Shonee’s POV
Later that evening…
As I took my time tucking Mirasol into bed, she looked up at me with those big curious eyes that always seemed to sparkle with wonder. “Shonee, can we read a bedtime story tonight?”
Honestly, I couldn’t resist. “Of course, sweetheart,” I replied with a smile, reaching for her favourite storybook from the mini-bookshelf embedded in her bedside table.
I settled down on the edge of her bed while Mirasol snuggled closer, eager for the adventure to unfold. “Which story would you like to hear tonight?” I asked, flipping through the pages of the fantasy-themed book.
“The one about the brave princess and the dragon, please!” Mirasol’s face lit up with excitement as she exclaimed.
A soft chuckle left my mouth. I knew that story by heart since it was like my twelfth time reading it to her. Nevertheless, I launched into the familiar tale with gusto. “Alright, here we go.” I narrated the adventures of Princess Amelia and her daring quest to rescue the kingdom from the clutches of the fearsome dragon. Mirasol listened with rapt attention, hanging on to every word. Her giggles and gasps filled the room as I brought the story to life, my voice rising and falling with each twist and turn.
“And just when it seemed all hope was lost,” I continued, “the brave princess discovered the power of kindness and friendship. All the citizens she’d help during her journey jumped out of their hiding places with tools to help her defeat the dragon.”
As we reached the triumphant conclusion of the tale, I looked down at Mirasol, her eyes heavy with sleep but still shining with excitement.
“Did you like the story, sweetheart?” I asked softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
Mirasol nodded, a sleepy smile spreading across her face. “It’s the best story ever, Shonee,” she mumbled.
With a flicker of warmth in my heart, I leaned down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight, my little princess,” I whispered, watching as Mirasol drifted off to dreamland.
Keeping my footsteps light, I walked out of her room and gently shut the door behind me.
Today was…eventful to say the least. From Avril’s wedding dress debacle to Mirasol’s sudden declaration this afternoon, all of it was a bit frightening. My heart was racing, my thoughts were incoherent and my feelings went haywire. As scary as it was though, I couldn’t deny the fact that her admission had amplified our relationship. For Mirasol to wish that I was marrying her dad gave me the impression that I was more than a nanny to her. I was a mother figure in her eyes, something she’d tragically lost, she found in me and it warmed my heart.
It also got me thinking about what it would feel like to have her as my daughter. I’d love and care for Mirasol like she came from my womb and would do whatever it took to make her happy. Plus, I’d get to call her dad my husband. We’d finally be together and make love wherever and whenever we wanted.
It was dangerous to think about these things specifically with Avril in the picture and that wedding looming around the corner, but it was also what my heart secretly wanted. It had only been a few months but this father-and-daughter duo had grown on me. I wanted to be a solid part of their lives, not just a nanny they could dispose of at any time.
Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I made my way over to my room only to come to a pause when I noticed the light underneath the door of Vincent’s home office.
“Hmm.” He must’ve come home when I was tucking Mirasol in bed.
We hadn’t seen each other since our…intimate rendezvous last night, plus I also hadn’t gotten the chance to thank him for the warm breakfast he’d left me this morning.
Changing course, I strolled over to the mahogany door and gave it a knock.
“Come in.”
Pushing down the door handle, I let myself into the dimly lit room, briefly reminded of my first encounter with him in this office.
Vincent stood at the window, holding his phone to his ear. It wasn’t long before he ended the call and his eyes landed on me.
“Shonee,” his lips expanded into a broad smile. “Just the person I wanted to see.”
Curiosity wafted into my system as I drew closer. “Really? What’s going on?”
“Remember the idea you gave me about investing in NYU's digital installation gallery?” He smoothly tucked his phone into his pocket.
“Yeah.”
“Well, it's working. The returns are better than I expected."
Relief flooded through me at his words. "Oh my God, that's fantastic news," I replied, wrapping him in a hug. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” he grinned. “The Paynes don’t know about this yet and I intend to keep it that way. With any luck, this could actually be my ticket to getting full control of my company. I could buy back the assets Avril’s father took and have the contract deals cancelled.”
“Aww, this is great,” I smiled fondly. “I’m so happy for you.”
“You should be. Cuz all this wouldn’t have been possible without you.”  He held me closer, looking deep into my eyes.  “Thank you, Shonee.”
“Oh don’t mention it,” I shrugged, coiling an arm around his neck. “Bet you’re glad you didn’t fire the nanny, right?”
“Definitely.” With a smug smile, his lips landed on mine in a tender kiss. The warmth it ignited in me was intoxicating, and it almost had me wishing that I could drown it because it felt right. So right. His affectionate kisses started sweet and gentle, but the intensity quickly escalated as he lifted me up and seated me on his desk.
“God, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” he mumbled before descending lower, reaching that sweet spot on the side of my neck.
“Mmm.” My brain was numb, lost in all the sensations he was invoking inside me. After just one night with him, Vincent knew what I wanted. He knew where I wanted him to touch, he knew where I wanted him to kiss and he knew when I wanted him to suck. It was like he memorized every part of my inner cravings and desires. Like right now. He’d hurriedly unclasped my bra and was torturing my left nipple with his tongue. “Oh God, yes..”
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, his free hand slipped into my panties, rubbing my clit ever slowly and steadily. Forgetting where we were a rugged moan seeped past my lips and I felt Vincent smile against my nipple. As a reflex, I grabbed a fist full of his head, pushing his tongue back into action. It continued its torturous and delightful journey to my other nipple.
I’d lost the entirety of my being in sexual pleasure, so much that I didn’t even hear the door open until she said, “What the fuck?”