Those fingers.
Oh yes, I know exactly what they can do.
An image of multiple orgasms flashes through my mind.
My face grows hot.
Focus!
I adjust my angle and keep filming.
Ninety seconds later, I have the clip. Marco inspects it, nods approval, and dismissesthe other kids. They scatter, racing back to the main house. Ben stays behind to help clean up.
“You did great, sweetie,” I tell her, pocketing my phone.
“I didn’t cut myself even once!” She’s beaming.
“That’s because you listened.” Marco’s wiping down the butcher block. “Which is good. Remember: always listen before you touch.”
We clean together. The three of us move around the small space in surprising harmony.
Ben chatters about Frederick needing to learn knife safety, too. Marco plays along with complete sincerity.
I’m loading tools into the sanitizer when Marco says, “Jess. Come back after Ben’s asleep. Quick debrief.”
My hands freeze. “Tonight?”
“Two minutes. Just need to confirm the Family Meal contract details.” His voice is casual but his eyes aren’t. No siree... those dark eyes are doing that thing where they see far too much.Wantfar too much.
Two minutes alone with Marco in the carriage house after dark...
I remember the rules from the contract. The ones I literally helped write.
Debriefs in common areas only. Kitchen, mudroom, office. Doors open. Another adult on premises.
The carriage house is none of those things.
And we’ll definitely be alone.
And I’m pretty sure Elena Park would have my head on a spike if she knew I was even considering this.
This is fine. Totally fine. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
My face is burning. But I finally blurt out: “Sounds good.”
Bedtime takes forever.
Ben wants three stories instead of one. Wants to practice her hand squeezes. Wants to know if Frederick can sleep in the middle instead of the side.
Finally, mercifully, she’s out.
I stand in her doorway watching her breathe. Curls spread across the pillow. One small hand clutching the plush snail.
You’re stalling, Riley.
I am absolutely stalling.
Because going back to that carriage house feels dangerous. Feels like playing with fire. Feels like I should definitely change my underwear first because it’s already a lost cause and I haven’t even seen him yet.
