Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
I admit I was a bit nervous at first when I agreed to babysit him. But he’s such a joy to be around, easy to laugh with, and even easier to love. He reminds me of the reason I loved my job in the first place. I like kids. I like their inquisitive, curious minds. I like their innocence. It’s something I forgot after working for a while and realizing that being a teacher requires lots and lots of paperwork.
“Which one’s yours?”
The voice comes from my left, and I barely stifle a sigh before turning. A man—probably mid-forties, thinning salt and pepper hair, cocky smile, expensive watch, too much cologne, and an aura of self-importance—steps close just enough that his overpowering scent threatens to make me sneeze.
I’m a pretty friendly person, but when someone invades my personal space, an overly friendly man no less, I immediately shut down.
“Thomas. I’m his nanny,” I say smoothly, hoping that’ll be enough and he realizes I’m in no mood for a conversation … at least with him.
It isn’t. Of course. Guys like this cannot take a hint. I can plaster a “Not Interested. Go Away” sign on my forehead, and he’ll talk like I’m hanging on to his every word.
“Ah,” he says, flashing a grin and standing way too close for my comfort. “So, not yours. I knew I hadn’t seen you here before. Someone like you? I’d remember easily.”
I clench my jaw, force a polite smile, and nod. He still doesn’t take the hint.
“You must get lonely and bored. Always watching from the sidelines while the real parents do their thing.”
I exhale slowly, gripping the water bottle in my hands before I say something I shouldn’t. “I’m perfectly happy, thanks.”
“Hey.” He steps even closer, and I resist the urge to flinch. “No harm in a little conversation. You should be a little friendlier. You know, maybe smile a little more. After all, I can show you around. Just the two of us.”
I open my mouth to politely ask him to leave me alone when a shadow falls over us. A very tall, broad, dangerous-looking shadow. I don’t even have to turn around to know he’s here, and I let out a breath of relief.
Adrian stands beside me, his presence alone making the other man shift uncomfortably and swallow hard. Adrian’s voice is calm, smooth, but ice-cold. “You got something to say to my girl?”
The other guy laughs nervously, his eyes darting toward his friends by the benches. “Just chatting. I saw her alone and thought she could use a friend.”
Adrian’s lips curl, but there’s no humor in it. His eyes—sharp, dark, deadly—never leave the man. I have never seen him like this. “That so?” He steps forward, forcing the guy to back up a step. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re being a problem. Can’t you tell if a woman’s not interested? And you even had the audacity to tell her to smile. She was smiling … before you came and interrupted her peace.”
Color drains from his face, and he clears his throat. “Didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Adrian growls, “Then walk away.”
The other guy doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t even look at me, just rushes to his buddies. Doesn’t feel good when people make you uncomfortable, right? That should teach him. The lesson better land.
I cross my arms, shaking my head as Adrian watches him go. “You didn’t have to scare him off that hard.”
He turns to me then, eyes still burning. “He was looking at you like you were available. Like he had a chance. The fucking nerve.”
I tilt my head to the side. “And I’m not available? Last I checked, I was just your live-in nanny.”
His jaw ticks, and I don’t miss the hot gaze he rakes up my body, making me pulse with want. “Not to anyone but me.”
The possessiveness in his voice sends a shiver down my spine, pleasure singing through my nerves.
And honestly? I don’t hate it. I’m starting to like this side of Adrian. I've been obsessed with him for so long that being on the other side feels too unbelievable. It’s almost like waking up in an alternate universe.
God, I can’t wait to tear his clothes off later.
He turns to me, eyes searching my face. “Are you okay, Noelle?”
I take a quick peek at Thomas and see him focused on the game, so I stand on my toes and give Adrian a soft kiss, my core clenching at hearing him gasp. “I’m so hot for you right now, you know that?”
He smiles against my lips. “Not yet, no, but let me know later. I will need proof.”
We’re at the small Italian restaurant my family and I used to go to. I have so many fond memories of this place. It was always where we celebrated birthdays, my parents’ anniversaries, high school graduations, Peter’s and my college acceptance, and pretty much every major milestone.