***
Pulling her into the shower, I take in every line, every curve of her body in the bright bathroom lights, like I’ve just been given the gift of sight. She loves this shower. I don’t blame her, I had a glimpse of the shower in her house, and she’s better off washing with a bucket and hose. My shower, on the other hand, as she likes to tease me, is a smart shower. To her delight, I got Natalia to pick her up a robe, slippers and set of toiletries. Maybe it’s my attempt to keep her here.
Under the water, she plays with the spray functions until she reaches the maximum pressure. “It’s like a spa,” she purrs as the soapy water forms waterfalls over her breasts. “You know I’m only using you for your bathroom.”
“Fine. Whatever it takes.”
“Can I stay in this shower forever?”
“Be my guest,” I grin down at her, washing every inch of her body with meticulous detail.
“I can’t.” She groans, closing her eyes as the water runs down her face. “Daniel will be here in an hour. I’ll get dressed and get out of your way.”
“Stay, Elly.” The words leap out of my mouth. Even as I say them, I’m conflicted.
Her eyes open and she rubs the water from her face. “What? Did Gemina cancel?”
“No, Daniel’s still coming,” I say slowly. “But I don’t want you to go. It’s fine, I’ll introduce you as a friend. I’m allowed to have female friends.”
I watch her reaction, surprised to find I’m nervous. She’s twenty-five. She didn’t sign up for this.
“Sure,” she whispers, pressing her wet body against mine.
“Good,” I reply, relief flooding me. In the moment, I realise just how much it meant to me for her to stay.
“That still leaves us thirty minutes.” I give her a wolfish grin as my hands rove over her. “What can we do in that time?
***
“Relax.” I slide my arm around her waist.
She chews on her lip. I’ve never seen her this nervous.
“It’s fine,” I repeat gently. “You’re just one of Daddy’s friends.”
She raises a brow. “How many of Daddy’s friends has he met?”
“Just platonic friends.” I smirk. “None who sit on Daddy’s face.”
“Tristan!” she hisses, thumping my chest. “What if he doesn’t like me? This is a big deal.”
I kiss her forehead. “Why wouldn’t he like you? If anything, I’ll need to tell him to behave himself.”
She chews on her nails, and I move her hand from her mouth. “Elly, we also have to consider informing HR soon.”
“What?” she squawks, looking at me like I’ve just suggested we bathe in an acid bath. “Everyone will talk about me sleeping my way to the top. No, I can’t handle that.”
“It will be the minimum people required to know. I get that you want discretion, but we have to go public sometime.”
“But what if it all ends?”
My face tightens. “And what if it doesn’t end?”
She waves her hands at me. “Don’t put both of these things on me on the same day. I’m about to meet your son.”
A car horn toots outside, and she jumps.
“We’ll continue this later,” I warn her and walk to the window. Daniel sees me from the car and gives me a lopsided grin. My throat constricts like it does every time I see him.
From the driver’s seat, Gemina waves at me, and I give her a curt nod.
“I’ll go outside and explain to him.”
She nods, scuffing her toe into the ground. “I’ll wait here. Send me a message if you need me to sneak out the back.”
Sneak out the back door? I’m more worried about her running away of her own accord. I open the front door and walk towards the car with a big smile. Daniel takes out his fire engine-shaped backpack and skateboard from the seat.
I hunker down to be eye level with him as he runs into my arms. “Hey, buddy,” I greet him as Gemina drives off. “I’ve got a friend visiting.” “Uncle Danny?” he asks excitedly.
“Not Uncle Danny. My friend, Elly.” I take his hand and lead him into the house. “Are you okay with Elly spending the afternoon with us?” He shrugs, not bothered.
Elly stands awkwardly beside the kitchen island as we enter.
“This is Elly, Daniel.” I meet her eyes.
“Hi, Daniel.” She gives him a formal smile like she’s meeting a prince. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
“Hello,” he says politely. He turns to me. “She’s a girl friend.” Elly’s eyes widen in horror.
I study my son’s reaction. So far, he doesn’t seem upset. “Yes, Daniel,” I confirm, something fluttering in my stomach. “She’s a girl friend. My girlfriend.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Like my girlfriend?”
I try to remember her name. “Talia?”
“No!” He scoffs. “Miss Hargrove. I told her yesterday.”
Oh, Jesus, I’m going to get another angry phone call from the school.
He turns his attention to Elly. “Do you skateboard?”
“Love it,” she responds without missing a beat. I arch a brow.
“Good.” He approves. “I have my skateboard upstairs. Do you know any tricks?” Her eyes widen at being caught by her lie.
“When were you last on a skateboard?” I ask casually.
“Quarter of a century ago, give or take,” she mutters.
“Perhaps we’ll eat before Elly shows you all her skateboarding tricks. Are you hungry, buddy? Elly is going to cook for us.”
“Like Natalia? Are you here to help Daddy?” he asks uncertainly. His face scrunches up as if he’s trying to remember something. “I know you. You were the lady on the boat.” Oh shit.
Her breath hitches sharply. “Uh…”
“That’s right, Elly’s a friend who likes boats too,” I say smoothly. “Do you want to know what we’re eating?”
Elly clears her throat. “A dish that I used to have a lot when I was a kid,” she explains. She looks tense. “A traditional Croatian casserole.” “What that mean?” he shoots back.
“What does that mean,” I correct him. “Do you know where Croatia is?”
His forehead furrows into a deep frown like I’ve asked him the cure for Aids. I reach for my phone. “Here, I’ll show you.”
“Yes!” He nods firmly. “Reema’s from there. I went to her party.”
I give him a blank look. I’ve met Reema’s parents before and they are not Croatian. “Oh no,” I say. “That’s Croydon. Croatia is in South Central Europe.” I show him on the map.
“Is that why you’re so pretty?” he asks Elly, his expression serious. “Is everyone pretty in Croatia?” It sounds like my son has picked up a few tricks from me.
She laughs. “Thanks, Daniel. I’m half Croatian but I’m Welsh, I was born in Wales. I’m not as pretty as your mum, though.”