by Sandi Lynn
“Stop it, Dad.” She laughed.
“You look beautiful, baby girl. Alex picked out a beautiful nightgown for you.”
“I feel like a princess.”
“Feel?” I walked over and scooped her up. “You are a princess, your highness, and your feast of popcorn awaits you.” I spun her around and she laughed.
After she ate some popcorn, it was time for her to go to bed. Alex and I both tucked her in and then I shut the door.
“I was just going to sit down and watch The Tomorrow War with Chris Pratt. Have you seen it?” I asked.
“No. But I’ve heard good things about it.”
“Would you like to watch it with me? I have some amazing popcorn that little nine-year-old hands dug through.”
“I’d love too.” She laughed.
As we sat on the couch watching the movie, she softly laid her head on my shoulder. Once she realized it, she quickly lifted it.
“I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t be. Put it back down.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
Her lips gave way to a small smile as she laid her head back down on my shoulder. It felt right. Everything about her felt right. Even the way she was wrapped up in my arms last night after we’d had sex.
The movie ended and Alex lifted her head off my shoulder.
“That was so good.”
“Yeah. It was really good,” I said.
She let out a yawn.
“I’m going to head to bed. Thanks for the use of your shoulder.”
“You’re welcome,” I said as I took a few strands of her long hair between my fingers. “Good night, Alex.”
“Good night, Stefan.”
Chapter 24
Stefan
I walked into Sam’s office and handed him the design he drew up with a few minor changes.
“Thanks, brother,” he spoke.
“I can’t believe in two weeks you’re going to be a married man. And you know what else I can’t believe?”
“What?” He stared at me.
“That we’re having a joint bachelor/bachelorette party in Vegas. That’s fucked up.” I pointed at him.
“It’ll be fun.” A smirk crossed his face. “Alex is coming, right?”
“Yeah. It would only make sense since Mom and Curtis were already watching Lily for the weekend. Plus, Julia wants her to come. They’ve become close.”
“Yeah. I know. The question is do you want her there?” he asked.
“Sure. She’ll have a good time.”
“Talk to me, bro.” Sam leaned back in his chair.
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. Something is bothering you.”
“It’s just something Lily said last night. She asked me if I won her a stuffed animal at Pacific Park when I took Alex there, and I told her no. She then proceeded to tell me that it was okay and that I could win her one when the three of us go like a family.”
“Why is that bothering you?”
“I would do anything to protect her, and you know it. She’s already calling us a family and that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
My phone rang and one of my contractors was calling.
“I have to take this. I’ll talk to you later.”
There was an issue at one of the buildings we were hired for and after I went there and calmed some people down, I stopped by the house for lunch since it was only ten minutes away. When I stepped inside, I saw Alex sitting on the couch playing my guitar and singing Stand by You. I hid around the corner and listened. When she strummed the last chord, I began to clap, and she jumped up from the couch and placed her hand over her heart.
“Jesus Christ, Stefan. What the fuck?!”
“Sorry.” I grinned as I walked over to her. “I came in and didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?”
“I live here, remember?” I smirked.
“You know what I mean. Why aren’t you at work?”
“I was at a job ten minutes away and I thought I’d come home for lunch. You played and sang that song great. You have a real talent, Miss Clark,” I spoke as I walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and took out the mayo, ham and cheese.
“Thanks.” She followed me into the kitchen and leaned over the island across from me as I made a sandwich. “I was practicing a few songs and brushing up on my skills if I decide to play at Julia’s coffee shop.”
“I think you should. Remind me I need to order my mom some flowers for her birthday.”
“That’s right. It’s this Wednesday, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and Sebastian better not be making you bartend that night. We’re having a party for her at his house.”
“He’s not. I’m only bartending tonight and Thursday.”
I couldn’t stop staring at her beautiful cleavage as she was leaned over the island. My cock started to misbehave like it always did when she was around. I wanted her, and I wanted her now. Taking the tip of the butter knife, I dabbed it into the jar of mayo and wiped it on her tank top.
“Stefan, what are you doing?!” She stood up straight and grabbed a napkin.
“Oops. My bad. Did I do that?” The corners of my mouth curved upward as I set down the knife and walked over to the other side of the island. “You better take that off and throw it in the wash before the stain sets.” My finger gripped the bottom of her top and pulled it over her head.
“You’re washing that,” she said as I tossed it on the floor.
“Uh-huh.” My lips met hers for a passionate kiss.
Her arms wrapped around my neck as my hands unhooked her bra.
“What if I don’t want to have sex right now?”
“Nonsense.” I unbuttoned her shorts and stuck my hand down the front of them.
She let out a moan as my fingers reached her entrance.
“Still debating whether or not you want to have sex?” I whispered as my tongue slid across her neck.
“Nope.” Her fingers unbuckled my belt.
“I didn’t think so.”
Alex
After he left to go back to work, I sat down on the couch, brought my knees up to my chest and leaned my head back. My body was still trembling from head to toe. Getting up, I went into my room and pulled out my journal from under the mattress, opened it to my dream guy checklist and started checking off the boxes.
Hard worker – check
Makes me laugh – check
Protective – check
Handsome – check
Dresses with style - check
Tells me I’m beautiful – check
Compliments me on other things besides looks - check
Excellent kisser – triple check
Kind – check
Sweet – check
Respectful – check
Emotionally available -
Good with kids – triple check
Apologizes after a fight – check
Texts me good morning/good night – N/A since I live in his home.
Comes from a good family – check
Close with his parents and siblings – check
Likes to cuddle – check (from the few times we have)
Will notice when I’m upset – check
Takes cute pics with me – Will find out in Vegas
Good listener – check
Plays with my hair – check
Amazing in bed – quadruple check
Makes me think about him non-stop – check
Will dance with me – yet to be determined
Loves me for who I am -
He was almost perfect. Looking over my list, there were only two things that concerned me: emotional availability and loving me for who I was. Two of the things I already knew Stefan didn’t possess. But little did he know, he was close enough to be my perfect guy, my person, my prince charming, and my knight in shining armor. He rescued me from a life I desperately wa
nted to escape. Perhaps that’s why I had been running for seven years, to find him. I was starting to feel comfortable here, and the feeling of settling in one place didn’t freak me out. Stefan and Lily were responsible for that. Even though I hadn’t been here very long, for the first time in years, it felt like a real home.
Chapter 25
Alex
Climbing out of the car, I walked over to the group of moms I frequently spoke to as we waited for the bell to ring.
“Alex.” Simone smiled. “I was just talking about you.”
“All good I hope.”
“Of course. I was hoping Sydney could come over to your house for a play date with Lily on Friday.”
“Sorry, Simone. Lily is staying with her grandma for the weekend while Stefan and I go to Las Vegas.”
“Seriously? He’s taking you to Vegas?”
“He’s not taking me. I’m going with a group of people for his brother and fiancée’s bachelor/bachelorette party.”
“That’s right. Some lucky woman snagged up Sam. Pity.” Delilah, one of the other moms, shook her head.
“No worries, ladies. There are three other brothers left. Unless the two of you are—”
“Oh god no,” I lied. “Stefan is my boss. I would never cross that line.”
“I would.” Simone smirked.
“You’re married, Simone.”
“So what. I love me a sexy younger man. Especially one who’s a single dad.”
“Well, I think his detective brother is just as sexy,” Deborah commented.
“All I picture is that chef brother cooking me dinner wearing nothing but an apron,” one of the other mom’s spoke.
The bell finally rang, and I was saved. I really needed to stop getting there so early to avoid those awkward conversations with the group of unsatisfied, miserable, and horny moms.
“Hey, Lily. How was school?” I asked as I held out my hand to her.
“It was good. Guess what?”
“What?” I smiled at her.
“Next Monday is career day and I’m going to ask my dad if he’ll come talk to the class.”
“Wow. That’s awesome. You know he will.”
“I know. And you know what my teacher told me today?”
“What?” I opened the car door for her.
“She told me to ask all my uncles to come too since they all have really cool careers.”
“Wow. I bet she did.” I silently laughed.
“Do you think they’ll come?”
“Yes. I will make sure they do. They’re going to be so excited.” I smiled as I patted her on the head.
Stefan walked through the door at five forty-five, and I had just set dinner on the table.
“Daddy!” Lily jumped up, ran over and gave him a hug. “Guess what?”
“What, baby girl?”
“You get to come to career day at my class next Monday and talk all about your job.”
“Wow. Sounds like fun. I can’t wait.” He glanced over at me, and I gave him a wide smile.
“My teacher also wants Uncle Sam, Uncle Sebastian, and Uncle Simon to come talk about their jobs too.”
“Excellent. I’ll make sure they come.”
“Alex made spaghetti for dinner. Come sit down.”
“I will in a second, baby girl. I just have to change my clothes first.”
Stefan looked at me and gestured with his head for me to follow him.
“Eat your dinner, Lily. I’ll be right back,” I said.
“Is Lily the only one getting four people on career day?” His brow arched.
“I think so.” I smiled as I patted his chest. “I think her teacher has the hots for all four of you.”
“That’s not right.” He took off his tie.
“Well, at least you won’t have to be ogled at all alone.” I smiled and walked out of his room.
“Very funny!” he shouted.
After I finished eating, I excused myself, went to my bedroom and changed into my work outfit which consisted of a pair of black dress pants, a black short sleeve button up shirt, and a pair of black leather slip-on shoes. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I fastened a hair tie around it. Looking at the clock, I had ten minutes before I needed to leave. It was just enough time to freshen up my makeup.
“Okay, Lily. I have to run,” I said as I walked into the kitchen and gave her a kiss.
“I don’t want you to go,” she whined, and Stefan looked at me with a raised brow as he cleaned up the kitchen.
“I have to help Uncle Sebastian out at the restaurant.” I tapped her on her nose. “I’ll see you in the morning. Bye, Stefan.”
“Bye. Don’t be talking to any strangers.”
“Ha ha. I think you missed your calling as a comedian.” I smiled and walked out the door.
When I arrived at the restaurant, Sebastian greeted me with a wide grin.
“Wow. It’s busy in here.”
“Always is, Alex. Always is,” he spoke as I followed him behind the bar. “Thanks again for this. Raul, this is Alex. Alex, Raul. He’s going to give you a quick lesson with the register and then you’ll be on your own. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“I’ll be fine, Sebastian. Oh, by the way, Lily’s teacher wants you to speak to her class Monday for career day. She wants you to tell all the kids about what it’s like being a chef.”
“Really?” His brows furrowed. “What about Stefan?”
“Oh. Him too. And Sam and Simon.” I smiled.
“Shit. Okay. I’ll be there. Make sure to give me the details.”
Raul went over a few things with me and it was a piece of cake. I was hopping from one end of the bar to the other. I turned my back for a split second to grab a bottle of tequila from the shelf and when I turned around, I saw Stefan sitting there with a smile on his face.
“What are you doing here? And where’s Lily?”
“Lily is sleeping, and Simon is at the house with her. I came in for a drink and to see how your first night is going?”
“It’s going good. What are you drinking? Scotch?”
“Not tonight. Give me a dirty martini. Gin not Vodka.”
“Coming right up.” I turned around.
“Alex?”
“Yeah?” With the slight turn of my head, I looked at him.
“Make it extra dirty.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
I narrowed my eye at him as a small smile crossed my lips. I made his martini and as I set the glass down in front of him, he lightly grabbed my wrist.
“I never knew how sexy making a martini could look.”
The guy sitting next to him looked at me.
“Are you okay, miss? Do you need me to go get the manager?”
“Excuse me, fine sir.” Stefan glanced over at him. “I am this woman’s boss.”
“You’re the owner of this restaurant?”
“Sort of. I’m a shareholder, but my brother is the actual owner.”
“So technically, you’re not her boss.”
“Will you please tell him?” Stefan looked at me.
“He’s my boss, and I’m his daughter’s live-in nanny.”
Suddenly, the corners of the man’s mouth curved upward, and he placed his hand on Stefan’s back.
“The nanny, eh? My children’s nanny was the reason my wife divorced me.” He winked.
“I don’t have to worry about that. I’m not married.”
“You son of a gun.” He patted his back. “Obviously you’re not paying her enough if she’s moonlighting here.”
“I pay her very well and then some.” He smiled.
“Okay. Enough! I’m standing right here. Sir, do you want anything else or are you ready to cash out? And you,” I pointed at Stefan, “be quiet!”
The man laughed, threw some cash on the bar and handed me a twenty-dollar bill.
“For you, sweetheart. You’ve made my night.” He gave me a nod and walked away.
I stoo
d there and stared at Stefan with a look a disgust on my face.
“Oh, come on. It was all in fun. Anyway, this is a damn good martini.”
“How did I know you’d show up here tonight?” Sebastian said as he walked over and the two of them fist bumped.
Chapter 26
Stefan
“I wanted to see how well she made a martini.”
“And?” Sebastian asked.
“Try for yourself. It’s extra dirty.”
He picked up the glass and took a sip.
“Damn. That is good. I may have to hire her full-time.”
“Do it and see what I do to you.”
“Who’s with Lily?”
“Simon. Speaking of which, I better get out of here. I told him I wouldn’t be gone long.”
I pulled out a fifty-dollar bill and held it up. Alex walked over and placed her hands on the counter.
“Thank you for your service.” I smirked as I took her hand and placed the fifty in it.
“You’re in real trouble, mister.”
“I’m counting on it.” I gave her a wink, got up from the stool and walked out of the restaurant.
When I got home, I saw Simon sitting outside on the patio with a scotch in his hand. Opening the sliding door, I took the seat next to him.
“Did Lily wake up?”
“No. How was Alex?” He glanced over at me with a smirk.
“That woman can make one hell of a martini.” I smiled.
He let out a chuckle. “I’ll have to stop by the restaurant when she’s working and see for myself. You know, I thought about her today.”
“And why the hell are you thinking about my daughter’s nanny?”
“Stop getting your panties in a twist. The body of a twenty-four-year-old woman was found in a dumpster this morning. Her throat was slit. Her mother passed away when she was a kid, and she was raised by her alcoholic father. She left home at seventeen and got into drugs and prostitution. Alex is a survivor, and if she wasn’t, that could have very well been her. Despite the shit she dealt with when she was a kid and leaving home at eighteen with practically nothing, I’d say she’s one of the strongest women I’ve met. She didn’t let her circumstances define her.”
