Chapter 3 Episode 3

Max POV

She was there for me even before I turned around. I asked again if she wanted coffee because she hadn't answered the first time.

When I saw her, my breath caught.

She was so pretty, God... She was truly beautiful. She looked at me, too, but her mouth was open.

Even though her eyes told me something else, I could tell she was shy. I can tell by the look in her eyes that she feels it, too. What a pull...

Oh, no. I've never felt this strongly about a woman before. It only took a second of seeing her to make me so angry.

What the fuck am I going through?

Ok. I may not have been with anyone since my wife died, but I've always been in charge. Since my wife, I haven't felt anything for any other woman, so I've never been tempted. Yes, of course. Several women have interested me, but none have made me want to get a case of blue balls. Despite that, the woman in front of me has done just that.

I told myself, "Damn it!" Nothing else is going on while you interview her for the job of babysitter for your daughter.

She's not available for hire. Shit. Her being in my house like a fucking temptation is not okay. However, fuck. She's more than pretty. She's also intelligent. She has everything.

I thought she was great when I looked at her resume. At age 24, she has done a lot. At least two degrees: one in Psychology and one in Early Childhood Education.

Fuck. There was more to my dick than I thought possible. While she waited for me to say something, I could feel her focused gaze on me. Shit. There is no way around it-I need to find someone else to do the job.

I told her I was amazed by how far she had come, and she went on and on about how much she loved kids. Fuck me, all I could do was stare at her delicious mouth and imagine what it would taste like on my mouth and how it would feel around my dick.

She stopped talking when she saw that I was looking at her. She said she was sorry for talking too much. I just gave a nod. My thoughts were only in her mouth, and she doesn't need to know that.

Oh no. This is not okay for me. I need to get her out of here before I lose it and kiss her until she feels no more pain.

"I don't think you're qualified for this job, Ms. Canzano. I mean that you're too qualified. It doesn't make sense for you to waste your time going to school when I only need someone to watch my daughter. Do what kids her age do and play with her. Sure, she's only three, but she's not a baby or anything. "She just needs to be watched," I told her.

Her look changed. She looked strong and proud in her eyes. She spoke with full conviction and trust. She told me she didn't need to be hired, which is reason enough for me to hire her because she could do much more for my daughter.

I know she was right, but I won't tell her. I told her she would be better off using her skills somewhere else. She wasn't happy, and I might have been too harsh, but fuck me if I let my lust take over.

The woman even told me I would save money because I wouldn't have to pay someone to teach my daughter basic stuff. I shook my head. I laughed like I needed to save.

She thanked me for my time and hoped I found the person I was looking for. It didn't sound like she was talking about a babysitter for my daughter. It seemed like she was talking about me...about finding... I turned my head away.

Not at all! What am I talking about? There's no way she meant that since I don't need anyone.

She got up and left my office before I could say anything else.

After my door closed briefly, I could hear faint sounds outside.

I went to my door to get a better sound. As I got closer, I could tell the difference between Aria's voice and my daughter's. They were talking and having fun. No one has ever heard my daughter laugh and talk to a stranger. They talked about how lovely their dress made them look.

When my daughter told me she was wearing her nightgown, which she calls "James," I laughed.

After some time, I decided to let them know I was there.

I walked out of my house after opening the door. When my daughter saw me, she ran right up to me. I grabbed her and gave her a big hug.

I saw that Aria's body got stiff.

It was harder for me because she looked delighted and taken with my daughter when I introduced them. I knew she was the right person for the job, but I didn't think it was right to be so close to her when I moved physically towards her. I don't need this kind of trouble.

She said goodbye, and as she walked away, I couldn't help but wonder if she would think of us and if we would see her again.

I almost hired her when I thought about not seeing her again.

I didn't, though.

I told my daughter, "Princessa, let's have breakfast."

"I like her, Dad. Lia said, "She's nice and wet."

I didn't know what to say, so I smiled at my daughter and took her downstairs for food.

But the thing is, I liked her too.

It's my fault that I liked her too much.

Aria POV

I thought, "Lia is such a lovely name for a little girl."

Oh, if only her dad weren't so...so...aargh! That man is so annoying and so...so...damn it!

Okay, that's fine. He looked good, then. What the heck? He was also cocky, which is not attractive.

Aria, come on, you know it. Even though he was cocky, he was good-looking and appealing.

Oh no! You need to work. It would help if you got a job. Think about that.

I gasped in surprise when my phone rang, breaking my thoughts.

That's Al.

"Hey," I answered my cell phone.

The woman asked, "Hey, so how did it go?"

I moaned. "Don't ask," I told you.

"Really, that bad?" "You should have worn something sexy, I told you," she laughed.

"You know I don't get it," I said, laughing. It would make sense to think he would be pleased and hire me, but that jerk used my accomplishments against me. That is, he didn't hire me because of it. I yelled, "That doesn't even make sense!"

"Well, if you just listened to me and wore..." she laughed.

"Stop..." I said, cutting her off while laughing at the same time.

"But really, it's his loss." What are you going to do now?"

"I'm not sure." You should know that I can't give up. I'm not going to. I promised myself, "One day, I'll open my nursery and learning centre."

Max

I still haven't found the right person to be Emelia's nanny after a week.

As I thought that, my thoughts went to the brunette on my mind ever since she left my house.

Ok. Okay, she was pretty, innovative, and the best person to be my daughter's nanny, but... Fine. That means there is no but.

I think about her all the time. The way her breath stopped when she saw me. The way her eyes looked shocked. The way she stood up for herself with class and honour. The way she spoke with her mouth. When she was mad, her golden brown eyes were on fire. The way she laughed with my daughter and talked to her.

She was so beautiful, God.

"I want to love you again." Max. You care so much. Discover the person who will love you and your child, and love them back. Feel everything you have for her.

I thought of Alex's letter. Then Aria's face came to mind.

Then I turned around and saw my wife's face. I took the frame out of my pocket and held it.

I let out a big breath, and tears came to my eyes.

I feel guilty starting to rise inside me. I should not feel this way about other people. In the first place, I shouldn't feel this way about anyone.

I am unable to. I loved Alex very much and could never love someone else as much as I loved her.

"I miss you a lot, sweetheart. Every day I think about you. I really wish you were still here with us. "I love you so much, sweetheart."

After that, I stopped thinking about Aria and focused on the work I needed to do.

The only thing that's making me feel that way is a beautiful woman. I will forget about her soon.

But I had a hard time believing what I was saying. I think that thoughts of Aria will keep coming back to me for a very long time.

Around 6, I knew I wouldn't make it home in time for dinner or to put Lia to bed. I called Emma at home to tell her.

"Hello," Emma's voice said.

"Hey Emma, how is everything?" "I hope Lia isn't making things too hard for you," I told her.

"No way, sir. Little Lia is a sweetheart. "That kid, I love her like she's my granddaughter," she told him.

I laughed. I have a lot of faith in Emma. She has lived with my family since before I was born. When I moved to New York for good, my mom sent her to me. She's like family to me.

"Thank you again, Emma, for taking care of her." "Everything will be fine again as soon as I find someone," I told her.

What did she say? "Mr. Maxwell..."

"Emma, when will you stop calling me Max?" As a child, you always called me that. "I don't get why you stopped," I said softly. "You're family."

"I only ever called you that when you were making trouble," she stated.

I had fun. "Which was often, if I remember correctly."

She chuckled, "You were a very active boy," she said. "Well, isn't that a nice way of putting it?"

"Anyway, Max, I just wanted to ask you something. I really believed Aria was the best person for the job." "I don't know what happened," she said.

When I heard her name, I groaned to myself. What am I going to say?

"It just seemed like she was too qualified." "Anyway, I'm sure I'll find someone soon. She'd do better working at a school or a nursery." "Listen, I just called to tell you I'm not going to be home for dinner." "I just need to finish up some paperwork."

"That's all right, Sir. Do you want to talk to Lia?"

I said, "Yes, please," and immediately, my daughter's voice came over.

She happily said, "Hi, Daddy."

"Hi, Principessa, how are you?"

"I'm fine, dad. I played all day and baked cookies with E'lyn." She was proud to say, "I help her dad."

"Really then?" "That's great, honey."

"I save you some daddy."

"Did you?" "I can't wait to try them," I told her. "Look, dear, my dad called to say I'll be home late tonight." "Daddy needs to finish up some work."

She said, "Okay, Daddy."

"You be good, okay?"

"Yes, Dad. "I adore you."

I told her, "I love you too."

"Bye, Daddy."

"Bye," I said as I hung up.

All of a sudden, I feel energised again. You wouldn't believe how a simple chat with my daughter could make my day...or night better.

I took a deep breath and went back to work.

It was 11pm when I got home. I was worn out, and I still have a meeting early tomorrow morning.

I quickly went to Lia's room by going up the stairs.

When I saw her, I smiled. Before I left her room, I gave her a quick kiss, and good night.

I feel bad that I still don't have a babysitter for her, and I know I need to find one soon.

Once more, Aria comes into my mind.

Good morning! It's hard for me to think about her.

I chose to take a quick, cold shower to get things done.

I keep thinking about her.

Getting into bed, I hoped to fall asleep quickly. I couldn't help but think about Aria, and I wondered if she felt the same way about me.

With that last thought in mind, I finally gave up because I was too tired and fell asleep.