"Now that's something I don't see every day," the elderly receptionist said behind me.
I turned to her and asked, "What do you mean?"
She chuckled. "Aria is never like this when that Sophie woman comes to pick her up."
"Really?" I asked, turning my eyes to Aria once again, feeling my heart ache for the little girl at the reminder of Sophie's mistreatment.
Aria excitedly carried on, telling me about all the wonderful things she'd done at school today while I encouraged her by smiling and nodding. A moment later, another little girl showed up. The cutie with a mop of thick red curls and sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her small nose was Susie, Aria's best friend.
"Hi, Mia," Susie said once Aria had introduced me to her. "Aria told me all about you and stuff. She said you cook very nice spaghetti Bolognese. It's my favorite food too. So can we make it together when I come over this weekend? Can we? Can we, please?"
I chuckled and nodded. "Of course," I said.
Not long after, a woman named Lisa, Susie's mother, who like her daughter had bright red hair and freckles on her lovely face, introduced herself to me. I didn't know how I should present myself to her in relation to Aria and James, so I simply said, "I'm Mia Donovan."
The receptionist didn't forget to aid me in my introduction and added, "Mr. Maxwell's girlfriend." She even winked at me.
I blushed profusely at this while Lisa said, "Wow! James is finally getting real. That's great news. Congratulations."
Aria chose that moment to announce to everyone, "Mia's my girlfriend too. We slept together last night, you know, in my daddy's bed."
Oh no, I thought. Was Aria going to tell everyone what had happened? Instantly I felt more than a little embarrassed. I wanted to stop her, but the little girl was too excited. I found I couldn't interrupt her. So I stood there, my face bright red, as I listened to Aria reciting the tale.
"When I went to bed, it was just me and Daddy, but when I woke up this morning, Mia was in there with us too. I slept on the right of the bed, Mia in the middle, and Daddy on the left. It was the best slumber party ever."
She turned to Susie and said, "You should do that sometime. You know, sleeping with your mommy and daddy. It's so warm and cozy and just the best ever."
At this, Susie turned to her mom and asked, "Can we, Mommy?"
Lisa chuckled and said, "We'll have to ask your dad about that."
Susie pulled a face as she turned to Aria. "We have to ask Daddy, and he might say no."
Aria pulled a face too. "That's too bad."
Both Lisa and the receptionist burst out laughing. The three of us chatted for a bit about the two girls, and then fifteen minutes later, Aria and I returned to the car where John was still waiting patiently.
Back at the mansion, once we stepped into the large kitchen, Aria said, "I'm so hungry."
Martha, the house cook, chuckled and offered, "What would you like to have, Aria?"
Aria thought about it for a moment and then said enthusiastically, "Some chocolate cake, please."
A few minutes later, I watched her heartily consuming her chocolate cake, Sammy and Alfie by her side. Across the countertop, Martha leaned toward me and said lowly, "Miss Donovan, did you know? Miss Wilson has been fired."
The subject interested me, and I turned my eyes to Martha. "Really?"
I wasn't surprised. It was James after all. If Sophie were a man, it would have been worse than just getting fired. Much worse.
Martha continued. "She's finished packing her stuff, and I saw a moving van outside about half an hour ago."
I nodded at this. Of course, I wouldn't have known what had happened because I'd been in the library all morning, reading. After that, I'd been chatting on the phone with Andy and then Savanah, so I hadn't been paying much attention to what was happening around me. Then James phoned me and requested I go and pick Aria up for him.
Ms. Lane entered the room, and her eyes rested on me. I gave her a slight smile and said, "Hello, Ms. Lane."
The proficient housekeeper nodded. Then she said, "Mr. Maxwell called. He said his brothers will be coming for dinner tonight."
Martha immediately made a big fuss about what they should concoct for dinner and went about preparing a nice, hearty menu because the two younger brothers had particular tastes.
Ms. Lane turned to me and said, "I assume you heard about Miss Wilson?"
I nodded.
"Well, I can't say she didn't have it coming, behaving as she did," Ms. Lane said. She eyed Aria. "It's a good thing she's gone." She smiled, which surprised me because I'd always thought Ms. Lane was rather cold and distant.
She returned her attention to me. "Aria likes you. She's more herself since you've arrived. I'm glad." With that, she headed out the door to continue her work.
I stood there dumbfounded. Honestly, I'd always thought Ms. Lane didn't like me. I grinned, relieved and elated that James's staff was beginning to warm up to me, like Martha and John for example, and now the highly regarded regal housekeeper Ms. Lane as well.
"Aria, I'm going to be up in my room for a bit," I said to the little girl who was still enjoying her chocolate cake. "Do you want to show me your painting when I'm back?"
With her mouth full of cake, she nodded. I chuckled and then headed out the door.
On my way up the stairs, I heard my cell ding, informing me I had a message. I quickly checked it and found it was from James.
James: Scott and Eric are coming for dinner. Wear something pretty.
Scott and Eric? They had to be his brothers. As I headed into my room, I wondered what they were like. Without a doubt, I was sure they had that arrogant, elite demeanor just like James, the type that made girls weak in the knees yet made them want to run in the opposite direction at the same time because they were so far out of reach, like a sort of god.
My mind was still on the Maxwell brothers when my eyes caught sight of a piece of paper sitting on the bedside table. As I went to pick it up, I was pretty sure it wasn't there before.
Up close, I read the note, and it said:
I know you're dying to talk to me about what I did to your walk-in closet and your dresses.
Let's get it over and done with.
I shifted my gaze lower and saw there was a time and place for the meeting. There was also Sophie's signature at the bottom of the page.
I placed the piece of paper back on the table, thinking Sophie really did want to have a showdown between us. Then I thought it was a good idea since we needed to get this over with once and for all.
Chapter 17
Mia
After Aria had enthusiastically showed me her painting, which to my pleasant surprise turned out to be of us playing in the park on Sunday, I headed back to my room to shower and change for dinner while Aria had her private piano lesson with Mrs. West.
Twenty minutes later, I had finished showering and about to put on my cute dress when I heard Aria's voice in the distance, across the hallway.
"Is Uncle Scott and Uncle Eric really coming tonight? I can't wait to see them. I missed them so much 'cause I haven't seen them for a while. Will Grandpa be coming as well? Will he? Will he?"
I didn't miss the urgent excitement in her voice. I heard James chuckle and then say, "Yes, sweetheart, Uncle Scott and Uncle Eric are coming but not Grandpa. He's still in Japan."
"In Japan? Again? Oh, I know. Next time when he goes to Japan, maybe we all can go there too. Like as a family. Grandpa, Uncle Scott, Uncle Eric, Daddy, me, and Mia. Like a very big family. It's gonna be so much fun, right, Daddy? I want to go to Japan. Can we please, Daddy?"
James laughed. "Of course we can. How about when you have your next vacation?"
At this, I heard Aria shrieking with delight.
"Now then, haven't you made Mrs. West wait long enough? She'll be upset if you don't return to your piano lesson."
"I know... But she knows you just got home, and I told her I missed you and wanted to ki
ss you and talk to you for a bit and that I can't wait. She told me it's okay, so that's why I came to see you... But I'm going to go back now."
James chuckled again. "Good girl."
"But really, I can't wait to see Uncle Scott and Uncle Eric, Daddy." She paused for a moment and then continued. "Okay. Okay. I'm gonna go now."
I heard James say, "Have fun at your lesson."
"I will," Aria said loudly.
Then I heard her little footsteps running down the hallway, followed by the shutting of a door. I assumed Aria had gone off to her piano lesson with Mrs. West while James went into his room to shower and change for the evening. After that, all was silent.
A few moments later, I was dressed and headed out the door, thinking about Japan, me, Aria, and James. Wouldn't that be nice? A trip to Japan. I had always wanted to go there.
Suddenly I shook my head. Good God, what was I thinking? I was getting way ahead of myself here. Aria's suggestion had put some very inappropriate ideas in my head. After all, I was merely James's mistress. Nothing more and nothing less, so...
I was just passing James's door when I halted and stared at it for a moment. Then I couldn't help myself and gave it a few knocks.
"James?" I called out softly. "James?"
Silence.
He must have been in the shower and therefore couldn't hear me knocking. I hesitated before turning the door handle. Once I was inside, I noted the room was empty.
I was right in that he was in the shower. I could hear the water running in the adjacent room where the bathroom was located. Maybe I shouldn't bother him, I thought and was on my way out when James's voice came from behind me.
"Leaving so soon?"
I turned on my heel, and the moment I faced him, I blushed profusely. I swallowed and said, my voice more than a little weak at the sight of him, "You're busy getting ready, aren't you?"
Oh God. I was doing my utmost to keep my gaze from straying any lower than his gorgeous face, but I couldn't help myself.
As my eyes drifted down his magnificent body, I felt my own being shudder in deliciousness.
James was completely naked and dripping wet. Why oh why didn't he cover himself with a towel? What if his daughter happened to walk in? Or one of the staff for that matter?
I was about to berate him about being decently dressed before leaving the bathroom when he chuckled and said, "Come here, Mia."
I licked my lips before commenting, "James, we don't have time for this. Your brothers will be here soon, won't they?"
He shrugged and simply said, "They can wait. Now come here."
Though his words were gentle, there was still that sense of command within the tone.
Obediently I went to stand in front of him, staring at his massive, muscular chest. God, his skin was so smooth and utterly enticing. I simply wanted to run my fingers across it, caressing it and feeling it against my flesh.
James leaned forward, which drew my attention from his chest to his face instead. Once we were close, he kissed me on the forehead gently. When he pulled back, he said, "Thanks for picking Aria up today."
I blushed and beamed at him. Then I said, "You told the receptionist I'm your girlfriend. I know it's a cover, but if you must know, Lisa, Susie's mother, learned of it as well and even congratulated me... Congratulated us..."
I raised my eyes to gaze at his lips, my stomach flipping in exquisite sensations. "Aria even told them about what happened last night... That we all were sleeping together in your bed. James, I'm so embarrassed." I sighed. "What are we going to do to clean up this misunderstanding?"
He cocked his head to one side and said, "Doesn't this remind you of something?"
Huh? What is he on about?
"The first time we met. But instead of you standing here naked, it's me."
I burst out laughing. I couldn't help myself. Here I was, dreading how we were going to clear up the misunderstanding because of James's little white lie about my being his girlfriend. But really, all he was thinking about was how we'd met the first time when I'd been naked and in his arms?
"Yes, I guess so," I said evasively.
He placed his finger under my chin and nudged my face up to look at him. Before I could react, he descended toward me and planted his lips against mine.
At first the kiss was soft, gentle, and warm, which was wonderfully pleasant. A moment later, however, James switched to aggression. He was demanding as his lips pressed hard against mine while his tongue hotly invaded my mouth.
"Mmm..." I groaned under his fervent attack. My head was beginning to swim and my body heated and melting into him.
As we deepened the passionate kiss, our lips locked and tongues stroking one another, caressing and teasing.
I sang out to him, my whole being shaking with adoration and my core beginning to burn in a frenzy.
When James finally pulled back, I was dazed and my body ready for him to fuck me.
James did not disappoint. He yanked my dress down my body and lovingly tortured my breasts, teasing and taunting the very sensitive, aroused flesh with his fingers and thumb. Then he kissed, sucked, and licked them seductively.
Oh God, I thought hazily as I clutched James's head against my chest, encouraging him.
The door was still unlocked. What if someone walked in? What if Aria walked in?
Not good. I needed James to end this now. God, I wanted to tell him to stop this intense lovemaking but found I had no willpower. My mouth was too busy moaning and groaning in pleasure as he continued to ravish me to his heart's content.
"James...," I whispered under my breath. "James... We... have... to stop this... The door..."
James wasn't listening to me. He roughly raised my skirt as he made me lean back against the bed. There, instead of pulling my panties down my legs, he tore the lacy material to pieces.
His barbaric action only served to heighten my excitement, and my core burned even hotter for him and his erect cock.
"Oh, James...," I whispered. The fear of someone walking in on us fled my mind in an instant. I encouraged him instead. "James... Fuck me... Please fuck me now... I can't wait any longer..." I was panting, and my body was shaking in fervor for him.
James buried his face in the crook of my neck and said, "Sure thing, darling."
Not a moment later, he inserted his cock into me, thrusting hard in one forceful move. When I felt him inside me, I groaned in satisfied delight, as if I were finally filled and complete.
"It feels so good," I said. "James..."
He chuckled as he started moving inside me, sliding in and out, slowly at first and then faster.
I leaned back a little and raised my hips, which drew him deeper into me and allowed easier access. Then we were moving, dancing erotically, as he drove himself into me, into the deepest parts of me.
He really was fucking me now, hard and fast. I found it difficult to restrain myself. I bent my head back and closed my eyes, just relishing the ecstasy of sexual pleasure James was giving me.
God, it felt so good. Just so wonderful and magnificently delightful. I felt I was in heaven, so beautiful and bright and just awesomely amazing.
When I opened my eyes, James was watching me, and he had a dark expression on his face that told me he liked the look I was wearing. I couldn't help myself and raised to him. There I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered, "I love you," before kissing him.
With our lips tightly locked together, we continued our erotic dance, our movements in a sexy tempo that was rising to climax as we moved faster and faster and harder and harder. I was breathless, and I knew it wasn't going to be long before I came. My body shuddered and then tensed as I did come, long and slow. Then I relaxed and collapsed against James.
"I love you too," he whispered.
I felt my heart somersault in my chest as I froze in my spot. Did I hear that right? Did James just say he loves me?
Oh God! Suddenly I was so elated... so utterly and deliriously happy t
hat I sobbed and my body shook uncontrollably.
I moved back and stared up at him. "James?"
He smiled at me and said again, "I love you, Mia."
Honest to God, I nearly died then. This was the first time since my parents' death, aside from Andy, that anyone had ever said the words I love you, Mia to me.
To say I was shocked with surprise was an understatement. I was tearing up like there was no tomorrow.
James laughed and kissed my face all over. He said, "You're the best mistress ever. Now how about graduating to a proper girlfriend?"
I wiped my eyes and said, "James? Are you serious?"
"I'm completely serious, darling," he said. "That's if you don't mind a dark billionaire who does shady business and rules an underground empire for a boyfriend."
I chuckled through my tears. "I don't mind at all. I love you, James."
God, words just couldn't describe how happy I was. His love confession meant everything to me, and it changed my world completely.
A moment later, he pulled my skirt down my legs and said, "If my lousy brothers weren't coming, I'd go for round two. This time with you completely naked. But..." He trailed off as he pulled me up and even arranged my dress properly. "Now go and put some panties on before I change my mind and fuck you again."
I nodded. Then before I went, I stood on tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the lips. "I love you, James," I said again.
"I know," he replied.
I gave him a sunny smile and then left him to get ready. As I was heading back to my room, I felt I was on cloud nine, walking on air.
Chapter 18
Mia
Scott and Eric Maxwell were nothing like I'd imagined. I thought they'd be similar to James, both in looks and behavior. When I finally got to meet them, however, I was pleasantly surprised they weren't. Sure, they had that elite aura about them like James, which awed anyone who happened to encounter them. And physically, they were tall and muscular like James too, but that was where the resemblance ended.
Scott was a hunky, blond-haired, light brown-eyed charming man that screamed sex appeal like a lion on testosterone. I had to do a double take because he was so gorgeous--as in drop-dead gorgeous--even I found it hard to tear my gaze from him. He was the type that could make a girl come in ecstasy with just a cheeky smile or wink. The moment I saw him, I knew he was both the easiest to get along with yet the hardest to get close to of all three brothers.