by Alexa Hart
“No way. This room is about as inviting as a bank safe.”
Lily looks at me. “I don’t understand.”
“We’re taking this meal to go.”
“The security men won’t let us go out after 8 pm. Daddy’s rule.”
“I’m not imagining us going far. How about a picnic in the living room? We can enjoy the city lights.”
“The rule is no eating in the living room.”
“Geez, your dad has a lot of rules. Kids are supposed to have some space to have a little fun,” I say.
Lily giggles again.
“What?” I ask.
“It’s Aster’s rule,” she picks up the bowl. “And like Samson says, it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
I wink at her. “Samson is such a wise dog!”
I pick up my bowl and the basket of bread and we head into the living room. I dish out a little of the beef and broth into a small dish for Samson, who seems totally tickled by the whole event. We sit cross-legged on the floor and I miraculously figure out how to turn on the very fancy stereo to play some Tchaikovsky while we enjoy our stew. Lily tells me all about her favorite ballets and I find out that Dax has taken her to see many of the shows himself, I’m glad he seems to make so much time for Lily even though he’s clearly a very busy man.
When the doorbell rings, I stand up. “I’ll get it.”
I head over to the foyer and open the door. I don’t know who I am expecting, but I never imagined it would be the young, handsome man on the other side of the door. He looks a lot like Dax, only younger and far less serious. He has a boyish quality to him when he grins at me, a boyishness that Dax lacks.
“And who are you?” The man asks. He’s wearing casual clothes, that are obviously designer labels and has sunglasses resting on top of his head. He looks like a stereotypical, rich, playboy that belongs on a yacht somewhere.
I look over his shoulder into the hallway, but I don’t see any of the security guys there.
“I think that’s something I should ask you.” I say. I have no idea what the protocol is in a situation like this and am now wondering if I should have opened to door at all. I hear the patter of Lily’s feet behind me and consider quickly slamming the door and calling Dax for help, but to my surprise, Lily takes one look at him and gives a little squeal of happiness.
“Uncle Finn!” She says, as she rushes over to give him a hug.
“Hey there, Lily! Happy that someone here is glad to see me.”
“You’re her Uncle?” I ask, flabbergasted. I’d forgotten that the gossip around Dax involved a younger brother, I guess this dashing playboy must be him.
“I am. But you still haven’t told me who you are?” He says. “Usually the only beautiful women Dax can land are the ones he steals from me.”
“Don’t tease her!” Lily scolds. “Daddy says Finn has terrible taste in women.”
“He does not say that! Does he?”
Lily takes his hand and drags him inside. “Come on. We’re having a picnic,” she says. “Are you hungry?”
“I actually just came by to chat with your dad really quick.” He looks me over and grins boyishly again. “But suddenly, I’m famished.”
He steps inside and I smile back. It’s a relief to be with a Hardin brother who doesn’t feel the need to play coy all the time.
“Just for a few minutes,” I say. “It’s getting late. We take Lily’s bedtime very seriously around here, as I’m sure you know.”
“I see you’ve already gotten a lecture from Aster.” Finn says. “She’s a terror,” he leans in and whispers. “But I think it’s kind of hot.”
Lily makes Finn a bowl of stew and he joins us cross-legged on the floor in the living room. He oozes charm as he tells one amazing story after another about Dax as a kid.
“And what about you?” Finn asks. “What’s your story?”
“Hannah’s really cool. She’s a ballerina.”
“Retired,” I say.
Finn cocks his head. “And how does a retired ballerina come to be working for my brother?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind hearing it. Maybe you could tell me sometime. Over coffee?”
“What the hell is going on here?” A gruff voice interjects.
I look up to see Aster and Dax standing in the hall. Aster is glaring daggers at me and Dax looks almost just as angry, but he’s not glaring at me the way Aster is. He’s got his sight set on Finn.
“What are you all doing?” Aster asks. “That’s a Ziegler Mahal rug your disgusting dog is drooling beef bourguignon all over. Unbelievable. Lily, you know better!”
I stand up fast and try to hide the dishes behind me. It doesn’t help that Samson takes that opportunity to start licking them, causing the dishes to clank together. Way to read the room Samson.
“It wasn’t Lily’s fault. The picnic, it was my idea. And I’m sorry. You can dock my pay over the carpet.” I try to shoo Samson away from the bowls with my foot, but I just end up knocking one of the dishes over and sending Samson licking the carpet where some soup had just splattered. Aster looks as if I’ve literally smacked her in the face.
“Your paycheck for a year wouldn’t cover the cost,” she scoffs.
I blink. “Okay, either you don’t pay your nannies enough or you really overbid on this rug.”
Finn stands up. “Relax, Aster. I’ll pay for the rug. I stopped by and you know I can’t resist causing a little trouble.”
“It’s your best skill,” Dax says icily.
“Whoa there, what’s got you all fired up?” Finn asks, chuckling.
“Enough,” Dax’s voice is as chilled as I have ever heard it. “Lily it’s past your bedtime. Finn, go home. I’ll call you tomorrow. Aster, we have work to do.”
As Finn leaves, he calls out. “I’m serious about that coffee. I’ll be in touch.” He winks at me and I glance nervously over at Dax, who looks like he might punch a wall, or worse, his brother.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the Bastard of Boston is jealous.
Chapter 16
Hannah
After I put Lily to bed, I try to get some sleep, but my head is reeling. First, from the obvious flirtation from Finn and second from what one might interpret as jealousy from Dax. But that doesn’t make sense. After all, he said this whole nanny sham was to show everyone that he doesn’t care about me. I am just an employee, right? So why does he care if his brother flirts with me? What happened between us that first night clearly isn’t going to happen again, and that’s fine with me, because I don’t want it to. If Dax wants nothing more than a professional working relationship with me then I don’t want any more than that either. But if that’s true, how come I can’t sleep?
Around midnight, I slip my clothes back on and head back out into the living room to survey the rug damage. It’s a bit late for my skirt and blouse, but the last thing I need right now is for Aster to catch me traipsing around in a nightie. I find a little seltzer and baking soda in the kitchen and try to pat the stains out, but I don’t have much luck. I have a feeling that Aster is going to force me to add this overpriced rug to my long list of debts. I sigh. Nights like tonight, I miss my mother more than ever. I very quietly play a little Satie on the stereo and stand staring out the huge windows, I like the view of the harbor best. My mom always loved sailing, or at least she claimed she did. She could never afford for us to go so I just took her word for it. I always dreamed of taking her out when I made it big as a dancer. A little thank you for all her years of believing in me, but like many of my dreams, that one is not going to come true.
As I look out over the lights of the city, I can feel him even before I hear him. A warm prickle of heat on my neck that spreads through my veins and heats up between my thighs. I watch in the reflection of the windows as he comes into the room and stands behind me, a drink in his hand. His dress shirt is unbuttoned at the neck and he seems much more relaxe
d than he was earlier this evening.
“Is Aster gone?” I ask.
“It’s past midnight,” he says, a non-answer I find infuriating. “How did it go today,” he asks as he sips his drink.
“Good,” I nod. “Lily is an amazing kid.”
“She texted me three times today telling me how much she likes you and begging me not to fire you.”
“I thought the phone was just for emergencies. Was I at emergency-level danger of being fired?” I laugh.
“I don’t normally accept so much insubordination. And I’ve never seen Aster lose her temper so easily before.”
“Yeah, she’s really into this rug.”
I can see his expression harden even in the reflection of the glass. “You should respect the rules here. They’re for your own protection.”
“I don’t think I need protection from this rug,” I smile. “So... new idea. Maybe you should relinquish a little bit of control. It might help your turnover rate with the nannies. Lily says there’s been more than a few. Maybe extend the bedtime lockdown, allow a little color into your employees’ wardrobes…”
He chuckles. “Relinquishing control is not my style.”
“Styles can change. Just ask bell-bottom jeans and shoulder pads.”
He seems to be closer to me now. I swear I feel his breath on the back of my neck. I have to force myself not to groan with pleasure just from imagining him kissing my neck, moving his hands down to slide inside my panties…
“My style works very well for me. It’s gotten me this far. Maybe it’s you who should relinquish a little bit of control.”
“Fair enough” I say. I hope he can’t hear the catch in my breath. “It’s just fun to frustrate you.”
“Well, then you must be having a great time,” he says as he looks directly at me through the reflection of us in the glass. I feel my heart skip a beat. Possibly ten beats. This man makes me feel dangerously wild.
“But I do like this outfit,” he smiles. His rough hands reach down from behind me and unfasten the top button on my blouse. “It makes it easy to imagine undressing you.”
I gulp. “Is that something you imagine?”
I can feel Dax’s whole body pressed up against my back. He dips his hand down inside my bra and massages first one nipple then the other, both already hard from my filthy thoughts. I press my ass against him and feel his growing erection.
“Unfortunately, it’s something I can’t stop imagining,” he whispers. He takes one hand and slides it up my skirt and into my panties. As he touches me, I shudder in pleasure and press both of my hands against the glass. I know nobody can see us through the tinted windows, but it still feels dangerous and dirty to be doing this overlooking the entire city.
Dax kisses my naked shoulder and I shiver. “Have you been thinking about me?”
I nod. Emboldened, he cups my chin and turns me to face him, kissing me hard and deep. I can tell that he’s angry that he wants me, but I feel electrified by his need, his lust for me. It makes me feel like I finally have some power over Dax Hardin.
“Show me,” he orders.
I turn away from him again and slowly, gently tug my skirt down, then my panties so that his erection is pressed against my bare ass. He rubs his hands over my bottom, and then I hear the sound of his pants unzipping, I meet his eyes through the reflection. He’s angry at himself for giving in to me, I can tell. With a gasp, he pulls me back slightly by my hips and angles me forward enough to give him full access to my entrance.
He enters me, moving slowly, teasingly. I keep my hands pressed hard against the glass of the window so I can push back, our bodies grinding together in a natural, exquisite rhythm. He reaches down and plays with my breasts as we move, bringing me even more into delirious insanity. I’ve never been fucked like this before, no one has ever felt as good as Dax. He slides a hand around me and massages my clit, causing me to pulse and rock against him. He responds with his own deeper thrust. I come hard, my whole body shaking with raw pleasure. He chuckles as he lowers my satisfied body to the carpet and climbs on top of me. I know he can’t hold back anymore because he fucks me hard and unrelentingly, slamming into me like a man starved. He explodes into me with one final thrust and then collapses on top of me, kissing my neck and shoulder.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” he breathes into my ear.
He kisses me again, long and luxuriously and I can already feel another erection stirring against me. A part of me wants to ask what this all means, to take a step back and get some clarity about us so I don’t end up with my heart broken, but I’m afraid I’ll scare him off. The truth is, as much as I hate to admit it, I just want this man however I can have him. If it means just sex, I’ll have to learn to accept that.
He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around him.
“Where are we going?” I giggle quietly.
“If you think that window has a nice view, you should see the view from my bedroom,” he says.
Chapter 17
Hannah
The next morning, I wake up to find Dax already up and gone from his bedroom. I quietly tiptoe back to my room, it’s a bit early for Lily to be awake, but I’d be mortified if I ran into any of the security guys. When I get to my room, I see a new outfit laid out for me on the edge of my bed. It’s one of my own, but the lace underwear and bra are new. I wonder when he bought them, or if he made Carl or Hans go out in the middle of the night to pick them out. I chuckle. I see this as a bit of a truce between us and I’m happy to please both of us - though just to annoy him, I swap out the silk shirt he’s chosen for a different one I have hanging in my closet. After all, friction causes heat and if there’s one thing the two of us seem to be good at it, it’s this particular kind of alchemy.
He’s sitting in the kitchen and when I finally come out he gives me a look that makes me want to hop onto his lap and pick up right where we left off last night. Unfortunately, Aster is in the kitchen too, slowly stirring her coffee and glaring at me like she wishes she could melt me with her laser eyes. I wonder if she knows that I didn’t sleep in my room last night. “We have work to do.” She coolly says to Dax, never taking her eyes off of me.
He looks me up and down, lingering his gaze on the unapproved shirt change, but keeping his expression neutral. It’s clear he wants to act like nothing happened last night and I understand why, but still, my heart sinks. Last night, somewhere between the first and third time we made love, I’d wanted so badly to find out what this all means to him, but the last thing I want is to seem clingy. Someone like Dax must be used to having women with no strings attached, and certainly, his dating history shows he prefers it that way. I’m afraid if I ask for more, I’ll be putting an end to this before we even start.
Lily comes out of her bedroom with Samson trotting at her heels and the chef places a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. Much to my surprise, she also sets down a plate of bacon on the floor in front of Samson.
“I thought that was a no-no,” I say.
“Mr. Hardin has approved it,” the chef says curtly.
I look up at Dax, but he’s busy texting into his phone, he stands up, kisses Lily on the forehead and grabs his briefcase. “Have a good day, Lils,” he says. He looks at me with total aloofness. “Ms. Gibbons,” he says with a slight nod. He takes off toward the front door with Aster following closely behind.
My heart sinks all the way to my stomach now. Did last night mean nothing to him? Just then my phone buzzes. I turn it over to look at the screen and find a text from Dax.
Tonight, you’ll pay for your insubordination. That’s not the shirt I picked out for you. A winking emoji follows the text.
I text back. Looking forward to it.
If this is all I can have of Dax Hardin, Bastard of Boston, I’ll take it. And I might even be able to convince myself that it’s enough.
Chapter 18
Hannah
The next month is like a dream. Lily really seems to blosso
m, and Dax says she’s more chatty and playful than he’s ever seen her. I’ve paired her and the brown-haired girl from her school, Rebecca together in dance class and they’ve managed to totally break through their collective shyness. They’ve forged the cutest little friendship and I’m so proud. They even have a playdate planned for this weekend and I don’t know who is happier about that, Lily or Dax. Even Samson, who is by nature the happiest dog in existence, seems to be enjoying the extra attention from Lily and the extra bacon from the chef. I mean, who doesn’t love bacon?
Dax and I have grown too. We don’t talk too much about the details of our relationship and it’s true that by day no one would think we are anything more than boss and employee, but we spend every night together. Yes, a part of me would like to know what exactly the two of us are playing at, but I’m afraid if I ask, I’ll get an answer I’m not ready to hear. The truth is, I am falling for him. No. Past tense. I have fallen. I know he doesn’t feel the same way. If he did, he wouldn’t keep me at arm’s length during the day, he won’t even call me Hannah when anyone else is around, for fuck’s sake! Despite his cool demeanor, I think Aster suspects something is going on between us, but besides shooting me looks meant to kill she hasn’t brought it up.
I know that the minute he finds out who my father is, this whole thing is going to blow up in my face anyway. He’ll hate me. But I ignore that reality. It’s too awful. I just can’t let him find out.
I haven’t seen Kiki much since I moved into the Hardin penthouse, just a couple of lunch dates while Lily was at school, but thank goodness for cell phones. I gave Kiki my new cell phone number, which is probably against the rules, but what Dax doesn’t know won’t hurt him. I had to come clean about everything, the motorcycle, the irresponsible one-night stand and the fact that somehow, overnight, I had managed to become the secret semi-girlfriend of the infamous Dax Hardin. Kiki was shocked, to say the least. She’s still isn’t a fan of the rose tattoo and she may never forgive me for completely disregarding her advice, but it’s nice to have someone to talk to about all of this. Kiki has always been there for me and she promises that she always will be, no matter how much danger I may be in.