I opened my bedroom door and headed out. A moment later, I was in front of James's bedroom and lightly opened the door so as to not wake Aria. As for James, I knew instinctively he wasn't yet asleep. It was too early for him.
The moment I slid myself in, I noted that the bedside light was still on, which cast a lovely golden glow to the room. When I shifted my eyes to the king-size bed, I saw James watching me with interest.
"Hello?" he greeted, a devastatingly handsome smile on his face.
I knew it must be weird for me to be here in his room at this time of the night and with his daughter in his bed sound asleep too. I must have looked very desperate.
I blushed instantly in embarrassment. I licked my lips and felt the need to explain. "I want to kiss Aria good night." Which wasn't really a lie.
He chuckled and invited me in by summoning me with his finger. I obliged and eagerly went over to him. Once I was on the side of the bed, I caressed Aria's cheek. The little girl was embraced in her father's arms, and her face was snuggled against his chest.
I leaned forward and gave her a peck on the cheek. Then I said, "Good night, Aria."
There was no reply, which wasn't a surprise because she was already fast asleep.
I raised my eyes to James and said, "She's adorable."
"So are you," he said bluntly. "Care to join?"
Is this an invitation?
James peeled back the duvet for me, which enticed me even more. The longer I stared at that inviting space before me, the more I was drawn to it.
I succumbed and climbed in. A large, warm bed with Aria and James was way better than my cold, lonely one.
James chuckled as I settled myself on that side of the bed. In the end, there I lay with Aria next to me on my left and James on the other side of Aria. God, I felt I was a part of this family. I felt I was Aria's mother and James's wife.
The feeling was oddly pleasant for me, and I grinned with glee.
When I turned my face to James and gave him a smile, he reached out to caress my cheek. It felt nice, and his hand was so warm against my skin. I closed my eyes, savoring this beautiful moment.
When I opened my eyes again, James made a move that made my heart skip a beat. He leaned his head toward me, and once close, he placed his firm, warm lips against mine.
His kiss was deep, hot, and demanding. It was as if he were starving for me as his tongue urged my lips to part. So eager he was that I obliged without protest.
Once I opened my mouth for him, James plunged his tongue in and ruthlessly devoured me, stroking and caressing me. I became breathless and dazed as I let him taste and tease me.
I groaned against his seductive assault, wanting more.
James finally drew back and chuckled. "Good night, Mia," he said.
I gazed at him and asked, "Was that your good night kiss for me?"
He nodded, and I smiled. "Good night, James," I said and snuggled my face against the pillow, my hand on Aria's shoulder.
A moment later, I felt James's large, warm hand intertwining with mine, and I smiled as I drifted off to sleep.
When next I woke up, it was already morning. The bright sunlight was shining brilliantly into the bedroom, which made me flinch and groan. Once I managed to adjust my vision to the intensity of the light, I saw Aria staring at me. She was so close, in fact, that we were almost nose to nose. I didn't miss the fact that she had a sunny smile on her face.
I blinked and said, "Good morning, Aria."
She giggled and replied, "Good morning, Mia."
I was about to ask the little girl what time it was when I realized something was odd. I was pretty sure Aria was on my left before I'd fallen asleep in James's bed last night. So how did she end up facing me on my right instead?
I made a move to figure out what had happened when I felt a hard, manly body behind me on my left. I turned my eyes that way and, not so surprisingly, saw James watching me.
The moment I sighted him, my stomach flipped deliciously. God, but the man was handsome, even with bedroom hair and a five-o'clock shadow.
"Good morning, Mia," he greeted.
I licked my lips and said, "Hello, James."
I wanted to ask him how in the world I had come to swap places with Aria. I was now in the middle of the bed and squeezed between him and his daughter instead of where I'd been on the other side before I'd fallen asleep. Then I thought I didn't really need to ask. Sometime in the middle of the night, James must have moved me and Aria so I was in the middle instead. I wondered if he had taken advantage of me while I'd been deep in slumber.
I turned my eyes to him in accusation. He must have understood me and chuckled. "I'm not such a bastard, Mia."
True, he wasn't. Not like Uncle Herbert. He was James, and James would never do anything weird, especially when his daughter was in the same bed. Of course, he had made love to me when I'd been asleep before, but that was different. Aria hadn't been present, and that sexy lovemaking had been consensual. Once I'd been awoken anyway.
Turning my attention away from James and toward Aria instead, I asked the little girl, "Did you have a good sleep?"
Aria nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. It was the best ever. We have to do it again. We have to do it again."
I laughed at her eagerness and so did James. A few moments later, James ushered his daughter out of the bed to get ready for the day. Once the two were gone, I got up as well, intending to head back into my own room. As I was walking out the door, I incidentally saw Sophie at the end of the hallway. I didn't miss the murderous glare she was giving me. Suddenly a sense of trepidation passed down my spine, and I felt sick to my stomach.
Shit! She looked like she would really love to murder me right here and now. The darkness of her piercing gaze truly scared me to my soul.
I swallowed in terror but didn't back down. I mockingly cocked my head to one side and even gave her a triumphant smile. I said, "Morning, Sophie. How was your sleep last night?"
The woman snorted and uttered, "Bitch!" in reply.
Before I could tell her we needed to talk about my destroyed dresses and messy closet, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Alone, I stared at the spot where Sophie had stood only moments ago. Why did I feel her glare meant something deeper than pure jealousy and hatred? Why did I feel as though something truly terrible was going to happen and Sophie was the one behind it?
As I headed into my bedroom, another shiver passed down my spine.
Chapter 15
James
James impassively watched Sophie turn on her heel and leave the room, her steps quick and decisive. He had coldly dismissed her from her position as Aria's nanny, and fuck, he felt relieved. Of course, there was no need for him to give her an explanation as to why, and oddly enough, the woman hadn't asked for any either.
He had given her two weeks' notice, as this would help her adjust and give her time to seek new employment. The woman had refused him on the spot and stated she'd be gone from the house by tomorrow morning.
Fuck! He still couldn't believe he had employed a woman such as Sophie to look after his daughter. The very thought that she'd fed Aria all those lies and fear still pissed him off.
Once again, his mind flashed back to yesterday when Aria had poured her heart out to him, telling him of her love for him, her loneliness whenever he was away, and her fear that he'd run away from her like Whitney had.
The thought that his adorable six-year-old daughter had to go through that shit and put up with those wretched feelings made him sick to his stomach.
What type of a father am I? Fuck, he didn't know. But he knew from now on, he'd make it up to Aria. He was going to be a good father to his daughter come hell or high water.
He was just walking out of his home office when his cell rang. He picked up on the second ring and said, "Scott, what's up?"
"Hey, bro," Scott greeted. "How's everything going?"
James gave out a big sigh as he descended the
stairs in a quick, easy pace. "I have a bit of shit going on at the moment."
"What is it?" Scott asked. "Is this about Mia?"
"Yes and no," James said, wondering where Mia was suddenly. After he'd dropped Aria off at school, his intention had been to return home, have his meeting with Sophie, and then see if he could have a peek of Mia before heading off to his office at the Maxwell Hotel. Now, however, he couldn't find her anywhere, and he was running late.
"Oh?" Scott voiced on the other end of the line.
"Look, I can't talk right now. I'm running late. I have a lot of work to do before picking Aria up this afternoon."
"What? Isn't that Sophie's job? She's the nanny, isn't she?"
James snorted. "I just fired her."
"Fuck, James! What happened?"
"She was feeding Aria a lot of garbage. Stuff like I don't love Aria because my daughter talks too much and shit like that."
"Fuck!" Scott voiced again. "What the fuck?"
James chuckled at the incredulity of it too. "Yeah, right?"
"Man, James. Did you screen her before you hired her?" Scott asked.
"My personal assistant David did. The woman was clean, but I guess he made a mistake," James said.
"How's Aria doing, by the way?" Scott asked. "And did you tell her you love her with all your heart and you'd die for her? If you haven't, I'm going to fucking make you do it even if I have to point a gun at your head."
James laughed. "Fuck, Scott, don't be so dramatic. I told her. She's all good at the moment, thanks to Mia."
Scott whistled. "Mia, huh? Sounds like mother material there. That reminds me. I haven't met her yet. Now that I think about it, Eric and I haven't been at your place for a while."
James chuckled. "You just want to come over because you want to see Mia."
"Ouch! You wound me, brother," Scott teased. "I miss Aria too. So it's set then. Eric and I are coming over tonight for dinner."
James said, "Sure. See you then."
"Bye now," Scott said. Then before hanging up, he added, "We have Dad's bride to discuss too."
James looked heavenward. "Sure," he said rather unenthusiastically.
Once he'd hung up, James paced to his awaiting car and drove out of the estate. He was at work some half an hour later and fully engrossed until twelve. Then he had a long lunch meeting with his team of accountants, and by the time that was finished, it was past two in the afternoon. Once he managed to get back to his office, he checked his watch, then cursed.
"Fuck!"
He knew he wouldn't be able to make it on time to pick Aria up, and he still had a shitload of work here at the hotel to finish too. With no alternative, he thought the only solution was to ask Mia for her help.
Without further ado, he grabbed his cell and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring.
"Hello, James," she greeted. "You didn't text me this time, so it must be urgent."
"Yes, it is," he said. "How's your day going, darling?"
She snorted at his choice of endearment. Darling? She paused for a moment and then said, "Good, thank you. What about you? And what's so urgent?"
James went straight to the point. "Would you be a darling and pick Aria up?"
"Aria? Of course," she said. "Why didn't you just tell me this morning? You're busy with work, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am," he replied.
"Okay." She paused. "Oh my gosh! It's already two thirty? Why didn't you call earlier? That means I have to get going now if I don't want Aria to wait for me," she said in a hurry.
"Ask the chauffeur to drive you."
"Okay, I will. Bye now, James," she said.
"See you tonight."
"Okay. Okay. Gotta go now."
The phone went silent, and James couldn't help but smile. He couldn't believe it. Mia had turned out to be his lifesaver this time around, and that was fucking awesome.
A moment later, he phoned up St. Peter Elementary School and informed the receptionist he wouldn't be able to pick his daughter up although another would. After that was done, he returned his attention to his work with a grin on his face.
Chapter 16
Mia
The moment the chauffeur parked the car at the front of St. Peter Elementary School, I felt my heart skip a beat. This would be the first time I was picking Aria up by myself, though it hadn't been the first I'd been here. The previous two had been with James when he allowed me to tag along simply because the three of us had to go out shopping afterward.
"I won't be long, John," I said to the chauffeur.
The driver said, "Take your time, Miss Donovan."
A few moments later, I was making my way toward the main building where reception was situated. As I was doing so, I couldn't help but feel more than a little nervous. After all, I wasn't used to doing this sort of thing, going on errands and picking kids up after school. It was completely new to me for sure.
"Hi," I said the moment I was in front of the reception desk.
The elderly woman looked up and gave me a bright smile. "Hello, dear," she said. "How can I help you?"
I licked my lips and said, "My name is Mia, and I'm here to pick Aria up."
The woman looked at me long and hard for a moment, scrutinizing me. Once she was satisfied, she asked, "Mia? Mia Donovan?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Mr. Maxwell phoned. He said a Mia Donovan would be picking Aria up after school today, and I assume that's you."
I couldn't help but feel she was judging me on the spot. Did I look out of place somehow? Was I supposed to be more like Sophie? Elegantly dressed with a know-it-all attitude? After all, this was a private school for rich kids, and their guardians would have to look the part?
I didn't know James had to phone and tell the school I was the one coming. Was this a security step? If so, then I wasn't surprised. They had to make sure the children were safe and the people picking up those kids weren't imposters. Then, of course, I wondered if they'd need some form of identification to ensure I was who I said I was.
I wasn't wrong. On cue, the woman asked me for my driver's license. Luckily, I brought it with me and quickly dug into my handbag to take it out.
A moment later, she nodded in approval. She raised her eyes to me again and said, "So you really are Mia Donovan? Mr. Maxwell's girlfriend?" She beamed at me.
I blinked. "Excuse me?" I asked, confused. Girlfriend? What girlfriend?
The woman wasn't listening to me and headed around the corner. She said, "Please wait here until the bell rings. I'll tell Aria's teacher, Mrs. Thompson, you're here to pick up Aria."
I nodded as I watched her disappear along the hallway. Alone, I took a seat in the waiting area and retrieved a magazine to read.
Girlfriend? Had James told the receptionist I was his girlfriend? My heart skipped a beat. But why would he do that?
Then it clicked. Of course! It was obvious, wasn't it? It'd be weird for James to inform the school that his mistress, the one he made a contract with, would be here to pick his daughter up because he was busy with work. It just didn't sound or look right. It made sense that James would have to tell a little white lie that I was his girlfriend to make things seem more legit. It was normal for a man's girlfriend to pick his daughter up after school, wasn't it?
Yes, that made sense. I nodded at that sound conclusion, feeling more than satisfied.
A few moments later, the elderly receptionist was back. I was just reading through an article when she cleared her throat and asked me, "So are you living with Mr. Maxwell?"
I wasn't sure what she was trying to get at. I answered, "Yes, I am."
She looked pleased. "That's good, dear," she said, nodding in approval as a grandmother would to her granddaughter. She continued. "Poor Aria. I heard people talking, you know. Her mother ran off with a man when she was just three. The guy was some young stud. Stupid woman. Well, what do you expect? Those filthy rich people. They don't care about their kids much, do they? Which
is a shame."
I thought about this for a moment and knew James wasn't like that. He cared about Aria and loved her so dearly that he'd do anything for her, even take a bullet for her, as I would for Andy. The bottom line was I wouldn't lump James with those filthy rich people. To me, James was a different sort of filthy rich.
The woman chuckled, which drew my attention to her. She commented, "You don't talk much, do you?"
I said, "Not really." This was simply because I didn't know what to talk about. I had no doubt she liked making small talk, more so gossiping, which I didn't. To be sure, I wouldn't know how to gossip, which wasn't surprising since I'd spent most of my adult life working my ass off, trying to survive and making ends meet.
"You know that Sophie woman? Aria's nanny?"
That topic got me interested, and I nodded. "Yes."
"What do you think about her?"
I licked my lips and couldn't help but blurt out the truth. "I know she's not very nice to Aria, and I don't like her."
The woman chuckled. "You're honest, aren't you?" She didn't wait for my reply and continued. "I know. And I don't like her either. She's a piece of work I tell you. I know a fake when I see one, and Sophie is a fake. She doesn't care about Aria. Honestly, I hope Mr. Maxwell fires her soon." She smiled at me. "I don't imagine it'll be long, though, since he has you to look after Aria now."
I nodded. I'd love to look after Aria, I thought and smiled with glee.
It was then the bell rang, and the place was filled with kids scurrying around everywhere. Their animated voices hummed loud in my ears, which only reminded me of my school years.
I stood and scanned for a sneak peek of Aria, my eyes sharp. A moment later, I saw her rushing along the hallway toward me, her backpack bouncing behind her. I couldn't help but chuckle at how cute she was.
"Mia! Mia!" she called out to me, her arms widespread. "Mia!"
Once she was close, she threw herself into my arms, and I hugged her tight. "Hello, Aria. How was school today?" I asked, grinning in adoration.
"Good," she said hyperactively. "I had so much fun today. We did heaps of cool stuff like painting and stuff. I'm gonna show you my painting when we get home. It's the coolest painting ever!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "That's good," I said. "I can't wait to see it."