is in a small place.”
“Yes. If I were going alone, I’d stay with Richard and Katy, but I’d like to stay in a hotel with you, Mr. Matthews.”
I cupped her ass, bringing her body flush with mine. “Oh yeah?”
She grinned. “Hotel sex is awesome.”
Hotel sex. Another first.
I stood, lifted her, and headed to the bedroom. “I think we need more practice to build up to the hotel sex.”
Her mouth was hot against my neck.
“Lots more.”
Sandy was at the staff meeting Monday morning. Her blouse was crisp, her hair perfect, but there was a sadness to her expression that had never been there before. I wondered if it was something that would ever fully leave her. I was glad to see her back—everyone was glad. We’d all missed her.
After, I was busy at my desk. Reaching into my drawer to grab a new pencil, I lifted out the envelope Bentley had handed me. I had forgotten about it again, but I knew I should open it and take the contents to the bank. I also had to thank the guys properly.
I tore open the seal, and withdrew a folded document containing several pages of what appeared to be legal wording. There was no bonus payment.
Instead, there was something so unexpected I stared at the document for long, stunned moments, reading and rereading the words, certain I was mistaken.
I lurched to my feet and hurried down the hall. Sandy looked up as I stumbled to her desk. I knew the guys were in their usual Monday morning partners’ meeting, and there was no way I was getting past her without their allowing it.
“I need to see them.”
She shook her head. “You finally opened it.”
“You knew?”
“What did I tell you, Reid? I know everything that goes on in this place.” She picked up her phone, speaking into the receiver. “Reid needs some time with all of you. I suggest you let him in before he falls down in front of my desk.”
She hung up and indicated Bentley’s door. “In you go.”
Before I could move, she lifted her hand. “You deserve this, Reid. But remember your manners.”
I met her eyes, seeing the smile they contained.
“I can do that,” I croaked.
Three sets of eyes watched me stagger into Bentley’s office. Three wide grins lit their faces as I sank into the sofa beside Aiden, lifting the pages. “I don’t understand.”
Bentley leaned back. “I think I’ll let Maddox explain, being our numbers man and all.”
Maddox observed me, tapping his cheek thoughtfully.
“Reid, since you joined BAM, you have proven to be more than an employee. You’ve put yourself on the line for us more than once, and you’ve shown us loyalty and commitment. You have become our friend—part of our family. You know how we feel about family.”
“You take care of them,” I mumbled.
“Good. You pay attention.” Maddox grinned. “The other day you told me you wanted to live in Ridge Towers. You also confessed to your worry about getting a mortgage, and were concerned if you would be able to save enough for the deposit.”
I swallowed, my throat thick. “Yeah,” I rasped out. “But—”
Maddox held up his hand. “I spoke to Bentley and Aiden. We already knew we were going to give bonuses for this project. The results have been nothing less than amazing, and we like to reward our staff well.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t a bonus. It’s . . .” I struggled to find the words. “I was expecting . . .” I hesitated. “Not this. I wasn’t expecting this.”
Bentley stood and rounded the desk, leaning on the edge. He crossed his arms. “We’re aware it’s unorthodox, but frankly, Reid, the things you have done for us have been unorthodox. You helped find Emmy. You eliminated a huge problem for Maddox. You’ve proven to Aiden, repeatedly, that there is nothing you can’t do. Nothing you won’t do for us. That deserves more than a bonus.”
I lifted the papers. “But it’s a condo. You’ve given me a condo.”
Maddox chuckled. “It’s the smaller one in my building. We’re going to use the one Dee lived in briefly as our corporate place. The other one is sitting empty. It’s one-plus bedroom, but the size is generous, so there’s lots of space for all your equipment. This transaction does two things. You get to move in to a great, secure building right away. You’ll pay the monthly condo fees and taxes, the same as everyone else, and you’ll be building equity, which you can use toward a place in Ridge Towers. The value is currently about four hundred thousand for this place.”
I almost choked. Aiden patted me on the back.
“Stay with us, kid. Things are just getting good.”
Maddox laughed. “We had planned to do some renos to the place, but we’ve decided you can look after that. Get with Van, and he’ll make sure it happens. I suggest an overhaul of the kitchen and bath to maximize your investment.” He winked. “You’ll get the company rate.”
They gave Becca a bonus of five thousand dollars. They gave me a condo.
“I can’t accept this—it’s too much.”
“You can and you will. It’s all bound and legal. Bill has the papers drawn up. You can move in right away and make yourself a home. Your life is changing, Reid,” Bentley stated firmly. “You can’t sleep on the floor of your office all the time now. You need a place where you’re settled. Where Becca can be with you.”
His words made sense. Still, it was a lot to take in.
“When Ridge Towers is closer to completion, you can decide if you want to move.” Maddox smirked. “And if you’ll be moving alone. If my suspicions are right, you’ll need a two-bedroom with room to grow.”
Aiden leaned forward, earnest. “We could have simply handed you a condo in the Towers, but we felt this was better. You can move right away and get out of that little place you hate. You can do some renos and increase the value. Then sell it and move on. On your terms.”
“Only because of your charity.”
“No.” Bentley’s voice was steely. “This isn’t charity. This is our way of thanking you. If you don’t want to move later, you don’t have to. Or you can move elsewhere. We’re simply giving you the tools to start.” He sighed. “We all think you deserve that, Reid. A fresh start and a leg up. We did that for each other. Now, we’re doing it for you.”
“It’s so much.”
“It’s what we feel you deserve.”
I closed my eyes, so many feelings exploding in my head. There was only one thing I could say. “Thank you.”
“Do you still want to live in Ridge Towers one day?”
“If I can. Maybe phase two.”
Bentley cocked his head, studying me. “Why phase two?”
“The unit I really wanted is off the list,” I admitted. “Most of the two-bedrooms are taken now.”
Aiden flipped through a list he was holding. “B-8A? That one?”
“Yeah, I thought the views would be amazing on that corner, and I liked the layout.”