Lahat ng Kabanata ng Dangerous Pleasures: Kabanata 1341 - Kabanata 1350

Vicky filled in for Taylor's mother admirably, and we still have the mixed sand glass thingy on our mantle. Most of that day is a blur, but I remember being introduced for the first time as Taylor and Aly Knox. I still get a happy little flutter whenever I see my name written like that.The first year was rough. Taylor was trying to finish school while her career was taking off. She got it done, though, and I think she learned that it was okay to lean on me when she needed to. She's pretty famous now, having done shows at some of the biggest galleries in LA and has won several important awards. She's even worked on a few indie movie sets. We moved into a place of our own after she graduated, but we're waiting to buy until I get my license and can design our home.I'm progressing, studying for my architect licensure exams, learning on the job and doing a lot of grunt work as I pay my proverbial dues. And that's where I found myself four years later, sitting at my desk one Friday mornin

Ten minutes before Sarah was supposed to arrive I found myself standing in front of my full-length bedroom mirror, several different tops strewn about my bed. What was wrong with me? Friday I'd met with six potential nannies, and I'd spent less than fifteen minutes on my outfit. I'd just worn what I'd wear to the office. But I couldn't do a pant suit or business skirt on a Sunday afternoon.I pulled on a cream-colored pussy bow blouse. It was just translucent enough that you could catch a hint of my black lace bra underneath. I liked it. Maybe. Ugh, I don't know. But I was running out of time. I pulled on my best pair of jeans. Sunday, casual, right? I fastened on a pair of two-inch strappy sandals and gave a final twirl in the mirror.At five-nine I didn't usually need the extra height, but it never hurt to be a little intimidating at an interview, especially when you were the one behind the desk.I walked out of my closet. "How do I look?"Heidi looked up from my phone. "Good." She

Monday morning was amazing. That's probably sacrilegious to say, but it was. I was able to get dressed, do my hair and make-up without any interruptions. No banging on the door, no cries of 'Mommy!' ringing down the hall. Voices were coming from downstairs as I made my way to the kitchen, where Heidi was already in her booster seat, stabbing at a piece of hard boiled egg with her IKEA plastic fork. Sarah sat next to her, already dressed in jeans and a V-necked tee."Say good morning to mommy."Heidi's face split into a wide grin. "Mommy look! Nanny Sarah made fancy eggs!" She held out her fork to show me."I see that. They're called hard boiled, sweetie."Sarah looked up. No make-up, like she needed any, but God, she looked perfect. Her hair was brushed, and her eyes were shining. "There's a couple more if you want some." She nodded toward the kitchen."Thank you. I fetched them and sat down, taking a piece of buttered toast from a plate on the table."Why don't you make eggs like thi

The sounds from the air popper slowed and then stopped, and Sarah came back in holding a bowl of popcorn and two wine glasses."Ah, pinot and Orville Redenbacher. Excellent choices.""Can't watch a movie without popcorn." I took one of the glasses and she sat down next to me. "What do we got?""Have you seen this one?" I pointed to the screen with the remote."Huh-uh.""It's fantastic. Just watch." I pressed play and reached for the popcorn. My hand brushed her arm and I felt the pebbled texture of Sarah's skin. "You have goose bumps, are you chilly?"Sarah blushed. "Maybe a little."I hopped up and grabbed my trusty afghan. My grandmother had hand made it for my mom when I was born, and she'd covered herself with it while she'd nursed me. Sharing it with Sarah just felt right. It covered both of us easily, and I could feel her warmth trapped by the wool.We spent a wonderful hour and a half just there together. I watched as she laughed at all the right moments. A tear rolled down her

"I couldn't face going back to my empty apartment, so I stopped at a bar downtown. There was a guy there. He bought me a drink, listened while I cried on his shoulder. He made me dance, which he said would make me feel better, and he was right. It just felt good to be held. Long story short, I had too much to drink and I woke up in his hotel room. It was early, and he was still there, asleep. I remember seeing a condom in the trashcan, so I figured I was in the clear. I put on as many of my clothes as I could find and 'walk-of-shamed' my ass back to my car."A few weeks later I was getting sick in the morning and I realized I'd missed my period. I bought one of those home pregnancy tests, positive, so I made an appointment at the clinic. Figured, you know, just take care of it. I didn't even tell Lauren. I went, they put me through the STD battery, all clean, thank god. They confirmed I was pregnant, and they asked me what I wanted to do."I opened my mouth, but I couldn't make the wo