Page 15 of Temptation
“Daddy, Ms. Walsh is here,” Flynn calls out, his voice breaking the spell that has been cast over me.
Maddy’s face lights up with excitement as she scrambles to her feet, rushing towards me with outstretched arms. “Ms. Walsh!”she squeals, throwing herself into my embrace. I scoop her up, and she giggles.
By the lack of surprise coming from both children, I assume their father had already told them about my new…job.
Fabrizio turns to face us, his eyes locking onto mine with a heated gaze, and I can feel my cheeks flushing under his intense scrutiny. I put his daughter back on her feet. “Daddy, can I show Ms. Walsh my room?” Maddy asks, looking up at her father with pleading eyes. Fabrizio’s gaze never leaves mine as he gives a curt nod.
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes. You can show Ms. Walsh your room in the meantime,” he tells his daughter, his voice low and relaxed, with even a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“Come on,” Maddy squeals, taking my hand and pulling me towards the stairs. I follow her, her eager chatter involuntary bringing an honest smile to my face.
As we reach the top of the stairs, Maddy points to what must be her room. My jaw drops as I step inside what can only be described as every little girl’s dream. The room is enormous, with more than enough space to accommodate a large, four-poster bed, a massive closet, and a sprawling play area. My small apartment could fit inside this room easily. The walls are painted a soft shade of pink, and the floor is covered in a thick, plush carpet. The bed is draped in a beautiful lace canopy and covered in a mountain of stuffed animals and colorful pillows.
“Do you like it?” Maddy asks, looking up at me with shining eyes.
“Absolutely,” I tell her. “It’s beautiful.” She giggles and throws herself onto the bed, and I watch as she tosses and turns, her laughter and squeals of delight filling the air. She is such a happy, carefree child, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness as I think about the reality of the life that she leads.
I take the opportunity to look around her room. A large wooden desk sits in the corner, covered in papers, crayons, and markers. The little girl clearly has a passion for art, and I can see the potential for real talent in her future. I can almost imagine her as a grown woman, a famous artist with a studio full of paintings. One wall is lined with a massive bookshelf, filled to the brim with colorful books and serving as a display case for Maddy’s extensive collection of dolls.
My eyes land on the single frame sitting in the middle of the shelf. I reach out and pick it up, taking in the image of a woman smiling back at me. The picture must have been taken on a sunny day, her blond hair shimmering in the light like gold. Her warm eyes sparkle with happiness; it’s the same twinkle that sparks in Maddy’s gaze when she’s happy. I feel a pang in my chest as I realize this must be the children’s mother.
“That’s my mommy,” Maddy tells me on cue, her small voice filled with the tiniest hint of sadness. “She’s in heaven. Daddy says because she’s his angel.”
My heart goes out to the little girl, and I feel a lump form in my throat.
I’ve never heard her or her brother talk about their mother. In fact, the only thing I’ve ever heard about Alexandra Moretti is that she’s dead.
For a moment, I even feel a sense of pity for Fabrizio, raising his children on his own after the loss of their mother. But as I look back at the picture, I can’t help but wonder how a woman with such a warm and kind aura ended up with a man like him.
I clear my throat, trying to push aside the melancholy thoughts. “And what about Flynn’s room?” I ask. Maddy points to the wall, indicating that her brother’s room is right beside hers.
“But it’s not as nice as mine,” she tells me, a hint of smugness in her voice. “It’s full of cars and not a bit of pink.”
I chuckle at her exasperation. “Well, I’m sure it’s perfect for him,” I tell her. “Come on now, let’s go eat. I’m sure dinner’s ready by now, and I’m starving.” Maddy pouts but takes my hand and follows me towards the stairs.
The pasta that Fabrizio has prepared tastes absolutely delicious. The table is filled with the constant chatter and laughter of the children, and I find myself smiling and joining in on the fun. It is easy to forget about the circumstances that have brought me here, and for a moment, I feel like I am just a part of a normal family. Even Flynn cracks a smile—a rare sight that warms my heart.
“Can we watch cartoons, Dad?” he asks, looking up at his father with hopeful eyes.
Fabrizio tilts his head to the side, a mock-thoughtful expression on his face. “Okay, half an hour, and then it’s time for bed,” he tells his son, reaching out to ruffle his hair. The children bolt from the room, leaving silence in their wake.
Suddenly, I’m alone with Fabrizio again. My mind races as I struggle to come up with something, anything, to say or do. To distract myself, I start gathering up the empty plates scattered across the table.
“There is no need for you to do that,” Fabrizio says, leaning against the counter, his eyes fixed intently on me as I load the plates into the dishwasher.
“Oh, I don’t mind. You already did the cooking,” I reply, flashing him a smile as I feel a moment of unexpected naturalness pass between us. “It was delicious, by the way, thank you.” He shrugs off my compliment, but his gaze never wavers from mine.
“I will put the children to bed, and then the two of us will have a drink,” he tells me, his tone leaving no room for debate. It’s not an offer but a statement of fact.
Still, I nod my agreement, feeling a flutter in my chest at his words. “I can do that if you want me to,” I offer, as I figured it would be a part of my duties anyway, but he shakes his head.
“I prefer to do it myself the few nights I have the time,” he tells me, his voice filled with a quiet intensity that makes me wonder what he’s like as a father. “But you are welcome to join us if you like.” His gaze holds mine for a moment, and the flutter in my chest intensifies.
There’s a spark in his gaze, a shimmer that crackles with electricity. It’s as if the air between us hums with tension, and for one heart-pounding moment, I’m convinced he’s going to bridge the distance between us and kiss me.
Instead, he takes two large steps to stand right before me, his features hardening again, and his voice now devoid of any softness. “Just one thing,Sienna,” he says, his voice low and serious. “I want to remind you of the importance of keeping our agreement in mind at all times.”
I meet his gaze and nod my understanding, feeling a shiver run down my spine at the sudden coldness in his demeanor. “Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior in front of the children,” I assure him.
