Page 11 of Balance

I know better than to lust after another boss. Especially while living with him and helping him with his kids. He just got out of a toxic marriage, I just ended a long relationship, plus he’s older than me. I mean, so was Bradley, but still.

I’m not sure how much older, but I imagine he’s at least in his early thirties since Avery is ten.

I haven’t worked up the courage to look up any information on him, because really, how much is really accurate online? Plus I see enough of his ex-wife in the photos on the walls, I don’t need to see what she looks like online to know I’m definitely not Morgan’s type.

She’s stunning.

With a long, lithe body, massive breasts, long blonde hair, and her gorgeous, bright blue eyes with a smile born to seduce.

I know I’m at least decent-looking. But I also look like a damn hot mess eight days a week. I can’t tame my dark curls, I have curves and thick hips. I know better than to compare myself to Morgan’s ex-wife, but come on. He was with her for eleven years, they lived together, procreated, and probably had incredible, dirty sex.

I have never had fun, dirty sex. Bradley wasn’t my first, but even the two ‘men’ before him were nothing to truly remember or have wet dreams about.

I grumble to myself as I shuffle down the hall to my bedroom, softly closing the door before turning off the lights and jumping into bed.

It feels like it’s been the longest day of my life. Waking up to another boring, mundane day of job searching, to somehow living in a mansion, sleeping on the softest bed ever created, in ahouse with one of the sexiest men alive. And… taking care of his sweet girls.

I just hope that I do well enough for him not to fire me when he finds someone moreperfectlyqualified for his daughters. I can put my lust for the man aside. It’s pertinent. It’s not only inappropriate, but neither of us are even remotely close to being ready for anything romantic. Men disgust me and he was just in a long ass marriage.

He’s putting his children first and I’ve already made the mistake of sleeping with a boss. I can’t do that again. I need the stability, not just the money, but I need to find my footing again. It would also be incredibly unfair to the girls. They deserve to be safe and happy in their home, not watch a new woman lust over their dad.

I have no idea what life was like for them when their mother was here, but from what Morgan told me tonight, it must have been so sad. Being raised by the staff while their mother goes off and does goodness knows what.

So, here’s to a new day. I hope to get to know the girls better, set up a routine, and get back to doing what I love - teaching and nurturing children. I don’t know if I’ll ever step foot in a classroom again, but I can still use my skills in homeschooling both Nessa and Tilly a bit, and help Avery with her homework once she goes back to school.

I got this.

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I wake up with the sun the next morning, checking my phone for the time. It’s barely six in the morning. I have no idea what time the girls wake up, so I head straight to the bathroom to take care of my business, glaring at my wonky outfit I threw on last night. I really need to do laundry today.

I’m wearing a pair of cut-off jean shorts, a stained gray t-shirt, no bra, and my hair looks like a literal bird’s nest.

I blow out a slow breath as I brush my teeth and just put my hair up into a messy bun. That’ll have to do.

I quietly step through the hall and head straight to the kitchen, finding Morgan already dressed, freshly showered, and sipping from a white cup of coffee as he scrolls through his phone. His dark hair is wet, pushed back with his fingers, and he just looks incredible.

I wish I could look like that without even trying.

I glance away from him and pull down a cup from the cupboard and pour some bean water before taking a sip.

He grunts and sends me a frown. “No cream or sugar? We do have those.”

I nod and blow over the top of the hot, steamy liquid and gulp down another mouthful. “Yes, I found everything yesterday, actually. I just got used to drinking black coffee in college. Couldn’t afford any fancy creamer or sugar.” I wink and head to the fridge, pulling everything out for a simple breakfast casserole for when the girls get up. I think I’ll finely chop up some vegetables to add to it so that they can’t see it. I didn’t see a food processor anywhere so maybe I need to order one of those. It makes sneaking in foods a lot easier.

“Makes… sense. College must have been expensive. Did you have any help?”

I blink at him, wondering why he’s asking. Didn’t he go to college? He has to know the pricing.

I also hate talking about my family life, my past. It’s dark, depressing, and I have been through years of therapy and different medications to control my nightmares. Then figuring out everything with my hormones, my uterus and reproductive system turned against me. I have the shit end of all the sticks, honestly.

It’s been a rough twenty-seven years and I don’t want his pity.

I sigh and check his face for anything sinister. Anything untoward, and he is just open and kind, this poor man has also been through the ringer, hasn’t he?

“Just scholarships and grants for my academics. I didn’t go to a fancy Ivy League or anything, but it was a decent school. I also did work-study shifts in the library and in the administration offices, the testing centers… anything to help lessen the student loans that were piling up. But other than that, no help.”

He nods and stands from the stool, stepping around me to pour another cup of coffee. He pours in a pound of sugar and cream. I snort and shake my head as I watch him sip it as if it wasn’t loaded with sugar. How is he not grimacing?

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