Page 76 of Beneficial Misfortune

I’d never thought that a bit of fabric would make her so happy, but I can’t help but smile back.

“Mommy, huh,” he growls, pulling my back to his chest, and it’s impossible for me to miss the feel of him pressed against my back. “I quite like the sound of that.”

Oh, shit.

That shouldn’t be so hot, but at this rate, I’m going to have to do more than change my clothes when I put that dress on.

“Well, what are you girls standing around for? I’m waiting for my fashion show.”

Addison lets out a squeal of excitement before she runs to me, grabbing my hand to pull me behind her and up the stairs. Our laughter bounces off the walls as we rush up the stairs, and I feel Alex’s eyes on me the whole way.

I can’t remember the last time something so simple made me feel like this or when I was this happy, ever.

Chapter 23

By the time we changed and headed back downstairs, Alex wasn't the only one waiting for us. Addison had me braid her hair so that we matched in as many ways as we could. I didn’t think it was possible, but I think she stole my heart even more.

Addison holds my hand as we walk down the stairs, a huge smile on her face. I hear voices, but the second we round the corner into the living room, everyone is quiet, and I almost stumble over my feet when five sets of eyes turn toward us.

Shit.

Oliver clears his throat, and it seems to do the trick.

“Daddy!!” Addison drops my hand before takingoff toward Nathan, and Alex quickly takes that as a sign to fill her spot.

Addison does a twirl, showing him her dress as she tells him all about our day as his eyes continue to bore into me as if he could undress me if he just stares hard enough.

“Mommy and me have matching dresses and hair,” she proclaims loudly, and I watch Nathan’s face carefully as that word leaves her mouth.

I half expect him to be upset despite what he said the other day. I wouldn’t blame him; honestly, we might have an agreement for sex, but I’m her nanny, and he doesn’t really know me.

His eyes narrow, and I bite down on my lip, unsure what to do or say as I fight against the urge to look away.

“A Princess and a Queen.” Nathan’s voice is deep and husky, and while it could have been taken as a joke, his eyes tell me it’s anything but. “You both look beautiful, honey,” he says, bending down to scoop her up, as his eyes roam over me.

“We had the best day!”

“Next time, I’ll have to go with you two and make sure we get some more stuff. You guys only have like five bags,” Desmond says, raising a brow at my bags that still sit where I left them. I’d honestly forgotten about them when Addison pulled me upstairs.

Vincent barks a laugh, pulling their attention to him. I scrunch up my face, knowing what's coming even before he says it.

“Good luck with that. She refused Nate’s card today. I doubt she’s going to let you buy her anything, either.”

Nathan’s jaw ticks at the news, and I give Vincent the stink eye, knowing I’m going to hear about that later.

Asshole couldn’t just keep that to himself.

“That’s…different,” Oliver says, almost more to himself than to us, but I hear him nonetheless. I’m not sure it was meant to be taken as a compliment, but considering I know the type of people who usually try to get close to them, I’m going to take it as one.

“We’ll see about that,” Desmond growls with a smile, and I get the feeling he’s going to take this as a personal challenge.

Crap.

Since we were gone, Dale had cooked dinner, and from Desmond's reaction, I’m going to assume it’s one of his favorites. Just one bite is all it takes for me to see why.

“Oh, wow!” I hadn’t asked what it was because it looked and smelled delicious, so I really didn’t care. I’m not picky. The flavor is out of this world. The cheese, the BBQ chicken and the crunch of the bread all go together so well that I’m sad I’ve never tried it before.

“So good, right?” Desmond says, winking at me before he takes another bite and fucking groans. He’s eating, but my god, if I didn’t know better, I’d have said he was fucking. It’s the same damn noise he makes when he comes.

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