The four psychos

Want more

CHAPTER THREE

Pierce watched as Celine climbed into her car and drove away. He thanked the stars he’d found her when he did. Kylie needed someone like Celine in her life.

And then there was him. What was it about the girl that drew him to her, made him determined to get her under his roof? It had been weird. That first day they met he’d heard the scream, dropped the towel and found himself staring into the liquid brown eyes of a startled and stunningly beautiful woman. No matter that she was in a maid’s uniform and had her sleek black hair pulled into an old fashioned bun. He’d felt a jolt of electricity run through him, a shock that made him freeze. What the hell, he’d

thought. He’d never reacted to a woman like that before.

And she’d appeared just when he was praying for a miracle, just when he’d almost given up hope of finding the perfect nanny for Kylie.

He remembered seeing her fright and saying something or other to reassure her but he’d been so startled that seconds passed before he remembered that he was still standing stark naked in front of her. By that time she was already turning to flee. Good thing he’d stopped her from leaving the suite altogether. Now because of his quick action she would be working for him under this very roof. He couldn’t help but smile at the turn of events. He was looking forward to getting to know Miss Celine Santini.

When Celine’s tail lights disappeared Pierce went inside in search of Kylie.

He found her watching cartoons. “Uncle, can I have ice cream?”

Pierce went over and tousled her hair. “Of course, Kylie. And it’s ‘may I have ice cream’, okay?”

“Okay,” she said as she stuck her thumb in her mouth and looked up at him with big blue eyes, her little face as solemn as a priest. Pierce knew what that meant and his chest tightened in sympathy. The thumb in the mouth meant that Kylie was really missing her mother right then. Her thumb was her source of comfort in a world that had turned upside down.

“Come on, sweetie,” he said and lifted her up in his arms. “Let’s both go get some ice cream.”

***

A week had passed since Celine arrived at Pierce’s house with her suitcases and few possessions piled into her car. Thankfully, she would be able to spend the next five months or so focusing on Kylie and her needs since she didn’t need to check in at the university until October. Since her arrival Kylie had spent every waking moment with her and slowly, tentatively, the little girl began to open up like a tender flower in the morning dew.

The first three nights were difficult. Kylie had cried herself to sleep each night, refusing Celine’s attempts to comfort her. On the fourth night, instead of trying to read a bedtime story, Celine pulled toys from the box and acted out the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs right there on top of the little girl’s blanket. Kylie laughed so hard she had to wipe happy tears away with the back of her hand.

After that she insisted that Celine pile the toys onto the bed each night so they could act out Cinderella, the Bremen Traveling Musicians and all her other favorite

bedtime tales. Celine was happy to oblige and when Kylie asked her to climb into the bed with her she pulled the child close and they cuddled until the little head dipped onto her shoulder and Kylie slipped softly into sleep.

Next day Celine woke to the sound of birds whistling outside her window. It was going to be a great day, she knew, because it was sunny and bright, it was Saturday, and Pierce would return home.

She knew it was stupid of her to feel the way she did but she couldn’t help it. She was actually looking forward to seeing Pierce D’Amato again. She was sure that a man like him would have women flitting around like moths to a flame. He probably had myriads of female admirers in every city he visited. He certainly wouldn’t notice her, a simple nanny working to make a living.

Even though she knew there was no way she could compete for his attention Celine could not stop herself from feeling a jolt of excitement at the thought of seeing him again. With a smile on her face she hopped out of bed and padded across the hallway to Kylie’s room. She tapped on the door and went in then leaned over to tickle the little girl’s cheeks.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” she said with a laugh as Kylie stretched and opened her tiny mouth in a yawn that could swallow an elephant. “Time to get ready for a fun day.”

Half an hour later Celine and Kylie were in the kitchen having a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, strawberries and yogurt. They were racing to see who would finish first. They had a full day scheduled. First, Celine would review letters and numbers with Kylie then they would take a dip in the pool then do lunch and then gardening.

Celine knew that working in the garden, planting seeds and nurturing the flowers were all excellent therapy for her little charge. She was in her second year of

the PhD program in Psychology and much of her research involved child development, motivation and counseling. There was something about working with your hands that calmed the nerves, and working outdoors in the fresh air surrounded by the beauty of nature were like magic to soothe the spirit and comfort the soul. This was what Kylie needed in her life right now - structure, physical activity and a feeling of accomplishment.

After lunch Celine plopped a wide-brimmed straw hat onto Kylie’s head and they went out to the garden that circled the back patio. The little girl was armed with a miniature garden fork and shovel while Celine followed with a watering can.

“Race you,” Kylie yelled and took off across the grass, laughing as she ran.

Celine ran after her, laughing too, happy to see that she was in a cheerful

mood.

When they got to the far end of the garden Celine flopped down onto the grass, panting and laughing, then she slid a finger across her brow, pretending to wipe sweat away. “Wow, you’re a really fast runner,” she said, opening her eyes wide as if in amazement. “I couldn’t catch you in a million years.”

“Really?” Kylie asked, eyes wide with wonder. “Did I run that fast?” “Yes, you did,” Celine said and reached over to tickle her. “You’re my

Olympic champion.”

After that they settled down to some serious gardening, with Celine digging the holes and Kylie dropping the seeds in and covering them with earth. Then it was Kylie’s job to water the seeds while Celine weeded out that section of the garden to make sure they didn’t choke the seedlings when they popped out of ground.

They were so absorbed in their task, working together in comfortable companionship, that they both jumped at the snap of a twig behind them. They

whirled around to see a tall, blonde and exquisitely beautiful woman in a cloud-white summer dress staring down at them. Celine put up a hand to shade her eyes from the sun and that was when she saw the woman’s face, perfectly made-up with crimson lips that curled in what looked like disdain.

Celine, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the stranger, took off her garden gloves and rose to her feet. She was at least a couple of inches taller than the unexpected visitor but somehow she felt almost intimidated in her presence. The woman was looking at them with such an unfriendly expression that it was as if they were the intruders and not her.

“Hello,” Celine said, still feeling a little off balance. “May I help you?” She felt Kylie move closer to her and she put a reassuring hand on the child’s shoulder.

“So you’re the new maid,” the woman said, her eyes flashing with something akin to dislike. “I heard about you but nobody told me you were beautiful.”

“Excuse me?” Celine said, unnerved by her statement.

“Pierce told me he got a nanny for his new…responsibility.” She turned her eyes on Kylie and from her look Celine could tell that, for some reason, the child was a source of annoyance to her. Then she trained her flashing blue eyes on Celine

again. “But I thought it would be somebody like Mrs. Simpson. He never told me you were young.” Her brows settled into a frown that made it obvious that this was a major problem.

Celine raised her eyebrows, unable to hide her surprise. “And you are?”

The woman’s eyes widened as if shocked that she would ask. Or maybe she was shocked that she didn’t already know of her. Celine didn’t know which.

“I am Sophia Redgrave and I own the home next door. Pierce and I have been friends for several years.” The woman said the words with a haughty sniff.

Celine did not miss her deliberate emphasis on the word ‘friends’. Sophia Redgrave was obviously sending her a message. Her relationship with Pierce was a whole lot more than just friendship.

Celine didn’t know what deflated her more, the thought that Pierce was involved with the woman or the thought that there was any possibility of Sophia Redgrave getting involved in Kylie’s life. The woman obviously had a problem with the child’s presence at the house. Heavens, what if Kylie became Pierce’s charge permanently? And what if Sophia became his wife? What would happen to poor little Kylie? She shook her head, trying to dispel the horrible thought. She gave the woman a cold stare, as chilly as the one that had been directed at them. “Is there anything I can help you with, Ms. Redgrave?”

“No, there’s nothing you can do for me,” she said and raised a delicate hand to brush away the wisps of hair that the soft breeze had blown into her eyes. “But I’ll speak to Pierce about the activities of this child. Why do you have her out here

digging in the dirt? Shouldn’t she be in school?”

“There’s no school on Saturdays. Besides, she’s only four. Whatever she needs to learn I teach her at home.”

Sophia frowned. “You? Teach her? What would a maid know about what’s best for a child? She needs structure in her life. The best thing that Pierce could do for her is to get her into a good boarding school.”

Celine gasped. “Boarding school? Are you mad?” The words were out before she could stop herself. She could not believe the woman would suggest such a thing.

Sophia’s lips tightened and she glared at Celine. “I would ask you to

remember your position.” Then with a look full of scorn she said, “I went to boarding school in Europe all of my young life and it did me a world of good.”

Celine could just imagine the good it had done her. That was probably what had turned her into the world-class b***h she was now. The nerve of her to even think of putting dear little Kylie into boarding school.

“Celine, am I going away?”

She looked down to see Kylie gazing up at her with huge, scared eyes, the hint of tears already appearing in the corners.

Celine felt like someone was squeezing her heart. How could she have been so thoughtless? She’d been discussing Kylie’s future with this woman right in front of the child as if she weren’t there.

She dropped to her knees in the dirt and pulled Kylie into her arms. “No,

cherie, you’re not going anywhere. Your home is right here with Uncle Pierce.” “And you?” Kylie asked, searching Celine’s eyes as if for even more

reassurance.

But how could she promise Kylie that, too? She was only an employee, after all. Pierce could terminate her employment at any time. And if this meddler Sophia Redgrave had any say in it that day could come sooner rather than later. Still, she had to say something to appease the child. She’d already experienced enough confusion for one day.

“Oui, cherie , and me too.”

Kylie smiled and Celine’s heart sang. The little girl was going to be all right.

Pulling her close, she gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Oh, so you’re a foreigner, are you?”

Sophia’s words broke into their communion of friendship, making them turn their attention back to her again.

“You called her ‘cherie’. Lots of foreigners come to this country and then decide they’re never going home. Are you an illegal immigrant or something?”

Of all the backwards things she could have said, for Celine this was one of the worst. As wealthy and sophisticated as she might be Sophia Redgrave was obviously living in a world of stereotypical perceptions. She was a bigot who needed a curt response.

But then she remembered. Not in front of Kylie. As much as she itched to put Sophia Redgrave in her place she would not do it at the expense of Kylie’s happiness.

Taking a deep breath, she counted to ten in her mind then slowly expelled the air. In a calm voice she said, “If you’ll excuse me I have to take Kylie inside now.” Then she quickly gathered up the tools, took Kylie’s hand and walked away leaving the grand Ms. Sophia Redgrave staring after them.

***

Pierce groaned and shook his head. Yet another delay and two more hours this time. He looked across at his pilot and the man gave him a shrug and an apologetic grin. There was nothing he could do. If air traffic controllers said they had to sit out the windstorm then that was what they would do.

Pierce checked his watch. After eight o’clock. Mrs. Simpson would be gone by now and Kylie would already be in bed. He’d spoken to her earlier that day and promised he’d be home to read her a story. He grimaced. He’d broken a promise to a

child who was very sensitive right now and needed stability and reassurance. Breaking a promise was definitely not the way to give her that.

Then his mind went to the woman who had crowded his thoughts for the whole week he’d been away. He shifted in his seat as his loins tightened at the very thought of her. What was it about Celine Santini that turned him on every time? He couldn’t think about her without imagining kissing her till she was breathless, his hands sliding down to cradle her soft, full breasts.

He shook his head and stood up then he went over to the plate glass windows of the lounge and began to pace. He had to rein in his thoughts. Celine was an

employee and he’d better remember that. But, damn, why did she have to be so sexy?

And there was more. There was something about her that drew him like a

magnet. It wasn’t just her physical beauty. Maybe it was her infectious smile or her obvious love for children. There was something good and calm and nurturing about her that made him trust her completely. He’d trusted her with Kylie and even though he’d done his duty and checked all her references he’d known from the first time they met - brief as it had been - that she was genuine.

He smiled to himself as he thought about getting back home and seeing her again. Of course he wouldn’t see her tonight. It would be too late for that. But he’d be home all day Sunday in the company of his two ‘girls’. He chuckled at that thought. He, the dedicated bachelor, had become a family man in the space of just a couple of weeks. The thought of the responsibility of a family had scared him for years but now he was looking forward to seeing his pretend one. He must be getting old.

Pierce did not get home till almost two o’clock in the morning. Tired and grimy from his travels he dumped his suitcase in the hallway and climbed the stairs to

the master bedroom where he stripped and went straight into the shower. It was only when he was clean and refreshed that he felt the weight of weariness lift from his shoulders. God, it felt good to be clean.

He pulled on his boxers then grabbed his robe from the hook and shrugged it on and secured it with the sash. Then, barefoot, he headed over to the wing that Celine and Kylie occupied. He wanted to check on them quickly before retiring for the night.

First, he peeped in on Kylie. In the room was a dim light cast by the softly glowing nightlight by Kylie’s bed. Quietly he padded over to look down at the sleeping child. She was resting peacefully as she clutched her teddy bear, her blonde hair curling softly around her face which was slightly pink from sleep.

He left the room and returned to the hallway then glanced at the door to Celine’s room. He thought of checking in on her too but quickly dashed the idea. What was he, a Peeping Tom? He couldn’t invade her privacy like that. No, he’d have to be patient and wait till morning to see her again.

He was just about to turn away when he noticed that the door was ajar. Had she done that deliberately, probably so she could hear if Kylie cried out in the night? Or was she still up? He could see a dim light through the thin slice between the door and the jamb. She might be up reading.

For a moment he paused then his curiosity got the better of him and he approached the door. He gave a soft tap. Hearing no response he slowly pushed the door just wide enough for his head to go around.

The bedside lamp was on but Celine’s bed was empty. The covers were neatly spread and the bed looked like it hadn’t been slept in.

Pierce frowned. Where in the blazes was she? His eyes swung over to the bathroom door but it stood open and the bathroom was in total darkness. Now he was really concerned. Celine wouldn’t have left Kylie in the house all by herself, would she? No. He was certain she would never do such a thing.

He backed out of the room then took the few steps to the other door down the hallway. Before he even pushed it open he could tell this was where he’d find Celine. As he stood at the door the fragrance of her perfume wafted toward him. He followed the flowery scent, stepping into the sitting room Celine shared with Kylie, and walked over to the loveseat by the window.

And there she lay, curled up in the seat like a little cat, a book of fairy tales resting on her hip. She must have come into the sitting room after putting Kylie to bed and had fallen asleep with the book still in her lap.

Pierce contemplated getting a blanket and covering her where she lay. She was wearing a nightdress of white silk and the coolness of the night would certainly give her a chill. But then he realized that wouldn’t be enough. The love seat hadn’t been made to accommodate a sleeper and the steep arm had her neck positioned at what looked like an extremely uncomfortable angle. She’d be sure to have a strain by morning.

He had no choice but to wake her.

“Celine,” Pierce whispered softly, not wanting to startle her out of sleep. She didn’t budge. Her breathing remained deep and peaceful.

“Celine,” he said again and this time he touched her arm. It was smooth and cool to the touch. He frowned. The girl needed to be in her bed under a warm blanket. At Pierce’s second try her eyes fluttered but she did not wake.

He sat on the loveseat, his hip touching the curve of her waist, and leaned over her. “Celine, wake up,” he whispered. “You need to go to bed.” He put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a slight shake.

Her eyelids fluttered again and this time they opened. She looked up at him sleepily. “Pierce,” she whispered, her brown eyes cloudy with confusion, “what is

it?” Then her eyes widened and she struggled to sit up. “Kylie. Is something wrong with her?”

“Kylie’s fine,” he soothed, putting out an arm to steady her. “You need to get to bed.”

“Oh,” she sighed and relaxed against his arm. “You scared me. I thought something happened.”

“Nothing at all,” Pierce said but this time his voice was strained and he was finding it difficult to breathe. Celine had slumped against him and he could now feel the weight of one of her delicious breasts. He immediately hardened in response.

Christ, what was this woman doing to him?

The soft silk of Celine’s nightgown slid over the hairs on his arm, sending shockwaves rocketing through his body. His mouth went dry with want. He wanted so badly to kiss her, to taste those lips, to consume her. He wanted to kiss the tops of those beautiful breasts. He gazed into her eyes then he dipped his head, the intensity of his desire making him groan, and pressed his lips to hers.

Celine gasped and then to his great relief she was responding, tentatively at first then with a passion which almost matched his own. Stirred by her ardor he teased and explored then he took possession of her mouth, kissing her till she was breathless in his arms.

“Celine, where are you? I’m thirsty.” The tiny voice cut through the sizzling tension.

Pierce froze. Then he jerked back and jumped up off the loveseat. “Can I get some water?” The door creaked open and Kylie stood there

sleepily rubbing her eyes. Then the little girl’s eyes widened as she stared up at

Pierce. “Uncle Pierce, you’re home.” She ran into his arms and he picked her up in a huge bear hug.

“Yes, little one, I’m home. I got in late but I made it. Did you miss me?”

Kylie nodded, her eyes huge and earnest. “Uh huh. I wanted you to come home before my bedtime.”

“I’m sorry I got in late, sweetie,” he said softly, “but I’m here now. Do you forgive me for being late?”

She nodded again. “Uh huh.”

“Thank you.” Pierce smiled and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “Now let’s go get you some water.”

As Kylie rested her head on his shoulder Pierce turned around to glance back at Celine. She sat on the loveseat staring up at them, or more accurately up at him, as if in shock.

“Go to bed.” Pierce mouthed the words soundlessly then before Kylie could start asking questions he took her out of the room and down the hall.

After Pierce had settled Kylie back in her bed and returned to his room he lay back in the pillows for a long time reliving every second he’d spent with Celine. He ached, thinking of what could have been. He knew without a doubt that if Kylie hadn’t walked in when she did they’d have found ecstasy in each other’s arms. But it was not meant to be. Not this night, anyway.

He folded his arms behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. His brain was telling him to stay away from her, that he’d acted out of line and should back off. She was his employee, after all.

But then there was another part of him that wanted to possess her, body and soul. He’d gotten just a taste of sweet Miss Celine Santini and he desperately wanted more…