Page 22 of Nanny for the Don

She nods and looks down. “I know. I feel it too. I told myself I wouldn’t get caught up again.”

“Me either, but here we are. I have to warn you though, this can be a physical thing only,” I clarify, watching her reaction closely.

She narrows her eyes, not in anger, but in sharp, calculated thought, processing my words.

I keep going, knowing it’s better to be up front. “I know this sounds callous, but I don’t want you getting any ideas about a relationship starting between us. I don’t have the time or inclination for it.”

I see her absorb what I’ve said, her expression unreadable. I know it’s a lot to lay out like this, but it’s better she knows where I stand. I can’t afford complications, no matter how much I’m drawn to her. She needs to understand that clearly.

“This is about keeping things simple,” I say.

She stays quiet at first, slipping into her leggings with a practiced ease. I take one last hungry glance at her perfect ass before it disappears underneath the fabric with a satisfying snap.

As she pulls on her tank top, I wonder if I’ve pushed her too far. Maybe she feels rejected, or worse, humiliated.

She checks the iPad, her face giving nothing away. I quickly get dressed too, pulling on my shorts and shirt, all the while keeping an eye on her, trying to read her. The silence stretches on, making me wonder if I’ve screwed this up.

Finally, she turns to me, her eyes locking onto mine with a steady, unflinching gaze.. “I’m not looking to get attached to you either.”

The relief that floods through me is immediate, though I don’t let it show. Instead, I give her a slow nod, acknowledging her words.There’s a confidence in her tone, in the way she carries herself now, that wasn’t there before. It’s like she’s made her decision and is sticking to it, no hesitation.

“Good,” I say, my voice equally firm.. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

She turns back to the iPad, her attention shifting, and I can’t help but admire the way she handled that. She knows what she wants, and I respect that. This is exactly how it needs to be—simple, just like we agreed.

I continue, making sure there’s no room for misunderstanding.“Just because we’re adding this extra dimension to our relationship doesn’t mean I don’t expect you to stay on top of your nanny duties.”

She snaps her head up, flashing me a hard look that’s all fire. “I would never neglect the girls, and I sure as hell wouldn’t use my body to get out of doing my job.”

I let out a low chuckle. “Seems like I offend you pretty easily.”

She rolls her eyes but can’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, well, maybe you should work on your delivery.”

Her laughter fills the room, a sound I find myself enjoying more than I expected. There’s something about it that lightens the air, easing the tension I didn’t even realize I was holding onto.

I give her a small nod, still smirking. “Alright, Willow. Go enjoy your day off.”

She nods, gathering her things and heading toward the door.

This arrangement might be unconventional, but I’m confident it’s the right move for both of us.

Simple, straightforward, and no strings attached—just the way I like it.

Chapter 12

Nico

Iwatch Willow leave, the sway of her hips drawing my eyes until she throws a smile over her shoulder just before stepping out of the gym.The second she’s out of sight, a pang of regret hits me, a part of me wishing she’d come back.

Shaking it off, I step onto the treadmill, determined to get in a solid run and clear my mind. I pick up the pace, the familiar rhythm of my feet hitting the belt usually a good way to focus.But today, it’s different. My legs feel a little heavier than usual, and it doesn’t take long to realize why—I’m already a bit worn out from the workout I just had with Willow.

A grin tugs at my lips as I slow the treadmill down. The memory of her under me, the way she moaned my name, it’s all still too fresh, too vivid. The run can wait—it seems I’ve already gotten my heart rate up plenty this morning.

I step off the treadmill, wiping the sweat from my brow. Instead of pushing through a workout I don’t really need, I head straight for the shower. The hot water’s going to feel damn good, and maybe it’ll help clear my head, get me back to the business I should be focusing on.

But as I strip down and step under the spray, I know it’s not going to be that easy to shake Willow from my mind.

I let the hot water rush over me, savoring the last traces of her scent on my skin before it’s washed away. The warmth soothes my muscles, but it does nothing to ease the tension building inside me. The memory of Willow, bent over the squat rack, flashes in my mind, and I feel myself getting hard all over again.

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