When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 142

Ethan

After sending the text to Amelia, I sat back at the desk, watching Lucas struggle with his handwriting. His grip on the pencil was too tight, making his letters look stiff and uneven.

The kid had potential, but lacked discipline. So, when Amelia went out and asked me to help with the kids, I saw it as a chance. I really needed to help him develop, nurture his potential, and teach him some discipline.

"This A needs to be rewritten. Do another line," I instructed, tapping on the paper with my index finger. "You're not leaving until they're properly formed."

Lucas shot me a resentful glance but dutifully began another row of letters. He had my stubbornness, that was for sure. Across the room, Ella had curled up on the couch, her favorite doll clutched tightly against her chest. Her dark curls fell across her face, so much like her mother's that it made my chest tighten with an unfamiliar warmth.

My phone buzzed with a notification from our group chat. James had sent a photo, and I opened it without thinking much of it. What I saw made me frown. Four women seated at a VIP table in Blue Note Bar—Amelia, Olivia, Sophie, and a brunette I recognized as James's sister. They were raising glasses, laughing, clearly enjoying themselves.

"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath. Amelia had told me she was at a yoga class. Since when did yoga involve cocktails and VIP tables?

Another message from James appeared: "Someone better come collect their women. At this rate, they'll all be wasted, and I can't handle four drunk ladies on my own."

I glanced at my watch—9:30 PM. Lucas was still hunched over his assignment, and Ella was soundly asleep. Noah's text came in a moment later: [Want to check what our wives are up to?]

I looked at my bandaged hand, then back at the kids. A night out wasn't in my plans, but neither was being lied to. I decided to dial Michael's number. He answered on the third ring.

"Davis, come to my suite. I have a task for you."

"At this hour?" Michael's voice held clear annoyance. "I was just—"

"It's important," I cut him off, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing Lucas.

Twenty minutes later, Michael stood in my suite, looking from the sleeping Ella to Lucas, who was still working on his letters, then to me with growing suspicion.

"You want me to babysit? Seriously?" His face conveyed just how far this fell outside his job description.

"Consider it part of your security detail," I said, already shrugging into my jacket. "Lucas can have the iPad once he finishes his homework. Ella should sleep through the night."

Michael's expression made it clear he'd rather be defusing a bomb. "I'm not qualified for this."

"You've protected government officials. I think you can handle two sleeping kids." I stopped by Lucas's desk on my way out. "Finish that line properly, then you can play your game."

His expression remained neutral, but I saw the slight nod. Before leaving, I paused by Ella's chair, leaning down to gently kiss her forehead. Her tiny nose wrinkled in her sleep, and something in my chest softened.

Michael raised an eyebrow at the contrast in my behavior but wisely said nothing.

Noah was waiting in the corridor, a smirk playing on his lips. "Shall we go catch our ladies in the act?"

"Let's," I agreed, already thinking about how I'd confront Amelia about her little white lie.

---

The Blue Note was packed when we arrived, the jazz band in full swing. We spotted the women immediately in the VIP section. Amelia was laughing at something Sophie had said, her head thrown back, the line of her throat exposed. She looked beautiful and carefree in a way I rarely got to see.

I approached silently from behind, slipping my arm around her waist. She reacted instantly, her elbow jabbing backward with surprising force, catching me in the ribs. I grunted, more impressed than hurt.

"Jesus, Ethan!" she gasped, turning to face me. "You scared me half to death!"

"Careful, you almost made me hurt my other hand," I said, rubbing my side with exaggerated pain.

Concern immediately replaced her surprise. "Let me see." She reached for my bandaged hand, examining it with professional focus.

"Got you," I whispered, capturing her fingers. "So, how was yoga class? Seems very... spiritually enriching."

Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink. "I... well, this was after yoga."

"Amelia Thompson," I leaned closer, my lips almost brushing her ear, "you've learned to lie. I'm not sure whether to be proud or concerned."

She recovered quickly, her green eyes sparking with defiance. "Are you going to hold this over me forever?"

"How many times have you lied to me?" she shot back, her voice soft but pointed. "You're still ahead in that game, Ethan. I'm just evening the score."

I couldn't help but smile. She had me there.

Across the table, I noticed Sophie staring at James with undisguised interest. James was mixing drinks behind the bar, his movements precise and confident.

"You're really handsome," Sophie said suddenly, her directness catching James off guard. The mixing stick in his hand clattered onto the counter.

"I know that already," he replied, his usual cool demeanor slipping just slightly as he retrieved the stick.

Sophie's lips curved into a delighted smile. "Mr. Hayes, I think we share the same taste."

Noah nudged me, raising an eyebrow at the interaction. James looked uncharacteristically flustered—something I'd rarely seen in all our years of friendship.

---

Later, as we prepared to leave, Amelia suggested she should drive.

"You're injured," she insisted, holding out her hand for the keys. "Let me. I didn't drink."

I handed them over without argument.

"How did you find us?" she asked once we were settled in the car, Sophie in the back seat.

"James sent a photo to our group chat," I explained, watching her face go from confused to understanding.

"So, you guys have a secret group chat among yourselves," she murmured. "I should have been more careful."

Sophie leaned forward from the back seat, changing the subject entirely. "Mr. Black, is James really single? He doesn't date much, does he?"

I turned slightly to look at her eager expression. "James is... selective. But yes, he's single."

"Do you think he might like me?" The directness of her question was refreshing.

"You like someone, you go for it," I advised. "There's no special reason needed. It's all about action."

As we approached the hotel, Sophie moved closer, whispering conspiratorially. "I have a proposition for you. I'll stay in my brother's suite then. That way, you can visit Amelia's room without interruption." Her smile turned mischievous. "In exchange, you keep me informed about James's whereabouts. Deal?"

I considered her offer for exactly one second. "Deal. I'll tell you everything I know."

Sophie's smile widened, and I couldn't help but return it with a slight upturn of my lips. An unexpected alliance had formed, and I had a feeling it would benefit us both.