Page 2 of Love Without Demands

With Chloe gone, I was solely responsible for the children once Estrella got off work at six. But recently, she’d started stayingmuch later, helping me with dinner and putting the kids to bed. Our employee/employer relationship had developed into an easy friendship, and my fondness eventually turned into more.

So much more. I’d fallen in love with my children’s nanny. I kept my shameful feelings to myself until one night, she’d broken down in tears and confessed her love for me. God, the way my heart had almost burst from my chest at her admission.

And suddenly, my feelings weren’t quite so shameful. They were good and pure, and I admitted to her that I felt the same. Absolutely nothing physical had happened between us since that evening a few weeks ago, though I longed to touch her, hold her hand, kiss her rosy lips.

When Estrella turned to find me staring, her beautiful face broke into a smile. “Paul…”

“Hi, Estrella.” I crossed the room, fighting the urge to tuck away that stray piece of hair that always seemed to escape her braid and curl in front of her ear.

Her shy brown eyes blinked up at me as she stroked Evie’s caramel hair. “Your daughter has been asking for you.”

As if on cue, Evie babbled, “Dadadadadaaaaa.”

“Come here, my princess,” I said, taking the little one and cuddling her to my chest. Evelyn Bouvier was a happy baby, constantly enjoying the sound of her own voice.

Auburn burst into the room then, and I bent to scoop him up with my other arm. He patted Evie’s head and kissed her sweetly on the nose. My boy adored his baby sister, and I loved the affection between the two.

“How was school today?” I asked him, and he beamed a smile up at me.

“Good. I drawed a picture of our family.” He points at a drawing on the refrigerator. “See? It’s me and Evie and you and Straya.” He couldn’t quite pronounce Estrella’s name.

My heart broke a little at the fact that my son didn’t even include his mother in a family drawing. If he already neglected to realize that she was part of his family, what kind of influence would her coldness have on him as he grew up?

For so long, I’d been reluctant to file for divorce because I thought that would be damaging to my kids, but now I knew I was doing the right thing. Growing up in a loving household is more important than anything.

I kissed the top of his messy hair. “That’s such a pretty picture,” I told him. “You’re my smart boy, aren’t you?”

“Uh-huh,” he said with a nod. “Straya said I can put the pepperonis on the pizza.”

“Good boy.” I set him on the counter beside the sink and instructed him to wash his hands.

“Let me take this little peanut while you get changed,” Estrella told me, taking Evie. Her hand brushed my arm, and I felt a jolt of electricity. Our eyes met, and I knew she felt it too.

After dinner, we worked together to get the kids ready for bed. I watched from the doorway of Auburn’s room as she read a book to him, and then she bent to kiss his forehead when he drifted off to sleep. My heart almost exploded with love at the tender gesture. Estrella was more of a mother to my children than Chloe ever dreamed about being.

I went downstairs to my study and poured myself a drink, sipping it slowly until I heard soft footsteps on the stairs. Then I leaned against the doorframe, waiting for her to come say goodnight.

With her purse over her arm, she came down the darkened hallway, and I grew aroused at the easy sway of her hips. Estrella had a gorgeous body, all soft curves and subtle sensuality.

“Can I speak with you in my office, please?”

Her eyes flashed with worry as she entered, and I directed her to the leather sofa. She sat primly on the edge as I sat inches from her, not daring to touch her.

“Is something wrong, Paul?”

“No, not at all. In fact, I haven’t felt this good in a long time.” Inhaling a deep breath, I held her brown eyes with my blue ones. “I filed for divorce from Chloe.”

Estrella sucked in a breath, and her hand went to her chest. “Oh.” Her voice was a soft squeak.

“I know how you feel about divorce, but there’s no way I can stay in this situation any longer.”

Her eyes lowered and she nodded. “I understand.”

My finger crooked beneath her chin, and her eyes went round when I lifted her face. I’d never touched her in this way before, but I needed her to understand. “I meant it when I told you I was in love with you, Estrella. I want us to be together.”

Tears filled her pretty eyes, and one escaped down the curve of her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb, and she bit into her lower lip. “I don’t want to be a homewrecker, Paul.”

“You’re not,” I assured her. “You know my marriage has been over for a very long time, and this house isn’t a home without you in it. Did you mean it when you said you love me?”

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