Page 35 of A Linton Scandal

He glanced at me once more, before opening the door and entering. I’d never seen him so nervous before and I couldn’t help thinking it was kind of cute. What was he worried about? I already knew he had a child from my own research, there hadn’t been any pictures of his son though.

And I’d been a bit too preoccupied to even ask about him, and since Mihai had never brought him up, I’d sort of put him at the back of my mind.

The door opened, and my view was flooded with bright colors. The room reminded me of the playroom that had been Mihai’s parents’, but the difference was that while the right side was decorated in rainbow colors, the other half was painted in calm blues and whites and held a bed, dresser and closet.

Sitting in the center of the bed, with his legs crossed was a familiar child. He looked up from the book in his lap. I stared at him, recognizing him immediately. “He’s your son.”

He nodded. “Nelu come say hi to Juliette, you’ve met her before.”

I watched as the little boy closed his book, set it aside, got up, and walked down the steps at the side of his bed toward us. My heart melted at the sight of him. He took after his father in looks, I assumed the chocolate curls and green eyes came from his mother.

He looked to be around five or six, and once he stopped in front of us, he put his hand out in greeting, his expression solemn.

I couldn’t help but find his serious expression adorable, I reached out and took his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again. My name’s Juliette, and you’re Nelu, right?”

He gave a small nod, and I could see the corners of his little mouth quirk up. I remembered that he hadn’t spoken a single word the last time I met him, I figured he wouldn’t talk now so I pointed at the book on the bed.

“I remember you had me read to you last time, what are you reading this time?”

His eyes brightened with what looked like excitement, he pulled on my hand that he still held and dragged me over to the bed. I sent Mihai a questioning look, he motioned for me to go ahead but I noticed that his expression had become downcast.

Deciding I would ask him about it later, I followed Nelu over to the bed. Once again, I was happy with my choice of T-shirt and sweats.

I climbed into the large bed, and plopped down. Nelu cutely copied me . I read the front cover aloud. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” I paused, glancing at Nelu's inquisitive gaze. Wasn’t this too advanced for a five-year-old?

Not looking away from the book, I asked Mihai, “How old is Nelu?”

“He’s recently turned six this year.” Hearing that deep voice close, I turned to find Mihai standing by the bed, leaning over so that our nose nearly brushed. I stared into his eyes in surprise. I dropped my eyes to his lips trying to think over the noisy urge to kiss him.

Mihai made the decision for us both and leaned forward brushing his lips across mine in a simple kiss. Before drawing back. “I’m going to take a shower; my room is down the hall to the right. Come when you're done and I’ll take you to yours.”

With that, he left quickly and shut the door.

I stared after him when Nelu patted me on the shoulder, I shuddered turning back to him, catching myself. “Sorry, I… I got distracted.” Awkwardly laughing, I quickly started reading.

Mihai

Leaving my son’s room, I could feel my lips still tingling. I hadn’t planned on kissing her, though the light brush of my lips against hers couldn’t be called a kiss. Only the sight of her presence being easily accepted by my son made me not only envious, but also impressed.

She didn’t know anything, she couldn’t know how extraordinary it was for him to adapt this well to her. I had purposely decided not to call her wife in front of him. I would first get him accustomed to seeing her every day, and once he’d grown attached, I would introduce him to her as his new mother.

Even though that was my intention, if Juliette showed a single sign of rejecting him or expressed her desire to not play the role of mother. I would move her into my parents’ home, so that she’d be safe but wouldn’t develop a relationship with my son.

Entering my room, I quickly went about taking a cold shower. While I’d confirmed she wasn’t averse to a more physical relationship. I wasn’t sure what had happened would happen again. Both of us had met under strange circumstances, and she may be adverse to becoming more.

Unfortunately, my body didn’t care about my dignity or my plans. Just her scent alone turned me on, not to mention to feel of her hand in mine. I kept telling myself that our relationship was nothing more than a contract, and yet I kept moving in a way I couldn’t fully explain.

I wanted her.

That was the truth of the matter, but did she want me? And if she did, would it be in my interest to accept her.

Letting the water run over me, I mulled over it.

Thirty minutes later I’d finished my shower and changed into a pair of sweats and T-shirt, drying my hair. I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

“Sorry, I wasn’t sure if you were asleep or not,” Juliette said as she entered, her smile awkward. “He passed out when the trio found out Hagrid had a dragon.”

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