Chapter 5

LACEY

Today started like every other morning. While Rosa was busy at the stove cooking up breakfast for all of us, I fixed Emilia's hair and kept her occupied with some kind of activity. Blake was in charge of making the coffee. Even though I now knew how to use the machine, coffee tasted better when it was brewed by him.

Not to mention the bread. As much as I adored Emilia, the fresh basket of flaky pain au chocolat or crusty sourdough was had a part in drawing me back to the Wulfthorn's house every morning. I had no idea how Blake managed to bake every morning with his busy schedule.

Today was casual Friday at the office, so he was wearing a dark maroon cashmere sweater and jeans. The outfit was simple and classic, but I knew that it cost thousands of dollars just by the quality of the fabric. He had his sleeves rolled up neatly. With each motion as he worked the machine, his forearms flexed and bunched making the wolf tattoo on his right arm wink as flesh and sinew rippled. Oh, how I wanted to stroke my hands up and down those muscles.

Emilia nudged my hand with her crayon, bringing me back to the task I was supposed to be paying attention to. I picked a pink crayon and colored a section of the unicorn bunny drawing.

But paying attention to the coloring page was a massive struggle. Blake dumped out the grounds and began tamping new grounds for the next cup of coffee. The sight of his strong tanned arms working was utterly distracting. Every one of his movements was graceful, but filled with power. Just like everything else about him.

Blake handed me my cappuccino and sat down next to me at the kitchen island. I brought the steaming hot cup to my face and inhaled the rich aroma. Closing my eyes, I took a sip. Absolute heaven. A happy moan of satisfaction escaped past my lips as the first bit of caffeine hit my blood.

When I opened my eyes, I found him staring at me. His eyes flicked down to my mouth.

Like a reflex, my tongue darted out to lick at the foam that clung to my top lip.

His nostrils flared and his lips parted. Hunger and impatience were etched on his face. Our breakfast being served cut through the tension in the air.

Chef Rosa shot both of us a knowing look as she brought over the rest of our breakfast. My cheeks heated. This was like the time in high school when my mother caught me making out with Danny on my front porch.

"Chocolate!" Emilia exclaimed.

Both Blake and I had a ham and cheese omelet, while Emilia had chocolate hazelnut crepes with strawberries. I helped Emilia cut her crepes into bite-sized pieces. She insisted that she was a big girl and that she and Mr. Snuffles could eat on their own.

Blake looked on with pride as Emilia ate without a fuss. She had come so far in the weeks I had known her. There was no trace of the anxious child she had been. Though I could never replace the mother she lost, I was honored and proud that I was a part of her healing journey.

As Blake and I dug into our food, I realized that we looked just like any other normal family having breakfast together. In moments like this, it was easy to forget why I was here. That I was paid to be here as his nanny. The thought pierced through my delusions. Getting attached to my boss could make everything into a complicated mess. I couldn't cross professional boundaries and risk losing this job, not only because of the money, but because Emilia needed me. I was his employee. Nothing more.

After Blake left for work, I spent a couple of hours playing with Emilia. During my first week, I got lost in the endless rooms of the house, but by now, I knew my way around like the back of my hand.

There were only two rules to playing hide and seek with Emilia. We had to stay in the family wing, and we couldn't go further into the garden area than the row of rosebushes. The servants' quarters were in the other wing of the house and Blake forbade Emilia or me from going into the forest surrounding the estate. He didn't state why, but it wasn't a big deal. Not that I wanted to go into the creepy dark woods, anyway.

Her attempts to outsmart me with her clever hiding spots were discovered in record time. After the excitement, we went to her playroom for craft time. Once she was tired out, it was time for her nap.

I wasn't going to let these rare moments of peace and quiet go wasted. As soon as Emilia was asleep, I gathered whatever notepads and scraps of paper I could find and wrote. While the final draft was going to be composed on my tablet, I liked working out the kinks in my idea by hand. Emilia usually slept for half an hour, which was plenty of time to get some words written and make actual progress toward finishing my novel. After her nap, she would play for another couple of hours before Blake came home from work, and we would have dinner together.

Days passed, and then it was time for us to go to Paradise Peaks. It was the night before we were going to fly out in the morning. Blake insisted I stay at his house for the first time since I began watching Emilia. My apartment was on the opposite side of Huntington Harbor, so it was easier for all three of us to be at the same place instead of having to rush across town to pick me up.

To my surprise, my room was right next to Emilia's room and one door down from Blake's bedroom. I had assumed that I would stay in the servant's wing.

After I packed her bags for the upcoming weeks away from home, Emilia begged to stay up and watch movies. The excitement of having her first sleepover was too much. Blake caved in to her request. The tough, stoic businessman was no match against his niece's sweet pleas.

We watched The Little Mermaid, with one of us on each side of Emilia. By the time the credits scrolled onto the screen, it was two hours past her bedtime. She was already snoring softly, with her head on a pillow on my lap.

"I'll put her to bed. You need to get some rest," Blake whispered. He bent over to scoop her into his arms, brushing against me as he did so. I wondered what it would be like to feel the muscles of his arms under my hand. The top two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, revealing the hair at the top of his chest. He smelled like coffee, pine trees, and his own irresistible musk.

Even as my heart thudded in my chest, I willed myself to breathe calmly and steadily. Silently, I prayed that he couldn't tell how much his touch affected me. I would never live down the embarrassment of being caught crushing on my boss. After all, I only worked for him. There was nothing going on between us.

I retreated to my room, but even through the walls that separated us, I could feel his presence, as keenly as if he was in the room with me. Closing my eyes, I tried to ignore him.

"Argh!" I kicked the covers off my overheated body and picked up my phone. There was a text message from Katie.

Katie: "Guess who got a job?"

I glanced at the time at the top of my phone. It wasn't even one o'clock yet, so she was probably still up. Quickly, I typed up a message.

Me: "Congrats! Is it with the agency?"

My phone dinged with the incoming reply. I knew my insomniac roommate would be the perfect distraction.

Katie: "Yep. My official title is Executive Assistant."

Me: "Sounds important. And a lot of work."

Katie: "Pssh. These jobs are 90% coffee runs and picking up dry cleaning. How hard could it be?"

Me: "Famous last words. When's your first day?"

Katie: "This week. I hope he's not a boss from hell and lets me go home for the holidays."

There was a pause.

Katie: "Not that I mean your boss is an a-hole."

Me: "It's fine. I have nowhere else to be anyway. Besides, the kid's cute."

Katie: "And Mr. Wulfthorn? Is he cute too?"

Me: "You have brain rot from all those smutty books you read about online. Shut up and go to bed."

Katie: "Ha. He is cute, I knew it. Luv you too!"

Eventually, I fell asleep with my phone in my hand. The next time I opened my eyes, it was already morning. Soft morning light sneaked in through the curtains. I checked my phone for the time. It was a little past five in the morning. Since my alarm was already set to go off in half an hour, I got out of bed and padded over to the ensuite bathroom.

After I finished my morning routine, I packed everything I was going to need for the next couple of weeks at Paradise Peaks into my luggage and went to wake Emilia.

I woke her with a gentle shake on the shoulder. "Good morning, sweetheart," I said softly.

Emilia blinked slowly. Her sleepy eyes lit up when she realized it was me.

"I dreamed you were here last night," she whispered.

I laughed. "No, I was really here. We had a sleepover and watched cartoons, remember?"

Despite being kept over her bedtime last night, Emilia did not put up a fuss over breakfast. As we ate, the driver took our bags out to the car.

Soon it was time to go. Blake was busy on his phone, so I grabbed Emilia's snow boots and jacket. "Are you excited to go on a plane today?" I asked as I helped her into her jacket.

She shook her head. "I used to fly to Uncle Blake's house with Mommy." After zipping up her jacket, I bent down to get her boots and secured the Velcro straps once she shoved her feet into them. Seeing that Emilia was dressed, I put on my own jacket and wrapped a thick knit scarf around my neck.

"Wow. That sounds like a lot of fun." I wasn't surprised that she had more air miles accumulated in her short four years on the planet than I had in my entire life. It was just one of the many reminders of how much more privileged the Wulfthorns were compared to my humble background.

We drove to the airport and all the way to the airstrip where Blake's private plane was waiting. From walking along the airstrip, to going up the stairs into the plane, the entire experience was surreal. The seats were all plush cream leather and arranged around a large polished wooden table. On the wall, there was a large television screen, and a door to what I assumed was the restroom.

We soon took off. I was mesmerized as I watched Huntington Harbor grow smaller and smaller beneath us from the window. The green fields and thick treetops soon turned into snow-capped mountain tops and sparse towering pine trees as we approached Paradise Peaks. There was already a limo waiting for us beside the airstrip when we landed.

As we drove up the winding mountain road, the pine trees along the side of the road grew taller and thicker, and then they were covered with a dusting of snow. The air grew cold and crisp with the chill of winter.

"Wow!"

Blake chuckled. "It's pretty amazing, isn't it?"

The town of Paradise Peaks itself was beyond my imagination. It was like something out of a fairy tale. All the buildings were built out of wooden logs, and the entire town resembled a Swiss mountain town. As the car rolled down the street, I soaked in the sights and sounds. The shops were decorated for the holidays already. Christmas decorations filled the windows, the lamp posts were wrapped with lights and garlands, and wreaths were strung over the main street like banners. In the park at the center of the town, stood a giant Christmas tree studded with lights and glittering ornaments. It had to be at least fifty feet tall.

We drove past a horse-drawn carriage clomping along a path in the park. There was a couple sitting in the back of the carriage, snuggled close together under a thick wool blanket.

Finally, we pulled up to a building that looked like a stone castle in the Alps. As soon as we pulled to a stop, two porters rushed out to greet our car and unload our bags.

"Are we where I think we are?" I asked Blake. The Hughes Palace Hotel was a favorite gathering place for celebrities, politicians, and foreign royalty. It was something I had only ever seen in gossip news shows.

"Yes. We're staying at the Hughes in the presidential suite" He exited the car and then helped me out before picking Emilia up in his arms.

We checked in and rode the elevator up to what turned out to be the private entrance to our suite.

"Wow," I said again. Once I stepped out of the elevator, I was greeted with a panoramic floor-to-ceiling window view of the snow-covered mountains that spanned the width of the living room. Just this room was bigger than the entire apartment I shared with Katie.

In the center of the room was a modern glass fireplace with a fire already roaring inside. A decorated Christmas tree stood off to the side near the comfy leather couches. On the opposite side, was an open kitchen. It was fully equipped with fancy professional-grade stainless-steel appliances, an espresso machine, and a bar area.

At the other side of the suite, I spotted an office area through an open door, as well as a series of bedrooms.

Blake let Emilia out of his arms and stretched his back. "You're a writer, Lacey. Surely you can come up with some other description."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Wow is a perfectly adequate reaction. This place is amazing. It's all ours for the holidays?"

He grinned. "All of it, until after the New Year."

Emilia grabbed my hand. "Let's go pick our rooms."

I laughed and let her drag me down the hall.

After we figured out where we were all going to sleep, it was time for dinner.

We went downstairs to the restaurant in the hotel lobby. The multi-story lobby was tastefully decorated for the holidays. Sparkling crystal ornaments hung above us, recreating the snowy winter wonderland outside. Gold and silver tinsel snaked around the giant bubbling fountain in the middle of the lobby.

The restaurant was more subdued. Each table was covered with a white tablecloth with an arrangement of warm and inviting candles at the center. Jazzy Christmas music played softly in the background. Garlands of pine ran along the dark wooden beams overhead and potted red poinsettia plants added a pop of color all around the dining room.

Emilia was practically bouncing on her feet from the excitement of being somewhere new. Sensing the impending disaster of a hyperactive child in a restaurant filled with delicate glassware and burning candles, Blake picked her up and carried her in one arm.

"Good evening, Mr. Wulfthorn, Mrs. Wulfthorn" the hostess greeted. "Your table is ready. Please follow me."

I shot him a surprised look. My lips parted in surprise, but Blake did nothing to correct her. As we followed the hostess through the restaurant, I scanned the diners in the room. In their crisply tailored suits and expensive silks and pearls, I felt distinctly underdressed in my fleece sweater. Blake reached over and took my hand in his, giving it a comforting squeeze. The warmth from his touch flowed through me, giving me a boost of confidence I didn't know I needed.

We arrived at the rear of the restaurant, where our table overlooked the snow-covered garden at the back of the hotel. After we were seated, the waiter filled our water glasses, and we were presented with our menus and a basket of bread. Our waiter took our drinks orders before disappearing discreetly.

"Don't worry about them, Lacey. There's no dress code here. It's all fragile egos and small minds. I'm still judged to be lacking."

I took a sip of water. "But how? I mean, you're you."

Blake laughed. "New money has a smell. Not that I give a damn. All money smells good, as far as I'm concerned."

He split open a dinner roll and buttered it before passing it to me. Repeating the motion, he gave half a roll to Emilia and kept the other half for himself. Breaking off a chunk, he chewed for a moment. "Not bad. Baked in house this morning. The crust has a good chew, but it could be crispier."

I bit into the roll and mulled. "Definitely not up to Wulfthorn standards. That's why I took this job, you know. The unlimited supply of fresh bread was an offer I couldn't refuse."

Blake laughed. "That's the sweetest thing anybody's ever said to me. I knew you only wanted me for my buns."

The waiter returned to take our orders. We helped Emilia settle on a five-cheese tortellini in a butter herb sauce. Blake ordered roasted duck with black pepper sauce, while I chose the rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary.

Emilia was so happy to be eating in a big girl restaurant, that she was on her best behavior as she ate her pasta.

"How's your book coming along?" Blake asked before taking a sip of his merlot.

"I'm done with the first draft. Hopefully, I can get in a couple of revisions and send the manuscript to an editor after the new year."

"That's great. I would like to read it when you're finished."

I stabbed a forkful of lamb and paused. "Really? It's just a silly vampire story. You don't have to pretend--"

Blake shook his head. "It's not just a silly story. Don't undersell your talent like that. You have to believe in yourself before others will." He leaned across the table. "Besides, you don't know how many hours of Anne Rice audiobooks I've listened to during my middle-of-the-night baking sessions."

He was right, of course. "Alright then. I'll make sure to save a copy for you and even autograph it."

"Make sure you remember us little people after you have your breakout hit," he added.

I rolled my eyes at him. There was nothing about him that was little.

Outside the window, snow began to fall from the sky in big heavy flakes.

An elderly gentleman with white hair, and kind eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses stopped by our table. He had a large digital camera hanging from a thick strap around his neck. "Oh, this is adorable! I'm so glad to see a young family spending time together."

I smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say. He was so sincere that I didn't have the heart to correct him. Looking over, I shared a look with Blake. He rose up and reached over the table to shake the old man's hand.

"I'm Blake, and this is Emilia and Lacey."

"I'm George. It's a pleasure to meet you." He held up his camera. "I'm a photographer and I couldn't help noticing how perfectly the atmosphere and the snow outside framed your lovely family. I can take a picture if you'd like?"

"Can we, Lacey?" Emilia asked.

"Yeah, can we, Lacey?" Blake mimicked.

Any reservations I had about this not being real melted at the twin sets of adorable puppy dog eyes staring at me. There was an odd sense of vulnerability and longing in each of their gazes.

"Okay." I turned to George. "How should we pose for the photo, George?"

"Let's see. I think you should stay in your seat while you hold your daughter in your lap. Your husband can stand behind you and lean towards you."

We assumed the pose he described.

George made a swiping motion with his hand. "Blake, can you move closer to your wife and lean over so your arms are around your girls?"

"Like this?" Blake's words came out as a puff of air that tickled my hair. As his arms settled over me like a warm scarf, I was acutely aware of how big and strong he was. A frisson of heat shot up my spine. He completely surrounded me, but instead of feeling smothered, I felt protected and cherished.

"Perfect, now one, two, three, smile and say cheese!" The camera clicked in quick succession. Blake reached down to take my hand in his as he rested his chin near my temple. I looked up at him and the moment our eyes locked, it was as if we were the only ones in the room. Our noses were so close and our breathing synced as one.

"Wonderful!" George exclaimed.

"Can I see?" Emilia kicked her legs and squirmed out of my arms.

I shook my head, falling from the heavens back to reality. My cheeks flushed. What was I thinking? He was my boss, that was all he was going to be. Eager to escape, I followed Emilia and went to see the photos on George's camera.

He scrolled through the pictures and my heart jumped at the small picture of Blake looking at me like I was the most important person in the world.

"I'll send the pictures to you in an email," George said.

Blake and I exchanged our information with George and said our goodbyes after we received the files.

After we finished dinner, we headed back up to our hotel suite. The excitement of the day had finally caught up with Emilia. She was adrift in dreamland not long after I got her into her pajamas and her head hit her pillow.

The last room down the hall was the children's room. I took the middle room while Blake took the room on the other side.

As I crawled under the covers, I pulled out my phone and changed the background wallpaper. On the screen, a miniature version of Blake gazed longingly at me like I was his beloved wife and Emilia was my daughter. I fell asleep staring at a version of my life that could never be real.