Amelia's POV"Ready for your bath, beautiful?" he asked, his voice a husky whisper.I could only nod, speechless under his intense gaze.He scooped me up again, this time cradling me close to his body, and gently lowered us both into the warm water.A sigh of contentment escaped my lips as the hot water enveloped me, soothing the aches and pains from our passionate encounter.Eddie took a washcloth and began to gently cleanse my body, his touch feather-light yet sending shivers down my spine.I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of the water, the gentle caress of his touch, and the intoxicating scent of the candles that filled the air.As he moved on to himself, I couldn't help but steal glances at his chiseled physique, the way the water droplets glistened on his skin.By the time he finished washing, my eyelids were drooping heavily. The warmth of the bath, combined with the aftermath of our lovemaking, had created a cocoon of drowsiness around me."Feeling sleepy?" Eddie asked, hi
Blair’s POVA few minutes later, James pulled out of me and I clenched my inner muscles as I felt him slide out of me like a hot knife spearing through my insides, but deliciously.I lay sprawled out on the desk, not feeling like moving an inch, but let out a little squeal when James pulled me into his arms and lifted me up. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck as he began walking and headed out of the study."Where are we going?" I whispered as I asked.The deep growl of his chest rumbled against mine. "My bedroom."I smiled and snuggled against his chest, feeling hot and bothered despite what we had just done in the study.As he carried me through his large apartment, my eyes wandered. The last time I had been there, I had been too drunk to notice anything and the morning after, I had been too focused on James to note what his apartment.We walked through a wide hallway, the plush, cream-colored carpet sinking softly beneath James's bare feet. Floor-to-ceiling windows on
Blair's POVJames snorted as I let out a small giggle. We turned to look at each other at the same time and burst into full laughter. James was very handsome when he smiled. His eyes crinkled at the corners beautifully and as he smiled down at me, his eyes twinkled. My gaze lingered on those eyes – a deep, intense brown that seemed to hold a universe of secrets. They were framed by dark lashes that curled upwards slightly, adding a touch of unexpected softness to his otherwise strong features.His face, clean-shaven and classically handsome, was a canvas of sharp angles and defined lines. A strong jawline tapered down to a well-defined chin, hinting at a stubborn streak beneath that charming smile.His dark hair, perfectly groomed but with a hint of playful dishevelment at the front, was styled in a way that seemed both effortless and sophisticated.He wasn't conventionally pretty, not with those sharp features and intense eyes. But there was a raw masculinity about him, an undeniabl
Blair's POV"Did you just say 'Eddie'? Like Eddie Thompson?" I asked, my heart pounding for some unknown reason. "Yeah… You've heard about the award show issue?" He asked. "Oh my goodness!" I squealed and brought my hands up to cover my mouth. James looked extremely concerned, but also seemed wary. I couldn't blame him, I was acting like a deranged fan."Do you know Amelia Johnson?" I asked. James seemed hesitant to say anything more. "Blair, what on earth is going on? Why are you freaking out?"I started laughing and could not stop. "I can't believe this. It feels like I'm in some sort of soap opera right now," I said before going on. "I'm Blair, Amelia's best friend."James still had a wary expression on his face so I scrambled out of bed to grab my phone. Finding it among the same pile of clothes that James had rummaged through earlier. I rushed back to bed to show him my wallpaper which was a picture of Amelia and I. I then went to my contacts and showed him Amelia's name. I
Amelia's POVMy smile grew impossibly wider as a wave of warmth washed over me. It was simple, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through my body. Just the thought of Eddie calling me "beautiful" made my cheeks burn.Taking a deep breath, I focused on the orange juice. I desperately needed a caffeine kick to truly wake up. Downing the juice in a few gulps, I reached for the fruit platter. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since the hurried dinner the night before.As I nibbled on the fresh berries and juicy melon, I glanced around the luxurious room. Even though I had been in it before, it still looked even more impressive in the daylight. The city skyline shimmered outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting the room with a cool blue light. The furniture, a tasteful blend of modern and classic, looked impossibly expensive.My mind went to Chloe and I hurriedly finished up my breakfast and scrambled out of bed. I ensured that Eddie's bed was tidy and that
Amelia’s POVI fumed, but I had nothing to say. While I was most definitely not a maid, I was not certain who exactly I was in Eddie’s home. It was true that I was the help; I was not only Chloe’s nanny but I was also the cook. However, that did not change the fact that Eddie and I had admitted our feelings to each other last night and had also slept with each other. And so, while we had not discussed how to move forward with our relationship, I did not want to believe that Eddie would be receptive to Jenna, the ex-wife that he had told me he greatly disliked, moving in. My jaw clenched so tightly it felt like I might crack a tooth. Jenna's perfectly manicured hand hovered above the open suitcase, gesturing for me to grab it. The audacity of it all – waltzing into Eddie's apartment, announcing her marital status as if it were a badge of honor, and treating me like a glorified housekeeper."Actually," I said, my voice surprisingly calm despite the storm raging inside me, "there must b
Amelia’s POVI returned the look Jenna gave me and looked away as her eyes narrowed. I did not know where I had found the courage to speak to her and confront her the way that I had been doing since I opened the door only to see her. It was most likely the protectiveness I felt over Chloe and Eddie. After all that Eddie had told me the previous night about Jenna and even the scandal she had caused the night of the award ceremony, I was completely and utterly certain that Jenna was up to no good again and that her sudden presence in Eddie’s home that morning was in no means accidental or coincidental. I did not know what she wanted or what game she was playing, but I was determined to let her win. As long as Eddie felt the same I did, Jenna, I severely hoped, would be out of our home as soon as possible.Our home? Focus, Amelia.I watched with a lump in my throat as Chloe finally reached the bottom of the stairs and Jenna bent down at the foot of the stairs, spreading her arms wide. I
Eddie’s POVI hummed goodnaturedly as I went to work. The smile on my face felt wide and impossible to dim as I thought of Amelia who I had left sleeping soundly on my bed. I had most definitely not wanted to leave her alone in bed so early in the morning. My plan for the day had been to spend the entire day at home with Amelia. I had had it all planned out in my head. I would sleep in with her until it was time to take Chloe to school. Then after taking Chloe to school, I would call James that I would not be going to work and spend the rest of the day with Amelia, just loving her and showing her how much she meant to me.As my driver, Mr. John checked the rearview mirror before making a turn, he seemed to have caught a glimpse of me in the mirror, smiling to myself like the love-struck idiot that I was.“You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood this morning sir,” he remarked, grinning at me through the rearview mirror. I cleared my throat and sat up straighter, trying to wipe t
Amelia’s POVIt's been a few weeks since Eddie and I had gotten back together. It had taken him only a couple of weeks to convince me to move in with him again, but this time around, it was not as his nanny or his chef, it was as his girlfriend. According to him, he wanted to spend as much time as possible before I had to go back to Florida to resume duty with my agency. Jenna had been slammed with a restraining order along with the promise of a lawsuit if she did not leave us alone. For good measure, Eddie had made sure to properly adopt Chloe as his legal daughter. That way Jenna would not be able to cause us any more trouble.“Babe! Hurry up, we're gonna be late!” That was Edie yelling from downstairs, while I was in the closet in his… in our room, getting ready. Together with my parents, Blair, James, and Chloe, we were all going to a restaurant to celebrate my mom finally beating cancer.I looked down at Chloe who had gotten her hand on my lipgloss and was now putting it on and
Eddie’s POVAmelia's gaze flickered between me and the bustling crowd before she sighed and gestured toward a doorway at the back."Let's talk somewhere else, shall we?"I did not want to have to talk to her. I wanted to be with her at my home, where I could talk to her and have all to myself."Forget the break room," I said, a newfound determination coursing through me. "Let's go somewhere we can actually talk."Amelia hesitated, then shrugged. "Alright," she conceded. "But I do have to finish my shift first."Frustration bubbled up within me, but I knew pushing her wouldn't help. "Fine," I muttered, trying to tamp down on my impatience. "How long?""Just another hour," she replied, checking her watch. "How about we meet somewhere? My place isn't really ideal.""My place is close by," I offered, surprising myself with the boldness. "It's quiet, we can talk there."Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Your place? That wasn't exactly part of the plan, Eddie.""Well, plans change," I said, a play
Eddie’s POV"It was a mistake, Eddie," she choked out, her voice barely audible. "A one-time thing… a long time ago.""A one-time thing?" I repeated, my voice cracking. The image of a younger, naive Jenna flashed before my eyes, a girl I thought I knew everything about. Now, she seemed like a stranger."Who was he?" I demanded with the need to know gnawing at me.Jenna hesitated, then whispered a name I vaguely recognized. It was someone from the film industry, a rising star she'd met during her brief stint in Los Angeles. They had a short fling, a whirlwind romance that ended as quickly as it began.The revelation hit me like a sucker punch. All the doubts I'd ignored, the whispers in the back of my mind, the nagging feeling that things weren't quite right – it all came flooding back with a terrifying clarity. Years of my life were built on a lie. Chloe, my sweet, innocent daughter, was caught in the crossfire of my naivety and Jenna's betrayal.Fury boiled within me, a churning infe
Eddie’s POVThe doctor gave a small smile. "Of course. Let her rest for a few minutes, and then you can go in."As we waited, James explained what little he knew. He'd been picking up Chloe from school when a call came through from the hospital. Apparently, another kid had swerved into Chloe's path while riding his scooter.A surge of anger flared up within me. How could someone be so careless? But the anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a fierce protectiveness over my little girl.Minutes later, we were ushered into the room. Chloe lay propped up in bed, her face pale and drawn, a white cast encasing her arm. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw me."Daddy!" she cried out, her voice small and wobbly.My heart ached at the sight of her distress. "Hey, champ," I said, rushing to her side and pulling her into a gentle hug, careful not to jostle her injured arm. "It's okay, I'm here now."She buried her face in my chest, her small body trembling slightly. I showered her with comforti
Amelia’s POVThe question hung heavy in the air. Friends? Could we really go back to that after everything that had happened? A part of me longed for the simplicity of our old friendship, the easy camaraderie we'd shared. But another part of me worried that friendship wouldn't be enough. The feelings I had for Eddie, the unspoken desires that had simmered beneath the surface of our relationship, wouldn't just disappear. They would linger, a constant reminder of what could have been.Taking a deep breath, I typed out a reply. "I… I don't know, Eddie. Honestly, I need some time to think. This whole situation has been a lot to process.""I understand," he replied almost instantly. "Take all the time you need. Just know that… I care about you, Amelia. More than you probably realize."His words sent a blush creeping up my neck. Did he really feel the same way? Or was this just a desperate attempt to hold onto me in any way he could? I didn't have the answers, and the uncertainty gnawed at
Amelia’s POVI stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, my mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Finally, with a shaky breath, I typed out a reply."Eddie," I began, my fingers hovering over the screen, "I… I don't know what to say. Thank you for the money. It means the world to me and my mom. But ...is everything alright? James said you collapsed. Are you in the hospital?" I hit send, the weight of the question hanging heavy in the air. The money, the cryptic message – it all pointed to something more serious than he was letting on.The wait for a response stretched into an agonizing eternity. Just as I started to pace the room, my phone buzzed. It was Eddie."Amelia," his voice rasped through the phone, weaker than I'd ever heard it. "Yes, I'm in the hospital. They're still trying to figure things out, but the doctor says I have Angiina due to stress."My chest tightened. Stress. The word echoed in my head, a stark reminder of the turmoil I'd left him in. "Eddie,"
Amelia’s POVI knew that there was no way that he and Jenna had actually been together in the way that she had been insinuating.Jenna had probably been playing another of her manipulative tricks. Regardless, I was exhausted and had had to tell myself that it would be better to end it with Eddie than to be dealing with hurt and frustration every day. James had been giving me updates on both Chloe and Eddie and although I knew I should tell him to stoop so that I could have a clean break, I did not think I had the heart to do so.The rhythmic rumble of the bus engine vibrated through the worn leather seat I occupied. Outside the window, the cityscape blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors, each passing image signifying my new reality. A reality where I, Amelia Brooks, was no longer Eddie Turner's nanny. Today's successful interview meant I could finally stand on my own two feet, financially independent. A bittersweet victory, considering the reason behind this newfound freedom.A soft c
Eddie’s POVHis words held a truth that stung. Jenna's behavior had become increasingly erratic, her possessiveness suffocating. But the thought of facing Amelia, of dredging up the hurt and confusion of that day, filled me with dread.I could not say anything, I could only nod my head in response. Just then, my head began to pound again, this time around in sync with my heart.My vision swam, the pounding in my head morphing into a relentless drum solo. The room seemed to tilt on its axis, James' concerned face warping into a blurry mess. A guttural cough ripped through me, sending another jolt of pain lancing through my chest."James…" I croaked, the word a raspy whisper. My hand reached out, blindly grasping for something solid. My fingers brushed against the armrest of the chair, anchoring me momentarily."Eddie, mate! What's wrong?" James' voice was laced with alarm, his concern cutting through the fog clouding my mind."Head…" I managed, the word slurred. My grip on the armrest
Eddie’s POVAmelia had left a gaping hole in my heart."But will she ever come back?" Chloe persisted, her lower lip trembling slightly."I… I don't know, sweetheart," I admitted, the truth a bitter pill to swallow. A heavy sigh escaped Chloe's tiny lips. "Okay," she mumbled, staring out the window with a wistful expression. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions.Reaching over, I squeezed her hand gently. "Look," I began, my voice softened with love. "No matter what happens with Amelia, you'll always be my little girl. And no matter what, I'll always be here for you. Always."Chloe looked at me, a flicker of reassurance sparking in her eyes. "Really?" she asked, her voice a hesitant whisper."Really," I confirmed, my voice firm with conviction. "You're the most important thing in the world to me, you know that?"She nodded slowly, a small smile gracing her lips. For a moment, the tension seemed to ease, a fragile connection established between us.Reaching t