We should celebrate!
Ever since Jackie’s husband and former Elite Member, Gerald Smith, died, we’ve been meeting up for drinks or dinner. It’s nice having someone who can relate to what I’ve been through, though I think Jackie might want more than I can offer.
But maybe that’s my problem. Maybe the reason I’m so hung up on Lilith Wolfe is because I haven’t been laid since my wife died. Long before that, really… Except, there’s a deep nagging in the back of my mind that screams that isn’t true, which is absurd. I would remember if I slept with someone!
What did you have in mind?
Drinks and dinner?
Let’s plan on doing that sometime after the ceremony, then.
It’s a date.
Those three words settle deep in my stomach.
It’s a date.
The rest of my evening rushes by in a blur. In fact, the only reason I know Lilith is late in bringing the children to see me is because I pass the grandfather clock in the hallway on my way to the kitchen and notice the time.
Irritation flits through me. I expect schedules to be kept, and she’s late.
In the kitchen, I can hear laughter coming from the backyard. Looking out the window over the sink, I spot Clara and Diego in the pool. Lilith sits on the steps with Isadora in her arms. I’m pleased to see that all my children are wearing the appropriate flotation devices. I’m also pleased that Lilith’s bathing suit shows off her own flotation devices…
Fuck. My cock twitches in my pants as she moves, and I get to see how the dark purple suit clings to her skin. To every fucking curve… Isadora grabs onto the strap of one shoulder, pulling it low enough that I almost get a glimpse of Lilith’s areola. Lilith laughs, saying something to Isadora, who kicks her legs in the water, splashing in response.
Clara yells for Lilith to watch as she dives into the pool, and Lilith claps for my daughter, making her beam. My chest is tight. I can’t recall a single moment where Serafina ever praised our children for anything. The thought has me moving away from the window to the cabinet where I keep a bottle of whisky. I pour two fingers, tossing it back. I should go back to my office, but Diego’s laughter has me moving back to the window.
He's next to Lilith, listening to something she’s saying. I pause, listening as well as I can through the glass. Wait. I think she’s singing. Diego sways to the words in the same way one would if they were singing along. My fucking chest is so tight that it’s hard to breathe, and I grip the edge of the counter.
My sweet boy…
I’m moving before I can stop myself. The patio door opens silently, allowing me to hear what Lilith is actually singing. It’s some song about a shark that I’m certain I’ve heard before. She changes her voice, depending on the character she’s singing about, making Diego laugh. But it’s not just my son who’s enjoying himself. Isadora claps along, too, and even Clara listens in certain parts.
The spell is broken when Clara sees me and yells, “Papai!”
Lilith turns, and horror fills her eyes. She reaches for her phone, dropping it into the water.
“Oh, crud!”
I move closer, holding out my arms. “Let me take the baby.”
She hands over Isadora and reaches into the water, pulling out her phone. It’s still playing music, so that’s a good thing. My gaze lands on her now wet chest. Fucking hell. Her nipples are hard, pressing against the material of her swimsuit. I’m so enraptured that I barely notice that Isadora is soaking my shirt.
Lilith gets out of the pool, rushing to the chair that has four folded towels on it. She grabs one, handing it to me, and brushesup against me. A low growl leaves my lips, making her look up in surprise.
What in the fuck is wrong with me? Now I growl at the fucking nanny?
“I’m so sorry, Dr. Santos. I completely lost track of time!”
Her eyes are wild, and it hits me. She thinks I growled because I’m upset with her.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. There’s no way I’d call it calming by any means, but it helps.
“Ms. Wolfe, I understand. I’m not upset with you.”
“You’re not?”
“No.” I nod toward Isadora. “I understand that time can get away, especially when having so much fun in the pool.”