MiaIt was exactly half past eight in the morning when Aria, Sophie, and I headed out the front door. Walking beside me and holding my hand, Aria just couldn’t suppress her excitement as she sang out, “It’s going to be so much fun. It’s going to be so much fun.” All the while, she was skipping enthusiastically as we made our way toward the waiting car.Sammy and Alfie were tagging along behind us, and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy making them stay put. I wasn’t wrong about that. The pair took the opportunity when none of us were paying attention and barged toward the car with expectance.I shook my head in exasperation, and Aria giggled. She said, “They want to come too. How cute.”Yes, I thought it was cute too, but surely pets weren’t allowed in the vicinity of Disneyland?“Obviously, they can’t come,” Sophie said sternly, her neat brows drawing down in disapproval.She bustled past Aria and me toward the dogs and made shooing noises to get the two canines moving.“Go on. Back i
MiaAn hour later, we finally arrived at Disneyland. The moment we stepped through the bustling entryway, the excitement Aria exuded was certainly contagious, and I found I couldn’t hold back my own enthusiasm as we strolled along with the thick crowd. There were mostly kids, ranging from toddlers to young adult, along with their parents and sometimes their grandparents, which was cute.As a pro Disneyland guest, Aria was animatedly acting as my tour guide, pointing out all the different types of adventure rides, if she had ridden on any of them before or not and, if she had, whether she enjoyed them or not.Throughout the next six hours, I found myself by Aria’s and James’ sides, taking ride after ride. First we went on the Radiator Spring Racer, followed by Toy Story Midway Mania, which Aria really loved. After that, it was Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours, which I found I personally enjoyed. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad followed that, which were fun. Then the highly r
MiaI watched James pick up his daughter and carry her to the door. Poor Aria, I thought, smiling with adoration. She must have been exhausted after a full day out at Disneyland. And now after we’d arrived home about two hours ago, showered and changed, she had fallen asleep at the dinner table.With the room suddenly uncomfortably silent, I flicked my eyes to Sophie, who was sitting opposite me. I noted her gaze was glued on James the entire time as he was leaving the room. There was that something in the expression on her face that nagged at me—the way she smiled, the brightness of her eyes, and her flushed cheeks. What is it? I was sure it meant something personal…something deep.Then it hit me. Oh. My. Gosh. Sophie is in love with James!Instantly I felt sick to my stomach and my head began to swim. The delicious dinner I’d just had moments ago protested in my tummy, churning and threatening to come back out.Oh God! What? Really?I leaned forward and rested my forehead against my
Mia“No, I wasn’t.” I folded my arms across my chest and coyly cocked my head to one side. “And what are you doing here? Suddenly appearing at the top of the stairs.”“I’ve just finished putting Aria to bed,” he said.My expression softened instantly, and a smile appeared across my lips. “She was having so much fun today. I’m glad.”“And you?” James asked. “Did you have fun?”His query made me blush simply because of the way he’d asked. His tone was deep and dark yet soft and gentle at the same time. This coupled with the question itself made it sound like he really cared about me and my happiness, as if I were truly a part of his family, which tugged deep at my heartstrings. Truth be told, it made me so deliriously happy that my knees became weak in an instant.I nodded. “Yes, I did… Very much so. Thank you for taking me.”He chuckled with amusement and said, “No problem. It was Aria’s idea, but I’ll take the credit nonetheless.”He was right that it had been Aria’s idea, but he had
MiaOnce we were inside, James shut the door with his leg with a decisive click. I found myself trapped between him and the door. Not that I disliked that feeling. In fact, I loved it. Loved that James was intimately close to me while I was leaning against the solidity of the doorframe. Loved that he was kissing me ardently while his hands were frantically ripping my dress to pieces, as if he couldn’t wait to touch me and feel my naked skin or taste my bare flesh with his hot tongue and kiss me with his sensual lips.The thrilling heat and excitement was hard-core and raw within me as I listened to the music of James’ eager groaning combined with my dress being torn from my body.“Oh, James,” I groaned in pleasure.He chuckled at my soft moaning, as if he were pleased. Then he paused and drew back a little. There he gazed down at me, his dark eyes taking in my person, scrutinizing me with so much intensity it made my core burn hot with adoration.I noted a dark smirk was playing about
Mia“Was it really?” he asked, looking doubtful as he rolled onto his back. Then he pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight.Not surprisingly, I loved being in his arms in this position, squished against him. I felt comforted and safe. It was as if I didn’t have to worry about a thing in the world, and if there were anything horrible that should affect me, I felt in my gut James would be there for me. An odd instinct to have for sure for a young woman in my unconventional situation. After all, I was merely his mistress, tied to him via a two-million-dollar debt.I sighed and frowned darkly.“What’s the matter?” he asked.I licked my lips and blushed profusely. Then I shook my head to indicate there was nothing weird I was thinking about right now.James wasn’t buying it. “You’re lying. I can tell when you’re lying.”Huh? He could tell when I was lying? How in the world could he do that when we hadn’t even been together that long?Of course, Andy, my brother, knew instantly when I
MiaAs I sat there in the park, I watched Aria enjoying herself, playing with James and their dogs Sammy and Alfie. James was currently chasing after Aria, who had a fifty-count advantage starting the game of tag.I knew James would catch up to her in no time, just as he had previously. Once he had seized her in his arms, he’d again kiss her repeatedly and tickle her, which would make Aria laugh gleefully.My eyes followed James’ lean, fit form as he sprinted across the field. I couldn’t help but marvel at how handsome he was as he laughed delightfully while chasing after his daughter. To me, this scene made me again wonder about James’ character. When he was acting so down-to-earth and carefree like this, it just didn’t feel that he was in actual fact a ruthless billionaire who ruled an underground business world and dealt with various brutal gangs.Here he was, behaving so normally, like any other father with a young child would, pampering his daughter and enjoying spending time wit
MiaReluctantly I turned to look at him, more than a little afraid.“Why do you bring up the subject?” he asked.I blinked. Shit! Why was he asking me this? Wasn’t it obvious I cared about Aria? That I cared about him? That I was head over heels in love with him and I wanted to be more than just his mistress? That I wanted to be more than just a friend to Aria?“Because I care about Aria,” I said, looking into his eyes. I wanted to tell him I meant what I said, that there was no hidden agenda.His face still a hard mask, he asked, “Why do you care about Aria?”I furrowed my brow. God, did he really need me to spell out each word and explain its meaning?“Because I love her, James; that’s why. She’s such a sweet child, and she’s your daughter. Granted, I’ve never been with children before, but with Aria, I feel we just kind of click.”Like it clicks when I’m with you, I wanted to say.“I care about her a lot, James. I’m worried Sophie is hurting her like…”“Like?” He probed.I sighed a
MiaThe day had been long and exhausting for me, especially after James, Aria, and I had started that lunch with Liam, Scott, Eric, Alice, and Yuki. Then, of course, once we were done with that, Liam had suggested we stay for dinner as well since Alice, Yuki, Aria, and I seemed to get along so well. He had said that the sisters needed company near their ages, someone they felt comfortable with, since America was so new and different to them. Of course, I had fun spending time with the sisters, but I must say both Scott and Eric—well, mostly Eric—had behaved poorly, a side of them I had not seen before.Boy, was I glad we were finally home. After helping Aria bathe and dress, I lay beside her—along with Sammy and Alfie, who were being very nice and obedient, snuggling comfortably near Aria—reading them a bedtime story. When I finished the book, I tucked Aria in.I was about to kiss her good night when Aria asked, “Mia? Do you love Daddy?”That took me by surprise, and I blushed intense
MiaWilliam arrived to pick up Savannah at eleven that morning for their return flight to Vegas.After Savannah and I had hugged tightly, Savannah said, “You have to come to Vegas again soon.”Beside me, Aria was excited. “We can ask Daddy. He did promise to take me there soon.” She turned to her father standing not too far away. “Isn’t that right, Daddy?”James nodded. “Yes, sweetheart.”Once William and Savannah departed, James, Aria, and I went to have lunch with Liam, Scott, and Eric at the main house. Of course, I had no idea this was happening until this morning after breakfast when James happened to just casually mention it. And to be honest, I wasn’t exactly prepared for it. Wasn’t it like my boyfriend taking me to meet his parents for the first time? Which freaked most girls out because they had to give a good first impression. But then again, what was there for me to prepare for? I had already met Liam last night, after all.Aria seemed excited to see her grandfather again,
JamesThe moment their father appeared at the door, James knew for a fact that Eric wasn’t happy. He knew also that, soon, the youngest brother would bring up the subject of their father’s future young bride and demand details. Of course, James had no idea why Eric was so riled up about something this trivial. After all, their father was very popular with the opposite sex, regardless of age, and for him to tie the knot again, with a twenty-five-year-old woman at that, wasn’t all that surprising.Currently, they were drinking, nibbling, and chatting about various topics—social and business. They even talked about Herbert Weston and the Mexican mafia, which didn’t much interest James. To him, what was done was done. Of course, what really interested James was Mia.Fuck! He wanted to kiss her and make passionate love to her, but alas, he obviously couldn’t do that until everyone left.It was around midnight when Eric finally brought up the much-anticipated subject. Of course, James was q
MiaI dismissed the thought of my brother and Matt from my mind and headed into the bathroom to shower. When I was done, dressed in a lovely loose, long-sleeved blouse and trousers, my makeup lightly done, since my bruised skin was still too sensitive, I headed out the door.I found Savannah sitting on my bed, waiting for me.“Hey,” I said. “Sorry, I think I might have overslept a little.”Savannah chuckled. “No worries. I did that this morning as well. I was so tired.”I nodded. Of course, her having found out about my kidnapping had really scared her, and the whole situation must have exhausted her. Now that I was safe and sound, everything had just kind of caught up to her. I didn’t miss the dark circles under her eyes, either.I was so moved by the fact that she had been so good to me, especially since we had only been friends for a short time, that I gave her a tight hug again. “Thank you for coming all the way here and helping out.”“It’s fine, Mia,” Savannah said. “You’re my fr
MiaThe next day, I was finally discharged from the hospital, and James, with Andy tagging along, came to pick me up that afternoon. Of course, both men watched over me like mother hens as I slipped out of bed and began to get myself ready.I was just reaching out for the luggage to start packing when Andy said, “I’ll do that for you. You go and get changed.”I nodded and headed into the bathroom, a dress in my hand.While Andy packed my stuff into the bag Savannah had brought for me, James was in the bathroom, aiding me with getting dressed since my movement was slow. Of course, I didn’t mind the fact that I was half naked in front of him, in just undies and bra and my bare skin marked with dark bruises everywhere. After all, he had seen me naked last night when he was making love to me, albeit under the dimness of the wall light.“Raise your arms,” he instructed as if I were his daughter. I thought he was being very parental toward me.I smiled as I obeyed him, raising my arms high
MiaI was finally judged to be well enough to allow a proper shower by myself instead of the occasional sponge bath by the nurse, which, to be honest, was rather embarrassing to say the least. And of course, now that I didn’t have an IV line connected to me, it was even better.After retrieving a towel and the bathroom essentials that Savannah had considerately brought for me yesterday evening, I headed into the bathroom. I took my time brushing my teeth and cleaning myself thoroughly, and, of course, enjoying the warm water on my skin. By the time I was done, I smiled with glee at the fact that I now smelled like the Garden of Eden.After donning the undesirable hospital gown once again and putting on some night cream over my still lightly bruised face, I headed back out, humming to myself.“You sound like you’re having a fine time showering,” the night shift nurse, Laura, said, chuckling.“Hello there. Yes, it’s the first time in five days I’ve showered, so…”Laura nodded. “I can un
MiaWhen I woke again, I felt a lot better. The headache was gone, as was the exhaustion.After cleaning myself up for the second time that day, I returned to my bed with renewed determination. I will no longer allow the thought of Herbert Weston to affect me. I will not cry remembering the trauma he inflicted on me nor the distress he caused me—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I will be free from that bastard!With that, I settled myself to read some magazines Brenda had left for me, and it wasn’t long before lunch arrived. It was also around then that Andy appeared at the door again. With my mouth still full of food, I stared at him wide-eyed as he walked toward me.“Hey,” he said. “Feeling better?”I quickly swallowed my food and reached my arms out for him, begging for a great big hug again.Andy came over and took me into his arms as I wrapped mine around his torso.I chuckled as I raised my eyes to look at him. “I hope you’re not driving Matt crazy because you’re so worrie
MiaWhen I woke, my hands were resting on the empty space on the side of my bed, and I wondered why it felt so warm, as if someone had been there only moments before. I shifted my body and then inhaled deeply. The scent that was unique to James caressed my nostrils, and I smiled.He had been here, hadn’t he? Sleeping next to me. My heart soared at the thought, though at the same time, I was a little disappointed that he didn’t wake me when he had arrived. We could have had a little chat and kiss.“Good morning.” A nurse I didn’t recognize greeted me as she came into the room. “How are you feeling this morning, love?”I gave her a bright smile, my lips and mouth a little sore in the process. Obviously, my wounds had not yet healed properly. “I’m good. A little pain, but it’s fine.”“That’s good,” she said, grinning brightly. Then she came over to stand at the end of the bed and picked up my medical record. She quickly scanned over the documents, and a moment later, looking rather satis
JamesWhen James came in through the door after a long day at the office and headed toward Mia’s bed in the hospital that night, he found her deep in slumber. Standing by her side, he gazed at her long and hard, noting the bruises on her beautiful face. Fuck! He wanted those unsightly marks gone as soon as possible. The sight of them reminded him of Herbert Weston and what the bastard had done to Mia, and once again, he felt rage erupting in his being.For perhaps the hundredth time, he swore nothing like that would ever happen to Mia again. He’d protect her. He’d cherish her.For now, she looked peaceful in her sleep, but he knew it wouldn’t last long. Soon, it would start, the nightmare, as it had the past three nights. She’d start crying and screaming and begging in her sleep as that terrifying episode of her kidnapping returned to haunt her. She’d scream for Herbert Weston to let her go. She’d beg for him to stop hurting her, and fuck, but the sheer fear and panic in her voice bro