Dangerously His

Chapter Five

“All done,” Annabel murmured, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she stepped back from the counter.

Earlier, after returning from the supermarket, she had arranged everything neatly in the fridge—vegetables washed, groceries sorted, shelves left orderly the way she preferred. Only then had she taken a portion of the meal the cook had prepared, eating quietly before washing the plates she’d used.

She glanced around the kitchen now, checking that everything was in place. The house felt different in the afternoons—lighter somehow, less imposing.

Her gaze flicked to the clock.

She checked the time and straightened, already anticipating it.

It was time to pick up the twins.

A soft horn sounded from outside, drawing her attention. She grabbed her bag from the chair and headed out, pulling the door closed behind her.

The driver was waiting by the car.

“Good afternoon, Miss Annabel,” he greeted as she approached.

“Good afternoon,” she replied with a small smile. “Right on time.”

He opened the door for her. “Shall we head to the school?”

“Yes, please,” she said, settling into her seat, the doors closing behind her as they pulled away toward the school.

——

Brightwood Children’s Academy buzzed with afternoon energy when they arrived—voices overlapping, laughter spilling into the corridors as parents and guardians filtered in.

Annabel entered the building, stopping at the front desk where a staff member handed her a few documents.

“Please sign here,” the woman said kindly. “For pickup authorization.”

Annabel skimmed through them quickly, signed where indicated, and handed them back.

“Thank you,” the woman replied, then gestured down the hall. “They’re waiting in the common area.”

Annabel followed the direction and spotted the twins almost immediately.

She smiled softly as she spotted the twins.

She slowed her steps, pausing just long enough to listen.

Lily was seated on the floor with another little girl, her braids tied with colorful ribbons, her uniform slightly rumpled from a long day of play. Lily’s voice was bright and animated as she spoke.

“My new nanny picked me up today,” she said proudly.

Her friend’s eyes widened. “You have a new nanny?”

“Yes,” Lily nodded enthusiastically. “She’s really pretty. And nice. She smiles a lot.”

A short distance away, Nuel sat quietly with a small group of children, focused on a toy in his hands, seemingly content to listen rather than join in.

Warmth crept up Annabel’s cheeks. She wasn’t used to compliments—especially ones spoken so freely. She let out a small breath, both amused and embarrassed, before stepping forward.

That was when she spoke.

“Lily,” she called gently. “Nuel.”

Lily’s head snapped up.

“Annabel!” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and running toward her.

Nuel followed at a slower pace, walking instead of running, his steps measured.

“Hi,” he said simply when he reached her.

“Hi,” Annabel replied warmly, crouching slightly to Lily’s level as the girl wrapped her arms around her legs, words tumbling out in excited fragments about her day.

After a few more polite goodbyes to friends and teachers, Annabel guided them outside.

The driver was already waiting.

They climbed in, Lily still talking softly as Nuel stared out the window, thoughtful and calm.

As the car pulled away from the school and headed back toward the mansion, Annabel leaned back in her seat, listening to the twins’ voices blend with the quiet hum of the ride.

The day was slipping gently into evening.

And somehow, this routine already felt… natural.

By ten p.m., the mansion was wrapped in silence.

The twins had long been asleep after doing their homeworks and watched their favorite cartoon show—tucked into bed hours earlier after baths, stories, and gentle reminders that tomorrow was a school day. Their father hadn’t been home yet.

At the office, an unexpected emergency had demanded Kingsley’s full attention. Meetings stretched. Calls piled up. Problems that couldn’t be delegated refused to wait. Time slipped past him unnoticed until the city outside his windows had gone dark.

When he finally arrived home, exhaustion clung to him.

Kingsley stepped inside the mansion, loosening his collar as the door closed behind him. The quiet told him everything he needed to know—the children were already asleep.

Good.

He moved through the dimly lit hallway, intent on heading upstairs, when a soft light caught his attention.

The kitchen.

Someone was there.

Annabel stood at the counter, her back to him, quietly drinking a glass of water she had poured from the bottled water she had taken from the fridge.The pace at which she was gulping it were unhurried, almost careful, as if she didn’t want to disturb the stillness of the house.

Kingsley slowed.

She hadn’t noticed him yet.

He changed direction and walked toward the kitchen, his footsteps nearly silent against the polished floor.

And in that quiet space, their paths were about to cross again.

The silence stretched.

Annabel lifted the glass to her lips, unaware she wasn’t alone—until a voice broke the stillness.

“What are you doing here?”

She was startled.

Water spilled from the

rim of the glass as she gasped, coughing lightly and setting it down too quickly. Her heart thudded as she turned.