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FENIX

As soon as I opened my eyes, a smile stretched over my face. Ian's face was nuzzled in his squishy toy while being completely pressed to Elsie's body.

Her hair was splashed all over her pillow and there was a pout on her adorable face. My arm was around them, the blanket tangled between them.

The sun was already up and shining through the cracks of the curtains.

Both Elsie and Ian were peacefully sleeping. It was Sunday so Ian didn't have school today. Neither Elsie will be working on her computer. She accepted my mom's offer. She seemed happy doing the job and I was glad she found something she likes to do.

My gaze landed on her neck, there was a slight redness from last night. And then I remembered how her lips tasted and the addictive sounds she let from her throat.

I have been restraining myself from kissing her for a long time now. Last night though, I couldn't resist and gave in to my desire.

She was so responsive and I couldn't help myself but kiss and touch her. The irritation on her face before I responded to her kiss, is still imprinted in my mind and I couldn't help but tease her even more.

Before I got lost in my thoughts, I decided to get up.

I kissed Ian's temple and Elsie's forehead before I slowly removed my arm and carefully got out of bed. I didn't want to wake them up.

The small clock on the night stand showed that it was almost 8am.

I stretched my arms over my head and walked towards the bathroom. After I brushed my teeth and washed my face, I went to the closet and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt.

I got out and my eyes flew to the vanity desk. All of Elsie's products were thrown around and her jewellery box was open.

The gold necklace with the tiny emerald crystal caught my eyes. She was wearing it on our wedding day. It seemed like she kept it in the box and only wore it on special occasions.

The line between my eyebrows deepened. It looks familiar, like I have seen it somewhere.

Even at the wedding when we stood at the altar, when I looked at it, I was sure that I have seen it before.

I pushed the thoughts away. I must have seen it somewhere in a jewellery store while buying my mom or Alannah a gift.

I glanced at Elsie and Ian for the last time and got out of the room.

The house was quiet and I headed straight to the gym. I rolled my shoulders and grabbed a water bottle from the kitchen in the way to the gym and also took the earphones.

It was my usual routine to workout at home in the morning whenever I had time.

When I stepped inside, the sun shining through the windows, warmed my skin. My mind went back to Elsie and her soft and delicate skin.

I wish there were no restrictions between us. I wish I was able to kiss her without caring about a contract.

Just as I got lost in my head, my phone started to ring. I let out a sigh of frustration and then looked at the screen.

Of course it was Kieran.

I pressed the green button and answered.

"What?"

He cleared his throat and spoke. "Good morning to the best boss to ever exist. I hope I didn't wake you up." What was wrong with him? He only acted like this if he did something wrong.

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything but... Damien cancelled your meeting." He said hesitantly. I rubbed my eyes and slowly paced the gym. This meeting was important and I hated when people cancelled something in the last minute.

Kieran knew that damn well.

But today I couldn't really care about it. I just wanted to spend my day with Elsie and Ian and not care about anything.

"Reschedule it. If he can make it next week okay, if not, then we are cutting ties with him."

"Wait! So... you're not mad?"

"No, Kieran. I'm not mad and don't try to ruin my morning with some other stupid things."

"Oh my God..." His voice trailed off. I rolled my eyes.

"What now?"

"I'm gonna have to buy Elsie a big gift." He laughed on the other side of the line. "If you were not married and your mind was not 24/7 on your wife, I probably would have gotten a kick in the nuts or something."

"What are you even talking about?"

"Don't act like you don't what I'm talking about now. Whenever you get angry I have to literally flee away from you."

"I don't have time for this conversation."

"Okay, okay. At least I can go back to sleep now in peace."

"Whatever."

"Have a great day and kiss Elsie from me." What the fu...

"Stop!" He shouted. "I didn't mean like that. You know what I meant to say." He panicked. He will ruin my day if he keeps talking.

"I'll shut up now. Have a great day boss." I hung up and threw the phone on the bench. I took a sip of the water, stripped my t-shirt off and began with working out.

I did couple of warm up exercises.

I was facing the big mirrors and had my earphones on.

After a couple of minutes, my eyes flew to the door behind me. The knob moved and I took the earphones off.

I turned around and the door opened wide. Ian walked inside with a grin on his face while Elsie followed behind, her face painted with blush.

"Yay, he's here." Ian exclaimed and ran towards me. His eyes wandered around and he looked in awe with the whole equipments.

Elsie slowly walked towards us with her eyes down. She was dressed in wide thin purple pants and a blue crop top. Her hair was in a bun, few strands falling down her flushed face.

Her eyes were not meeting mine and my lips tiled upwards at her shyness.

"Ian was looking for you. That's why we... that's why we got here." Her voice was soft and delicate. I barely contained myself from grabbing her face and kissing her again.

She swayed on her legs and looked around, avoiding me at all costs.

They both walked around and Ian wanted to try the treadmill. I obliged to his request and he tried out couple of the equipments.

I lifted some of the weights for him and acted like he was the one to do it. The happiness on his face made my chest ache with warmth.

Never in my life have I imagined to have kids. It was never in my plan. I always wanted to live alone. But seeing Ian and Elsie interact and be in my house, my goals slowly started to change.

After a while, I lifted Ian in my hands. "Let's go and make breakfast now. What do you say?"

"Yes, I'm hungry." He tapped his belly. I looked at Elsie and the blush coated her face yet again.

She grinned and my heart felt like it stopped for a second.

"Can you lift Eli up as well?" Ian asked.

"Ian..." Elsie warned him but I took a step towards her.

"Of course I can." I hooked my free arm over the beck of her thighs and lifted her up with ease. A gasp left her lips and she clung her hands over my shoulder.

Her sweet perfume consumed my lungs and I held both closer to me.

"Now let's go." Both of them giggled as I started to walk towards the door.

A short chapter update! 😙

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