Chapter 14 – Addison
Chapter Fourteen
ADDISON
I wake to an empty bed. I shouldn't be as disappointed as I am, but I can’t help it. I need to pull myself together. Being around Carr has me doing and feeling things that are way out of character for me.
There’s something about that man that is irresistible. Things got way out of hand last night. The memory of what happened between us has me touching my lips, thinking about the way he kissed me. Then Carr gave me the best orgasm of my life. How do I come back from that?
I've touched myself before, but it has never been that intense. I sit up, wondering where he is. Then I remember this is a business trip. Not some family or romantic getaway. Carr has a job to do, and I'm part of that job.
The giant ring on my finger is a reminder of that. This is all fake. I need to keep reminding myself of that every chance I get. Getting wrapped up in some fantasy will only leave me with a broken heart.
I roll myself off the bed, getting dressed for the day before I leave the bedroom suite. It quickly dawns on me that Carr has left. I find a note on the table telling me he'll be back later and that some items will be delivered soon. He also had breakfast delivered here already for me. I'm able to take a few bites before Violet wakes up.
"Hey, baby girl." I lift her from the bed, snuggling her close. "I missed you." I press kisses to her cheek. I already have a deep affection for her, it's unlike any other child I've cared for. I'm becoming overly attached to everyone around me. What is wrong with me?
"You're just too cute to resist," I tell Violet in a baby voice as I change her diaper, giving her some raspberries on her tummy. She wiggles around, smiling and flapping her arms. "Come on. Let's get you a bottle."
Violet and I snuggle and play together until she dozes off to sleep. It's impressive how much a baby can sleep. I check my phone a few times, thinking Carr might text me, but nothing comes up. I refuse to allow my thoughts to be consumed by what that might mean.
When a knock sounds at the door, I remember that Carr said a delivery would be coming today. I check the peephole to see a woman holding an armful of bags. What all did he get? I open the door for her.
“Afternoon.” The woman gives me a bright smile. "I have the clothing your fiancé ordered for you." I step back to let her in. He told her I was his fiancée. That means nothing, Addison, I remind myself. This is all pretend. He’s only playing it up. Still that word rolls off his tongue so easily.
“For me?"
"Yes." I attempt to close the door, but a hand catches it.
“Sorry,” I tell the second woman, who has her arms filled with as many bags as the first lady.
“This can’t all be for me.” I watch as they set everything down.
“If something isn’t to your liking or you need another size, let me know.” She pulls out a card, handing it over to me.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling overwhelmed.
“Oh, it was very much my pleasure.” She bows to me before she and the other woman depart. I stare at the bags, not sure where to start or why he’s done this. Then another knock sounds at the door.
“Oh gosh.” There can't possibly be any more bags.
When I open the door and see Robert standing there, my stomach drops. No good is coming from this interaction. I quickly try to close the door, but he wedges his foot inside of it.
“Don’t be that way, Addison.” He pushes harder on the door. I have no option but to step back. Robert steps right in, allowing the door to close behind him.
“You need to leave.”
“You must be extra good at your job.” Robert’s eyes roam over all the bags and boxes. His words are clear and unmistakable, and they have nothing to do with my nannying skills.
“Leave or I’ll call hotel security,” I say again, standing up straighter and making my tone firmer. I want him to remain unaware of the extent to which he truly frightens me. I’m alone with him except for Violet, who is sleeping.
“I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say.” He lifts an eyebrow at me, but I don’t bite. I turn to go get the phone. Robert snags me by the arm, jerking me back. “Do you think you’re the first girl Carr has hired?”
“Knock it off.” I try to jerk my arm from his hold, but it doesn’t work.
"Soon, you'll become yesterday's trash, while he moves on to the next. That’s why he has the nondisclosure agreement.” I’m trying not to let his remarks creep into my head, but I know now that I’ve heard them, there’s no possibility of that.
“I didn’t sign one.”
He smirks. "Oh, just you wait.” Robert lets my arm go. “I know how Carr works. And honestly, I’m not too different.” He shrugs. “But I think we can come to a deal.”
"I don't want to make any deals with you." I can’t trust Robert. I know that.
“You’ll be blacklisted then. I’ll let the agency know along with every other one that you sleep with the babies' fathers. I’m guessing a whole lot of wives aren’t going to like that. I’m also sure it goes against company policy.”
“I haven’t slept with him.”
“Right.” He laughs, nodding toward the open bedroom door, where the sheets are still a tangled mess. “But it doesn’t have to be that way.” Robert takes a step closer to me and runs his finger down my arm. "Keep those pretty little ears open and get me the information I need; I can pay you well and keep your secrets."
“I think you should leave.” I step back.
"Yes,” he agrees, checking his watch. “I do have somewhere to be.” Robert walks over to the door. “I’ll see you tonight.”
With that, he’s gone, leaving me standing there. My phone goes off, and I rush over to it, thinking it’s Carr.
Unknown:
Ears open
What a freaking asshole. There is no way what he said about Carr can be true. Then again, I couldn't find anything out about his past love life. That could be because of nondisclosure agreements. I need to stop. That’s what Robert wants—to get into my head.
I hear the lock click and the door open. Carr steps through. When his eyes land on me, he smiles.
“Sorry, I didn’t think I’d be that long.” He glances at the bags. "Oh, everything came. Perfect. We have to go to dinner tonight at Mr. Yamamoto’s home. I thought you might want something more formal to wear.” Carr sets his briefcase down. “We’ll have to leave pretty soon. I was with him this morning, and we went over a few items.” He opens his briefcase. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” I walk over to him. Carr's face softens.
“It will be okay. I promise.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. I want to lean into his touch, but I don’t. “But before you go, you do have to sign a few things. It’s not a big deal, but it can be standard.” Carr pulls out a pile of papers from inside his briefcase.
Across the top reads Nondisclosure Agreement . Once again, for the second time today, my stomach drops.