12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
Millie
Lily and I are in the kitchen and I’ve just finished making a stack of crepes. “These are amazing!” she exclaims, devouring them like she hasn’t eaten in days. Peanut is bouncing around, hoping for some scraps.
“Want to play with Peanut for a bit?” I ask Lily and her eyes light up. “Yes, please!”
I let her play while I try to come up with some content ideas. My mind’s been a blank slate lately and it’s starting to stress me out. Around noon, I ask Lily, “Are you hungry?”
“Yes!” she says, jumping up.
“Wanna make some pizzas with me?” I suggest.
Lily’s eyes widen with excitement. “Yes!”
“All right, come here,” I say, helping her wash her hands. We gather the ingredients and start the process of making pizza from scratch. Flour is everywhere, sauce is smeared on little fingers and there is a lot of giggling.
“These look beautiful!” Lily exclaims, staring at the pizzas.
Her words hit me with an idea. I quickly grab my phone and snap a few photos of the pizzas with Peanut in the background. A short, funny piece for Bake Your Blues Away forms in my mind. Without overthinking it, I post it.
Minutes later, notifications start trickling in. I smile, turning the phone upside down and focusing on eating.
Lily’s inquisitive as always. “Do you know how to play hockey?”
“No,” I admit.
“My daddy can teach you,” she says confidently.
“Okay, I’ll tell him that.” I laugh.
“What sports do you play?” she asks.
“None, but I can do a cartwheel,” I say. “I’ll teach you after we eat.”
True to my word, we spend the next hour laughing and playing in the living room. Lily loves learning to cartwheel and I can’t stop laughing at her determined little face. Eventually, she wants to watch a movie, so I set up her tablet on the sofa and sit on the opposite side, listening to a romance audiobook while scratching Peanut’s belly.
My phone buzzes and I see a message from Jade. “Can’t wait to come hang out with the puppy!” she writes.
I smile and type back, “I’m currently babysitting for a hockey player.”
“Who?” she asks.
“If you meet me for drinks, I’ll tell you all about it,” I reply.
Jade texts back, “Going to a kickboxing class but maybe later. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I type.
Next, Chase sends me a selfie, lifting his scrubs to show off his sculpted abs. I blush at the sight of the spiral tattoo on his ribs I love to lick.
I miss you, Chase.
Miss you too, Millie. Can’t wait to see you tonight.
I’ll be right where you left me, babe.
How’s Lily?
She’s the sweetest little girl. She's doing great!
Ever think about having kids?
That’s an idea I’d be open to.
Interesting, Millie, interesting.
What's so interesting Mr.?
Oh, just that I’d have kids with you.
He adds a winking emoji and I smile, feeling warm. Then scold him playfully:
Stop being sweet and distracting. Focus on your work.
Then I send a selfie of me and Peanut. Lily looks over and asks, “Can I take a photo with you and Peanut?”
“Of course!” I say, and we take a cute photo together.
I think about sending it to Declan but get distracted when Lily asks, “Can we play a game?”
“Sure,” I say, setting aside my phone. We dive into a board game and time flies by. Before I know it, Declan’s back home.
“Hey, how was your day?” he asks, looking a bit worn out but happy.
“Good! We made pizzas,” I say, showing him the photos.
“They look great,” he says, smiling at Lily. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes, Daddy!” she exclaims, running to hug him.
“Great. I am so happy to hear that.” Then he reaches into his pocket to pull out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”
That takes me completely off guard. I was doing this as a favor to him, not for payment.
“No, it’s okay.” I smile. “Lilly and I had a great day.” The little girl hops up and down and nods eagerly.
“I can’t let you do this for free,” Declan says, looking serious.
I wave him off, laughing. “Given how much of your flour and other ingredients we used while we were baking, you should be charging me.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “I don’t mind you using my kitchen. It’s severely underused.”
“That’s generous of you,” I say, still smiling.
He takes a deep breath. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about this all day. It is just an idea so please hear me out.”
“Okay.”
“Can you take over as Lily’s full-time nanny? You two seem to have a rapport already. You can come every morning and leave at night. You might stay late sometimes, but I’ll give you fair warning beforehand and I’ll make sure to compensate you for the extra hours.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Declan, I already have a job.”
“This won’t interfere with your job,” he insists. “It’s just until I can find a replacement.”
Lily’s pursing her lips, giving me the most adorable puppy-dog eyes. I laugh, feeling my resolve weaken. “It’s not fair that you’re asking when your daughter is being so adorable. You know I can’t say no.”
“I’ll pay well,” he says, smiling. “I’ll give you six-thousand a month.”
My jaw drops. Six grand a month? That’s way more than I’ve been earning from my brand deals. This could really help my business. I start to make a list of all the things I could do with that money.
“And,” he adds, “you can use my well-stocked high-end kitchen to film and bake in for free.”
I’m silent for a moment, trying to process everything. “That’s a really sweet deal.”
“So, what do you say?” he asks, looking hopeful.
I sigh, knowing I need the money. “Okay, I’ll do it. But just until you find a replacement.”
Declan’s face lights up. “Thank you, Millie. Really.”
I smile back. “See you tomorrow, then.”
He grins. “See you tomorrow.”
I say goodbye to Lily and head to Chase’s apartment, Peanut tugging at his leash. When I walk in, the first thing I see is a huge bouquet of roses on the table and sushi set up next to it. Chase is showered and dressed down in a snug T-shirt and jeans, his tattoos peeking out on his arms and neck. God, he is so hot.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” I tell him, feeling a warmth spread through me.
He pulls me into his arms, his touch electrifying. “Every hour you’re not with me is torture.”
We kiss and it’s like the world melts away. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist, feeling the heat between us. Peanut curls up on the floor, already dozing off after a full day of playing.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, my breath hitching.
Chase smiles, that devilish grin that always gets to me. “I got sushi for a reason.”
“What reason?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“It’s cold, so I don’t have to worry about taking my time fucking you,” he says, his voice a low rumble that sends a thrill through my blood.
He carries me to his bed, gently laying me down. “I want to shower,” I tell him, but my resolve is already weakening.
“Just a moment, baby. Let me taste you,” he murmurs, dragging my sundress all the way up over my head. His lips trace a hot, wet path to my already damp thong. As he slides it off, exposing me to the cool air, I think to myself, I could totally get used to coming home to this.
His tongue makes contact with my mound, I gasp and my back starts arching. He takes his time, licking and kissing every inch of me until I’m trembling with need.
“Chase,” I moan, my fingers tangling in his hair.
“Fuck, you taste so good,” he growls, sending vibrations through me. He looks up at me with those piercing eyes and I’m lost.
Minutes stretch into blissful eternity as he brings me to the edge, again and again, until I’m begging for release. Finally, he lets me tumble over, my body shaking with pleasure.
He climbs up beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Now, about that shower…”
I smile, feeling sated and utterly loved. “Lead the way.”
As we stand under the hot water, I can’t help but feel grateful. This man, this moment, it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. His hands wander as I turn around to press my hands against the shower wall, peeking over my shoulder at him invitingly. He grins and steps close to me, his strong thighs bracing my legs as he enters me from behind.
I gasp as he rocks his hips to slide all the way home. The hot water pouring over our skin adds a delicious sensation to the pleasure building higher and higher within me. This angle makes him feel even larger than usual and I cry out as he starts stroking fast within me. He fists his hand in my hair and tugs my head back, pressing sharp, nipping kisses to my throat as he drives into me.
“God you feel amazing,” he groans, tugging at my hair and claiming my lips. The kiss is awkward and messy, and oh-so-hot.
“Chase, please,” I murmur, not even sure what I’m begging for.
He lets go of my hair and places his large hands on my waist, pounding into me. I scream his name as I come, feeling a spray of liquid run down my legs.
He grumbles with pleasure at this sign of his prowess and I feel his thighs flex as he surrenders to his own pleasure. He gasps my name, his lips pressed against my shoulder blade as he shakes and shudders.
Later, we sit at the table, eating sushi and talking about everything and nothing. It’s easy and comfortable, like we’ve been doing this forever.
“I could get used to this,” I say, echoing my earlier thoughts.
Chase grins. “Good. Because I plan on making sure you do.”
“I’m glad you think that, because you’re going to be seeing a whole lot of me now.”
“Okay, I already love the sound of that.”
“I got a job today.”
“Congratulations baby .”
“ Thank you! Don’t you want to know what the job is?” I ask, staring at him.
“I know I’ll be proud of whatever comes out of your mouth next so let’s just say the congratulations were guaranteed.”
This man! I’m smiling as I explain that I will be Lily’s nanny.
“See. I knew I would be proud. I like that I get to see you every day, and that girl is very fond of you already. I get it…you’re awesome.”
I feel heat rise up in my cheeks as I take another bite of my sushi.
We finish eating and then he pulls me onto the couch, wrapping me in his arms. Peanut hops up and curls into my lap, completing the picture of domestic bliss.
“You’re stuck with me now,” I tease, looking up at him.
“Best decision I ever made,” he replies, kissing the top of my head.
We settle into a comfortable silence, the TV a soft background noise as I think about the future.
With Chase, it feels bright and full of promise. It feels good to be valued. I think of all of the pain that I went through with Ryan. I’m so glad that chapter of my life is over.
As I drift off to sleep, I know that this is just the beginning of something incredible.