“Good night! Sweet dreams.”
With that, I turned and left the study before Ashton could even voice his objection.
…
The next morning, I was awakened by Audrey.
The little one shook me awake after finding out that her brother was gone when she woke up.
While yawning, I coaxed, “Audrey, go and play with your brother. Let me sleep for a while…” I trailed off and fell back asleep.
Still, Audrey was relentless. “Mommy, I want you to help me get changed. Aunt Emma told me you would teach me how to wear my clothes after you come back. Mommy…”
Yet, my mind was too groggy to even bother with the little girl’s request. Feeling sleepy, I pretended to have heard nothing.
In fact, Audrey should blame her father for my sleepiness. My mind ran wild the entire night after the man teased me. In the end, I only managed to fall asleep after much tossing and turning in bed.
Audrey was still trying to wake me up while I grumbled to myself about Ashton. Just then, the man’s familiar voice rang out, “You sleepyhead.”
Oh, speak of the devil, here he is.
“Daddy!” Audrey was obsessed with her father. The moment she heard Ashton’s voice, she threw me at the back of her mind and hopped into the man’s arms. After giving Ashton a morning kiss, she explained herself, “I’m not a sleepyhead. I have woken up early today. Mommy is the sleepyhead!” I’m sorry, mommy.
For a while, Ashton remained silent before he spoke up, “Mommy didn’t sleep well because the bed is too small. We’ll buy a larger bed so I can sleep with you guys. That way, your mommy won’t oversleep again.”
“Alright, daddy!” Audrey clapped her hands in joy.
As for me, I was still mulling over Ashton’s words. A larger bed? It will take me forever to wake up if we get a larger bed. Hmph! This man is shameless lying to a kid.
Just then, a thought suddenly hit me. I pulled the blanket off and sat bolt upright. My eyes widened as I looked at the man standing by the bed. “You must be kidding, right?”
I know what this man is up to. He is getting a larger bed to satisfy his desire!
The thought of it made my face flush. Instantly, I was wide awake.
Narrowing his eyes, the man plastered a skin-deep smile on his face. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”
He cast his eyes downward and smirked. Soon after, he carried Audrey out of the bedroom.
After they left, I looked down and saw the silk camisole that I was wearing. That was when I realized the man was looking downblouse at my breasts just now.
I took a deep breath and pulled the blanket over my head, feeling embarrassed and angry at the same time. Ugh! That outrageous flirt!
The father and daughter’s teasing had chased my sleepiness away. I got out of bed and washed up.
Later, I went downstairs to find that they were all seated at the dining table.
Perhaps because I was feeling guilty, I felt that the man was constantly glancing at me.
Occasionally, I stole glances at Ashton while eating my oatmeal to observe his reaction. Is he really going to get a larger bed so that the whole family can sleep together?
This man’s self-control is a joke. What if the kids see us kissing and cuddling?
I must think of a way to discourage him.
This man is amenable to coaxing but not coercion. Perhaps I should reward him with what he always wanted to make him drop the idea of getting a larger bed.
At that point, I nodded in affirmation to myself.
I shot a look at Ashton, trying to get his attention. Yet, the man gave his undivided attention to Audrey throughout the meal. I grew anxious when he totally didn’t notice my ardent gaze.
