Forbidden Desires Box Set
Page 86
“Hey, how was your piano lesson?” I asked with a smile.
“It was good. I am supposed to play for my family tonight, as per my instructor’s orders,” she said with excitement in her brown eyes.
“That sound like a great idea,” I said with a grin. “We could all dress up and watch you play.”
Willow glanced at me with a semi-horrified look on her face, which gave me the distinct impression that it wasn’t actually a good idea. “Or not?” I asked carefully.
“I don’t know. I just don’t really feel like being fussed over today,” she answered with a shrug.
“Is everything okay? Did something happen?”
“No, I just don’t feel like doing anything today,” she answered as she buckled her seatbelt.
“Are you sure, because you can always talk to me if something is bothering you?” I asked.
“I know,” she said quietly. “It’s just that…”
I raised my eyebrows expectantly at her, waiting for her to continue.
“Technically, Daddy is my only family, so I’d only be playing for him,” she said quietly.
I didn't feel in any way offended by what she said, as it was true. It was just her and Dillon – family-wise. She didn't have any brothers or sisters, and her parents were divorced so she only had one parent. “Oh, honey. I understand what you’re saying and technically you’re right, but family isn’t always just people who are related to you.”
“It isn’t?” she asked with a frown, “because in health class, that’s exactly what it means.”
“Let me tell you something,” I said with a smile, trying to reassure her. “I am also an only child. I didn't have any brothers or sister, and my cousins lived too far away from us to ever visit us. Growing up was lonely for me.”
“What did you do?”
“I surrounded myself with other people I could trust, like my friends. They became like family to me, because they were always there for me and I could depend on them to be in my corner when I needed them to be, and even when I didn't,” I explained.
“Wow,” she said simply. “Then you’re my family too, right, Malia?”
I placed my hand over my heart and smiled. “I will always be here for you, no matter what. Okay?”
Willow nodded and smiled slightly. “We should get going. I have to prepare for my performance.”
My smile widened and I nodded. “Let’s go, maestro.”
As soon as we drove up the driveway to the garage, I was surprised to see Dillon’s car in the driveway, and wondered whether he was okay. He rarely got home before six in the evenings, and when he did, something had happened at work. Every time he had come home earlier, he had suffered from either a migraine of a terrible headache, so I already felt sorry for him.
We quietly entered the house, and I told Willow to lower her voice until we figured out why Dillon was home early. I glanced around me, but didn't see him as we entered the kitchen.
“I’m going upstairs. I have an invitation to make.”
“Okay, but just keep your voice down,” I said.
“I will,” she answered quietly and stepped softly on the wooden floors.
I walked through the kitchen and glanced out the sliding doors, but still didn't see him. I figured he was in his bedroom, dosed on Relpax and Zomig, a powerful and effective combination of tablets to treat his migraines. Normally it would knock him out for a few hours, but it worked like a charm.
I noticed the warming oven was on and as I opened the oven door, the delicious aroma of grilled chicken and potatoes filled up the kitchen instantly and I pursed my lips.
“Hey, you’re back,” I heard behind me and whirled around.
Dillon came from the pantry door, looking wide awake, no migraine. He looked good, much better than he did the past few days and I was happy about that. It was good to see him without the dark circles under his eyes.
“Did you do this?” I asked and pointed to the oven.
“Why do you look so surprised?” he asked with a grin.
“Because in the three years I’ve worked here, Ive never seen you cooking,” I answered.
He chuckled and confessed, “YOu’re right. I didn't do that, but I did go fetch it at the restaurant.”
“Wow! Are you okay after that? You didn't over-exert yourself by being normal?” I joked.
He laughed and shook his head. “Very funny. Where’s Willow?”
“Well,” I answered and placed my hands on my hips, “she’s up in her room making you something. She’s doing a special performance for us tonight. Her piano instructor said she had to play for her family. So we’re getting dressed up all fancy-like and she’ll play for us.”
A smile formed on his lips and he glanced at me intently. There was something in his eyes that tried to lure me in, but I was careful not to allow it. Not just yet.
“Was that your idea? The dressing up part?”
“Kind of. She wasn't in the best moods when I went to pick her up,” I said and he frowned. “Her piano instructor told her to play for her family, and she was just a bit upset because you’re the only family she had. I told her that people don’t have to be related to be family, and she seemed to understand that.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he said in a low tone.
I shrugged my shoulders modestly and pouted.
“No, I’m serious. What the hell would we ever do without you, Malia?” he asked.
“Celery you can pick up food without me, so there’s that,” I answered.
“Daddy!” Willow exclaimed and Dillon turned around.
“There’s my girl,” he said and she ran to him with a red and black card.
“Hey, Daddy. How ’s your head?”
He glanced at me with a frown and I said, “We thought you were home early because you had a migraine again.”
“Ah, I see.”
“But you’re okay.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Good,” Willow said and handed him the card in her hand. “This is for you.”
“Wow, did you do this?”
“Yes,” she said with a nod and handed me one as well, which took me a little by surprise. “You get one too.”
I glanced at Dillon for a second before opening the card. Inside, in her near-perfect handwriting, she cordially invited us to her piano performance at eight, and I smiled. “This is beautiful, Will.”
“I know,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re both coming, right?”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said.
“Could we have dinner first, I am starving?” Willow asked.
“Of course,” he answered.
Dillon
Dillon
Watching Willow play the piano was something I still couldn’t get over. She looked so grown-up while her fingers danced across the keys, and although I didn't want her to grow up too fast, I was extremely proud of the beautiful girl she had become. She wore her favorite light blue Cinderella dress, looking like a princess, perched up on the piano stool. Her feet couldn’t quite reach the bottom pedals of the piano, but she didn’t need it until next year, which I was pretty sure she’d be able to reach by then.
Although I was completely enthralled by the perfect music Willow expelled from the piano, I couldn’t help but be incredibly distracted by Malia sitting beside me in a figure hugging black dress with a plunging neckline. Her hair was pinned in an elegant bun at the nape of her neck and her skin was flawless.
When the notes faded into silence, I stood up, Malia following suit and we clapped as hard as we could. Malia even cheered beside me and her enthusiasm was intoxicating.
Willow slid off the stool and did a cute little curtsy, while smiling proudly.
“That was amazing,” Malai said and walked over to her, giving her a big hug.
“You liked it?”
“We loved it,” I interjected. “I couldn’t have played it better myself.”
Willow smile
d happily and twirled around in her dress. She suddenly stopped and glanced at the clock. “Daddy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Normally I would ask you if I could stay up later, but I’m really tired. Can I go to bed?” Willow asked.
Malia and I exchanged puzzled glances and Malia nodded. “Sure, honey. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I think the excitement was too much,” she answered and hugged me.
“Do I need to come up and read you a story?” I asked.
“Stories are for babies, Daddy. I read real books,” she retorted and left me feeling left behind and redundant.
Malia patted my shoulders as she walked passed me to the kitchen. “Don’t worry, she’ll always need you, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.”
I turned around and glanced at Malia as she opened the fridge, taking out a tray of strawberries.
“I know I’ve working a lot lately and haven’t been spending time with Willow like I should be, but I’m working on it.”
She raised her hands and said, “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Dillon. My dad used to work a lot as well when I was a kid, so I get it. You don’t have to apologize or anything.”
“I know, but I’m just putting it out there, before you think I’m a terrible father who puts my job before my kid,” I said and walked over to her.
“In the three years I’ve known you, I never for one second thought you were a terrible father. You’re giving her everything she needs, so you’re doing perfectly fine,” she said to me.
I glanced at her, smiling slightly and nodded. It was nice to hear her say something so honest and complimentary to me, which meant more to me than she could have ever imagined.
She smiled slightly and turned on the burner, placing a small saucepan on it.
“What are you making?”
“I have a craving for something sweet,” she said as she broke a block of chocolate into the saucepan. “Would you like some?”
“Sure,” I answered.
I sat down on the high stool and watched as she stirred the chocolate until it was fully melted. She turned the burner off and started to dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate.
I was amazed how quickly she worked, and I simply watched her, not saying a word. Even if I wanted to, there would no words coming out of my mouth. I had to admit, my gaze rested on her cleavage more than once, and I could feel myself getting turned on by her.
“Do you want to help?” she asked quietly, her voice almost a whisper.
“No, I think you’re doing a stellar job on your own. I’d just mess it up.”
“Messes aren’t always bad, you know,” she said, and it sounded rather suggestive to me, but then again, I was horny as fuck, so anything would sound suggestive to me at that moment.
I didn't answer her, but continued to watch her as she worked.
“Here,” she said suddenly, holding out a strawberry at me.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Just dip the damn thing,” she said and rolled her eyes.
“Okay, okay,” I surrendered and joined her on the other side of the counter. I took the strawberry from her and dipped it in the chocolate.
“That’s it. See, that wasn’t too hard.”
You have no idea, I thought to myself, feeling the pressure of my erection against my pants.
She dipped another one, but as she brought it up for it to cool down for a moment, a blob of chocolate dripped from the tip of the berry and landed right in-between her tits.
“Oh, shit,” she muttered. “That’s kinda hot.”
Fuck yeah it was.
She reached for the chocolate and wiped it off her skin with her fingers.
“You should wash that off,” I said, slightly entranced. “Let me.”
I was being forward, and inappropriate, but I didn’t care. I grabbed the damp cloth that hung over the edge of the sink and walked back to where she stood, chocolate on her fingers. I didn't know where my sudden burst of confidence came from, but I wasn't complaining. I was just being helpful, right?
I gently wiped the chocolate off her skin and glanced up at her. Her eyebrow was raised and she cocked her head at me. Her lips were slightly pouted and I had to fight every ounce of my being not to kiss her. I took a step back and lowered the cloth.
“Thanks,” she whispered and slowly sucked the chocolate of her fingers.
I could practically feel her lips around my cock and stool another step back. This was taking a turn for the worst and I knew I had to back away as much as I could.
“Are you okay?”
Was I okay? I just wiped chocolate from her chest, and watched her lick chocolate from her fingers while I was standing a few feet from her.
I was okay, and I wasn't okay, if that made any sense.
“Sure,” I answered breathlessly, and pressed the damp cloth against my face.
“You look a little pale,” she pointed out.
I would think so, because all the blood was in my crotch area.
“I’m fine.”
“Can I take that?” she asked and held her hand out to me. “The cloth.”
“Oh, right, sure.” I handed her the cloth and she wiped her hands.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I had to stop this, right now. I couldn’t have thoughts and desires like this for Malia. She was Willow’s nanny and I didn’t want to ruin a good thing. I didn’t want things to be awkward around the house, or around Willow, by doing something with Malia. I just couldn’t help it. I hadn’t felt this attracted to a woman for a long time.
Sure, there had been women I had been on dates on, and had one night stands with, but this was different. This was way more intense than any of that. This was overwhelming and there was no way to go back from this, if I were to do something.
“You’ve got a little something on your cheek,” she said and touched her own cheek. Before I could even reach my hand up, she walked over to me. “I’ll get it.”
I expected her to wipe my cheek with the cloth, but she use her finger instead, much to my dismay and relief. It was a strange feeling inside me and I exhaled slowly.
She was much closer to me than I would have ever imagined, and the magnitude of dirty thoughts inside my head was staggering.
I felt her breath on my face, and as I lowered my gaze to her breasts, I watched as they moved with every ragged breath she took.
“Hey,” she said and I diverted my eyes. “My eyes are up here.”
“Sorry,” I cringed. I felt an oncoming slap, because to be honest, I probably deserved it.
Instead, she simply stared into my eyes, her blue eyes drowning every chance I had to not do anything inappropriate.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she demanded with the confidence of someone who was in complete control.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because once I say those words there is no going back from there.”
“We’re both adults,” she whispered and placed the damp cloth on the counter. She placed her hands on her hips.
“I can’t do this,” I said and weaseled myself away from her. I paced the kitchen for a short while, composing myself, slowly pacing around the kitchen. “You’re Willow’s nanny. I can’t do that to her.”
Malia turned to me and leaned against the counter. There was a strange expression on her face that I could only imagine was hurt and rejection. “It’s not because you’re not hot or attractive, because holy shit, you are. You turn me on and drive me crazy. I’m going out of my mind right now,” I said to her and took a deep breath. “I just can’t though. It’ll be like betraying my daughter, her trust and everything.”
Fuck, I was stuttering, making me sound like a goddamn teenager. I had to stop, get my shit together and then talk.
“It’s okay. I didn't expect you to do anything,” she shrugged and turned away.
“Malia, wait,” I called out to her.
“Why, Dillon?” she asked.
“You’re beautiful, okay. Don’t think that this has anything to do with the fact that you’re not good enough for me, or too young for me, or…” My voice trailed as my words seemed to run out, and I placed my hands on my hips.
“I didn't think any of that, but thank you for bringing it to my attention,” she muttered.
“That’s not what I meant,” I said firmly and she glanced at me with attentive eyes. “This has nothing to do with you, or me.”
“It’s Willow, I get it,” she forced a smile. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Malia-”
“Good night, Mr. Marsh.”
Her words stung like swords in my back as she turned and left the kitchen. I called her back, but she didn’t even turn around. I was a bit disappointed in myself that I had upset her, even though she said she was fine.
I knew by now that when a woman said she was fine, she was far from it. I walked up the stairs, but headed to Willow’s room. I peered inside and smiled as my daughter was sound asleep in her bed, her princess dress hanging neatly over her desk chair.
I stepped out of her room and walked to my bedroom. Malia stepped out into the hallway, still wearing her black dress, but her hair was hanging down her shoulders.
How I wished that I could kiss her at that moment, but I couldn’t.
A moral dilemma if there ever was one.
“I just want to know one thing, and then we can pretend like this never happened, okay?” she asked.
“Okay.”
She pouted her lips, and placed her hands on her hips. “If I wasn't Willow’s nanny, would you have tried something with me?” she asked.
“In a heartbeat,” I admitted.
Her shoulders relaxed and she nodded slowly. “That was all I wanted to know,” she said and turned away.
“Wait.” I grabbed her arm and she spun around. “That’s it?”
“Yeah, that was all I wanted to know.”
“You’re not going to quit, are you? I asked in a slight panic.
She chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Marsh.”
“So we’re back to that?” I asked.
“You’re the one who has the moral dilemma, not me,” she said and she disappeared back into her room.