Goddammit. Bacon and eggs and blueberry muffins have never tasted so good. Elizabeth piles bacon and eggs on her plate fill a mug halfway with coffee and then tops it off the rest of the way with creamer. She dumps a spoonful of sugar in it as well, bringing her food over to the table. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and the loose strands that fall around her face are begging to be pushed back.
She’s wearing black leggings and a tight black T-shirt, with a loose-fitting red-and-black flannel shirt over top. She’s effortlessly beautiful and I can’t find a single thing about her to complain about.
“Blueberry muffins are cliché.” She reaches for one, setting it on her plate. “But it was the only kind I could make. You guys must like blueberries.”
I smile as I finish chewing a piece of bacon. “Edward eats them like candy.”
“That’s good. Better than eating candy like candy.” S
I forgot about conning this man. I forgot about wanting to squeeze every penny I could and leave without so much as a look back. I forgot about my old life, about the shit I have to deal with on a daily basis.For the last four episodes of this scary-as-shit show, all I’ve been able to think about is first, we are probably going to die at the hands of evil spirits tonight, and second, Jonathan is so big and so warm and it’s taking every ounce of self-control I have not to move over and lean against him.I want to feel his hands on me. His lips against mine. I want to at the very least press my hand to his muscular chest and see if his heart is racing because mine is. And it’s not only from being scared of this show.It’s because I know I’m walking a fine line, one that puts me at risk. And I don’t take risks, not like this at least. When my heart is involved, I’m out. It hasn’t been an issue for me before, because
If there was ever a rational part of my brain, it’s now dead and buried six feet under. My cock has taken over, and right now it’s screaming at me to kiss Elizabeth. To take her in my arms, feel her breasts crush against my chest, to put my lips to hers and see if she tastes as good as I think she will.It plays out before me, and I imagine her in my lap, legs wrapped around my waist, pulling my shirt over my head. My cock jumps at the thought, and I inch in closer and closer.Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know this is a bad idea. She’s Edward’s nanny and hasn’t even been here that long I’m already trying to make a move on her. But it’s not like she’s uninterested, and I can say by the way she’s biting her bottom lip and is moving toward me that she wants this too.We shouldn’t. We really fucking shouldn’t.But dammit, I’m tired of holding back, of going to bed alone. I’ve
“Yes,” Maggie says, eyes meeting mine. I can see the relief on her face, and more importantly, the relief on Jonathan’s face. Poor little Edward is still sitting there with a spoonful of mashed potatoes hovering on his spoon in front of his face, not knowing what to think. “I do.”“How many cats do you have?” I flick my eyes to Jon’s not knowing if I should be apologetic for going into forbidden territory or not. He meets my gaze and offers a small smile.“Eight.”“Eight?” I echo.“One or two might be temporary.”Maggie’s fiancé, Tommy, raises an eyebrow. “Only one or two?” Maggie smiles guiltily. “They’re all so cute.”“I want a cat!” Edward says, face lighting up. He eats his mashed potatoes and bounces in his seat. “Fatherdy, can we take Dobby home?”“We’ll see,” Jo
I push Edward’s hair back, feeling bad that I forgot to take him for a haircut—again. It’s hard juggling everything, but now it should be easier. Elizabeth is here to help with housework, make dinner, and most of all, to care for the single most important person in my life.“Love you,” I whisper and kiss his forehead before quietly slipping out of his room. Light pours into the dark hall, coming from Elizabeth’s room. She’s sitting on her bed, with one hand pressed to her forehead and the other holding her mobile. I can say right away she’s upset.“Yes, I’m fully aware he needs that medication, but insurance denied it. I’ve been working on it and will pay out of pocket if I have to.” She pauses, listening to whoever is on the mobile. “Sure. If the doctor thinks he needs it, then yeah.” Another pause. I should go and not listen to her conversation, but I’m fighting hard against mys
I sit on the couch, twisting Ray’s yarn mane through my fingers. It’s worn and frayed by now, but the sensation still gives me comfort. I cheat and lie for a living but still take solace in a stuffed animal I’ve had since I was a child.Psychologists would have a field day with me.After going out for breakfast at the cutest little mother-and-pop diner this morning, Jon showed me around town, and we ended the tour at the library. Edward likes to play there, and we left with an armload of picture books, as well as a few paranormal romances for me.One of the books is on the coffee table next to me, and I intended on reading it. Edward fell asleep pretty quickly tonight, and once he was down, I took a quick shower, changed into my PJs, and came downstairs to have a cup of tea and read.It’s so domestic it’s weird.It’s not me at all and yet I’m finding myself liking this more and more. It’s putting me i
I put my squad car in park and get out, stepping into the quiet night that surrounds my house. It’s been a long week, and I’m looking forward to having the weekend off. The living room light is on, and I can see the fuzzy outline of Elizabeth sitting on the couch through the sheer curtains.Several pumpkins and a few pots of mums are on the porch steps, and it looks like she and Edward finished putting up the little graveyard scene in the lawn today, finally decorating for Halloween. She’s been here for two weeks now, and we’ve fallen into a good routine.A good routine that involves awkwardly avoiding the very obvious fact that we’re both extremely attracted to each other.We eat meals together whenever I’m home, and on the nights the sky is clear, Elizabeth goes outside to look at the stars. I’ve joined her a few times, but it’s harder and harder to keep my hands to myself and my heart in my chest whenever I&rsqu
“I don’t get it,” I say, cutting apart a piece of chicken. Well, if you can consider this over-processed mess chicken. “If the issue is he wants to get up and walk, then why can’t someone walk with him?” I stab a small piece of chicken on the fork and feed it to my father. “He wouldn’t fall then because someone would be helping him, right?”“Girl,” Corbin says, feeding two patients at once. “We are so understaffed I’m thrilled if we get through our shower list. You’re right, and it’s not fucking fair, but it’s all I can do just to get two aides to cover the south wing with me.”“It’s not your fault,” I say, making sure he knows I don’t hold any blame on him. Corbin works his ass off, as do many of the others here. The problem is there aren’t enough of them. This place is a dump, and nobody wants to work here. Unfortunately, most of the res
I zip up my coat, feeling chilled despite the warm sun beating down on me. Maybe I shouldn’t have ignored the fact that I woke up with a sore throat. But the day is over and I’m looking forward to going home and having dinner with Edward and Elizabeth.I call Maggie on the way and check on Bobby. He’s at their house and has been sleeping it off for hours. I remember the first time Tommy stayed with us while he and Morgan roomed together in college because his brother got himself into trouble with drinking. They’ve been trying to help Bobby get clean for so long. It’s starting to get hard to think he ever will.Elizabeth and Edward are outside when I get home, and she’s chasing him around like a zombie again. He fakes a fall, dramatically rolling through fallen leaves. Elizabeth sees me first and stops dragging one foot with her arms out in front of her. She smiles, and I have to work hard at ignoring the rush that goes through me, ma