Chapter 2 The First Move
Jessica felt like the world had stopped turning. She was standing in a billionaire’s kitchen, completely naked, staring at her sister's husband.
Matthew Greg didn't look shocked. He looked... interested. He leaned back against the marble counter, his eyes tracing the curves of her body again. He took another slow sip of his drink.
"Matthew," Jessica finally gasped out, her voice cracking.
She finally found the strength to move. She turned around and bolted back toward the stairs. She didn't stop until she was inside her room with the door locked. Her heart was drumming against her ribs so hard it hurt.
"Oh my god," she whispered, leaning against the door. "Oh my god."
She quickly pulled on an oversized t-shirt and some shorts. Her face felt hot enough to cook an egg. How was she going to face him? She was supposed to be the "responsible" sister helping out, and now he had seen everything.
Downstairs, she heard the heavy sound of footsteps. They weren't going toward the east wing. They were coming toward her.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The footsteps stopped right outside her door. Jessica held her breath.
"Jessica?" Matthew’s voice was low and rumbled through the wood of the door. "I didn't know you were arriving today. Josephine mentioned a 'nanny,' but I didn't realize she meant her little sister."
Jessica squeezed her eyes shut. "I... I just got here yesterday. I thought you were in London."
"I finished early," he said. He sounded much closer now, like he was leaning against the door frame. "You've grown up, Jessica. The last time I saw you at the wedding, you were just a little young girl. You look... different now."
The way he said "different" made Jessica’s skin tingle. It wasn't the way a brother-in-law should talk.
"I'm sorry about... the kitchen incident," she managed to say. "I thought I was alone."
There was a short silence. Then, she heard him chuckle. It was a dark, dry sound.
"Don't be sorry," Matthew said. "It was the best welcome home I've had in years. Go to sleep, Jessica. We’ll talk in the morning."
She heard him walk away, but she didn't sleep at all that night.
The next morning, Jessica tried to stay in the nursery with baby Ethan as long as possible. She hoped Matthew would leave for work early like Josephine said he did.
By 10:00 AM, she was starving. She carried Ethan down to the kitchen, hoping the coast was clear.
The kitchen was empty, but there was a note on the island next to a stack of hundred-dollar bills.
For the 'inconvenience' of last night. Buy yourself something nice. I'll see you for dinner at eight. Don't be late.
— M.
Jessica looked at the money. It was a lot. Too much for a simple "sorry." It felt like a bribe or a down payment.
She spent the day in a blur, playing with Ethan, but her mind kept going back to the way Matthew looked at her. He wasn't a nice man, she knew that. He was cold and powerful. But he was also the most attractive man she had ever seen.
At 7:55 PM, Jessica was dressed in a simple sundress. She walked into the dining room.
Matthew was already sitting at the head of the long table. He was in a fresh suit, looking like he stepped out of a magazine. He gestured to the seat right next to him. Not across from him—next to him.
"Sit," he commanded.
Jessica sat down, her hands shaking slightly. "You don't have to give me money, Matthew. I'm family."
"I have plenty of money, Jessica," he said, leaning toward her. He reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. His fingers were warm, and his touch made her jump. "And I like taking care of people who catch my eye."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Does Josephine know you walk around like that when you're alone?"
Jessica looked at her plate, her heart racing. "No."
"Good," Matthew said, his hand moving from her ear to the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing the soft skin there. "Let’s keep it our little secret."
