His eyes widen a fraction; in annoyance or surprise, I can’t tell. In a low tone, he calmly asks, “Did I not make myself clear?”

Miss Owens’s smirk is what finally makes me snap. I’ve done nothing wrong. The three weeks that I’ve been here, I’ve not only taken care of Dafni but have cared for her. I adore her. I took this as a side job more as a favor to my brother and the Petridis family, who has always been close to mine. I’m ashamed that I couldn’t last longer than fourteen days. I hate that I feel like I’m letting down Dafni, but I don’t deserve this. I refuse to be mocked by this hateful woman and take any more of Jakob’s cold, dismissive attitude.

“Yes, you did,” I tell him.

He gives me one of his signature curt nods. Like that settles that. Far from it.

“I’m sure Miss Owens will be happy to take over as Dafni’s nanny,” I continue. “I don’t know why you didn’t think of that before having Noah call me.”

“What? I’m not a nanny.” Disgust laces her every word.

Jakob levels me with a hard look. “I did not have Noah call you.”

I ignore him and focus on the demon. “Clearly, you can do the job better than me.” I turn to Jakob and mimic his nod. “I hope I made myself clear.”

I leave them standing there and don’t look back. It’s not until I get halfway down the road that the guilt settles in. I let Midge get to me and left without talking to Dafni. I did the one thing I swore I’d never do to someone—leave them without saying goodbye.

three

JAKOB

Iwake in the middle of the night fisting my cock. Those gummy bears. Those juicy gummy bears I wanted to eat off her chest. I wouldn’t have even minded if I ate a little bit of glitter along with them. That was a risk I was more than willing to accept. But I couldn’t. And that pissed me off more than anything. Fucking Miss Owens. She is a bitch. I hated the way she spoke to Nicole. But it was the perfect opportunity to free myself from the torment of having to be consumed by her. Still being able to catch her scent long after she’d gone to bed. Listening to Dafni tell me how wonderful she is and how she hopes Nicole never leaves…

Fuck. I’m the worst father.

I release my cock and go to the bathroom for a cold shower. What kind of man am I that I can’t handle lusting after my daughter’s nanny? A selfish prick. Dafni is going to be heartbroken in the morning when she learns that Nicole quit. But they can still see each other. Vivian can take her for visits, or my mother, who also adores Nicole.

No matter how much I try to justify my actions, I know I’m in the wrong. Dafni is my top priority, and I let her down. Cold water rains down my face. I pray it’ll wash away the guilt of failing as a father and lusting after the best nanny for my daughter. She’s for Dafni, not me. It takes me becoming numb and my skin shriveled to realize I’ve been a fool. I’m determined to do better tomorrow. I’ll apologize. I’ll beg, even.

I’ve always prided myself on being an upstanding individual, a well-respected doctor in the medical field, and a devoted single father. I’ll keep this professional and work on being more polite and respectful to Nicole. She deserves that as my best friend’s little sister, a family friend, and a devoted caregiver to Dafni. Plus, she’s a good person. Unlike me.

If I was a good person, my dick wouldn’t be getting hard again despite how cold the shower is, all because I’m thinking about her. My eyes become heavy—not from lack of sleep and mental exhaustion, but with desire. I picture that black mane of hair hanging down loose and wild, perfect to run my fingers through and then grip. Her luscious curves filling my palm.

I tighten my grip and stroke myself painfully slowly. My balls tighten as my whole body quivers. The water might be frigid, but my body is running hot with each thought of how it would feel to lick and nibble gummy bears from her soft skin. Then seeing how she tastes in other places, everywhere. I want to know the scent and taste of every inch of her precious body. Feeling lightheaded, I place one hand against the stone shower wall for balance as my other one picks up its pace.

Nicole.

Does she moan, cry out in pleasure, or release sweet little mews as she gives her body over to pleasure? What I wouldn’t give to personally find out. To be the reason for her euphoric state.

When she whispered my name, pleading for me to listen to her… Jakob. God, I wanted to pull her to me, throw her over my shoulder, and take her to my bedroom, which made everything twenty times worse. I can’t cross that line with her. But fuck it. For right now, I’m going to masturbate to the image of me doing all kinds of filthy acts to my best friend’s sister. I’m going to get myself off while fantasizing about my daughter’s nanny. She’s twelve years younger than me, with a whole life ahead of her, but I bet none of the boys her age know how to worship her like I could. Not to mention, I’m a medical professional and well educated in the female anatomy. I work myself harder and harder as images of Nicole’s breasts bouncing as I push myself deeper into her drive me to the brink. I hear her call my name again. Jakob. Jakob. Jakob.

My release is violent. I come all over the shower. As I watch the evidence of what I did slowly go down the drain, I refuse to allow guilt to take over again. I know that’s the closest I’ll ever get to living out that fantasy. If I have to relieve myself every night in a cold shower so I won’t have the buildup when I’m around her, I will. I’m in control.

And I’ll keep telling myself that until I can prove it to myself.

It’s five in the morning, but the issue with Nicole needs to be resolved before Dafni wakes up. Last night, as I put her to bed, I promised her that Nicole wasn’t in trouble. Nobody was in trouble; I was more worried than I was mad. She seemed satisfied but was still hurt that Nicole hadn’t told her good night. Another reason for me to feel guilty since I’m the reason for her abrupt exit.

The phone rings straight to voicemail. I try again. It rings once this time before I’m sent to voicemail.

Good morning. May I please speak with you?

NICOLE

Good morning, Mr. Petridis. Considering I no longer work for you, I see no reason for you to be calling me. Especially at this ungodly hour.

Nicole isn’t a morning person, and she seems to still be upset with me. Time to play dirty.

You must not be awake yet, which would explain your confusion. Dafni Petridis is your employer. She’s hurt that you didn’t say goodbye when leaving, but fear not, I don’t believe that will be grounds for termination.