Page 36 of Off Limits (Alpha Billionaire)

I raised my brows and cocked my head to the side, waiting for her to tell me what I was doing wrong this time.

“Don’t think you’re getting away with anything,” she said.

I shook my head, uncertain what she was referring to.

“I’m not trying to get away with anything. I don’t know why you seem to think I have an ulterior motive. Are you planning on actually watching Max while he’s in here today, or are you going to let me in?”

“I know you are being inappropriate with Mr. Anderson. Don’t think you are the first nanny to find herself in a compromising position.”

Of course she knew. She was never far from Mrs. Anderson’s side. And she probably had a monitor on her for any time Clara had to appear to be out of sight. Clara was obsessed with Mrs. Anderson’s care to the point of it being problematic, in my opinion. But that wasn’t my responsibility to deal with. If Dylan had a long conversation with his mother, or even one half as long as the one I had with her, of course Clara would already be aware that there was something happening between us.

“I’m not in a compromising position,” I said flatly.

“I could report you,” she responded.

“To whom? Why?” I was so tired of her animosity. Was she jealous? Of what? She lived in this house too, so it wasn’t that I had a job that came with a place to live. Maybe she wanted Dylan for herself? I didn’t actually believe that, but the thought was there for a moment.

“Watch yourself, Jessica. It would only take a few words to get you fired.”

“And you’re untouchable?” I said before I even thought about how to reply.

She smirked and wiggled her head.

“You win,” I admitted. “Can I come in now?”

I took one step into the room before Clara was rushing past me to jerk Max away from Mrs. Anderson. I hadn’t seen what the issue was, but suddenly, Max was crying and Mrs. Anderson was pleading with Clara.

“You need to get him out of here before he does damage,” Clara barked.

“He was fine. He didn’t hurt me,” Mrs. Anderson responded.

“He can’t be throwing things,” Clara yelled.

“Play catch.” Max sniffled.

I could handle her making things difficult for me, but she wasn’t going to make Max miserable. I scooped him up.

“How would you like to go swimming?” I asked. It was the first thing that came to mind.

His little face beamed.

“We don’t have a pool. It’s too cold outside,” Clara corrected me.

She wasn’t wrong, but I had no intention of staying around here a moment longer.

The weather outside was normal for this time of year. It was overcast from the fog, and the coastal air was cool. That also meant that if I headed into Carmel Valley or out toward Salinas, it would be warmer, much warmer.

“Exactly. We’re going to pack up and take a little break, go get some sunshine, and find a hotel with a pool.” I kept my gaze on Mrs. Anderson, not acknowledging Clara at all. “I need to get away from her before I do something truly horrible.”

“You’re going to blame me for all of this? He could have hurt his grandmother.”

“It was just a bad toss, Clara,” Mrs. Anderson said.

“You’re ganging up on me!” Clara sniffled and whined.

“We’re leaving,” I called out as I carried Max away. He didn’t need to witness Clara’s histrionics. All she would do was call him trouble and blame him for everything and play victim if anyone contradicted her. I was well and truly done playing her games.

Upstairs, Max and I picked out a few outfits and a swimsuit for each of us. I took a few minutes to locate a hotel and confirm a room. There were a couple of high-end hotels at the mouth of the valley. Those options were closer, and they had an off-season mid-week discount. I booked a room for the night. Even if we just played in the pool for the day and went home, it would be worth it.

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