First Night As Mrs Sterling.

“Come see! I’ll show you everything,” she said breathlessly.

A day after the proposal, the tabloids were going crazy as expected.

That night, I moved into the Sterling Mansion. Moving into the mansion felt nothing like moving into a home. My suitcase looked pitiful in the wide entryway like a forgotten package. Clara didn't care, she ran to me, giggling all the way.

I laughed, letting her drag me up the stairs. “All right, but slowly, Clara. My shoes aren’t magic like yours.”

She darted from room to room, pointing out little treasures. “This is my room. Look, I have new paints! Papa bought them. And this is the playroom. And this…oh! Come see the library, it’s huge.”

Her joy was infectious, but behind me I couldn't ignore Alexander's presence. I wondered what was going on in his mind. We were to get married tomorrow at the fourth house in Manhattan.

“Clara,” he said at one point, “let Emilia breathe.”

“I want her to see everything.” Clara’s fingers curled tight around mine.

I glanced back at him. He wore the same guarded expression he always did, but his eyes were fixed on Clara’s hand holding mine. He had the hint of a smile on his lips.

Finally we stopped at the end of a long hall. Alexander opened the door with a careful gesture. “This will be your room,” he said. “You did say we'll be sleeping separately, right?”

I stepped inside, nodding once. The room was an elegant one with soft creamed walls, polished wood furniture and a bed too big for one person. I took a deep breath, loving the smell of freshly cleaned sheets.

“Thank you. It's beautiful.” I admitted, setting my bag on the bed.

Alexander didn't leave right away, he was still holding onto little Clara who had the widest smile on her face..no one was more excited than her about this arrangement. He looked at me for a moment longer, then inclined his head. “Dinner will be served at seven.”

I thought he’d leave, but Clara barreled into the room. “You can’t stay in here now! Come read with me.”

“Clara,” Alexander started, but she cut him off.

“No! Both of you. Please tell me a story.”

She was so excited that I didn't have the heart to refuse. I was here because of her anyways.

Clara stumbled on her bed when we got to her room. She grabbed a picture book from the table beside her bed. “Here, sit with me.” She said, patting the space beside her. Alexander sat gingerly at the edge of her bed, and I entered into the bed with her.

“She wants both of us,” I said softly.

His jaw tightened, but he came and sat on the other side of Clara. The three of us made a little line on the bed. Clara handed me the book.

“You start, Emilia.”

I opened it, my voice steady as I began to read. Halfway down the page Clara interrupted. “Papa, you do the voices.”

Alexander sighed quietly, but he leaned closer, his deep voice rumbling through the words. Clara giggled at the silly parts.

At some point, Clara's head nodded between us until she was slumped against the pillows, fast asleep.

I closed the book quietly. “She’s out.”

“Yes.” His voice was softer now, and not businesslike as he patted Clara's head.

We sat for a moment watching her little frame sleep. “I'd do anything for her.” He said, smiling down at her.

My heart did a little flutter as I watched him lean down and kiss her forehead. Alexander loved his kid.

He stood quickly, while I pulled her blackest over her, standing up as well. “I should go.”

He followed me outside and as I turned, something caught my eye through the window.

There was a car sitting outside the gates. “Alexander…” I pointed.

He saw the worry on my face and came to send beside me, he was so close that our arms nearly touched. His eyes hardened and he sighed. “This is paparazzi.”

I hugged myself. “They’re already watching me and we haven't even gotten married yet.”

“They’ll watch more now. We expected this.” he turned to me. His hand brushed my arm, like he was offering comfort. “You’re not alone, I'm here.”

That simple touch burned through me. I turned away quickly, heading toward my room. “Goodnight.”

But I didn’t sleep.

I stood in front of the mirror in my room staring at the new ring on my finger. It was shining brightly even in the dimly lit room. Probably expensive.

When I left here three years ago, I never knew I'd be coming back here as a wife.

“Emilia…” Alexander called out, followed by a soft knock on my door.I hesitated, checking my appearance in the mirror. My hair fell just short of my shoulders, and my eyes looked tired. There was still lipgloss on my lips. I patted down my sun dress before answering the door. “How can I help you?”

He was wearing shorts and a singlet. The sight of his muscular chest, and the lone tattoo peeking out from the singlet on his chest made me swallow. He was hot.

“I wanted to be sure you were all right.”

I smiled at him, dragging my eyes back to his face. “I'm fine, thank you.”

He looked at me a moment too long. “You don't have to be scared of me. I just…wanted to thank you for doing this.”

I should have shut the door, but instead I stepped aside, letting him in.

When he walked past me, his arm brushed against mine and a jolt of electricity rushed through me. “This is only an arrangement,” I whispered.

“Yes.” But his eyes dropped to my mouth.

My pulse thundered. “Then why are you here?”

He didn't reply, but stepped closer instead until my back was brushed against the edge of the dresser. His hand lifted slowly brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I haven't been able to stop thinking about you in that dress.”

I shivered, my eyes going wide. He was bold, and it was turning me on.

“Alexander…”

He leaned in, so that our faces were only inches apart. “I've always wondered what kissing you would feel like, Emilia.”

My name sounded like a prayer on his lips. A thrill ran down my legs. I opened my mouth then closed it, not sure what to say. While working here, I'd always found Alexander attractive, but I never thought he'd look at me as more than an au pair.

He turned his head side to side, so that the tip of his nose touched mine. I gasped at the contact and pushed in instinctively.

Alexander smiled. “I want to kiss you…”

I couldn't believe my ears. He wanted to kiss me. Suddenly those rules I'd made up didn't look so important.

He titled my head up with his index finger and his other hand slid to my waist, drawing me against him. And then he kissed me.

I closed my eyes as something in my brain went pop!My body betrayed me and I arched toward him. I heard myself moan into his kiss, when his tongue found mine. The man was such a good kisser.

“We shoudknt–” I started to say but he bit my lower lip and my legs felt like jelly.

“Stop me,” he murmured.

I couldn’t. I didn't want to.

Alexander lifted me suddenly, settling me on the edge of the bed. He leaned down and I let my hands wander around his back and to his head. His mouth found mine again, as I buried my hands in his hair.

the shiny ring on my finger pressed against his neck as I held him and I didn't care about boundaries or contracts anymore.

Alexander's hands moved lower, and grabbed my hips through my dress. I knew exactly where this was going.