“Daddy! You’re home early again!” Elio shucks out of Sloane’s reach, racing toward me with one arm in his coat and the rest of it dangling free.
I chuckle as I dip down and gather him in my arms. “I wanted to come with you to your lesson.”
Truth is, I couldn’t concentrate at work after Sloane sent me a gushing text, thanking me for the dress and the treatments. I got Kate to send me pics of the outfit before she organized delivery to the penthouse, and I haven’t been able to stop visualizing Sloane wearing the stunning gold and silver lace gown. More worrying are the fantasies I’ve been imagining where I rip it off her gorgeous body and worship her smooth skin with my mouth, my tongue, and my cock. I’ve been half hard most of today, and I was practically useless at the office. Not that I need an excuse to come home early and take Elio to basketball, but I definitely had added incentive today.
“This is the best day!” Elio jumps up and down and dances.
“Thank you so much, Cristian.” Sloane stands alongside me as my son throws all kinds of funny moves. “I can’t believe you went to all that trouble for me.” Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are bright, and I’m relieved to see it. Her pale, vacant stare from earlier concerned me. I think Sloane is struggling with grief much more than she’s letting on. I’m glad I could help to lift her mood, even if it’s only temporary.
“It’s no trouble, and you already thanked me.”
“The dress fits perfectly, and it’s spectacular. I love it.”
“Kate took your measurements last time, and she’s very skilled at her job. I’m glad you like it.”
“I do, but are you sure it’s not too much?” She worries her lower lip between her teeth, and I long to pry it free and suck it into my mouth.
Not helping, Cristian. I silently chastise myself. “All the women will be wearing nice dresses,” I reassure her.
“Oh, good. I don’t want to stand out or draw attention.”
Has she truly got no idea how impossible that is? Sloane could show up wearing a sack and she’d still garner all the attention. She is exquisite even when dressed casually with no makeup on and her hair in a messy ponytail, like now.
“Daddy.” Elio tugs on my leg. “Can we go now?”
“Let me get changed, and I’ve got something to show you first.” I retrieve the tickets from my jacket pocket and hold them up. “Who wants to see the Knicks play tonight?”
“Me! Me! Me! This is the best day ever!” Elio squeals, bouncing up and down.
Sloane’s smile is affectionate as she watches my son.
“So, I thought we might grab some food after Elio’s basketball lesson before we head to the game, if you’re up for it?”
“You want me to come too?” she asks.
“Of course, unless you have plans.” My mood dips at the thought she might have plans with that asshole she’s seeing.
“I don’t have plans, and I’d love to come.”
“Great.” I press my mouth to her ear so Elio doesn’t hear. “I thought it might help to wear him out a little today. Hopefully, he’ll sleep in late and be slightly less energetic at the wedding tomorrow.”
Sloane huffs out a laugh. “It’s a nice thought, but I doubt it’ll work. He has boundless energy, and he’s already excited for tomorrow. He’s been telling me all about his cousins.”
“It’s worth a try,” I say, shrugging even though I know Sloane is probably right.
The night is magical, and I can’t help wondering what it’d be like if Sloane was a permanent fixture in both our lives. She just fits seamlessly into our world. I can easily imagine building a life with her if only I had met her under different circumstances.
But I didn’t, and she’s still off-limits, I remind myself though it doesn’t stop my mind from wandering as I wrap my dick in my fist in bed and jerk off to visions of my sexy nanny sliding up and down my cock as I fuck her hard against the wall.
When I get up the following morning to let the stylist in, I almost collide with a sleepy Sloane in the hallway. “I’ve got it,” I say, quickly skimming my gaze over her face. The bags under her eyes are becoming more pronounced, and I’ve got to do something to help with her sleep issues. She’s wearing a knee-length ivory silk robe that is clinched tight around her slender waist. Her nipples salute me through the thin material, and blood rushes south to my morning wood. Guess I’ll have to deal with that in the shower.
Sloane rakes her gaze over my bare chest, her attention lingering on my tattoos and the ripped muscles on my stomach. I work out regularly, and I know I look good, but her obvious pleasure as she takes her time ogling me does wonders for my ego. My cock leaks precum, and I really hope she doesn’t notice the damp patch on my sleep pants. “Go. I’ll show her to your room,” I say, angling my body so she doesn’t see the bulge I’m hiding.
“I checked on Elio,” she says, and her voice has a dreamlike quality to it as her gaze latches onto the deep V on either side of my hips. “Your plan worked. He’s still sleeping.”
“Good. Hopefully, he’ll stay like that for a while.”
The bell chimes again, and I drag myself away from my nanny, striding down the hallway and adjusting myself in my pants before I open the door and let the stylist in.
I take a long hot shower while Sloane is getting ready, jerking off in record time to visions of her on her knees with my cock in her mouth. I dress in sweatpants and a T-shirt before ordering fruit and pastries from a local diner, along with pancakes for my son. Then I wake Elio and give him a bath, redressing him in his pajamas just as our breakfast order arrives. I feed myself and my son and take a tray to Sloane’s bedroom, adding a mimosa I made for her. Figure a little Dutch courage might be in order, given the day.
Breaking my usual rule, I plonk Elio in front of the TV to keep him occupied while I get dressed. I plan to dress him in his little ring bearer’s suit at the last minute.
After trimming the stubble on my face and styling my hair, I slap on some cologne and get dressed. Choosing my favorite black Prada suit, I pair it with a white shirt, gold tie, and black dress shoes. My cufflinks are the ones Mom bought me when I turned eighteen. It’s become a kind of tradition to wear them for formal events.
The stylist is leaving as I make my way back out to the kitchen. I see her out and close the door before retrieving my son and taking him to his room to get dressed. Isa’s pushy mother has already messaged me several times to ensure we are running on schedule and won’t be late.
“This feels scratchy.” Elio tugs at the collar of his white shirt. “I don’t like it.”
“You can get changed after the church and all the photos have been taken,” I promise, having already packed a change of clothes for him. Isa’s mother will probably throw a hissy fit, but I don’t care. As long as he plays his official part, it shouldn’t matter what he wears. He’s a kid, for fuck’s sake. Who gives a shit what he’s wearing as long as he’s having fun and behaving himself.
“That will take ages,” he grumbles.
“You love Auntie Isa, and this is her special day. Just remember you are doing this for her,” I say, fixing his tie into place.
“She’s going to be so happy when she sees you,” Sloane says.
My head whips around, and I find her standing in the doorway like an angel who’s been heaven-sent. My mouth slackens as I drink in the vision in gold and silver before me. The lacy dress hugs her upper body to perfection, showcasing her exquisite curves where it molds around her tits, slim waist, and shapely hips. The neckline is low but not indecently so. The little cap sleeves are elegant, and the soft golden layers that flare out from mid-thigh give the dress a whimsical feel. Strappy gold sandals adorn her feet, and her pretty pink toes match her fingernails.
“Is it okay?” she asks as a delicate flush crawls up her neck.
“You look like a princess,” Elio says, stealing the words right out of my mouth.
My gaze roams her stunning face, noting every single detail of her flawless features. She’s gone for a more understated look with natural lips and a rosy-pink blush on her cheeks, but it’s her eyes that undo me. The stylist has made her eyes the focal point, and they appear bigger, fanned by long, thick black lashes, and the blue in her irises is more vibrant. Her hair is smooth and sleek, styled into a simple classic chignon.
She is perfect. Utterly captivating. The most gorgeous woman on the planet.
When her eyes lock on to mine, it’s like being sucker punched in the heart. I have never seen any woman more beautiful. She is completely stunning, and I’m speechless.
“Cristian? Is this okay?” she repeats, worry filling her gaze, and I snap myself out of it.
“You’re stunning. I’ll be the envy of every man there today.”
Two red spots darken her cheeks, and I love how unassuming she is.
“Thank you.” Her eyes sweep over me and my son. “You both look very handsome.”
“My suit is scratchy.” Elio tugs at his collar again.
“Remember what I said? This is Auntie Isa’s special day, and it’s important.”
He sighs dramatically. “Okay. I’ll do it for Auntie Isa.”
“You’re a good nephew.” Sloane extends her hand toward him and lifts her eyes to me. “We should probably make tracks.”
“Let me take a picture,” I say as Elio places his hand in hers. They pose in the doorway, both smiling happily, and I snap a couple of pics.
“I’ll take one of you two,” Sloane offers, holding her hand out for my cell.
We switch places, and I slide my arm around my son and smile for the camera.
“My turn!” Elio rushes toward Sloane. “I’ll take a photo of you and Daddy.”
“Um.” Sloane shuffles awkwardly on her feet.
“Here, let me show you what to do.” Crouching beside my son, I demonstrate how to use the camera on my phone. Then I take Sloane’s hand and move us back a little, circling my arm around her waist from behind. Heat from her body rolls over me in sumptuous waves, and the heady scent of her spicy perfume tickles all my senses. The urge to bury my face in her neck and just soak her in is almost overwhelming. My cock stirs in my pants, and it’s becoming a huge problem around her. Pun intended. My fingers tighten a little at her waist, and I pull her closer. We smile as Elio snaps away, wearing a gleeful grin.
“You’re trembling,” I say, turning my head to look at her when I feel her shaking. She’s only a couple of inches shorter than me in her heels, which I love.
“I’m nervous,” she admits, peering deep into my eyes.
The world outside fades as we stare at one another. My heart thumps frantically against my chest wall as I’m ensnared by her gorgeous, big blue eyes. They hide deep chasms and endless depths, and I want to dive in and drown in them—in her. I’m not fully cognizant when I draw her body flush against mine or when her hand gravitates to my chest, and I’m not aware that Elio is still taking pictures. I’m completely under her spell as we get lost in one another. My gaze lowers to her mouth, and her eyes fixate on my lips. It would take nothing to close the scant distance between us and claim her. I want to. I want to so badly, but I can’t. I wish things could be different. Those thoughts are like a sledgehammer to my heart and my head, and I pull back, letting her hand drop off my body as I put much-needed distance between us. “Sorry.”
“For what?” she whispers.
“For getting so lost in you,” I truthfully admit. “Sometimes, it’s way too easy to forget there are boundaries when it comes to you.”
Sadness glistens in her eyes as she nods. “Then I’m sorry too, for I’m guilty of the same thing.”
“Here.” Elio shoves his way in between us, smiling as he thrusts the cell at me. It’s a timely intervention I’m grateful for. “I took lots and lots of pictures. I might be a photo man instead of an asonaut,” he proclaims.
“It’s photographer, bud, and you can be whoever you want.” I playfully ruffle his hair before smoothing it back out. Don’t want to risk the wrath of the Da Rosa women.
“Can you send those to me?” Sloane says, peering at the phone. “If that’s okay?”
“Of course.” I select all the photos, purposely not looking at them, and send them to her cell. “Come on, let’s go.” I clasp Elio’s hand. “Clint and Umberto are waiting downstairs for us.”
