Temptations

27. BACK TO NORMAL

ELLIE

It was Saturday and our 'honeymoom' has officially came to an end. Right now, we were in the car on our way back to Nathan's house. He was sitting beside me bored, tapping his foot on the floor impatiently, as if he couldn't wait to get away from me.

"Should we tell your Mom what a failure this honeymoon was?" I asked him in a teasing voice.

"Don't say a word." He glared at me, all serious all of sudden. "In fact, put a wide smile on your face like you're the happiest woman on the world."

I don't know about smile but his words did make me laugh.

"Why should I do that instead of telling her that her manwhoring son couldn't keep it in his pants?" I asked, referring to his earlier actions.

"Fine, go ahead. And while we are on this topic, do tell her about that hunk. What was his name? Adam?" He said bitterly.

"Amar." I corrected him.

"Wow! What a sharp memory." He rolled his eyes.

"Who can forget a face like that?" I said and his face hardened even more.

We were busy in our bickering when the car came to a halt and we realised we have reached our destination.

"Okay I'm serious now. Act happy in front of Mom and do not complain about anything." Nathan said in his typical bossy tone and walked out.

"Scaredy cat." I muttered under my breath and followed him to the house. He gave me a side eye and then went inside.

As soon as we entered through the door, Aria came rushing towards us. It was midnight but she was still up, and so was her doll that she was dragging with her.

"Daddy!" She screamed as she first rushed up to her father with wide arms, throwing her doll on the floor. Poor doll!

Nathan picked her up and enveloped her in a tight hug. "Daddy missed you, sweetheart." He said in a gentle tone that sounded weird coming from his mouth.

"I missed you too." She said, kissed her cheeks and then turned to me. "And I also missed Ellie... I mean, Mama." She frowned at her mistake.

"It's okay." I said and then brushed her hair back with my fingers. "Look at you, you have grown up so much in a week."

"I'm a big girl now." She said proudly and then pouted. "Why didn't you both take me with you?"

"Next time, I promise." Nathan said to her.

"Enough, Aria. It's time for you to sleep." A voice came and we both focused our attention on Catherine, who somehow looked graceful and rich even in her sleeping gown. Well, to be fair, her gown was made of pure silk and looked really expensive.

"But Gramma..." Aria began to speak.

"You have school tomorrow, sweetie. Remember? No compromise on that." Catherine said and motioned her babysitter to take her for sleep. Them and their rules!

I felt pity on Aria and swooped in. "We aren't going anywhere now. You go sleep and we will play tomorrow." I said.

"Can we go to picnic, Mama?" She asked, pouting again. "It was sunny today."

"Sure, I'll plan a picnic soon." I nodded. She smiled excitedly and happily left for her room with her nanny.

"Now you two. How were things on honeymoon? Did anyone suspect something?" Catherine asked as she sat down on the couch.

Nathan and I exchanged an annoyed look with each other and then plastered a fake smile on our faces. "Everything went well. We had a great time and nobody suspected anything." He was the one to speak.

"Good." Catherine nodded and then turned to me. "What about you?"

"Everything was perfect." I said, lying.

"Great. You both must be tired. You should go take some rest now." She said.

Nodding, we both stood up and walked towards our room while the maid brought the luggage. I didn't expect Catherine to trust us so easily but I'm glad I didn't have to sit through the interrogation any longer.

"God, I'm so tired." I hopped over the bed as soon as I entered in and lay down with my arms sprawled on the soft mattress.

"Yes, it must be exhausting being you." He teased.

"Yes, obviously. I..." I lost track of my words when I saw him standing without a shirt. He looked so toned and so perfect while I was lying there, probably looking like a hobo. His chiseled body increased the temperature of my cheeks and I struggled to find my words. "Didn't I tell you to have some shame while I'm here?" I said lowly.

"You did?" He raised his eyebrows. He walked over to the cupboard to look for a t-shirt while I failed to tear my eyes from his muscular back. How will it feel to run finger over his taut skin?

Shut up!!!

"Where was this shame when you were walking around in skimpy bikinis?" He asked.

"That was Maldives." I said defensively.

"And?" He asked as he put on the shirt, the thin material stretching over his built chest.

"Um.... I wanted to get sexy photos." I shrugged, licking my lips.

"Sexy? You think quite highly of yourself, Miss. Anderson." He responded and I threw a pillow towards him.

"I've seen how you looked at me. Don't be a smart ass." I retorted, acting callous.

"You wish." He said and went into the bathroom.

•••

Once I had gathered some energy but taking rest, I rearranged my room a little while my dear husband scrolled his phone carelessly.

"You know, we need to plan a picnic with Aria as a compensation for leaving her alone." I said as I sat down beside him.

"We don't do picnics." He dismissed the idea before I could even start.

"Why? Picnics are fun." I said. As a child, I used to look towards our picnics. It was like a family bonding therapy and God knows this family needs it.

He put his phone away and turned towards me. "Is it Aria who wants a picnic or you?" He asked.

"We are going next weekend, whether you agree or not. I've promised her." I insisted.

"That sounds like your problem." He said cautiously and my hands itched to punch him.

"You know what?" I said in an annoyed voice while my nostrils flared. "We'll go alone. And I'll tell Aria that her father isn't willing to spare some time for her."

"Suit yourself." He lay down and I groaned.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes.

I lay down beside him and began scrolling my phone to divert my mind. He must be pretty tired as within few minutes, soft snores started coming from his side, filling my ears. I angled my neck to look at him and found him sleeping peacefully, his mouth parted and his hair falling on his forehead. The man who was just annoying me to the core had suddenly transformed into a cute baby.

My hands itched to swipe his hair back and see how they would feel under my fingers. When I couldn't hold the urge any longer, I extended my hand towards him and suddenly, he shifted in his position, alarming me. I immediately withdrew my hand.

"What is wrong with you?" I said to myself and turned off the lights.

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