“Are you ready?” Alinn asks, wide-eyed. We are in front of the baby’s room because Alinn mentioned that she and Lukas are finally done with all the final touches on the nursery. “Because you don’t have any preference for the design of the room, Alinn and I decided on one,” Lukas interjects. “Don’t complain!” “Shut up, Lukas!” Alinn scolds. Lukas is beside her, clutching the doorknob towards the nursery that they both designed. As Lukas pushes the door open, my eyes widen in delight. The room is painted lavender, with little white clouds and stars scattered across the ceiling. The crib is adorned with fluffy blankets and stuffed animals, while a matching rocking chair sits in the corner next to a bookshelf that’s already filled with children’s books. “It’s perfect,” I whisper. Alinn grins. “We’re glad you like it. We wanted to make sure it was ready for Cassandra’s arrival.” I walk over to the crib and run my fingers along the soft sheets. There is also a stunning mural painted o
The dim light of the nursery casts a warm glow over the room as I rock Cassandra in my arms. The sun is setting and soon both Liam and Lukas will arrive. I watch the sleeping baby in my arms. She is so precious and I know she owns my heart. Someone knocks and I turn my attention to the door. Liam. I smile at him, another person who owns my heart as well. “I’m ready for a sleepless night,” he says, moving closer to me. He is referring to the fact that last night, I force him to sleep because he has work today, leaving me to care for Cassandra. I chuckle. “I don’t hold that against you, Liam. Besides, I never imagined that I could feel this exhausted, yet so incredibly happy at the same time.” “Neither did I,” he says as he presses a kiss on my temple. I watch Cassandra’s tiny fingers curl around my thumb. “Is she asleep?” Lukas asks, peeking into the room. Careful not to disturb his little sister, he tiptoes towards us. “Welcome home to you too, Lukas,” I say. He grins. “I gue
“Look what I found!” Lukas exclaims the instant he walks through the door. He’s carrying a plushie that is bigger than Andy. “I hope you notice the size of that?” I ask. Lukas grins. “She can play with it once she’s a bit older. For the meantime...” He places the plushie on a chair and appraises it. “... she can admire it from her crib.” “I guess you really plan to spoil her.” “Yes. I didn’t know it’s still not obvious.” I roll my eyes at him and turn my attention back to the documents that I am checking out for the businesses and Champion Music. “I can’t believe you can resist this cuteness,” Lukas says as he carries Andy into his arms. “If I were you, I would let my arms fall off if that means I can carry her all day.” “You’re exaggerating,” I respond. “By the way, why did you hire a nanny? I can take care of her alone.” Before I can answer, the door opens and Liam comes in, ready for the awarding ceremony. “What do you think?” he asks. I look him over. He is very handsome
We spent the rest of the ride back home in silence while holding each other’s hand. My heart is pounding as I steal glances from Liam. The car stops in front of our huge house and we get out. We discover Lukas sleeping in the nursery while Andy is sleeping soundly in her crib. The nanny says her goodbye and Liam and I walk to our room, still hand in hand. I go to the shower first and then Liam goes in. After organizing my things, I slip into the covers at the same time that he goes out. His hair is still wet and I grin at the way he looks. He walks directly into our bed, immediately pulling me into his embrace. I giggle when he nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck. “Cassie?” “What is it?” I ask. “It’s been awhile.” “What is?” I ask, grinning, despite knowing what he means. He presses a gentle kiss on my forehead and whispers. “Let me take care of you.” I thought he’s about to kiss me when he orders, “Turn around.” I did as instructed and relaxed. His hands touch my should
“You vixen,” he remarks, wiping my mouth. I lie down on the bed, and he climbs on top of me. He presses his hips against mine, his breathing still heavy. “I think I will love this weekend,” he comments, smiling down at me. “As do I,” I respond, opening my arms towards him. He kisses my cheeks, and I gasp as he suddenly enters, followed by thrusting in and out of me. My body trembles with every movement, and I can feel myself getting closer to release again. He looks deep into my eyes. “Come for me, love,” he says, his voice heavy with desire. Soon I am screaming in pleasure as I come undone beneath him. He smiles, knowing that he’s the one that gives me this much pleasure. He continues to thrust until we both come crashing over the edge. After a few more minutes, my orgasm dies down. He lies beside me and smiles with a satisfied expression. “You drive me crazy, Cassie,” he whispers, pulling me into his embrace. “And I guess I am doing the same for you.” “You mention we can’t be
My fingers fly across the keyboard as I prepare a new marketing strategy for Liam’s family business, my eyes narrowing in concentration. It is just a draft — something that I will need to present to him and Nico. To have more time to care for Andy, all the consulting I’m doing for them is done in the nursery. Not to mention the recruitment for Champion Music. “Mommy,” Andy calls, scampering around the room while pulling the big plushie with her. It’s been a year, and it looks old, but she still loves it. “Beary has a wound.” She shows the tear on the plushie’s hand and adds, “Fix, fix.” “Okay, sweetheart,” I reply, pausing to give her attention. “What happened to this?” She purses her lips. “I’m not being careful, so he got wounded.” I sigh. “I will fix him later. So, will you put him in that chair for the meantime?” She grins. “Thanks, Mommy!” As Andy places Beary back in his assigned seat, I turn my attention back to my work. After a while, the door swings open and Liam comes
After some passionate moments in the bathroom, we are finally able to let each other go. We step into the dining room, only to meet an unannounced visitor. “Nicco!” I exclaim. “It’s too late already.” “Well, there is some emergency,” he says, his eyes darting back and forth between me and Liam. “What is this emergency?” Liam asks. “Not ‘what’, but ‘who’,” he corrects. His eyes go to the receiving area. “Scarlet’s in there.” Liam tenses and frowns. Sensing his distress, I say, “Go ahead, Liam. I am fine.” “This emergency,” he starts, meeting my eyes. “This Scarlet is my ex-wife, Cassie. So, I think you should meet her.” “Oh,” I mutter, not knowing what to say next. “Please?” he prods on. “Okay, I will come with you,” I say. Liam and I walk towards the receiving room, with Nicco following us. The instant the door opens, Liam asks, “What are you doing here, Scarlet?” When the woman named Scarlet faces us, I freeze by the door. This ex-wife is like an ethereal goddess on earth.
“Scarlet, just leave. I told you, we don’t need your help.” Liam turns towards me and adds, “Cassie, you don’t have to—” “Is it true?” I ask. “That you are controlling the press against saying bad things about me? About what I wear? How I look?” “You don’t need to know about it—” “Yes,” Nicco interjects. I shift my attention to him. “How bad is it?” “Really bad,” Nicco admits. Liam moves in front of me. “Cassie, you don’t have to do it. It’s all okay. Just be yourself. People doesn’t need to accept that you are my wife.” “And what of our child? When she grows older?” He frowns. “What do you mean?” “If her mother doesn’t know all these things, how will I be able to teach her?” “Cassie, I—” I push him aside and face Scarlet. I need to do this even if she might snatch Liam from me. Now is the perfect opportunity. And so, despite being nervous in front of an alluring predator, I say, “What should I do?” Scarlet grins. “I guess you are perfect for my ex-husband, huh? Always rea