Page 23 of Nanny for the Bikers

I stick my tongue out at him. “Hey, every little girl needs a bit of magic in her life.”

Kip chuckles, shaking his head. “I don’t know, Ayla. Might be a bit too cutesy. What about something more classic, like this?” He points to a tasteful print of a baby elephant holding a balloon with its trunk.

I tilt my head, considering. “Hmm, I could see that working. It’s sweet without being over-the-top.”

We move on to the rug section, debating the merits of plush versus patterned, neutral tones versus pops of color. I find myself drawn to a soft, creamy rug with a subtle star pattern woven throughout.

“This one,” I declare, running my hand over the velvety pile. “It’s cozy enough for tummy time..”

Kip nods approvingly. “Good choice. It’ll tie the room together nicely.”

As we place the rug in our cart. We continue through the store, my eyes landing on a display of baby monitors. I grab one off the shelf, turning it over in my hands as I examine the features.

“We should definitely get one of these,” I say, holding it up for Kip to see. “That way, we can hear Piper even when we’re not in the same room.”

Kip furrows his brow, looking skeptical. “I don’t know, do we really need one? I mean, the townhouse isn’t that big.”

I shake my head, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Piper. “Trust me, it’ll make a huge difference. We’ll be able to respond to her needs faster, and it’ll give us peace of mind knowing we can always hear her.”

Kip still looks unconvinced, but I press on, determined to make him see the importance of this small device. “Look, I know it might seem like overkill, but when it comes to taking care of a baby, every little bit helps. This monitor will allow us to be there for Piper efficiently, without constantly hovering over her.”

Finally, Kip relents, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Alright, alright, you’ve made your point. Toss it in the cart.”

I grin triumphantly, feeling a rush of satisfaction as I place the monitor among our growing pile of purchases.

As I glance around, I realize that Clay has wandered off to the next aisle, presumably to look for more baby items. I find myself alone with Kip, surrounded by a sea of nursery decorations.

My fingers trace over a delicate mobile, the soft tinkling of the chimes filling the air between us.

“You’re really good at this, you know,” Kip says softly, his voice cutting through my reverie. “Piper’s lucky you accepted the job.”

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks at the unexpected compliment, my heart fluttering in my chest. “I just want to do right by her,” I murmur, suddenly feeling exposed under Kip’s gentle gaze.

He nods, a look of understanding passing between us. “We all do.”

I reach for a decorative wall hanging on a higher shelf, my fingertips barely grazing the edge. As I stretch up on my tiptoes, I feel Kip’s presence behind me, his body heat radiating against my back.

“Here, let me,” he murmurs, his breath tickling the side of my neck as he reaches over me to grab the item.

For a moment, time seems to stand still. Kip’s chest brushes against my shoulder blades, the contact sending a jolt of electricity through my veins. I inhale sharply, my senses overwhelmed by his proximity, the subtle scent of his cologne filling my nostrils.

My heart pounds in my heart pounds in my chest as Kip’s fingers graze mine, the decorative hanging now securely in his grasp. The air between us feels charged, like a live wire waiting to ignite. I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry as I turn to face him, our bodies mere inches apart.

Kip’s eyes lock with mine, a mixture of surprise and something deeper, more primal, swirling in their depths. His gaze drops to my lips for the briefest of moments, and I find myself leaning forward, drawn to him.

But before our lips can meet, the sound of footsteps approaching jolts us back to reality. We spring apart just as Clay rounds the corner, his arms laden with baby blankets.

“Hey, what do you think of these?” he asks, oblivious to the charged moment he’s just interrupted.

I clear my throat, hoping my voice won’t betray the desire still coursing through my veins. “They’re perfect,” I manage, my eyes darting to Kip, who looks equally flustered.

As Clay launches into a discussion about the blankets, I try to focus on his words, but my mind keeps drifting back to the feeling of Kip’s body against mine, the way his eyes had darkened with a hunger that matched my own.

I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts.

We’re here for Piper.

Besides, the last thing I need is a boyfriend. Especially with one of my new, very attractive, bosses when I just started today.

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