mia
I pridemyself on following my bosses’ instructions and blowing their expectations, so when my alarm blares at 4:30 a.m., I'm half-awake, fully feral, panic-scrolling luxury listings for the fanciest suite I can find.
The one I’m looking at has a private pool you could swim laps in, on a balcony overlooking Central Park. We’ll feel like absolute royalty.
I pause, picturing Preston taking me from behind out there, buried deep, while I watch the world go by. We’ll go by unseen. Unbothered. I hum at the scene playing in my brain. Note to self: wear a skirt.
One more second with that thought, and my hand will slip under the covers. I distract myself by checking the hotel confirmation email, syncing check-in and check-out times to Preston’s calendar, then tidying my room up.
By the time I’m showered, changed, and tiptoeing my way to wake Lily up, Preston’s already beaten me to it.
Lily’s already dressed, hair wrangled with no less thansix bright clips, backpack slung on… and not remotely amused.
“Why is everyone waking up so early today?” she mutters, narrowing her eyes.
Preston and I exchange guilty glances, and might as well raise plaques that readbusted.
I say, “Success favors the prepared,” while her dad claims, “The early bird gets the worm,” and we both crack up laughing, dangerously close to blowing our cover. How we’re supposed to keep this dirty secret from actual adults is beyond me.
“That’s not even funny,” the grumpy six-year-old mumbles, stomping her way downstairs to the kitchen. Once we hear her little feet hit the ground floor, we face each other, and every part of me forgets how to act casual.
Pres doesn’t seem to have the same issue. He pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Good morning, beautiful,” he says softly.
I close my eyes and try not to swoon.
“Slept well?” he asks.
“Very,” I breathe, as my traitorous brain queues up a montage of this man on his knees, eating me out with an enthusiasm I’ve never been graced with before. Something coils low in my belly, and if this reel keeps playing, I’ll need a fresh pair of panties before we even make it out of the house.
“Me too. After I jerked off twice.”
Fine, maybe a quick change before breakfast, just so I don’t ruin any furniture.
“One to memories, another to expectations.”
I go rigid in his arms at that last word. It’s a brutal reminder of how inexperienced I am compared to a forty-three-year-old man. Of how easily I could disappoint him.
“What just happened?” he asks, pulling me out of my spiral with a gentle squeeze just above my elbows.
“It’s just…”
“Say it. I love how you don’t hide. How I don’t have to guess or tiptoe. Whatever’s peeking behind your eyes right now… let it out. You know you can trust me.”
Fucker. I do trust him. That’s the terrifying part.
“You haveexpectations.”
He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t smirk. Just smiles, and it’s not condescending. It’s honest and steady. He’s offering me a place to land.
“Okay, so maybe that was a poor choice of words.” He pulls me closer and sways us gently. “What I meant was, I’m excited for more time with you. For more ofyou.”
Then he dips his head and whispers right into my ear, “There’s no version of this where you disappoint me, Mia.”
The peace shatters with a loud crack from below. Then Lily’s voice trails up, high-pitched and guilty, “Sorryyyy!”
Preston bolts, calling out, “Are you okay?” before he’s even halfway down. I follow close behind, trying not to trip over my own feet or ovaries.
Lily’s kneeling on the high chair, gripping a full gallon of milk. Her cereal swims in a puddle on the floor, mixed with the remains of what used to be a bowl.
