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Huling Na-update:
2025-04-21 23:11:03
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Resisting The Playboy's Charm 7
EvansNow that Brandon is down for the night, I have some time to myself. I sit down in my office to get some work done, pouring myself a glass of scotch with a single, large cube of ice. I spend about an hour in there, drafting a few emails to send out the next morning, before I hear a knock at the door.That'll be either Declan or Reed—whichever of them has arrived first for poker night.I get up to open the door, taking the scotch with me. It's an expensive single-malt that I know Declan in particular would be eager to try.It's Reed at the door."Hey, man," I say, inviting him inside. "Come on in. Is Declan running late or something?""Not sure," Reed says with a shrug, hanging up his jacket on the coat rack by the door. "You know how things are with him lately—between his company and his girl, he's a busy guy. He'll probably be here soon."Declan is the CEO of Dynasty, a company that manufactures exercise equipment. Between his company's new marketing direction and his recent eng
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-21Resisting The Playboy's Charm 8
CarolinaI get off work at eight on Thursdays, which is much better than the days when I'm expected to stay and close. Since I've got plans tonight, I do my best to get out of the restaurant as quickly as possible."You need anything else from me?" I ask my manager, who's calculating the tips in the point-of-sale system.She barely looks up at me. "No, you're good. Thanks for all your hard work."I'm out of there in the blink of an eye, before she—or anyone else—can change their mind. Sometimes, the guys on the line will stop me before I can get to the back door, asking me to help with their cleanup. Even though it's not my responsibility, I usually try to help them, but tonight, someone's waiting on me.I untie the little black apron from my waist as I walk down the street, wadding it into a ball and tucking it into my purse. Everything in there will probably smell like grilled food later tonight, but I tell myself I'll clean it out later. Smelling like food after a long shift is one
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-21Resisting The Playboy's Charm 9
CarolinaWarm water pools around my calves as I luxuriate in my apartment's cramped bathtub, doing my best to relax after a mid-shift at the restaurant.Olivia was the one who suggested it. While we were at the bar the other night, she told me that I seemed stressed, and that I should try to unwind after work. So, on my way home from work today, I stopped at a boutique to pick up some bath bombs and incense.When I got home, I lit a couple of candles, turned the lights low, and made myself a cup of rose hip tea. Incense is technically not allowed in my apartment—nor are candles—but I decided to give myself a pass on my landlord's behalf. I ordered some takeout and turned the ringer off on my phone. I lean my head back against the rim of the tub, taking a deep breath and doing my best to relax.As always, it's difficult. The second my mind has a free moment, my thoughts drift to the same place they always do—to the future.I'm stuck in a dead-end job, and I don't see any signs of that
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-21Resisting The Playboy's Charm 10
CarolinaAfter window shopping for a while with Olivia the next day, we say our goodbyes, and I head home. Back in my apartment, I lounge on the couch for a while, staring at Evans's business card. My fingertips trace the embossed letters. I can't help but wonder if this is all an elaborate prank; what if I call him and end up on some radio show?Eventually, I dig my phone out of my pocket, sigh, and type in the number on the card. It rings three times before Evans picks up."Evans Armstrong," he says. It's a short greeting, almost cold."Evans? Er—Mr. Armstrong? I mean... sorry, um, Mr. Armstrong." I kick myself for the clumsy opening. In my head, I've been calling him Evans, but there's something very official about the business card and the way he answered the phone that reminds me that this is a professional relationship."Yes?" I can practically picture his arched eyebrow. He sounds thoroughly unamused."This is Carol Winters. You came by my apartment a couple of days ago to offe
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-21Resisting The Playboy's Charm 11
CarolinaI wake up the next morning cocooned in a bed that feels like a cloud. I don't think I've ever slept so well in my entire life. Between the down pillows and the million-thread-count silk sheets, I've never been so comfortable.It takes a second to remember where I am, and for a moment, I'm overwhelmed at what I've taken on. I've never been a nanny before. I don't have that much experience with kids, especially one-on-one. Can I even handle something like that?Then I think of the little boy, beaming as I handed him the plastic dinosaur. I take a deep breath, sitting up in bed.You'll do a good job, I tell myself. That kid needs you. Brandon may be surrounded by wealth and luxury, things I never had as a child, but Mr. Armstrong is also clearly too busy to give him everything he needs.Just like I was, he's a kid in need of attention. I can fill that gap.I slide out of bed, putting on slippers as I shuffle to the bathroom to wash my face and get ready for the day. It's almost
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 12
CarolinaI follow the directions on the sheet Evans provided for me. I make sure he finishes his breakfast, then shuttle him to pre-K, which is at a daycare a few blocks away. I try to chit chat with him as we head over, but he doesn't say a word to me the entire time.When he gets back from pre-K, the situation is no better. I was hoping that seeing other kids might perk him up, but he's as subdued as he was this morning.I feel like an absolute failure. It's my first day, and I don't think I've gotten Brandon to say more than two sentences to me. What on earth am I doing wrong? This was so much easier the last time I saw him.Laura shows up in the afternoon to straighten things up, and greets me with a nod. She's not live-in, but Mr. Armstrong told me that she'll be by often to make sure everything's tidy. While she cleans, I try to play with Brandon in the living room, but he doesn't seem interested in any of the toys or games I pull out in my attempts to entice him.By five o'cloc
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 13
CarolinaAs I tuck Brandon into bed, he insists on laying the dinosaur on the pillow beside him."He likes to sleep next to me," Brandon tells me, talkative now that the crisis has passed. "Otherwise, he gets nightmares by himself. That was why I was worried about him, 'cause he doesn't like to be alone.""That makes sense," I say, nodding seriously. "You're a good friend to keep him company."The door opens partway, and some extra light spills into the room from the hall. I look up to see Mr. Armstrong standing in the entrance, a look of surprise on his face, like he wasn't expecting to interrupt a conversation between me and Brandon."You just about ready for bed?" Mr. Armstrong says, stooping to plant a kiss on Brandon's forehead.Brandon hums in affirmation, and Mr. Armstrong smiles. Again, I see that soft look on his face, the one that's so drastically different from the grave expression he usually wears."Glad to hear it. Sleep tight, Brandon." Mr. Armstrong gives me a nod, then
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-22Resisting The Playboy's Charm 14
EvansWhen I get to my office, I set the half-finished glass of whiskey on the desk and collapse into one of the armchairs in the sitting area, rubbing my forehead.I have another handle of this scotch on the bar cart in the corner of the room, which is good—I'm definitely going to need it after that conversation, if it could even be considered that.I'm unsettled, even after all this time, by the mention of Serena. I'm sure that Carolina learned some of the details of the situation from her brother—I mentioned it to Noah when we first met, so it's not altogether surprising.And besides, it's not like I planned to keep it from her. If she's going to be the kid's guardian, she deserves to know things like this. Still, her mentioning it threw me off balance.The way she looked at me, her eyes luminous and sincere, threw me off balance.Earlier today, when Brandon was closed-off and shy, I was starting to think that maybe this wouldn't work after all. The thought filled me with conflicti
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-22
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Resisting The Playboy's Charm 113
CarolinaFor a few seconds, I'm silent, in shock. Then the tears start, and I'm powerless to stop them. "Of course," I manage to choke out, a feeling of weightless elation filling my heart. I feel as though I might drift straight out of this Ferris wheel, up into the sky. "Of course I will."Evans smiles, pressing a kiss to my lips over Brandon's head."Yes!" Brandon shouts, delighted, and Evans and I break apart. I smile at Brandon through my happy tears."What's up, bud?""You're getting married to each other!" Brandon exclaims, beaming. "This is the best birthday ever!" Then he frowns abruptly, noticing my expression. "Why are you crying? Are you sad?""No," I assure him. "Sometimes, people cry when they're very, very happy."The Ferris wheel lurches back into motion, and I feel Evans's hand on my shoulder, his fingertips brushing my neck.As we near the ground, I peer down at the crowd, my eyes widening when I recognize a few familiar faces. "Wait—Evans, is that Olivia?""I invite
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 112
Carolina"Go easy on the cotton candy," I chide Brandon, whose lips are sticky and purple from the confection. "That stuff is gonna make you feel sick.""But it's my birthday!""I know," I say, "but you don't want to be sick on your birthday, do you? After all, you haven't ridden the roller coaster yet."He frowns, considering this, his gaze straying to the kiddie roller coaster across the fairway. Then he shrugs, conceding the point. "Okay," he says. "Everyone else can share the rest of mine."He hands the remaining candy floss over to one of his friends, Jazz, who eagerly tears off a chunk and passes it to the next child.I smile, stepping back to stand beside Evans. Brandon wanted to invite his entire class back to the amusement park for his birthday—a huge fling that would've been immensely difficult if it weren't for the presence of some of the other parents, extra watchful eyes on the kids."We should go on the roller coaster next," Brandon says, trying to cajole his friends. "W
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 111
EvansAfter I finish, Carolina is silent for so long that it terrifies me.I just unloaded my entire heart to her, but for the first time in my life, I'm not sure if I said the right thing. I'm not sure if there's anything else I should say, or if another word might only make things worse.I've always known how to handle myself in any situation, always prided myself on being able to manage whatever came my way. But as I gaze at Carolina, desperately wanting her to believe me, all of that confidence slips away.There are tears in the corners of her eyes. Did I just make her cry? Is she upset? Did I just fuck up again?I open my mouth, not sure what else is going to come out—probably a babbling mess of nonsense, to be honest—but before I can stammer a single word, Carolina leans up to kiss me.We stay there for a few moments, locked in a deep kiss. All I can think about is how soft her lips are against mine, the scent of her floral shampoo that I sought in the sheets of my empty bed for
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 110
CarolinaIt's a long drive, all the way from Evans's place up to the Bronx. With each passing minute, I grow more confused, until finally, Evans pulls into a tree-lined asphalt drive, dappled with sunlight.I don't know what destination I was expecting, but whatever it was, it wasn't this. We're at Woodlawn Cemetery.Evans drives slowly through the wrought iron gates, then up the winding access road, in silence. I turn to him, frowning."Evans—""Almost there," he says.He stops the car beneath the sweeping branches of a massive maple, then steps out, gesturing for me to do the same. I hesitate for a few moments, watching as he crosses the street and approaches a simple, granite headstone.Finally, my curiosity gets the better of me. I climb out of the car and approach him. He turns to face me."I wanted to take you to meet my sister," he says. He's smiling, but there's something sad in the depths of his eyes. "I thought that the most important ladies in my life should get the chance
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 109
CarolinaOutside of Evans's ceiling-high windows, there's a flawless view of the winding branches of the oak tree in the backyard. I wake to the sound of a bird, sitting on the branch, chirping a morning tune.I'm nestled into Evans's arms, and that feels... good. Warm. Right. He's still asleep; the bird hasn't woken him. I spend a few seconds dwelling on the blissful feeling, the pleasant soreness in my muscles, as I watch the chickadee hop around on the branch and finally take flight.As soon as it vanishes out of sight, the reality of everything starts to sink in, and I bite my lip as a knot forms in my stomach.Shit. What did I just do?This was a huge mistake. The wound of our breakup was finally starting to heal over, enough that we could have a nice dinner without any awkwardness and with minimal hurt.And now, after this, I've definitely just reopened it, to its fullest extent.It's just going to get harder and harder every time I let myself have a taste. I can't let this cycl
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 108
CarolinaEvans trails his mouth over my neck and shoulders, teeth scraping my skin as I hook my legs around his waist, both of us desperate for the other."So fucking perfect." His voice is muffled against my skin, as if he can't bear to pull away long enough to speak. "You taste so good, Carolina. Every inch of you. I need you so goddamn badly."His hands move to the waistband of my pants, working the button and zipper down, and I rock from side to side a little, lifting my hips enough for him to slide them off. He takes my panties with them, and I hiss out a breath as the cool marble meets my bare skin."I need to be inside you," Evans groans, nearly ripping my pants off my legs as I desperately kick off my shoes. The heat between us is like an inferno, and I swear the rest of my clothes are about to burn to ash just from touching my skin. "Can I...?""Yes!" It's a breathless gasp, and I nod, reaching for his pants too.He's still wearing his shirt, and so am I, but I hardly even ca
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 107
CarolinaA rush of memories hits me as I walk down the second-floor hallway, especially as I walk past the room I lived in while I worked here. Unable to help my curiosity, I pause outside the door, leaning in to survey my old living space.It's almost empty. The bed is made, but it looks like it hasn't been touched since I was here. It's a little depressing, so I move on quickly.Brandon, in his room, has already put on his pajamas with lightning speed. He's crawling into bed as I enter."Story, story, story!" he chants, an eager grin on his face."Ah, ah," I say. "What are you forgetting?"Brandon frowns for a moment, unsure; then realization dawns on him. He climbs back out of bed and goes into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Only once he's back do I settle on the side of his bed, racking my brains for a story.Eventually, I spin a tale about our two betta fish meeting in a stream and becoming friends. Given what I know about betta fish, this is a pretty fanciful story—if Gill and
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 106
CarolinaWe all head up to the registers together, and once everything is paid for, I pause by the door awkwardly, glancing back at Brandon and Evans."Well, it was really nice to run into the two of you," I begin, expecting to ungracefully part ways."You should come have dinner with us!" Brandon bursts out loudly—he's having an energetic day.I cringe internally, glancing over at Evans. "Um, I don't know if that's a good idea, kiddo.""But it would be so fun!" Brandon cries.Evans nods, his eyes warm as he meets my gaze. His voice is sincere as he says, "Please. You should join us."Whatever I was expecting Evans to say, it wasn't that. I open my mouth to refuse, then close it, considering. It couldn't hurt to just go over for dinner. In fact, it might help with the heartache I've been feeling—a reminder that time moves on, or something."Okay, sure," I say hesitantly. "I didn't have anything to do this evening, anyway."Rather than taking the subway back to my place, I get into the
Resisting The Playboy's Charm 105
CarolinaThere are at least fifteen different brands of fish food at the pet store, which makes shopping for my still-unnamed betta fish way more difficult than it needs to be.It's a low maintenance creature, so I don't know what could possibly necessitate all of these different brands. One promises shinier scales, and the other claims to promote healthier fins. I shake my head, weighing one option in each hand.Finally, I decide to make the choice at random. If I picked wrong, my unnamed fish will just have to cope with subpar pellets.I toss the box into my shopping basket and continue down the aisle. I have to pick out a new filter for his little tank, then I'll be on my way.As I round the corner into the next aisle, I almost run straight into someone. I stumble back, startled, and drop my basket. The box of fish food slides across the floor."S-sorry," I stammer, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment."No worries," says a familiar voice.I freeze with my hand halfway to the fish
