Page 63 of Worth Every Risk

“Gemma as in Mrs Hawkston?”

“Nah. Ms. Arse-Warts.”

Alec laughs. “Von Arsworz. It’s a very famous name. Her family owns one of the high end jewellers. Best diamonds onthe market, apparently. I heard that’s the only reason the old Mrs Hawkston didn’t lose her shit when she found out Gemma was pregnant. It was like a society match. Rich people, eh?” He pats me on the back. “Don’t worry about it. If Lucie was with Gemma when she fell in, it sounds like it was Gemma’s fault. Mr Hawkston’s more bark than bite. I’m sure he’ll forgive you.”

I keep my head down and let out a groan. I don’t know about forgiveness, but we were only a step away from having sex in the hall.

A noise crackles from the baby monitor. Alec’s eyes dart to it, and I sit bolt upright in my chair, but neither of us moves. Because it’s not Lucie.

The voice is Mr Hawkston’s.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispers.

I grab the video monitor and pull it closer so I can see the image. Alec leans over me.

It feels wrong, spying on him like this, but I can’t look away. Lucie’s still asleep. I can hear her regular breathing. Mr Hawkston is sitting on the edge of her bed, his hands in his lap.

“I wasn’t a good father today. I let you get hurt, and I shouted at Aries. I’m sorry I did that and that you heard me. But Aries was right; sometimes adults shout when they’re upset because they don’t know what else to do.” I inhale audibly, realising that he heard everything I was saying to his daughter at bedtime.

Alec raises an eyebrow, but I ignore the implied question.

“I want you to know it’s not like with Mummy though,” Mr Hawkston continues. “I don’t hate Aries. I don’t know what I feel for her, but it’s not that.” He sighs, and the confusion in the sound is evident even over the monitor. He runs a hand down his face. “I like her. I like her a lot. More than I should, probably.”

My heart races, hope fluttering in my stomach. I reach out for the monitor to stop it, but Alec catches my hand, shakes his heada fraction. I want to hear what Mr Hawkston says next, so I let him stop me, and pull my arm back.

His deep voice is a soothing whisper. Lucie hasn’t moved so she must be asleep, meaning this conversation is more for him than anything else. “Aries is a great nanny. She’s thoughtful and caring and kind, and maybe Mrs Minter is right. Maybe she’s exactly what we all need.” His voice falters and he drops his head into his hands. He lets out a low groan. “Maybe she’s exactly what I need—”

“We shouldn’t be listening to this.” I reach out and grab the monitor, switching it off before Alec can stop me this time. But even after I’ve shut it off, Mr Hawkston’s tortured tone plays in my head. Like maybe I really am what he needs, but he doesn’t want to need me…

My limbs feel weak, and if I tried to stand up right now I’d probably fall to the floor.

Alec’s mouth is hanging open, and he’s staring at me. My hand is fisted around the monitor as I look up at him through my lashes. A hot blush races up my neck and across my cheeks. I don’t need to say a word, because my face is doing all the talking.

“Oh, shit,” he says. “Something did happen. This is why you’re here, isn’t it? This is why you looked so skittish at the door, and sounded so weird on the phone.” Alec’s eyes are so wide they look like they’re going to pop. He shakes his head slowly and mutters, “Woah. This is big.”

My old phone buzzes and I’m thankful for a reason to look away from Alec’s shocked stare. There’s a message from Mr Hawkston. I click it open to see five words.

Mr Hawkston: Come back to the house.

He must have seen me leave. Maybe he was waiting for me, after all?I stare at the phone as another message comes in. It's only one word.

Mr Hawkston: Please.

18

ARIES

Please.

The power of that one six-letter word, coming from a man like Mr Hawkston, is a force I cannot resist.

Alec watches me, no doubt hoping for an answer, but I confirm nothing, and although he looks confused when I get up and leave, he doesn’t stop me or press me for more information.

My heart pounds as I walk back across the lawn. Mr Hawkston is waiting for me. That terrifying man, with a perfect face and a sculpted body, who melted me with the most passionate kiss I’ve ever experienced, wants me to come back.

I don’t know what I’m walking into, but I know for sure I couldn’t walk away.

With each step closer to him, the tingling in my body increases. My lips throb, like they need to be kissed again, and arousal buzzes through me; an illicit pressure with no release valve.

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