The day had been long and exhausting for me, especially after James, Aria, and I had started that lunch with Liam, Scott, Eric, Alice, and Yuki. Then, of course, once we were done with that, Liam had suggested we stay for dinner as well since Alice, Yuki, Aria, and I seemed to get along so well. He had said that the sisters needed company near their ages, someone they felt comfortable with, since America was so new and different to them. Of course, I had fun spending time with the sisters, but I must say both Scott and Eric—well, mostly Eric—had behaved poorly, a side of them I had not seen before.

Boy, was I glad we were finally home. After helping Aria bathe and dress, I lay beside her—along with Sammy and Alfie, who were being very nice and obedient, snuggling comfortably near Aria—reading them a bedtime story. When I finished the book, I tucked Aria in.

I was about to kiss her good night when Aria asked, “Mia? Do you love Daddy?”

That took me by surprise, and I blushed intensely. I licked my lower lip, wondering what I should say to her. After all, I didn’t want to give her the wrong idea or, worse, hurt her feelings where her dad was concerned.

She must have understood my dilemma, which was very smart for someone so young. She said, “It’s okay. You can tell me. I don’t want you to not like Daddy, because I’ll be sad.”

Her words eased my fear. I leaned forward and stroked her cheek fondly as I said, “Yes, Aria, I love your father. I love James so very much. He’s wonderful.”

Aria grinned, her eyes bright. She looked pleased with my answer. “Then why don’t you become my mommy? ‘Cause I want you to be my mommy ‘cause mine doesn’t come to visit me and doesn’t even like me.”

Again, her words tugged at my heartstrings, and I simply wanted to burst out crying in both sadness and happiness. Sadness because Aria didn’t have a mother figure who loved her and stayed beside her to support and guide her. Happiness because she wanted me to be that person for her. I felt honored. Then of course, because I couldn’t help myself, I kissed her on the cheek and hugged her tight.

Despite the fact that I was still young and hadn’t a clue about motherhood and how one behaved, I really did want to become Aria’s mom. I wanted to show my love for her and spoil her as James loved and spoiled her.

I said, “Oh, Aria, you’re a wonderful child. I love you so much. I would love to be your mommy, but that’s not for me to decide.”

Aria cocked her head to one side. “Then who gets to decide?”

I smiled as I said gently, so she’d understand, “Your father. And I don’t think he’s ready to…” I trailed off, thinking about the betrayal of James’s ex-wife and the heartache and pain she must have caused him.

Personally, I was certain James wasn’t ready for that next step yet. He wasn’t ready to tie the knot with another woman when it hadn’t been that long ago when he was divorced. Also, he and I… Our relationship had only just begun, and, indeed, in an unconventional way. So yes, anything deeper and further than just boyfriend and girlfriend was simply out of my reach at the moment. After all, I had just graduated from being a mere mistress to being the girlfriend.

I said, “It’s complicated, honey. It’s adult stuff.”

Aria seemed to think about this for a moment and then said, “Oh, okay.”

I was pleased that she was so agreeable about it.

Suddenly, she changed the subject. “Being with Grandpa was fun today.”

I nodded uncertainly. “Yes, it was… interesting,” I said and thought to add, Especially where Scott and Eric were concerned.

The two brothers had looked gob smacked the moment they had seen Alice and Yuki. Of course, I had noticed throughout the meal, Scott didn’t take his eyes off Yuki, and neither did Eric with Alice. They were stunned to be sure, and it somehow amused me. Although, I kind of felt sorry for Alice and Yuki since they had looked so uncomfortable and, to be honest, more than a little frightened of both Scott and Eric.

At one point during the day, I had spotted Scott cornering Yuki. Good Lord, she had looked as pale as a ghost when she managed to escape him and run past me. Scott, on the other hand, looked like a cheeky cat who had finally found his mouse to toy with.

On another occasion, I happened to witness Eric outright confronting Alice and accusing her of being a gold digger. Of course, I was quite pleased to also witness her slapping him on the face and yelling at him that he was a, “Baka!” which I was sure was a swear word in Japanese.

Then, of course, I told James that his brothers were bullying my new friends and I wouldn’t stand for it. James merely chuckled in amusement and told me that was merely a Maxwell reaction, whatever that meant. He told me not to interfere. When I told him both Alice and Yuki feared Scott and Eric, he said, “Weren’t you the same when you first met me?”

He was right, of course.

He continued. “If they have any backbone, they’ll give back as much as they get. A Maxwell loves women with backbone.” He even winked at me.

It was then that I realized what he meant. That explained why Liam just kind of suddenly accepted me when we first met that night. Well, at least I thought so.

Whatever the case, I just hoped things would get better for both Alice and Yuki. I thought I might have to give those two pointers on how to stand up to Scott and Eric.

“And I like Alice and Yuki. It’s so much fun learning Japanese from Yuki. She’s so pretty,” Aria said, grinning from ear to ear.

I nodded in agreement. “I’m sure we’ll get to visit them again soon. Now then, bedtime. Good night, sweetheart.”

Aria snuggled and made herself comfortable. “Good night, Mia.”

I kissed her forehead once again and then headed out, closing the door gently behind me. Back in my bedroom, I went into the walk-in closet and picked out my pajamas. Then I went into the adjoining en-suite and drew myself a hot bath. Some ten minutes later, after washing myself thoroughly in the shower, I hopped into the tub filled with bubbles and scented oil, and I sighed pleasantly as I closed my eyes.

“Ahh…” I rested my head back against the edge of the tub, smiling in bliss.

I stayed in the bath for a little while, enjoying the moment, and just when I thought I had enough and was ready to get out, a few knocks came at the door.

“Yes?” I asked, knowing instantly it was James.

“Can I come in?”

I smiled. I didn’t even know why he had to ask. “Yes.”

Instantly, the door opened, and James, still in his sexy jeans and white shirt that fit him so perfectly, came in.

“Hello,” I said in greeting. “What have you been up to?”

He grinned. “Nothing much,” he said as he came to kneel on the floor beside the bathtub. He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the lips, and I sighed in pleasure.

When he moved back, I said, “Your smile tells me it’s not nothing much.”

He chuckled, but didn’t retort to my statement. Instead, he said, “I’m coming in.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

He stood suddenly and disappeared from my sight. I sat up and turned my head, noting him stripping himself naked as he headed into the shower.

Yikes! I turned my gaze from him because I suddenly felt hot and bothered.

Was he meant to join me in the bathtub? Oh God! This would be our first time bathing together, and as weird as it might seem, I was rather excited at the thought.

I heard the shower going and knew James must be cleaning himself before joining me. I was correct, of course, because some moments later, he appeared before me in all his naked glory, toned, muscular body with water droplets clinging to his smooth skin and his dark hair wet. I swallowed hard at the sight of his sexiness.

He came into the tub, disturbing the water around me and splashing it everywhere, which made me chuckle in amusement. Once he was comfortably in, he then pulled me into his arms, and I found myself resting my head against his chest.

Suddenly, because I couldn’t help myself, I said, “I love you, James.”

He grinned. “I love you, too, Mia.” Then he leaned down and kissed me passionately.

He was gentle as his lips touched mine, and it wasn’t long before I opened my mouth for him. Instantly, he eagerly plunged his tongue in and began to play havoc with me, stroking and caressing me until I was breathless and dazed.

When I moved back, my whole body was shuddering with heat.

James continued his gentle seduction by licking and kissing me along my neck and lower toward my breasts. There, he popped one very aroused nipple into his mouth and began, as usual, to suck and lick and tease. My mind was in a haze of pleasure as I groaned in delight, expressing how wonderful he made me feel. When he was done with that nipple—teasing and torturing it lovingly until it was bright red and hard—he turned his attention to the other. This time, he went all out, even nipping it and squeezing it between his finger and thumb until I actually cried out and tears started flowing down my cheeks, both in pleasure and this new sort of sexy pain that I had not experienced before.

“James!” I said his name breathlessly. “Oh, James…”

Calling his name must have drawn his attention. He turned to me, whispering into my ear, “Does it feel good?”

I mindlessly nodded in the positive. “Yes,” I said. “Yes, it feels very good.”

I heard him chuckling as he moved his hand down my tummy and then lower. There, his large, strong hand cupped my pussy, and I nearly came at the contact.

I groaned louder, begging him to go further. He of course obliged with a devilish grin on his handsome face. He teased and lovingly tortured me down there, his hand rubbing against the flesh of my pussy and his fingers stroking and caressing. I lifted my hip a little in response to his touch, and when he inserted his fingers into my opening, I squirmed and my whole body shuddered in delicious sensation I found hard to describe.

“More… More, please, James,” I whispered breathlessly.

And he did give me more. Then when he inserted his rock-hard cock into me, I had to clamp my mouth shut to avoid screaming out in this amazing pleasure that nearly drove me insane.

Then he started riding me, his cock deep inside me, and as we moved as one, the water around us splashed everywhere.

Oh God. Oh God! It feels so good. Just so good.

I clung to James as he continued to drive me insane with his thrusting. God, I could feel him, his cock so deep and hot inside me, filling me completely and perfectly.

“I’m coming,” I said breathlessly as James continued to pound into me. “I’m gonna come, James!”

James said, “Come, baby. Come!” Then he pulled me against him and kissed me on the lips as he thrust harder and faster, making me move along with him in this erotic tempo that made my body buzz in ecstasy.

Suddenly, I climaxed, James with me. My whole body tensed and then relaxed, and I shuddered in ecstasy. When I was done, I collapsed against him as I tried to catch my breath, my whole body weak from the thrilling experience.

A moment later, James said, “That was great.”

I raised my head and smiled at him. “Hmm,” I responded, finding it hard to utter even a word.

After our hot sex in the bath, James and I cleaned up, and then we headed into James’s bed, where he pulled me into his arms. There, he made love to me once again, driving me even wilder and crazier than ever, craving me even more.

Oh God, but I loved this man. I loved him with my heart and soul, and now I didn’t know how I could live without him.

When I was totally spent, I said, “I love you, James. And good night.”

He kissed me on the lips and then said, “Good night, sweetheart.” I noted the satisfied grin on this face that told me he was one of the happiest men in the world.

Pleased, I snuggled in his arms and then closed my eyes, a smile on my lips.