But, in the end, I knew I’d have to content myself with just knowing he was near, with feeling the tug of his presence on my heart. It would be a while before things got back to normal, and even then, it wouldn’t be in this town.
Bringing my mind back to the present, I rolled to a stop at the red light. I was on my way to Dr. Sebastian Aiello’s house and I was not having an easy time finding it.
I glanced down at the two sets of directions in my lap. One was a handwritten note in my mother’s neat cursive. The other was a print out from Google Maps. Neither seemed to be taking me exactly where I wanted to go. It was almost as if the address for my new employer didn’t exist.
I expected some confusion from Mom’s directions. That’s why I printed a set from a much more reliable, less intoxicated source, but that wasn’t doing the trick either.
When the light turned green, I proceeded straight through the light for the second time. I watched street signs to the left and right as I passed, but nowhere did I see the one I was looking for.
Frustrated, I pushed the gas pedal to the floor and zoomed past the Dead End sign, aiming to turn around and go through the directions one more time.
I swung the car in a wide right, starting to make the turn, when I saw a small road that split off behind a stand of trees. To the left of the entrance was a wrought iron sign that read Haven Drive, just the one I was looking for.
I guided the car through the trees and realized that it wasn’t a street, but a driveway. It wound through more trees and then up a slight incline. At the top sat a mammoth stone home that looked like a small castle. It crouched in the center of a ring of huge maple trees that cast a perpetual shadow over the cool gray structure.
I pulled to a stop in front of the bay of garage doors, hoping I didn’t choose the one he’d have to pull his car out of. I cut the engine and got out to walk to the front door.
I rang the bell. I could hear the muted majestic chimes sounding behind the heavy wood. A little chill skittered down my spine. They had an ominous ring that made me uncomfortable for some reason.
That feeling, however, was washed away the instant the door opened revealing an incredibly handsome man that I felt sure must have modeled for Calvin Klein at some point. I assumed—I hoped— that this was Sebastian Aiello.
Dressed in fitted charcoal pants and a pewter silk shirt, he looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. At well over six feet, he was tall with broad shoulders and slim hips. His skin was like bronze, his hair like spun gold.
He smiled, a wide spread of his perfect lips that nearly stole my breath.
“You must be Ridley.”
His voice was like honey and it made my brain feel like mush. He didn’t inspire the trance-like fascination that Lars did, so I wasn’t alarmed. He was just so impeccably, beautifully crafted, I was almost in awe.
I nodded.
“I’m Sebastian,” he said. “Please, come in.”
He stepped back, sweeping his hand in front of him. I obliged by sliding past him into the grand foyer.
Soft light from a massive crystal chandelier shone in the rich wood paneling and glinted off the polished stone floors. I felt like I’d stumbled into an episode of Cribs.
“I really appreciate you doing this for us. I know babysitting probably isn’t the ideal way to make a buck, but I wanted someone a little older to watch Lilly.”
I smiled politely and nodded, feeling more dumbstruck as the minutes ticked by.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
Sebastian turned and guided me down a long, wide hallway. I busied myself with looking at the amazing art that lined its length so that I wouldn’t get caught gawking at Sebastian’s butt. I couldn’t help but notice that he filled out his pants to perfection and that wasn’t a thought that I felt comfortable having.
The inside of the house was as stunning as the outside. I had to concentrate on keeping my mouth shut, as it wanted to fall open in wonder several times.
All the materials I could see were either smooth, gleaming woods or rough, cool stone. From the floors to the ceilings, everything was decorated to complement the castle-like feel of the house. There was even a suit of armor standing guard outside the entrance to what appeared to be his study. I’d never seen a suit of armor before and it gave me the comical feeling of being on an adventure with Scooby Doo.
After we’d passed several doors, the corridor widened and split into two large rooms. To my right was the kitchen and behind it was a huge dining room. To my left was an informal den, outfitted with three puffy leather couches and a fireplace so big that I could stand inside it.
Kneeling on the thick Oriental rug that lay between the sofas was a little girl.
She looked to be about three or four years old and she was bent over a nearly life-size doll that was rolled over onto its belly. The doll’s yellow dress was hiked up over its head and the little girl was struggling to change its diaper. There was a wet spot on the white material, and I could only assume that it was one of those dolls that you put water in so that when you squeezed it, the doll would pee.
Sebastian walked to the child and squatted down in front of her.
“Lilly, she’s here.”
The little girl’s head popped up and her face lit up like she’d just found a long lost friend.
Though she looked nothing like her father, she was just as stunning. Her auburn hair hung in long thick waves around her tiny face and her silvery eyes shone with pleasure. When I saw their pale color, I thought maybe that’s what she got from her father (other than pure gorgeousness): grayish eyes. It seemed that hers were just a bit more blue.
“You’re Ridley?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the bell of excitement that rang in her tiny voice.
“I am.”
She got to her feet and practically ran to me, taking my hand in her smaller one. “Come and see my room.”
“Lilly, I need to talk to Ridley for a minute before you drag her off, ok?”
Lilly sighed. “Ok,” she said, turning back to the doll she’d left half dressed.
Sebastian shook his head in that tolerant way that parents do and turned his attention back to me.
“She’s already eaten and had her bath. Bedtime is 9:00, no matter what she tries to tell you. She likes a story, but she’ll try to talk you into telling her a dozen, so don’t be fooled. She gets one.” He smiled, obviously amused by his daughter’s ploys. If possible, I thought that made him even more attractive. “She doesn’t usually watch much television, probably because her room is full of toys. Do you have any questions for me?”