Page 9 of Curvy Fake Wife for the Player

“Yeah,” I agreed easily, already imagining what Jack would have to say about that. But another, more pressing thought occurred to me. What if Sasha didn’t return with what I needed? What if she took the money and ran, and then sold the story to the tabloids? I couldn’t risk that.

“Alex,” she growled but managed to keep her voice low so as not to wake Dixie. “You hired me. You asked for me specifically, and I’m trustworthy. If you can’t trust me with a few thousand dollars then you shouldn’t trust me with your kid.”

She was right, of course. Then again, wouldn’t a scam artist have all the answers to get me to trust her?

Another sigh of frustration escaped from Sasha as she plucked her phone from my hands. “Fine. I’ll send you the list and you can go get the items yourself. Just give me your phone number, or is that too personal as well?” Without waiting for an answer, she started towards the door. “I’ll write the list on a piece of paper and you can get what you think she needs until tomorrow.”

I hurried behind Sasha, willing my gaze to stay off the small dip of her waist before her swaying hips came into view, and her round ass.

Stop it, Alex. Stop that shit right now.

“Sasha,” I called after her but she was on a roll and when I found her inside the penthouse she had Dixie settled into her carrier and was bent over a sheet of paper, writing faster than I’d ever seen anyone write. “Sasha, stop.”

The stubborn woman didn’t stop, though. She continued to scribble on the paper until she was done, at which point shepressed the paper against my chest. “There. Happy shopping.” She flashed a wide grin that was sassy and just a small bit devious.

“You’re going to be a handful, aren’t you?”

“Me?” She put a hand to her chest and did her best to look innocent. “I’m just trying to help, Alex.”

I shook my head and reached in my pocket for my wallet. “Okay, you win Sasha,” I told her as I fished a few hundred dollar bills from the wallet. “This should be enough to get us started. Get whatever you can and we’ll shop for the rest together online. Deal?”

She stared wide-eyed at the stack of cash on the counter. “That seems like too much.”

I frowned. “You said a few thousand.”

“It’s called hyperbole,” she shot back, her gaze darted between me and the cash.

“I don’t know how much a changing table costs. Or even diapers. Take it and get everything you can with it.” Another thought occurred to me. “Do you have a car?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. That’s good. Get what’ll fit in your car and Barry will help you when you return.” I slid my phone across the counter. “We need to be able to contact each other.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “If you’re sure?”

“I am. This is all new to me so this probably won’t be the last time I piss you off.” I flashed what I hoped was a charming smile.

“Duly noted,” she replied with the barest hint of a smile. “As long as you know that pretty smile won’t stop me from calling you out when it’s necessary.”

My smile grew brighter at her words. “I expect nothing less.”

She gave a sharp nod and scanned the room until she found her purse, shoved the money inside and slipped out the door.

It doesn’t matter how hot and sassy she is. She’s the nanny and I’m staying out of trouble.That’s what I told myself but I had a feeling that once again, trouble would find me.

Chapter 6

Sasha

With the money Alex gave me to shop for baby necessities I could have gone shopping in any of the luxury boutiques that lined the small streets, or stopped at River Oaks. Dixie would have everything she needed, only with a big price tag. Instead, I drove a little past the boutiques and luxury vehicles and stopped at one of those big box baby stores. I’d be able to get more of what she needed for the same money, plus a few extras.

And since I was here on my own, I didn’t need to ask anyone’s permission. Forgiveness? Maybe, but that was a worry for another time. For now, I grabbed the biggest shopping cart they had and picked up one of those handheld devices that would allow me to scan the bigger items without hauling them around the store.

It was odd, doing this kind of shopping on my own, like I was someone’s mother picking up necessities to make my life easier. Technically all of that was true, except the part where I was Dixie’s mother. It was good practice anyway, just in case one day I actually had kids, and a family of my own. This job wasn’t conducive to a successful relationship, which meant somedayI would have to choose between my career and my future. It wasn’t as easy a decision as some might think, giving up that independence and becoming wholly reliant on someone else for your survival.

I couldn’t bring myself to do that, not again. Not ever again.

Maudlin thoughts, much?

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