I wake up at my alarm and get dressed in workout clothes. I make my way to the private gym and freeze as I see Claire busy doing yoga outside on the lawn in black sports bra and tights. She goes from a tree pose down into a full on split and I gulp, trying not to get hard at the view. I slowly make my way to the treadmill and run a few miles, before getting off to do some weights.
'Good morning,' her soft voice says and I stop what I'm doing as she approaches me.
'Did you sleep well?' I ask and she nods, biting her lip. I groan, pulling her against me and claiming her soft lips against mine. Her little gasp makes my blood race and her body presses against mine as she wraps her arms around my neck. We pull away and stare at each other.
'You make me act like a school boy,' I whisper and she giggles, earning a quick peck from me.
'As happy as this makes me. I haven't done anything before and I know you have…' she trails off and I nod my head, catching what she's implying.
'we will go as slow as you need, Claire. I just need to ask a favour,' I say and she nods, looking at me curiously.
'Wear baggy clothes at home,' I say and she starts laughing, shaking her head.
'What about work?' she asks and I sigh, taking her small hands in mine.
'Well, I'd prefer to have you working close…' I trail off and she glares at me.
'I refuse to become a glorified secretary,' she says and I nod, thinking about it.
'What about an assistant CEO? My workload has become increasingly heavy. Would be nice if I had a very brilliant and attractive mini me,' I state, and she stares at me in shock.
'Are you being serious?' she asks, and I shrug.
'I could run it by the board but ultimately it is my decision,' I say, and she jumps on to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I laugh as I catch her, and she squeals happily. I put her down and she hops around in joy, allowing me to take in her well-toned body.
'I'm hungry,' I say, and she stops to look at me.
'Well then we should go have some breakfast,' she says, taking my hand and I sigh as I let her lead me towards the kitchen where Brigit is sitting with her little girl and Louise is busy making breakfast.
'Morning you two. Have fun last night?' Brigit asks, and I frown as Claire drops my hand, but say nothing as she walks over to take some bacon from the plate.
'It was interesting,' she says, and I scoff, taking her bacon from her.
'I'm never taking you to an event where I don't know the entire guest list,' I state and she glares at me. Claire's about to make a comment, but the baby starts to wail and Brigit sighs.
'I need a break,' she groans, and Claire whisks up the child, cooing until she hushes.
'I could take care of her for you tonight. I'm sure you and Luke wouldn't mind some alone time,' she says and Brigit thinks whilst we all watch her gently rock Selene.
'Are you sure?' she asks and Claire nods, not taking her eyes off the bundle in her arms.
'Look at the girl, B. Obviously, she's fine with it. Go have a night out with Luke,' Louis says, and Claire looks at me for the last okay. I nod my head and her smile sends my heart rate up a knock.
'I'll bring some of her things up to your room,' Brigit says and louis ushers us all to eat breakfast. I watch as Claire eats slowly with the baby in her arms and I decide to start feeding her, putting bites on her fork for her to eat. She smiles thankfully and I can't help feeling accomplished at making her smile.
Claire's POV
I finish having breakfast with Dominic and Selene and Brigit feeds her before giving her back to me after we set up my room with a small nursery by the window overlooking the garden. I gently rock Selene until she sleeps and smile down at the sweet thing.
'You seem to be enjoying babysitting,' his deep voice says and I look at him as he walks into my room to sit on the foot if my bed, near me.
'She is such a cute little thing. Wouldn't you want one?' I ask and he smiles, nodding as he watches me.
'Perhaps, I do need an heir some time,' he says and I frown, looking at him.
'Why didn't you have a child with one of your wives?' I ask and he sighs, looking down at his feet.
'Audrey miscarried and couldn't recover from the grief. That's why we split. It was a comfortable marriage but we weren't in love, just driven by family obligations and lust,' he explains and I sit next to him, taking his hand in mine.
'I'm sorry. It's not easy to recover from a loss,' I say and he smiles at me before nodding to Selene.
'Would you really like to have one?' he asks and I blush, nodding.
'How many?' he asks and I chuckle, shaking my head.
'It depends. One or two, but I'd like a little girl,' I say and he nods.
'Well, if you behave and do well at the office for a year, I could give you one,' he says and my eyes widen as I look at him to see if he is serious. His face remains and then he cracks a smile.
'If you want one earlier then it can be arranged, little one,' he says, pecking my cheek before leaving the room with a chuckle and I stare after him in shock. I let out a laugh and shake my head, trying to shake away the naughty thoughts that come to mind. I put the baby monitor on and take the speaker with me as I go on the search for Greta for advice. I find her sitting with Louise and I clear my throat to catch their attention.
'Yes, dear. Has Selene gone down?' Greta asks, and I nod.
'Greta… could I talk to you about some things? Alone?' I ask, and she smiles, leading me to the living room. We sit down on the couch and she looks at me expectantly making me gulp.
'Out with it, child,' she demands and I look at my hands on my lap.
'Dominic and I kissed last night…' I trail off and she chuckles.
'Sweetheart, it was bound to happen. He's been smitten with you since you came to live here,' she says and I blush at her words. She holds my hands and looks at me for a while.
'Are you worried about not being experienced?' she asks and my face is hot in embarrassment but nod to her question.
'Well, I'm sure he doesn't mind that,' she says and I shrug.
'But I do not be predictable and I'm sure he doesn't want to teach me everything,' I say and she nods, pursing her lips as she thinks.
'Well, you've always been a book worm, so perhaps so research and an erotica novel should put you on the right track,' she says and my eyes widen at her suggestion, making her chuckle. 'Don't think this old lady doesn't know her way around a man, dearie. I'll leave you to think.'
I watch her leave and jump as I hear Selene's whimpers, making my way to my room again. I decide to go check the library and carry Selene in my arms. I notice Dominic on the phone in his office with his back to me and I walk around the book shelves looking for erotica. I come across a book titled, guide to BDSM play and I decide to hook it under my arm as I keep looking. I end up finding three more book and take a book about business management.
'Need any help carrying?' His voice makes me jump and I turn to look at him.
'it's alright, I just wanted to do some light reading tonight. I figured I'd have to stay up since Selene still wakes up at night,' I say and hide the titles as he tries to peak. I quickly walk past him and out of the library as fast as I can to my room. I put Selene back in her playpen and place the books on my nightstand, deciding on my first find. I end up enjoying the dynamics of the Dom and Sub category, taking breaks to process whilst I play with and feed Selene her bottle. My stomach rumbles and I see that it's already dinner time by the time I finish my first book. I put Selene to bed and walk downstairs to find Dominic waiting.
'Sorry, I'm late. I lost track of time,' I say as I sit down on his left and he gives me a slight smile, taking my hand.
'It's alright. You've always been sucked into books. My father was the same,' he says and we hear the front door open, followed with female chattering. I frown at Dominic and he does the same.
'You didn't tell me we had guests coming,' I say and he shakes head.
'There aren't any coming,' he says as he stands up to go look and I follow him to see an older woman with a younger almost carbon copy hanging their coats. The older woman has grey streaks in her dark hair and I notice the similarities in Dom's hair as well. Her Steel grey eyes fall on me with a calculating glint and I gulp as I feel the younger version do the same.
'Is this going to be wife number three? Will she be trying to bankrupt you as well, Dominic? Honestly, why couldn't you just have stayed with Audrey? At least she was of good breeding,' the woman starts, and I feel my dwindling confidence disappear completely, but sense Dominic tense.
'Evening mother. I'd appreciate if you would rein in your opinions of who lives under my roof especially if you decide to come here unannounced,' he says, and the women glare at me.
'Listen well, you gold digging bitch, my brother may be blind to your manipulative games but I'm not and I will be there when you finally show your true colours,' she jabs her finger at me and my eyebrow raises in slight anger.
'Georgia…' Dominic warns but I place a hand on his arm to calm him and then look at both accusing women.
'I'm assuming you are Dominic's mother and sister. I am Claire Willows, Dominic's Godchild and daughter of Richard Willows. I'd say that alone is of 'good breeding' if you decide not to factor in that my mother was of Belgian royal decent. As for gold digging, you must be projecting as you have never worked a day in your life, whilst I have two degrees and will hopefully become co-CEO of Wanton Enterprises. Next time you want to be prejudice towards someone you just met, think back to this moment,' Selene's cries echoes from the baby monitor and I huff. 'I have to go check on Selene, who I am babysitting, before you jump to conclusions.' I snap the last bit and walk away, up to my room.