No.7
"Wait so she seriously told her kid he couldn't play soccer? What an actual asshole," Rosalie looks up at me shocked, "I have dickhead parents come in and tell me how to teach but never anything like this woman."
After a week of running around after children I needed my friend. I told her everything, every moment up until this one. She had rolled her eyes every time I spoke about Tanya, fondly nicknaming her something nasty.
Tomorrow is my day off and I couldn't be happier to kick my feet up tonight, to go exploring tomorrow. I got one day off a week with the kids spending the day with Edward's mother and father. They were picking them up tonight for a sleepover and it's all I had heard about all day. They loved their grandparents.
With both the kids in their piano lesson and Anna asleep I had time to call Rosalie. She woke up just to speak to me, listening to me tell her all about my job and the crazy woman making the lives around her hell.
"Yep," I nod.
"Tell me more about the Dad. If he hates his wife that much maybe you could kiss him better? Show him how it's really done," she giggles.
"Stop. I'm not going there Rose. His personal life is a mess right now and he doesn't need me making it worse," I say.
"The sauce thing was flirting, Bells. Gosh you can be so blind," Rose huffs, "besides you're real. He is probably so attracted to that. He's sick of the implants and wants the natural."
"Stop it right now," I snap at her, "I'm not going to be the nanny that fucked the rich guy."
"This isn't about sex Bella. It's about recognising a connection or a spark. Stop denying that you're attracted," Rose says, "what are you doing for your birthday anyway? It's in two weeks and I feel so sad you have to celebrate alone. I want to take you out in a hot dress to grind on boys."
"Maybe I could make a cake with the kids," I shrug, "grind on that mixing bowl."
"Oh Bells, look at you. I'm surprised at how well you're coping with kids," she laughs, "so well you'd pass up a night of body shots for abc's."
"I had a best friend who is a teacher to give me hints," I say.
As we hang up I hear Anna crying down the hall awake from her nap. Trying to shake what Rose said about connections, I raced down the long hall. When I push open her door she has stopped crying, cuddled into her father's shoulder.
"Oh I was coming. I was just on the phone to my friend back home," I say, "Sorry Edward."
"Don't be. This is one of my favourite parts. When they dig their little face into your shoulder thinking you are the best form of protection," he smiles at me.
"You are," I say moving close to put my hand on Anna's back, "you're her hero."
"Do you want me to take her?" I ask.
"No. I wanted to play with her a little actually," he says, "it's been a while since I stacked blocks."
"Well you two have fun and call me if you need something. I will go get the twins. They'll be wrapping up piano. I also have tomorrow off - I was planning on visiting the city actually. I haven't seen London properly yet," I grin.
"I can take you in? I have court in the morning so I'm going anyway. I'll be leaving early at about 6am. I'll be done in the afternoon," he says, "unless you want to trust our taxis. Although I offer up music and heating."
"If it's fine with you?" I nod.
"Perfectly, Bella," he smiles.
"Is it for the difficult case?" I am genuinely interested.
"You actually care… I oh. Yeah it is. Just a general hearing," he looks at me grinning.
"Okay. I'll go begin dinner and get the kids set," I say, "bring her down when you're done and I'll get her all ready for her grandparents."
"Thanks Bella," he nods, "oh also.. we'll be celebrating your birthday with more than a cake."
He had heard Rose and I. Shit. He would have heard everything. The spark and all… shit!
"The door was opened as I walked past sorry," his facial expression is apologetic, sweet.
I can't be mad.
Once I'm in the hall he calls after me: "she was right… about the sauce. It was flirting."
Fuck.
In shock for the rest of the night, my heart stammers as I cook dinner and serve his children.
The only time I see him is when he brings Anna down for dinner. He winks at me before retiring for work, kissing his kids wishing them fun with his parents. I don't see him or his wife for the rest of the evening. The confirmation of flirting makes me more than anxious about the drive to London.
I wave the kids goodbye to his grandparents.
With them gone I stand in the shower. That's when it really sank in how weird this car ride will be.
Even worse is the sexy fantasy my mind hits me with. As the warm water spills across my body and my fingers coach me to bliss with the imagery of him inside me. I moan into my hand imagining it's his, muffling my screams for him.
By the time the water runs cold all I can say is I won't ever look at his office desk without blushing.
And my imagination owes him a new desktop computer.
Smashing it to give him space to lie down even if it were only in my mind was worth the price.
"Warm enough?" He asks.
He drives with one hand on the wheel, relaxed. Looking like an actual treat. His eyes stay on the road but every so often I catch him peering at me from the side of his eye.
"I'm fine," I say, "it's warm. It's a really nice car. Do you guys have a cheaper car? Like a minivan? It's just if I'm driving the kids around," I say.
"We have an SUV but it's a Volvo," he smiles, "I'll have you ready."
"I appreciate the faith," I look out the window at the city as it comes closer.
"Where do you want to go most?" He asks.
"I guess the corny things. The eye, Big Ben," I smile.
"Nice choices," he nods, "the city is pretty simple. If you find a map and an underground map you'll be fine."
"Just call me whenever and I'll find my way back," I say, "it's fine."
Once we arrive at his work we go our separate ways. I find my way around the city pretty easily. Walking to the Thames I stop into small gift shops picking up a lollipop each for the children. Fuck her sugar rule.
I take photos like a tourist before finding a seat at a small cafe under the eye. Sipping my coffee I take it all in amazed and thankful. My admiration interrupted by my phone buzzing. I answer with a wide, excited grin.
"How's court?" I ask.
"Adjourned," he sounds so cool, sexy.
"Oh. I'll start heading back," I look at my watch - it's just 11am.
I'd barely had three hours to tour.
"Don't. Stay there, where did you get up to? I'll come join in. I can properly show you the city," he says.
"I'm at a cafe under the eye," I say.
"I'll be ten minutes," he hangs up.
True to his word he is ten minutes on the dot, he smiles sitting across from me at the table and I finish up my coffee.
"Having fun?" He asks.
He looks so relaxed and calm without his wife's presence.
"I am. This place is amazing," I say, "history is everywhere. I adore it."
"That's why I fell in love with it too," he grins, "there's a charm."
"I thanked Watson but not you yet. For this opportunity an absolute lifetime. To spend months in this city working with angels, to learn about myself," his gaze is intense, locking me in place as I speak, "thank you. From the bottom of my heart."
"In a week you've changed my entire outlook. Miss Swan, it is me who needs to offer thanks, which is what I plan to do," he stands, throwing cash onto the table, "that's for your coffee. Get your stuff in treating you to the real London experience."
"I already paid for the coffee," I giggle handing him the cash, "but I'll take the experience."
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