Nova

He grabs my right leg, kissing his way up to the inside of my leg, making me moan in anticipation. Right when he is about to get dangerously close, he goes back down and kisses up my other leg.

I groan with a voice filled with longing. "Stop teasing me, please I need to feel you inside me."

"Oh sweetheart, we've only just begun," the mysterious man says in a baritone voice that makes my core tighten.

He slides his finger up and down my center and pushes inside me. Slowly, he slides in and out, gradually increasing his pace until I'm barely able to hold back the sounds that come out of my lips. I stop trying entirely when he slides a second finger into my moist center.

"Is that what you want sweetheart?" he asks and I can hear just how much he enjoys watching me writhe under him.

Before I can reply, he bends down and uses his tongue on me, destroying whatever self control I have left. The sound of his strained breathing and the pressure of his hardness against me makes me throb against his finger and tongue.

"God, I'm almost there, please, please don't stop," I say barely above a whisper, but I know he hears because he increases his pace even more.

The next thing I know he flicks me down there and I start to feel my muscles tightening around his finger, drowning me in pleasure when....my alarm rings.

Beep, beep, beep.

I sit upright in my bed, looking around my room and trying to separate the dream from reality. Even as the details become fuzzy, I still remember the touch on my skin and my core tightens trying to get back that feeling.

"I really need a good fuck'" I say to my empty room, even though I know I probably won't be getting one anytime soon.

When the haze of sleep clears, I get up and prepare for the day ahead.

Somehow, I have the good fortune of being the final candidate for the nanny position I applied for. A new position is all I need to start a new phase in my life and I am grateful to my roommate and best friend, Xander, for recommending me for the job.

The interview process was surprisingly seamless. I was honest about my lack of experience with nannying, but my determination to do the best of what is required of me must have resonated with the elderly housekeeper who was in charge of the interview.

I pick a dress out of the few clothes I have here and put it on. Luckily for me, moving to my employer's mansion where I will live and work, was completely paid for as part of my nanny privileges.

When I am ready to leave, I write a short note for Xander who is at work, and paste it on the fridge. Then I step out, officially ready to start my new position.

In some time, I arrive at the mansion and ring the bell at the gate. After confirming my name and reason for being there, I am allowed in.

"How do you do, Nova?" The housekeeper at the door asks with a smile in her motherly voice as she lets me in. She is just as friendly as she was the day of my interview.

"I'm doing fine Mrs Jenkins. Just nervous about my new job is all," I say honestly as I take in the luxury. The house looks like something out of a movie and it takes everything in me to hold back an impressed whistle.

"Oh you'll be fine dear," Mrs Jenkins says with a gentle chuckle. "The kids are darlings and you have nothing to fear from them."

"All parents say this about their kids," I reply under my breath.

At first I was sure she wouldn't hear but when her eyes twinkle and a crackly laugh leaves her throat, I know she did. I like her.

As she confidently leads me upstairs, she gives me a brief history of the house and the family. Finally, she says, "All your things have already been moved up to your room so you have nothing to worry about. Rest up and tonight I will introduce you to the twins."

She opens the door to a wide and spacious room filled with all my things. My mouth hangs open as I marvel at the beauty of the room and how much it aligns with my dream bedroom.

"If you need anything, just let me know dear," Mrs Jenkins says and starts to close the door.

Immediately, I start walking around the room, checking for all my properties and enjoying the feeling of luxury against my skin. After that, I sit on the soft bed and reach out for the nanny handbook, which contains all the information I need to know about my new job, and I go straight to the page about my employer. What does someone have to do to afford such luxury?

Before I can start reading, my door slowly slides open and a young girl with curly blond hair and a bright pink dress runs in and climbs on the bed besides me.

"Hello, how do you do? I'm Emile, not Emily," she says with an amusing frown, like the thought of being called Emily annoys her. "You must be the new nanny. You're here to replace Mrs Jenkins because she getting old and she can't find her glasses even though they're right there. Right?"

"Oh hi." I'm still adjusting to her sudden presence and bubbly personality when a quiet knock on the door introduces me to her twin brother, Ethan.

He remains standing by the door with a teddy in his hand observing me with curious honey brown eyes so I say, "You must be Ethan. It's nice to meet you! Come over and sit besides me."

"It's nice to meet you too," he says quietly as he walks to the bed and climbs onto it. His cute manners makes me smile widely.

"And Emile," I make sure to not say Emily, "I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. I'm Nova and yes, I am the new nanny. I'm here to take care of both of you and help Mrs Jenkins find her glasses."

Emile's infectious laugh fills the room and it makes Mrs Jenkins give us an amused look as she walks in with a tray of tea.

"Both of you are supposed to be in your rooms. What are you doing here? Allow Miss Nova rest, dears. She has had a long journey." She is scolding them but the warmth in her eyes shows how much she cares for the twins.

Emile and Ethan both look up at her pouting and Emile says, "We just wanted to say hello to Miss Nova. Can we stay? Just a little?"

Mrs Jenkins looks at me for permission and I nod. "Of course you can! I'm happy to have you here with me."

The smile the two children give me in response warms my heart and is enough reason to spend time with them all night and for the first time since Xander brought up this job opportunity, I am fully convinced about working here.

Shortly after, Mrs Jenkins leaves after dropping the tea on the table in the middle of my room and chatting with us for a bit.

"So what is the name of your teddy bear?" I ask Ethan.

"It's our teddy bear, Miss Nova. And his name is Teddy," Emile answers immediately with an innocent smile on her face. Ethan only nods to confirm what she says.

"That's a great name. You know, I once had a friend named Teddy too," I say cheerfully, ignoring the ache that is always in my chest when I think about him.

"Teddy's name is Teddy Thompson because daddy's name is Teddy Thompson," Emily explains distractedly as she plays with the toy.

"No, Emi. Daddy's name is Theodore. Theodore Thompson, Emi," Ethan corrects her calmly.

My hand freezes mid-play and my heart races, refusing to accept the coincidence. The playing children have no idea what effect that name has on me.

A shaky reply is all I can give. "What?"

Just then, the sound of a car driving in makes Emile and Ethan jump up in happiness.

"Daddy's back!"

As the twins hold each of my hands and drag me downstairs, I hollowly follow them as thoughts cloud my head. There's no way, absolutely no way, that Fate could be so wicked.

As the foyer comes into view and I lock my gaze on the figure at the door, a shocked gasp leaves my lips, drawing his attention to me.

The same piercing blue eyes, chiseled jawline and commanding presence that once left me breathless.

Theodore Thompson.

The man who fucked up my life.

"You what?!!"

I put my palm to my ears dramatically. It is much too early to deal with noise but I know Xander deserves an explanation for why I returned with only the clothes on my back last night.

She was gracious enough to let me sleep without having to talk about it but her curiosity has gotten the best of her.

So here we are, two girls sitting on her bed in the darkness of the early morning.

"Can't we talk about it after you get back from work?" I groan and fall back onto the soft pillows, trying to escape the conversation.

"How do you fucking expect me to face Mr Thompson today without knowing the full fucking story?!" she shrieks.

I groan again, louder this time, when I hear his name. Last night, after finding out the Theodore Thompson I knew is my new employer, I ran out of his house as fast as my legs could carry. I can feel my face turn a little red as I think of what Mrs Jenkins and the children must think of me now. And him...

"Oh shit!" I sit up in bed immediately and ask Xander, "Will this won't affect your job? I know how much of a risk recommending me must have been."

Alexandra, my best friend since college, has good things going on for her. Unlike me, she actually finished college and has a life. She works as an executive assistant in a famous business company, a company I now know belongs to Theodore Thompson, and it would break my heart if she loses her job because of me.

She rolls her big doe eyes and says, "Fuck him. Are you shitting me? If I had known Mr Theodore, my amazing employer who is one of the most handsome men and eligible bachelors, is actually Teddy, the love of your life who turned out to be a fucktard asshole who ruined shit for you, I never would have made you go anywhere near him!"

I smile because of her sharp words but that quickly turns into a playful frown when she looks at me accusingly. "You! How the fuck did you not know who your employer is? I passed the nanny handbook to you and everything."

I fall back into the bed, not bothering to explain how I glossed over the part of the handbook describing the children and my new employer, preferring to come to my own impression of them.

"What am I going to do, Xander? I absolutely need this job to pay for the studio."

The plan has always been to work hard and earn enough money to buy a music studio and launch my career as an instrumentalist. But now I'm back to square one.

"Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe I should just move back in with-"

"No bitch! You're going forward in life not back," Xander says encouragingly. She shimmies closer and lies besides me, taking my hand in hers.

"You're not going back there, Nova. Stay here, forever if you have to, and think of another way. You're not giving up on your dreams yet girl."

I squeeze her hands in silent thanks as the sun slowly lights up the room. In the silence that follows, I listen to her heartbeat until I drift away.

**********

As I stand in front of the music studio with my eyes fixed on the sleek glass door, the muffled sound of instruments trailing out fills me with excitement and determination.

In my mind's eyes, I see myself walking through these doors, instruments in hand and ready to create.

"One day," I mutter as I walk away.

On my way home, my mind drifts to my childhood and memories of love, laughter and music. There was always music playing, making it a huge part of my life.

Everyone around me back then knew I was meant to make music. I would tell anyone who was interested enough to listen about my plan. Study music, get a degree, and become the world's best instrumentalist.

Back when everything seemed so straightforward and sure. Before my life took a drastic turn. Before I met Theodore Thompson.

He was so confident and world wise, telling me about all the places he's visited and the things he did there, but he was also very kind and soft, Iike when he would look into my eyes like I was the only girl in the world.

And I, who had never even thought about having a boyfriend before, found myself falling head over heels in love with him.

My chest aches as I think about the months I spent with him, ignoring warnings against rushing into things, ignoring warnings against falling for a rich boy on summer vacation.

The night before he was to return to the city was the first night I slept out. We laid under the moonlight talking about our future together.

When he began kissing my body, I offered no resistance and fully surrendered myself to him, allowing him to bring me pleasure I had never felt before.

And that was the last time I heard from him.

Refusing to believe what was clear to everyone else, I ran away from home in search of Theodore. I tracked him down to his house in the city, just in time to see him walking out...with his bride.

And just like that, reality came crashing down on me.

My first taste of heartbreak was on a busy street in a strange city, alone and watching the man I loved drive away with another woman, his new bride.

If only that was the end of it...

I sigh deeply and shake my head, forcing away thoughts of the past. Theodore Thompson's involvement in my life all those years ago was a mistake and I will never be able to erase the consequences of trusting him.

But this time, I won't allow myself to make the same mistake. I have to resign the nanny position and stay as far away from Theodore as I can.

The more I think about it, the more determined I am. I won't let Theodore Thompson fuck up my life all over again.

"Excuse me, Miss."

I turn around in time to see two big men in dark suits get up from the bench they were sitting on and approach me.

"You need to come with us."

Theodore

"What do you mean the investors are backing out?" I demand with my voice low and even.

My grip on the phone tightens as I listen to the anxious voice on the other end of the line. "Unfortunately sir, the latest projections indicate--"

My patience is wearing thin so I cut off the associate, speaking through my teeth. "I don't pay you to tell me what's going wrong. I pay you to fix problems."

I pace behind the desk, watching the city below as my mind races with thoughts of solutions and damage control.

"I want a revised proposal on my desk by tomorrow morning. And Harrison?"

"Yes sir."

"Make it work."

I end the call and collapse into my desk with my jaws clenched. The timing couldn't be worse. I might have to fly out once again to handle it all myself.

Just as I am about to call my team and assemble an emergency meeting, the voice of my personal assistant comes through the intercom.

"Mr Thompson, your guest has arrived."

My expression softens a little as a fleeting distraction from chaos arrives.

"Send her in," I say as I compose myself.

Seconds later, the door opens and the security guards walk in with an uncooperative Nova Patel.

I watch her every movement closely.

As they enter, she struggles in the guard's grip trying to free herself, but when she notices me, she goes limp as shock flashes in her eyes. A wicked smile plays on my lips when her expression changes to distrust.

"Leave," I say to the guards without breaking eye contact and we both wait quietly until we hear the sound of the door click close.

For a moment, she stares at me defiantly in the silence the guards left behind.

"Why am I here?" she finally says.

"Can't an employer request the presence of his latest employee?" I ask casually.

She sighs lightly. "About that. Thank you for the opportunity, but I have to apologize to you Mr Thompson..."

I raise an eyebrow at the way she addresses me but she continues, telling me her reasons for resigning.

As she speaks, my gaze drifts over her from head to toe, taking in all the things that have changed since I last saw her.

She's dressed casually, in a fitted tee that hugs her body and a pair of joggers that does nothing to hide her soft curves. Her dark hair falls loosely around her soft face and I can't help but think about my hand running through it.

She has grown. Gone is the awkward young adult I once knew. Now, as her body screams out, now she is a woman.

As she finishes speaking, I am distracted by the sudden downward rush of blood.

"...and so once again thank you for this opportunity. I will have my things out of your house by the end of the week," she concludes politely, almost impersonally.

"You're not wearing your glasses," I remark. "You switched to contact lenses."

She raises an eyebrow as confusion flickers on her face. "Pardon me?"

"I like the glasses. They made you look...vulnerable. Innocent." My voice drops to a low murmur. "Like a lamb waiting to be devoured."

I pay attention as the shock dances on her face, followed by a deep blush. Just like before, her face turns red at the smallest innuendo.

"I see no reason why we should talk about that," she says flustered as she tries to compose herself. But I'm not ready to let the moment pass.

"Do you still have that birthmark? The one near your-"

Before I can finish, she cuts me off with embarrassment and annoyance flashing in her eyes.

"Excuse me! Can you please maintain a professional image?" she says with a firm voice, but her cheeks are still burning with colour.

"Professional?" I say as my tone becomes grave. "Are you being professional? You're here in my office, dressed casually, when you're supposed to start your duties as nanny today."

"I'm here to resign-"

I pull out a contract from my desk drawer and hold it up, my eyes locked on hers.

"Do you remember signing this?" I ask as I slide it across the desk to her.

She picks it up and nods her head as she scans the document. "Yes, I did. The day I accepted the job offer."

"You might want to take a closer look at section 5, subsection 2."

A small smile graces my lips as she reads to herself and her eyes widen in disbelief. Years ago I was forced to let her go. Last night, I was too shocked at seeing Nova Patel standing in my house to stop her from leaving. But now, she won't be going anywhere.

"I'm required to work a minimum of one year?" she asks in disbelief.

I nod firmly. "I won't have my children go through a frequent change of nannies. Stability is crucial for their development," I say as I lean back into my chair, my eyes never leaving hers.

"I could have sworn I went through this contract twice before signing," she says as she flips page after page. "Is there no way to negotiate this clause? I haven't even started working yet."

I shrug absentmindedly. "If you want to leave so badly you can pay the penalty clause. It's there on the last page."

I watch as she frantically turns pages and her eyes widen at the number of zeroes.

There's a moment of silence as she comes to terms with the arrangement. Or so I thought until she speaks..

"Mr Thompson...please. Let me resign," she pleads.

I feel a pang of surprise, followed by a hint of hurt at the desperation in her voice. Why is she so desperate to get away from me?

"Mr Thompson..." I say frowning as I stand up from my chair. "I can't say I like the sound of that, Nova."

I notice a flicker of fear in her eyes and my frown deepens. I am surprised to realize how hurt I am that she would think of me as a threat.

"Do I scare you?" I ask quietly as I move closer to her. She takes a step back, her eyes darting around the room and I can sense her unease.

"Don't come any closer or I'll...I'll report you to HR," she warns and her voice trembles slightly.

I stop in my tracks, surprised by her threat and a low, rumbling laughter builds in my chest.

"You'll report me to HR?" I repeat as I get closer to her. Soon, she backs herself into a corner, leaving no room for her to escape from.

My eyes are locked on hers as I slowly approach and the air in the room thickens with tension. When I close the distance, all that is left is a hair's breadth to make physical contact. I can feel the weight of the space left between us and as her lips slightly part, I know she can feel it too.

Watching her like this, her chest falling in rapid breathes, my body responds.

"You're breathing faster, Nova," I say slowly, not wanting to break the spell we have on each other. "Are you scared...or aroused?"