34

" O kay, Millie girl, now we add the flour," I say, holding the measuring cup out for her to pour into the bowl. Millie giggles, grabbing the cup and trying to pour it in. Some flour ends up on the counter and on her little apron, but she's having a blast.

"Good job! Now we mix it all up!"

Kat and John dropped her off about an hour ago for their much-needed ‘date night.' The last time they had any real time to themselves was before Millie came along. So, when Kat asked if I'd like to watch Millie instead of Mum and Dad, I just couldn't pass it up. Now, here we are, attempting to bake cupcakes in my kitchen, with Disney songs playing in the background. "Be Our Guest" is currently filling my apartment with a lively, fun mood.

She eagerly starts stirring, but most of the flour ends up flying out of the bowl and onto the floor. We both burst into giggles, and I quickly grab another cup of flour to salvage our cupcakes. As I watch Millie mix the batter, my mind drifts back to last night, and I can't help but smile to myself, lost in the moment.

"Why ya smiling, Meli?" my niece asks, her eyes wide and curious .

I chuckle, feeling slightly embarrassed. Trust me to be caught out by my almost four-year-old niece. "Well, Millie, I'm just thinking about something that happened last night," I say, trying to keep it vague.

"What happen?" she presses, tilting her head to the side.

I smile at her innocence. "Oh, just something fun."

"Fun? Like baking?" she asks, her eyes lighting up.

"Sort of," I reply, unable to contain my smile.

Millie seems satisfied with my answer and returns to mixing the batter, singing along to the music. After a few more attempts, we finally manage to mix everything together properly. I scoop the batter into the cupcake tin while Millie watches, her eyes wide with excitement. Meanwhile, my mind wanders back to last night, recalling the warmth of Bradley's embrace, the softness of his lips on mine, his groans. The way he held me afterward. His words.

Definitely soon.

One step at a time.

I like you too, sunshine.

My core vibrates at the thought of seeing him again. I want him so bad. I need it. I need to feel him inside me—to experience that deep connection with him. The thought makes my heart flutter, and my body aches with longing.

As we fill up the rest of the cupcake batter in the tins, my phone starts ringing. I glance at Millie, who's happily singing along to the music, and then reach for my phone across the counter. Butterflies erupt in my stomach when I see it's Bradley calling .

"Stay there, Millie. One sec," I say, holding my hand out to her before answering the call. Trying to steady my nerves, I bring the phone to my ear. "Hello."

"Hi, sunshine," his deep voice comes through the phone, and instantly, a blush spreads across my cheeks. "What are you up to?"

"I've got Millie for the night, so we're baking cupcakes for dessert later," I explain, smiling at Millie, who's now attempting to lick the spoon. "And you?"

"Just wrapped up from the gym."

"Ah, nice and sweaty," I say, a teasing tone in my voice.

"So sweaty." His voice lowers an octave, sending a shiver down my spine.

Just then, Millie calls out, "Who's that, who's that?"

"It's Bradley. Want to say hi?" I ask her.

Her face lights up. "Bwadey, Bwadey." I press the button to turn on the speaker, and his voice fills the room. "Hi, princess. What are you doing?"

"We're making cupcakes!" Millie exclaims, her excitement contagious.

"Cupcakes, huh? That sounds yummy," Bradley replies warmly. I can't help but think he's yummy, too, and I can't wait to get a taste of him.

"Yeah! I mixing!" Millie says proudly, covered in batter. "Bwadey, you come bake with us?" she asks eagerly.

I quickly interject, not wanting to force him into anything. "Bradley might have other things to do, sweetheart." Even though I'd love to see him.

"I'd love to come and help. If your Aunty Meli doesn't mind."

My heart flutters at his words. "Of course, I don't mind," I say softly, trying to hide my excitement. Millie cheers, and I can't help but feel a warm glow inside.

"I'll see you girls soon," Bradley adds, and just hearing those words come out of his mouth sounds so natural.

I can't help but picture a life with him—me cooking in the kitchen with our daughter or son, him coming home and finding us. Flour fights in the kitchen, leading to other naughty things. Ah, what a dream.

Two trays later, and a complete mess of the kitchen, the three of us are seated on the couch, watching The Lion King and munching on chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting. I'm perched on the couch with my legs outstretched across Bradley's lap. Millie sits between us, making a complete mess, with icing and chocolate crumbs all over her face. Kat will probably murder me for giving her sugar before dinner, but oh well. That's what aunty duties are for.

"Hakuna Matata" starts to play, and Millie sings along. I giggle at her enthusiasm, then turn to look at Bradley, only to find him already watching me. He does that often, always watching me .

Butterflies erupt in my stomach. He winks at me, and my heart just about skips a beat.

I grab some baby wipes from Millie's overnight bag and clean up her messy face. Then I head to the kitchen to start preparing dinner for Millie and me—and maybe Bradley, too.

"Hey, I'm going to start cooking dinner. Did you want to stay and eat?" I ask him, not wanting to impose, but hoping he'll stay.

"How about I head over to Madison's and grab us a quick dinner?" he suggests.

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I'm more than happy to cook," I say, though the thought of not having to cook is tempting.

Bradley gives me a reassuring smile. "It's fine, really. I'll grab a few burgers and chips for us to share. Sound good?"

I nod, feeling relieved and grateful. "That sounds perfect. Thank you."

"Be back in a bit," he says, standing up and giving Millie a playful ruffle of her hair before heading out. Millie and I finish cleaning up the kitchen mess together, and I can't help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment. Bradley's presence has added a new level of joy to our evening, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the night holds.

Millie is extremely well-fed, having polished off a small cheeseburger and a plate of chips. Now, she sits on the couch, yawning like there's no tomorrow.

"Tired, princess?" Bradley asks.

"Yeah, too much food," she says, patting her round little belly.

"Ready for bed, then, munchkin?" I say, and Millie just nods, rubbing at her eyes.

"Okay, say goodnight to Bradley Bear," I urge her, and Millie pads over to where Bradley is sitting on the edge of the couch and plants herself in his arms. He squeezes her before letting her go.

"Bwadey Bear and Meli," she says, looking at both of us. I watch her, feeling a bit confused. "Like Mummy and Daddy," she adds innocently.

Oh. She thinks we're... together , together. I feel a blush creep up my cheeks.

"Bradley and I are good friends," I clarify quickly. Technically, though, we are. Friends with benefits.

"Yeah, Meli loves Bwadey, like Mummy loves Daddy," Millie says matter-of-factly, completely unaware of the explosion she's now caused inside me. Kids and their lack of filter. I clear my throat and find Bradley watching me with a curious expression, the corner of his mouth tugging upward.

"Mhm, come on. Bath and then bedtime," I say, trying to change the subject quickly. I carry Millie into the bathroom, running the water and adding some bubbles. She giggles, splashing around, while I gently wash her hair. Once she's clean and wrapped in a towel, I bring her to my room. Despite only having the one bedroom, Kat assured me she's a good sleeper and would be fine sharing my bed.

I tuck her in, wrapping her up tightly with the covers, and kiss her on the forehead before saying goodnight. I leave the small night light on near the door, creating a slight glow in the room for Millie. With that, I leave my bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.

As I walk back into the living room, I'm taken aback. Everything has been cleaned up—rubbish gone, cupcakes put away. Bradley is in the kitchen, throwing out the last of the trash before moving to load my dishwasher. I just about melt on the spot. He cleaned everything up for me?

Little does he know, this man has stirred an uproar of emotions inside me. How am I not supposed to fall for him when he does simple acts of service like this?

He looks so domesticated, so at ease. He does it so effortlessly. Why is watching Bradley fill a dishwasher turning me on?

There's something incredibly attractive about seeing him take care of things so naturally, fitting into my space as if he belongs here.

As he finishes up, he catches me staring and raises an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing," I say, shaking my head and grinning. "Just... thanks for dinner, for spending time with Millie, and for cleaning up."

"You're welcome, sunshine," he replies with a warm smile. "It's nothing."

I bite my lip nervously, my eyes dropping to his mouth. God, I want to kiss him.

"Something else on your mind?" he asks, watching me closely .

I swallow hard. "Maybe," I admit softly, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

He steps closer, and I instinctively take a few steps back, only to bump into the kitchen island behind me. The air crackles with tension, and my heart races as he moves even closer, trapping me in the best way possible.

He leans in, his lips just a breath away from mine. "Care to share?"

"Well, I'm... I'm dirty from all the baking," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Pretty sure I have flour in my hair."

He smirks, his eyes darkening with desire. "Then maybe we should do something about that."

"Mhm," is all I can manage, nodding as my throat tightens, rendering me speechless. He takes my hand, leading me toward the bathroom. The anticipation builds with each step, and by the time we reach the bathroom door, my pulse is racing. He turns to face me, his frame towering over me.

In slow, deliberate movements, he begins undressing with a confident ease. My breath catches as his shirt falls to the floor, revealing the chiselled lines of his torso. His hands move to his shorts, and he looks up at me with a reassuring smirk.

"There's no need to be shy, sunshine," he says softly, his voice a soothing balm to my nerves. "You're beautiful."

His words give me the confidence I need. I start undressing, my movements hesitant at first. But with his eyes on me, filled with admiration and desire, I feel a surge of bravery. I let my clothes fall to the floor, piece by piece, until I'm standing before him, bare and vulnerable.

He steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "See?" he whispers, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Absolutely beautiful."

I take him in, all of him. I'll never tire of the sight of him naked. I mean, I've only seen him once before, and that was by chance, a complete accident. This is all for me.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

I move my gaze back to him, catching the corner of his mouth tugged up in a smirk. He leans over and turns the hot water on before grabbing me and pulling me into the shower, underneath the cascading water. The warmth of his body against mine is intoxicating, and I melt into his embrace. His hands roam over my skin, washing away the remnants of our baking session while igniting a different kind of heat between us.

"You have no idea how much I want you," he murmurs, his lips grazing my ear.

"I think I do," I say, feeling his rock hard cock rub against my stomach, making me shiver.

He chuckles softly, a deep, resonant sound that sends shivers down my spine. Then he grabs hold of my hair at the nape of my neck, gently tugging it down before capturing my lips in an open-mouthed kiss. His tongue instantly caresses mine, and I lose myself in the intensity of the moment, the heat of the shower matching the heat between us.

Without taking his mouth off mine, he grabs a bottle of body wash from the rack, squirts some into his hands, and works it into a lather. He starts to wash my body in slow, deliberate movements, his touch tantalising and sensual. As his hands glide over my skin, his breathing becomes heavier.

" Fuck , look at you," he murmurs, his hands roaming over every curve, now slick and slippery. I can only whimper in response, my body trembling under his touch.

He starts at my shoulders, his fingers moving slowly down to my breasts, my stomach, and the curve of my ass. Each deliberate movement ignites a fire within me, and as his hands continue their journey downward, the anticipation builds until he reaches my core. I bite my lip, trying to contain the moan that threatens to escape, my restraint barely holding.

"You're incredible," he breathes, his lips finding the sensitive skin of my neck. He sucks and nibbles, his teeth grazing my skin in a way that makes me gasp.

"Bradley," I moan, my voice shaky with desire.

His fingers find that sensitive spot in no time, rubbing circles that drive me wild. When he inserts not one, but two fingers inside, stretching me, I almost come undone right there.

"I love how you respond to me," he murmurs against my neck, his voice husky. My body arches into his touch as his fingers continue their maddening dance.

He takes my lips in another kiss, before they drift from my mouth, across my chin, and down my jaw. He kisses his way down my body, his mouth hot and hungry. I hold on, caressing his muscled back, sliding my hands up toward his shoulder blades. His mouth closes over my left nipple, and I can't help the moan that escapes me as he sucks it hard while pinching my other nipple with his forefinger and thumb.

"Brad." My fingers dig into his shoulders. "Oh… Oh, God."

He lifts his head, his eyes dark as he moves against me, his dick pressing between my legs, creating a delicious friction. I can't help but rub back against him.

A low groan escapes his mouth before he says, "Do you trust me?"

I nod quickly, without hesitation or doubt. He pushes the showerhead back, so it's not directly on top of us, before dropping down to his knees on the tiled floor.

He looks up at me, and it's the most delicious sight I've ever seen. His once blue eyes, now darkened by his pupils, hold my gaze. My breathing hitches as I anticipate what he's about to do.

I know what to expect this time; I've felt his mouth on me before. Yet, a burst of butterflies still erupts within me, mingling with the excitement and the memory of his touch. The anticipation is electric, and I can't wait to feel him again.

He grips my thigh, gently placing it on top of his right shoulder. My breathing hitches.

"Relax for me," he murmurs, sensing my apprehension. "I'm going to make you feel so fucking good."