Page 69 of One Sweet Lie

“Good.” He grabbed my hand and led me outside.

One of his newer drivers was holding the back door of a town car open for us.

“Thank you, Charlie,” he said, letting me inside the car first.

The driver pulled onto the street; Pierce pulled me into his lap and kissed the back of my neck.

“Charlie?” Pierce pushed down the top of my jeans.

“Yes, sir?”

"Roll up the partition, please."

TWENTY-NINE

HARLOW

We need to work on your stamina...

Take the next day off.

—Pierce

The note on the pillow said everything my aching muscles couldn’t.

After Pierce made me ride him in the back of the town car, we stood under his shower streams, and he worshipped my body with kisses and long looks and touches.

He insisted I join him in bed, and he fucked me to sleep.

Today had been a pre-planned off day for weeks, thanks to Olivia’s mother having a scheduled live TV interview, but I didn’t dare mention it.

“I couldn’t work today if Iwantedto…” I muttered.

Forcing myself out of bed, I slipped into Pierce’s bathroom and slid under a waiting bubble bath.

When I was finished, I returned to my room and pulled on the gift Olivia bought me during our last shopping trip: a light grey sweatshirt with the words “I’m the Nanny” sewn in bright pink.

She’d bought Pierce a blue one that read “Best Dad Ever” and said it was a gift from the twins. The Best Uncle Ever” shirts were in reach, but she didn’t buy one.

Pulling my hair into a bun, I headed to the kitchen for a day of bread making.

“Miss Hawthorne?” Olivia called out from the living room. “Is that you?”

“Nope.”

“Yes it is!” She laughed as I rounded the corner. Then she patted the couch cushion between her and Pierce. “Come in here and watch my mom’s big interview with us.”

“I wish I could, but…” I looked at Pierce, unsure if he wanted me to be a part of moments like this.

Nights of passionate sex or not, I wasn’t sure that meant I could join their tightest family moments.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now,” I said.

“Please?” She pleaded. “For me?”

“Okay.” I smiled. “For you.” I slid off my shoes and sat next to her.

“What exactly are we watching?” I pretended not to know.

---