Evening rolled by but the awkwardness stayed after the failed attempt of a kiss. Even Amara's presence couldn't completely erase the awkwardness in the atmosphere. After that almost kissing event, we kept a notable distance from each other.

We didn't try to start a conversation unless it was for Amara. Eloise stayed at my place as she wanted to spend time with Amara and couldn't deny it because may it be for Amara, Eloise was spending time with me, at my place and that was enough to satisfy me.

I was in the kitchen rummaging through the fridge to find something light to eat to kill the boring silence. Food has the power to kill boredom and lifts the mood. I found vanilla ice cream and fist-bumped the air and hoped it could erase the awkwardness between us.

I went back to the living room to ask if Eloise wanted to have ice cream or not.

"Do you want ice cream?" I asked. She stopped bouncing Amara on her lap and looked up at me.

"N—"

"Oh, why I'm even asking? No one says no to ice cream." Saying that I picked Amara in my arms and grabbed Eloise's wrist. "Come on, help me in scooping ice cream." I dragged her into the kitchen before she could deny it.

Eloise scooped ice cream in the bowls whereas I kept Amara busy by tickling her, at least her laughter was killing the silence. I sat on the barstool at the bar counter and made Amara sit on the counter, in front of me. Eloise sat beside me.

I picked up the spoon filled with a little ice cream and brought it near Amara's lips. "You want some?" I teased her by circling the spoon in front of her face. Her eyes lit up and a broad smile tugged her lips. She started throwing hands in excitement.

"Hey, she's too young to have ice cream," Eloise commented.

"I know, I'm just teasing her. I don't want her father to play football with my head." I said as I put the spoon in my mouth.

"Xavier Knight will do that?" She laughed.

"Yes, you don't know what he can do. He's always finding excuses to slaughter me." I laughed too.

"Amara, No." I swatted the ice cream bowl away from her as she was trying to dip her finger in it. Ignoring me, she crawled and hit Eloise's bowl with her hand which made the ice cream spill on Eloise's lap.

"Whoa!" Eloise stood up in a jiffy. Amara started licking her ice cream-coated fingers. Shit!

"No, baby, don't do that. Your father will freeze me in the liquid nitrogen." I picked her up in my arms and grabbed her wrist ceasing her from licking the ice cream.

"I'll clean it," Eloise looked for the mop but I stopped her.

"No, I'll do it. You go and clean yourself." I pointed at her thighs.

"It's okay, I'll do it. You take care of Amara." She cajoled.

"No! I'll manage. Just go and clean yourself." She reluctantly nodded her head and went out of the kitchen.

"Now, you baby girl—" My phone suddenly went off and I panicked when I looked at the screen. It was Xavier. Damn!

I hesitantly picked up the call. "Hello, Xavier." I tried to be enthusiastic.

"I'm at the parking lot of your building. Keep Amara and her belongings ready." Saying that he cut the call. Double Damn!

I hastily cleaned Amara's hands and mouth with a tissue and made sure that no trace of ice cream was left. When the doorbell rang, I double-checked Amara before running to open the door.

As soon as I opened the door Amara squealed and tried to jump out of my arms. Xavier smiled broadly and took her in his arms.

"How's my baby girl?" He showered kisses on her face and moved inside, shutting the door behind him and I silently prayed for my life.

"Aww, you missed daddy. Daddy missed you too." He cooed when she nuzzled her face in his neck. He rocked her back and forth. Her happiness was to watch for. She missed her father.

"Did uncle Daniel give trouble to you?" He asked her while kissing her head.

"You should ask the opposite." I scowled.

"Considering you as a babysitter for my baby...I asked the right question." He said dryly. I glared at him by putting my hands on my waist. He ignored me and took his daughter's hand in his and kissed it. Don't, don't do it. Please, please, please. I want to live.

I gulped when he stopped kissing her hand and frowned. He then sniffed her hand then eyed me in suspicion then again looked at Amara and sniffed her mouth. I'm dead.

I quietly stepped back to make some distance between us but halted when I received the deathly glare from Xavier.

"You gave her ice cream?" He gritted his teeth.

"I swear I didn't do it intentionally. I kept the bowl out of her reach but she crawled and hit the bowl and licked the ice cream with her fingers." I said in one breath, panicking and silently praying for my life.

Securing Amara in his arms, he charged towards me. "You—"

"Daniel?"

Eloise! Triple Damn!

Xavier halted his steps and looked over my shoulder. His eyes were wide and his mouth wide open. I closed my eyes and cursed my luck.

"Oh, Mr. Knight." Eloise came and stood beside me. Xavier moved his eyes to me and cocked his eyebrow.

"The mysterious client?" He smirked.

"Huh?" Eloise looked between me and Xavier. And I wished I had long hair so that I could hide my face because the heat was crawling up my face.

"Uh... Nothing, Eloi. Eloi, meet Xavier and Xavier meet Eloi—I mean Eloise Nicole." I stuttered.

Xavier smiled at Eloise. "It's nice to finally meet you Eloi— I mean Miss. Nicole." He extended his hand for the handshake.

"Pleased to meet you too, Mr. Knight." She shook his hand. "I'm a big fan—" Don't tell me she's going to fangirl over him.

"—of your wife. I admire her a lot." She said excitedly. Phew!

Xavier's smile widened and his eyes lit up with pride. "Thank you. I'll surely let my wife know about her fan. She would be elated."

A satisfying smile broke on my lips too. Xavier always wanted this, he wanted to be known as Ariana Knight's husband. He couldn't be more proud today.

Xavier glanced at me and smirked then again faced Eloise. "You know what Miss Nicole? You must meet Ariana personally, she would be happy to meet you personally. So, I would love to invite you to Amara's birthday which is in two days."

I glared at him. What was he playing at? Goodness, he's definitely after something.

"I don't think it's a good idea, Mr. Kight. I barely know you—"

"I insist, Miss Nicole and besides we aren't complete strangers, you have worked for our company and you know Daniel very well, right? So, please." He then faced me and said, "Make sure to bring her with you. Ariana would love to meet her."

"Yeah, sure." I forced a smile, giving him a silent glare.

"Good. And one more thing, Daniel, don't pull that stunt again." He scowled in my direction.

"Mr. Knight, it wasn't his fault. He kept the bowl away from her but she crawled and hit the bowl." Eloise reasoned out.

"Still, he should have been careful." He frowned as he looked at Amara. "I think I should leave now."

"Let me kiss my queen goodbye first." I took Amara in my arms and kissed her repeatedly. "Do come soon, okay? I love you a lot." She giggled and squealed.

"Can I say goodbye to her?" Eloise looked at us hopefully. I passed Amara in her arms.

"Goodbye, baby. I loved spending time with you. We'll meet soon, okay?" She kissed her cheek and gave her back to Xavier.

"Daniel, can I have a word with you?" Xavier bobbed his head. I nodded and followed him out.

He raised his eyebrows and studied me intently before speaking, "The mysterious client in your house? For how long have you two been meeting? Why aren't we aware of her? Why are you hiding her?"

"We're just getting along." I shifted on my feet. "I'm not sure about anything that's why I didn't tell anyone." I bit my lower lip.

"But from what I saw, she's totally into you. She even took your side, saving you from me. Make sure to work things out. I won't tell anybody till Amara's birthday as everyone will know themselves on that day." He patted my back and walked away but stopped at a distance and faced me. "And Daniel, no funny business, or have you already done it?" He smirked.

"Fuck you." I mouthed as I couldn't speak it out loud. He laughed and went away.

____________________________________________

"Umm... I should leave too." I said when Daniel came back inside after talking to Xavier.

Daniel pinned his eyes with mine and took slow steps towards me. I bit the corner of my lip and took a step back, looking everywhere but him.

"I want to thank you." He said, still taking slow steps towards me.

"For what?" I asked, stepping backward.

"For saving me from Xavier." I gulped when my leg hit the edge of the center table.

"You— you don't have to thank me f—for that." I stuttered when he stood closer to me. His dilated eyes never left mine.

"But I want to." His husky voice rippled goosebumps on my body.

"Seriously, Daniel, it's okay—" I jerked in surprise when he grabbed the back of my head and crashed his lips against mine, swallowing my words. Before I could register anything he started devouring me hungrily.

I didn't know when my arms reached up and encircled his neck and in no time I was matching his pace. He moaned into my mouth and pulled me closer to him by my waist. His hands started moving up and down my back. The kiss was getting hotter and hotter. Our lips danced in synchronization and our tongue fought for dominance.

I closed my eyes and moaned, clinging to him. His hand did wonders under my shirt, on my back sending waves of shiver in my body. His touches flew me to the world of desire. The kiss became impatient and needy. Desire overloaded in my body, I wanted to feel him; I wanted to touch him. My hands came down in urgency and my fingers fiddled with the button of his shirt. He pressed me closer and dug his fingers in my back to balance me. My head started spinning, the thoughts of— thoughts...

Just to tell you... Princess holds a special place in my heart.

My eyes shot open and I abruptly pushed him away, he stumbled because of the sudden push. My chest rose and fell rapidly, I was gasping for air but I managed to speak,

"You can't kiss me when you have someone special in your life "

"What are you talking about?" He grabbed my chin and searched my eyes. I swatted his hand away.

"P...Princess— I'm talking about her."

To my surprise, he started laughing. I frowned and looked at him in confusion.

"Oh, Eloi..." He breathed for air between his laugh, "You're so cute." He laughed even more. I gave him an icy glare until he came down from his high laughter. In few more seconds, he came back to his senses.

His amused eyes observed me and a mischievous smirk played on his lips. "I like it when you're jealous." He commented which made my eyes go wide and heat rose on my face.

"I... I'm just stating the fact. I'm not jealous." I looked away. He again grabbed my chin and made me look at him. This time there was no amusement and playfulness in his eyes.

"I don't think I'll let you look away from me now." The gravity in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. My body shuddered involuntarily.

"Daniel d... don't play with m..me" I managed to say.

"Who said I'm playing with you?" He tilted my head up and inched his face closer, his lips almost touching mine. "Yes, Princess holds a special place in my heart that can never be replaced." He kissed the corner of my mouth and flickered his eyes up to look into my eyes. "But..."

"Other places of my heart are empty, demanding to be filled and I'm more than ready to fit you in those empty spaces."

Saying that he again crashed his lips against mine.

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