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“They aren’t on yet. I have insurance, but this will put the opening back more,” he replies once we get outside. The cold air hits my legs in the short dress, making me shiver.

“I really wanted to take you home, tonight,” Elliot whispers to me when we get to his car. I kiss him gently and move away.

“We haven’t had three dates yet; it’s a rule of mine,” I say, not really serious because if Elliot took me home to his, there is no way I could tell him no.

“Three dates, then. This is number one.”

“Okay,” I say.

He leans in to whisper, “Doesn’t mean I can’t tease the fuck out of you until you beg me to take you to bed. And, trust me, you will beg, angel.”

Elliot opens the car door for me as he moves away, and I exhale a deep breath. Elliot King is good, but I won’t be the one begging. The car ride home is filled with so much sexual tension that I don’t even look Elliot’s way.Bringing up the three date rule isn’t a good idea right now.

Chapter 11

Elliot

"Little man, I have no idea what I'm doing here," I say, holding back the urge to swear.

I glance down at my nephew as I try, and fail, at unbuttoning some kind of baby grow he is wearing after he spit out his milk from his bottle all over it a minute ago. So far, babysitting has been going well. Sebastian and Maisy left for their night out, and I'm staying over so they can stay out as long as they want.I settled in, watching some baby-channel shit Maisy said he loves, and he’s been fine, but Jake then looked at me with a grin before throwing up on me. I have literally been with the kid half an hour and he has managed to find a way to be sick on me.

I fumble with the buttons and finally get it off. I pick him up and look around his wardrobe until I find what looks like a baby grow and put it on him. Thank god it’s eight and his bed time now. I just wish I didn’t smell like sick. Jake grins up at me while he chews his fist; I swear the little man is laughing at me. The nursery is all blue with white clouds and is filled with toys.

I sit in the rocking chair in the nursery, rocking Jake in my arms. I have to admit, it is sweet to see him snuggle up to my chest and watch as he gently falls asleep. I'm not sure if singing ‘Rocking All over the World’ is an okay baby song, but it's all I know. I don’t think I want my own children. I never really thought about it. I could imagine having a child with Allie, but I want to see the world first. We never went on holidays when we were younger, and with everything that’s happening now, I can’t just leave. When we can finally walk away from The Cage, I want to take Allie everywhere with me, if she wants to come.

Jake snores lightly as he sleeps with his messy, black hair flowing all over his head. He looks so much like Sebastian in his face and green eyes. Maisy has said before that he has her dad’s hair; Maisy’s isn’t as curly as Jake’s. Maisy sent everyone a video of him trying to crawl today. I don’t know if it is impressive for his age, but I still think he is cool. I've been lucky that Jake has just watched TV with me tonight and not played up. Just last week, Seb sent me a picture of Jake in the kitchen, with his face and body covered in flour. Seb said he only went to the loo and came back to find him like that.

The funny thing is, the door must have been left open because the house is filled with baby locks. It’s scary to think that he could have opened it himself. The kid is smart.

I place Jake into his crib and grab the baby monitor, turning it on as I go downstairs for some food.Half way down, I remember the sick on my shirt and run back upstairs to borrow a shirt off Seb.

I open the fridge eventually. I don’t know how anyone can open these stupid baby locks; it takes me a few minutes to even open the toilet in this place. I can't help but laugh as there's a big chocolate cake in the middle with a note on it saying, ‘Sebastian's cake! Don't fucking touch it! I don’t care that you’re my twin!’

I know for certain that's not Sebastian's cake, and its Maisy’s, which Allie made her earlier this week.They both have been having a hard time with Jake teething, and Allie fixes things with cake. That’s my girl.

I cut myself a slice before putting the rest back and calling an order for a pizza. Being the dick that I am, I take a picture of my cake slice and send it to Sebastian with a wink face.

I laugh to myself before running my finger over Allie’s face on my phone, debating if I should call her or text her. It doesn't fucking matter because I can't keep my thoughts off of her. The need to fuck her and claim her as mine is driving me mad.Taking her to that dance was a bad idea. I seriously underestimated how sexy she is when she dances. Her little body pressed against mine was torture; I was hard as a rock all night.

Screw it, I'm being the needy one and a fucking girl, but it doesn’t stop me from sending her a text.

Me: Hey, I have to admit something... I'm eating your cake now and it almost tastes as nice as your mouth x

I send it then grimace to myself, thinking I should have said something romantic and all lovey-dovey, but fuck, I'm not like that, and I don't even know how to be. My phone beeps and I open it quicker than I ever have.

Allie: Cheeky ;) I will admit something too. I want to see you again and have that second date. X

My heart beats faster as I reply.

Me: I want to see you more. I’m taking you out tomorrow, be ready at eight. X

I send the text, knowing that I will take her to this little Mexican place I found when I went a town over for a business meeting with a supplier. It's really nice with lanterns and all low lights. We went with Izzy once. I shake my thoughts, wishing Allie was here tonight to help with babysitting. My pizza arrives an hour later, but still no reply from Allie. I want to text her again, but I know I can't push her to want me.

Chapter 12

Allie

"Ican do this," I mumble to myself, looking in my full-length mirror. I'm wearing a simple, black dress that falls to my knees with a sweetheart neckline. My hair is up in a tight bun, and I'm wearing a little makeup, as my dad doesn't like it when I wear too much. My phone buzzes with a reply from Elliot, I smile when I see he has asked me out, but I decide it's best to reply later, after dealing with my dad.

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