Hi, everybody. The reviews, I have to admit, give me a warm feeling...

I must apologize by the delay in posting. As I already said, I know where this is going, but I'm choosing the details along the way, and every chapter must be re-read a lot of times to detect the mistakes. As wednesday and thursday are very busy days for me, I'll try to compensate with big new chapters on Friday.

Thanks a lot for reading!

Chapter 10: That's the way

The day passed like this: she came to the kitchen for some coffee; he went to the office pretending to dust. They were never alone, but managed to throw zingers and simply enjoy that pleasure they felt by provoking the other in front of Maxwell and Fran.

Later afternoon Niles was chopping vegetables to use in a sauce, when the socialite entered the kitchen and gave him a big smile. 'I bet you don't know what Nanny Fine did this time'.

He stopped chopping and looked at her, happy they were finally alone and, of course, interested in the story. 'What was that?'

'Hey, you're not fun!'

'I beg your pardon?'

'You must make a guess'.

'Why?'

'Because I want to bet! Don't even try to fool me – I know you're a natural gambler!'

He made a face at that. 'It's not funny mocking me like this'.

She laughed, 'Come on! I need a bit of cooperation, here! See: I'll try again', she cleared her throat, 'I bet you don't know what Nanny Fine did this time'.

He sighed. 'Ok, I'm in. Do I have a hint?'

'No'.

'What's the stakes?'

'You don't need to know'.

'It's not remotely fair'.

'I never said it would be'.

'Let me see… It must be something about family… Her family… Maybe cousin Ira decided to reverse the operation'.

She made a shocked face. 'What? Who is…? Op-peration…? Tell me you made it up!'

'You don't need to know, Babs'.

'You stupid butler! I don't care. I win'.

'I admit defeat. Can you tell me now what happened?'

CC went to the island, being right in front of him. 'She tried to convince Maxwell to take her to dinner, once he didn't finished with her yesterday'.

She was laughing hard at that, and he find it intriguing. 'I don't see what's so funny. We're already used to her schemes'.

'Yeah, I know; but she doesn't seem to get used to his'. And she was still laughing.

He just smiled at that. It was good to see she was not so interested in Maxwell anymore. At least she seemed to be enjoying being with him just to share some news, without a trace of her obsession by the producer.

When she calmed down she rested her hands in the island, looking pointedly at him, who resumed chopping.

Soon he stopped. 'What?'

'You've lost'.

'Oh, yes. So?'

She licked her lips. 'I'll claim my prize now'.

He kept looking at her, a bit confused by the way that sounded. She meant there… in the kitchen?

'First thing, Nanny Fine can come here any moment', she started. 'Her conversation with Maxwell was growing tense'.

He felt more confused.

'I intend to circle the island, kneel in front of you and pull your pants till I can reach your cock. Then, I will lick and suck it till it is very hard on my mouth. I will touch your balls with my fingertips, just to feel you quivering.

At this point he had put the knife on the island and was staring at her, with an xpression that was something beteween shock and deep desire. His chest was rising and falling with expectation, and he was more than beginning to feel his hardness.

She went on. 'I know how you like to touch me, too, so I will take off my blouse, so you will be able to put my nipples in your mouth, and pay me the fauvor. I will be so ready for you I'll beg for you to fuck me right here. And I know exactly how we'll do it. We are going to…

'Can you believe that man?', Fran entered the kitchen, already talking non-stop. 'He is obvious to a lot of things, and suddenly he can smell a date even before I can ask for it!'. She said to no one in particular and seated at the table, taking a magazine.

Niles was occupied taking deep breaths, trying to calm down. He was lucky to be wearing his apron, but it was not covering enough, right now.

'Unfortunately, it will have to wait', CC said, looking at him and smiling evilly.

'What do you mean, miss Babcock?', Fran turned to her and asked, from the table. she was curious, because she never expected the blonde would give her any attention.

'Me and Maxwell have work to do, Nanny Fine. Your advances will be easier after the premiere of this show. So, have patience and don't ridicule yourself so much'. She said and exited the kitchen, smiling at Niles mouthing You'll pay.

Again, the butler was fortunate, because Fran kept talking about the lack of commitment of her boss, and it was a good way of cooling him off before she could notice anything.

nxnxnxnxnxnxnx

Back in the office, CC's mind was reeling with a plan. 'Maxwell, you know we're running late in this production'.

'Yes, CC, I know. But you can be sure we're doing our best'.

'Well, it's not enough. I think it would be productive, if I work some more hours than usual. I just need to go home and fetch some things, so I can sleep over'.

'I don't know about that… I don't feel so good working after the usual time… The children…'

She sighed. 'I didn't include you in my plans, Maxwell. I said I was going to work. I like working till late night and I prefer working here, where I can have all the material I need at hand'. She smiled at herself at that; what a pity Niles wasn't here to comment that.

'Oh, well, if you don't mind working alone… It would be great'.

'No, I don't'. She took her purse. 'I'm going home. Inform that stupid butler of yours I'll need acommodations for the night. Bye'.

'Bye, CC. See you later'.

nxnxnxnxnxnx

After her exiting, Maxwell worked for a while, and then decided to take a break and go to the kitchen for some coffee.

He found the butler and the nanny in an animated chat over coffee and cheesecake.

'I wouldn't mind having some of those, too, Old Man'.

'Of course, Sir'.

Maxwell engaged Fran in some conversation that included the possibility of them having a nice dinner with the family later, trying to make it sound more romantic than it really was. Niles sighed, hearing such a frustrating proposition, and made a pity look when Fran exited the kitchen to choose something to wear – happy with so little.

Niles considered Maxwell a good man, but, frankly, this situation was starting to bother him. The woman was beautiful, sexy, lovely with the children, caring, funny, and was ready to him – what was he waiting for?

His situation was so much more difficult, and yet he was there, fighting for CC. He would never let her waiting; he would never deceive her. He knew the risks of loving her so much – his heart almost broke every time she seemed to be taking him wrong. The sex was awesome, but soon he would want more; how to make her realize his and her feelings without getting crazy over it?

Now, for example. Why wasn't she here?

'Is miss Babcock in the office, Sir? Maybe this time she couldn't hide and the sun hit her?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'She didn't came to claim some coffee. I guess she has become dust'.

'Oh, I completely forgot to tell you. She went home to fetch some things. She intends to stay the night, because she wants to work more on the new production.

Niles couldn't even talk. Would she be doing what he thought she was doing?

'Would you mind preparing a room for her?'

He gulped and had to trust his voice. 'Of course not, Sir. Any dirty and small place will do. She feels more comfortable like that'.

Maxwell just smiled.

'Will she come for dinner, too, Sir?'

'I never asked, but I think so'.

'You know, you should ask if you want your family saved from starvation'.

'Don't be so exagerated, Niles', Maxwell claped his shoulder, 'She is not that bad'.

When the producer disappeared, Niles murmured to himself. 'Oh, yes, she is'. And he smiled like a fool.

nxnxnxnxnxnx

Dinner had no incidents, but even Maxwell noticed how CC seemed happy. He was amazed by her joy in working. It seemed the simple prospect of being up till late, alone in the office, was enough to give her great satisfaction.

Fran had noticed that, too, and decided to comment. 'Oy, miss Babcock. I've heard you'll be working late, tonight'.

'Well, it is not exactly new', Niles was heard. 'In fact, the place chosen is the surprising thing'.

'Yes, Butler Boy. The corners are crowded, so I decided to transfer my activities to the office'.

Maxwell interrupted them. 'Hum, CC… I have the feeling that this was a slightly improper thing to say…'

'Why? Oh, yes, the children', she smiled at the three siblings. 'You have heard worst things from Niles, haven't you?'

'Well, yes', Brighton answered. 'That's ok, Dad. We don't mind'.

'Hey', Niles protested.

'We even find it amusing', Maggie agreed.

'Don't worry, Niles', Grace added. 'We accept you both the way you are'.

'See what you got?', he acused CC.

'Me? You started!', she answered.

'I don't mind who did what', Maxwell pondered. 'I just wish we could have some limits, here'.

This moment Fran stopped eating and finally inserted herself in the conversation. 'Limits are very important. Once, Yetta let Ma went out with some friends of her. They were not exactly friends, because they were from…', and she went on and on, while Niles and CC were gazing at each other with promising looks.

To an outsider, it was a promise of more barbs later; between them, it was a promise of more special moments.