MiaWhen I woke, it was to the sound of a child giggling delightfully and a light, warm breeze caressing my face. It was as if the little girl was teasing me, deliberately blowing air on my skin to annoy me with the intention of raising me from my slumber. I immediately knew who the culprit was. After all, this playful scenario had happened quite frequently since I’d arrived here in Los Angeles a few weeks ago, to live with the billionaire James Maxwell in his million-dollar mansion.My eyes fluttered open, an amused smile playing across my lips.“Morning, Aria,” I said softly.The little girl giggled some more, pleased I was finally awake as she had wanted.She enthusiastically replied, “Good morning, Mia. I’m so excited today. Oh, I can’t wait! I can’t wait!” She wiggled her little body in my bed. “Aren’t you excited too?” she asked. She had refused to leave since the first night I’d unintentionally become a part of this household—a part of this rich and influential family.That day
MiaI gritted my teeth and frowned darkly as I turned away in disgust. Surely the sight of the perfect woman reminded me just how lowly and unwelcome I was in this household where Sophie was concerned. Ever since the first day I’d met her, she had given me the cold shoulder, and now that I had returned—and furthermore, was living with James as his mistress—I was treated by her as a thing of abhorrence.I understood being a mistress to a billionaire was regarded as low taste, a profession similar to a prostitute, a vocation the majority found absolutely disgusting. I knew not only Sophie, but Ms. Lane, the cook, the two maids, as well as the gardeners and security guards who worked in this mansion were thinking along the same lines—that I was a leech, using my body to lure James into my clutches so I could suck his money from him for the sake of my new extravagant, luxurious lifestyle. Not that I had ever thought of doing such a selfish thing to James, or that this lifestyle I was lead
JamesJames watched his daughter with amusement as she happily skipped along the corridor, humming to herself. He glanced over his shoulder toward Mia’s bedroom and glimpsed his mistress getting out of bed.The sight of her slender body in sleeping shorts and a tank top burned in his mind, reminding him just how much he missed embracing her, kissing her, and making love to her.Fuck! But that kiss just now was fucking sweet. He thought he’d lose his mind if they were to continue. If Aria hadn’t turned up and interrupted them, he was sure he’d probably have thrown Mia on her back and fucked her then and there. It would have been one of the few good things that happened to him during these past few days.First there was his work at the Maxwell Group, which was driving him more than a little insane at the moment, simply because he’d been away for a bit too long. But he could very easily handle that. Hard work was nothing to him since dealing with business was in his blood. The thing that
JamesOnce he was in Aria’s bedroom, James concentrated on helping his daughter choose her wardrobe for the day, not that he was any good at it. He didn’t quite understand little girls’ tastes, not like he understood women’s fashion. He personally appreciated a woman’s body, Mia’s especially. And buying garments to fit that beautiful figure was a pleasure. His mistress might not know it, but she suited most clothing he bought for her. Seeing her wearing what he’d chosen made his heart glow with delight. Not that he had any qualms about ripping the expensive material to pieces simply to get his hands on her naked body either. It was thrilling and so fucking satisfying as he worked his way through what was keeping him away from what he desired most—the smooth, sensuality of her skin.He had just finished going through the wardrobe with his daughter when Sophie appeared, having finished drawing a bath for Aria. James noticed her shy smile, which was directed at him, and her nervous movem
JamesAlone with his daughter, he started getting her dressed. All the while, Aria was watching him with her innocent, childlike interest. A moment later, the little girl couldn’t help herself and asked, “Daddy? What’s wrong?”James pinched her cheek fondly, wondering if he should ask her about Sophie. He wanted to know if she was mistreating Aria. Fuck. He desperately wanted to know whether she was abusing her. Though he couldn’t see any sign of abuse anywhere on his daughter’s little body, but then again, abuse didn’t have to be physical. Condescending tone and words alone were considered abuse enough toward children, especially if those words were meant to hurt them emotionally. And that was what James was worried about. Emotional and mental harm was much worse than the external, physical type.But fuck! How the hell did one phrase those sorts of worries? Especially directed at a six-year-old girl?“Raise your hands for me,” he said as he picked up the light-blue Cinderella dress.
MiaIt was exactly half past eight in the morning when Aria, Sophie, and I headed out the front door. Walking beside me and holding my hand, Aria just couldn’t suppress her excitement as she sang out, “It’s going to be so much fun. It’s going to be so much fun.” All the while, she was skipping enthusiastically as we made our way toward the waiting car.Sammy and Alfie were tagging along behind us, and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy making them stay put. I wasn’t wrong about that. The pair took the opportunity when none of us were paying attention and barged toward the car with expectance.I shook my head in exasperation, and Aria giggled. She said, “They want to come too. How cute.”Yes, I thought it was cute too, but surely pets weren’t allowed in the vicinity of Disneyland?“Obviously, they can’t come,” Sophie said sternly, her neat brows drawing down in disapproval.She bustled past Aria and me toward the dogs and made shooing noises to get the two canines moving.“Go on. Back i
MiaAn hour later, we finally arrived at Disneyland. The moment we stepped through the bustling entryway, the excitement Aria exuded was certainly contagious, and I found I couldn’t hold back my own enthusiasm as we strolled along with the thick crowd. There were mostly kids, ranging from toddlers to young adult, along with their parents and sometimes their grandparents, which was cute.As a pro Disneyland guest, Aria was animatedly acting as my tour guide, pointing out all the different types of adventure rides, if she had ridden on any of them before or not and, if she had, whether she enjoyed them or not.Throughout the next six hours, I found myself by Aria’s and James’ sides, taking ride after ride. First we went on the Radiator Spring Racer, followed by Toy Story Midway Mania, which Aria really loved. After that, it was Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours, which I found I personally enjoyed. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad followed that, which were fun. Then the highly r
MiaI watched James pick up his daughter and carry her to the door. Poor Aria, I thought, smiling with adoration. She must have been exhausted after a full day out at Disneyland. And now after we’d arrived home about two hours ago, showered and changed, she had fallen asleep at the dinner table.With the room suddenly uncomfortably silent, I flicked my eyes to Sophie, who was sitting opposite me. I noted her gaze was glued on James the entire time as he was leaving the room. There was that something in the expression on her face that nagged at me—the way she smiled, the brightness of her eyes, and her flushed cheeks. What is it? I was sure it meant something personal…something deep.Then it hit me. Oh. My. Gosh. Sophie is in love with James!Instantly I felt sick to my stomach and my head began to swim. The delicious dinner I’d just had moments ago protested in my tummy, churning and threatening to come back out.Oh God! What? Really?I leaned forward and rested my forehead against my