Chapter 2
SLOANE
Our bed was empty when I climbed into it last night and it’s empty still when I wake. My stomach twists at the betrayal, the soul-deep knowledge that my husband spent the night in another woman’s bed.
Mia called. She’s in trouble.
Staring up at the ceiling, I snort out a bitter laugh. Trouble. Right. The kind of trouble that can only be solved with Daddy’s cock.
I swallow the tears that burn at the back of my throat.
It’s my own fault, really. I knew who Ethan was when I married him.
And I tried, so hard, to be what he needed from me.
But every Daddy from my lips felt like knives scraping my throat raw and the one and only time I let him put me in a diaper I lost the contents of my stomach all over him.
We’ve tried to make it work, despite all that. For a decade now we’ve worked on building a life together, on being happy together. And for a while, I thought we might make it.
Clearly, I was wrong.
Annoyed with myself for even caring when he so clearly does not, I climb out of bed to start my day.
Ethan’s business brings in more than enough for us to not only live but live well, which has given me the freedom to do basically whatever the fuck I want.
So today, like most days, I’ll be holed up in my studio, working on my newest commission.
Artwork for an author who wants a very “not safe for work” scene from their upcoming book brought to life.
Once I’ve showered and dressed, I make my way down to the kitchen for breakfast.
And stop cold at the sight that greets me.
I’ve seen photos of Mia Whitaker before.
But nothing could have prepared me for the heart-stopping beauty of her in the flesh.
Pale gold ringlets frame a face God himself must have wept at when he formed it—perfectly heart-shaped with high cheekbones and full, pouty lips.
One of Ethan’s old shirts hangs nearly to her knees, though the size of it does nothing to hide the lush curves beneath.
And when she looks up at me, the green-gold of her eyes nearly knocks me to my knees.
Jesus. No wonder Ethan went running when she called. I’d cheat on me too.
“Hi.” Her voice is as sweet as the rest of her, as is the shy smile curving her lips. “You must be Sloane. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Mia.”
“I know who you are.” The words come out harsher than I intend for them to, probably because my entire body is a haze of arousal. Mia flinches, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Feeling like a complete asshole, I force a smile and try to soften my tone. “Are you hungry? I was just getting ready to make some breakfast.”
“Yes, please.” Her bottom lip puffs out in the cutest fucking pout I have ever seen. “I wanted cereal but Da—Ethan said I had to have some protein first.”
So Ethan isn’t the only one who still thinks of himself as Mia’s Daddy. Or the only one who clearly hasn’t moved on.
I should be pissed about that. But what I am is the farthest thing from angry I’ve felt in nearly ten years.
As I watch her, this adorable little thing wearing my husband’s shirt and looking so fucking sweet I’m worried I’ll have a dozen cavities at my next dentist appointment, I feel a flutter of hope in my chest.
A plan forms in my mind and I wink at the sweet little cherub who might just be the answer to all my prayers. “What Ethan doesn’t know won’t hurt him. What kind of cereal do you want?”
Mia’s whole fucking face lights up as she bounces on her toes. “Fruity Pebbles!”
“Hmmm.” Opening the cabinet where we keep a couple boxes of sugary cereal stashed for whenever I have a craving, I scan the contents. “I don’t have those. How about Cocoa Puffs?”
“Okay!”
“Go sit at the table and I’ll make you a bowl.”
With a bounce in her step, she does exactly as I’ve told her and settles at the small nook in the corner of our kitchen. She’s so short, her feet don’t even touch the ground and she swings her legs as she hums happily.
Fucking. Adorable.
As soon as I set the bowl in front of her, she digs in with more of those happy little sounds and I almost feel bad about my plan.
Almost.
With her settled, I go about the business of making my own, much healthier breakfast. And wait.
Ethan’s heavy footsteps in the hall alert me to his presence a few moments before he steps into the kitchen. From the corner of my eye, I watch him go still, his gaze flicking between me and Mia, clearly torn on who to approach first.
But instead of the clawing jealousy I felt upstairs, now I’m simply curious to see who he chooses. And when it turns out to be me, I feel none of the smug satisfaction I expected to but rather a stabbing disappointment that I’ll have to wait even longer to watch my plan in action.
“Morning, baby,” he rumbles as he bends down to brush a kiss over my cheek.
“Morning. I see you retrieved our guest.”
“I did. She’s staying in the playroom.”
Now my heart does twist painfully. I’ve refused to step foot in that room, perfectly built for Ethan’s dream Little girl, ever since Ethan and I realized how unsuited I was to fill that role for him.
Mia, on the other hand, is so perfect for that role and that room, I can’t help but wonder if he actually built it for her.
That thought doesn’t quite sit right with me, so I push it out of my mind with a smile. “Good. She should feel right at home.”
I watch from the corner of my eye as Ethan’s lips dip down into a frown. “I wasn’t expecting you to be so… amenable.”
Another of those painful twists in my heart at the realization my husband thinks so little of me. “You couldn’t very well put her out on the street. We have the space and a room that suits her. Why wouldn’t I be amenable?”
Ethan hesitates, clearly unsure of how to answer. “No reason, I guess. But I promise she’ll be on her feet and out of our hair soon.”
“What happened?” Last night, I couldn’t have cared less about why she called, but now I find myself wanting to know everything there is to know about the adorable little sprite.
“The guy she was living with hit her.”
Fury boils in my veins. “He hit her?”
“Yeah.” A muscle jumps in my husband’s cheek, a sure sign he’s fighting his own temper. “Backhanded her for getting sassy or some bullshit. I don’t think she was safe there. But she won’t be here long, I promise. She just needs a few days to figure out her next steps.”
Well, shit. My plan, such as it is, heavily depends on Mia staying for more than just “a few days”. And the thought of her going back to that… I can’t even call him a man. The thought of her going back there fills me with rage. “No rush. She can take as long as she needs.”
Eyes narrowing, Ethan moves closer, boxing me in as he drops his voice to an even lower rumble. “What are you up to, Sloane?”
My heart picks up its pace, an intoxicating mixture of arousal and fear I’ve never felt before pumping through my veins as I smile serenely up at my husband. “Nothing. I’m just saying, there’s no point in rushing her.”
Another long silence, followed by his grunt of agreement. “All right.”
Turning away from me, he moves toward Mia. But when he stops, a low, annoyed growl rumbling in his chest, I have to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
“What are you eating, little girl?”
“Cocoa Puffs!” Mia replies cheerfully, as if she has no idea how much trouble she’s landed herself in. To be honest, I’m not sure how much trouble she might be in, but I’m dying to find out.
“And did you have any protein first?” Ethan asks, his voice taking on that hard edge it does when he’s pissed.
“Umm…” Uncertainty colors Mia’s words. “Well, the milk has protein.”
It’s all I can do to smother the laugh that bubbles up in my chest. Cheeky little brat. No doubt she gave Ethan hell when they were together.
Turning, I plaster on my most serious face as I shake my head. “I tried to tell her you wouldn’t be happy about the cereal.”
Across the room, Mia’s mouth falls open in shock at my betrayal. Between us, Ethan frowns and crosses his arms over his chest. “Is that true, Mia?”
“No!” Tears shimmer on Mia’s lashes and her bottom lip trembles in a way that has my pussy throbbing with need. God, she’s so fucking cute I can’t stand it. “I told Sloane you said I had to have protein first, but she said what you don’t know wouldn’t hurt you.”
Despite not being the least bit submissive, my stomach clenches at the thunderous look on my husband’s face as he turns to glare at me. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Sloane, but it stops now. Am I understood?”
A denial burns on my tongue. But there’s really no use in voicing it since I was, in fact, playing a game.
So instead I shrug, as if our very future doesn’t hinge on him following the plan I’ve laid out for him in my mind. “Sure.”
Turning away from me, Ethan jabs a finger in Mia’s direction. “From now on, protein before sugar in the mornings. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Seemingly satisfied with her answer, Ethan storms out of the kitchen again. Leaving me to wonder how the fuck I’m supposed to get my husband and his ex-girlfriend in bed if he won’t even spank her.
Ethan
What the fuck has gotten into my wife?
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she wanted me to spank Mia. But that can’t be right. What kind of woman dangles that kind of temptation in front of her husband?
Maybe it was a test, to see how I’d react. If it was, I can’t help but feel like I failed. Not because I didn’t take the bait, but because I wanted to, so badly.
God, I’m such a fucking asshole.
Having Mia here is clearly too much of a temptation. One way or another, I need to get her the hell out of my house.
Sooner rather than later.