Chapter 94

Mia

As I sat there in the park, I watched Aria enjoying herself, playing with James and their dogs Sammy and Alfie. James was currently chasing after Aria, who had a fifty-count advantage starting the game of tag.

I knew James would catch up to her in no time, just as he had previously. Once he had seized her in his arms, he’d again kiss her repeatedly and tickle her, which would make Aria laugh gleefully.

My eyes followed James’ lean, fit form as he sprinted across the field. I couldn’t help but marvel at how handsome he was as he laughed delightfully while chasing after his daughter. To me, this scene made me again wonder about James’ character. When he was acting so down-to-earth and carefree like this, it just didn’t feel that he was in actual fact a ruthless billionaire who ruled an underground business world and dealt with various brutal gangs.

Here he was, behaving so normally, like any other father with a young child would, pampering his daughter and enjoying spending time with her on a Sunday morning.

I chuckled when I saw Aria glance behind her small shoulder to take a peek at her father to see how far away he was, just like I’d no doubt do if James were to chase after me. To her shocked surprise, James was almost caught up to her. I could feel her excitement and alarm when the little girl laughed and shrieked at the same time in response as she tried to run faster. But of course, with her tiny legs, she couldn’t possibly outrun James.

When she realized her endeavor was futile, she shouted, “Daddy! You have to slow down. It’s not fair. Slow down. You’re not supposed to catch me so fast like that.”

James shouted in the distance, “Sorry, sweetheart.” Then he reduced his speed, which in my opinion didn’t really make much of a difference. Meanwhile, behind James, both Sammy and Alfie, two balls of fluffy white fur, were doing their best racing behind him, trying to catch up.

Aria, despite the advantage of that fifty-count start and James slowing his speed, didn’t get very far. Not a moment later, James caught her in his arms, and the two tumbled onto the freshly cut grass, rolling themselves about, laughing heartily. Alfie and Sammy caught up to father and daughter and eagerly joined in.

From this far, I could hear their noisy, joyful laughter and, of course, vigorous barking from the two hyperactive canines. Suddenly the scene took me back to my childhood. It was when I’d been around eight or nine years old, living in New Hampshire. I remembered Mom, Dad, Andy, and I would go to the park every other Sunday for our picnic when the weather was good. We’d play tag, and Dad would chase after Andy and me across the field while Mom would just sit there and watch us from the distance. It had been great fun, and I didn’t have a care in the world. Life had been beautiful back then, as I was sure life was exactly that right now for Aria.

The thought of Aria and her happiness reminded me once again that I really had to talk to James about Sophie and her behavior toward the little girl. When I saw James heading my way a moment later and Aria was still playing with the dogs, I knew this was my chance.

Wearing just a casual gray T-shirt and jeans, James looked disarmingly hot and sexy, the down-to-earth type I found hard not to fall deeply for. As he strolled toward me, I didn’t miss the graceful sway of his hips and the slight swing of his powerful shoulders. Not to mention his gorgeous face, which at the moment was grinning with delight from the fun time he had with his daughter.

The man made himself comfortable beside me. He even planted a kiss on my cheek when Aria wasn’t looking.

“You’re having fun.” I began the conversation as I gazed at his profile.

“You should join us,” he said.

I chuckled. “I’d probably demand you slow down, as Aria did.”

“Was I really too fast?” he asked innocently.

Gosh, this man was truly more than meets the eye. The more I got to know him and the deeper our relationship became, the more he revealed himself to me.

I licked my lips and touched his strong jawline with my palm. That made him turn his eyes to me.

He grinned and asked, “What’s this all of a sudden, Mia? Are you teasing me again?” He leaned closer and whispered hotly, “Do you want another sexy session like last night?”

I blushed at his inciting suggestion and pulled my hand away. I held my head high and said haughtily, “That was way too much, James. Honestly, five times? I don’t think I can handle that too often. You need to think about my health. I’m not fit like you, you know.”

He chuckled and made me a lascivious offer. “How about me as your personal trainer?”

I cocked my head to one side. “What?”

“Both in the gym and in the bedroom,” he explained.

I chuckled at the same time I gave him a weak, playful punch on his shoulder. “No, thank you,” I said. “I’m fine as I am.”

After that, I was quiet for a moment as I watched Aria playing with Sammy and Alfie. I thought it’d have to be now or never if I were going to bring up the topic of the little girl and her overbearing nanny.

Clearing my throat, I began. “James?”

“Hmm?” He glanced at me. “What is it?”

I licked my lips and then said, “It’s about Aria.”

I noted he became serious instantly. Perhaps he could sense in my voice the subject needed his full attention.

“What about her?” he asked.

I sighed, praying hard he wasn’t going to be pissed that I was intervening in his family affairs.

Before I freaked out and changed my mind, I blurted out, “Do you think Sophie is somehow bullying Aria?” I paused and shook my head, needing to clarify my proposition. “What I mean is I noticed Aria behaves differently when she’s around Sophie, like she’s afraid of the woman or something. Not like when she’s around you or me. With me, she’s so outgoing and hyperactive, and she speaks her mind and behaves as a child should. But with Sophie, she’s different. She’s distant and quiet and— I don’t know. Her behavior is just different, like she has to sort of restrict herself somewhat.”

I finally drifted my eyes to James to see if his expression would tell me he was upset with me for bringing up this subject about his daughter’s behavior.

His expression was a sort of mask, which I had no clue what it meant. Then I wondered if this was the poker face he usually wore when he was doing business deals.

I licked my lips and continued in a hurry. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have intervened.” I turned away, hoping like hell he’d forget the topic.

The moment I did so, however, James demanded, “Mia, look at me.”

I regretted it immediately. God, I shouldn’t have brought up the issue, and now I must suffer the consequences.