Page 28 of Single Dad's Hot Nanny

“No spell, we just connected. She likes me, and I enjoy spending time with her. Why is that so hard to believe?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Trust issues, remember?”

“Right.” I’d called him out on it during our date. “How about you tell me more about what’s going on with Poppy?”

He scowled in response, and I shrugged. “Fine, stay tight-lipped. I already have a job lined up, so I decline your offer.” It killed me to say that out loud, but as desperate as I was, I had my pride. “I’ll walk you out.”

When I moved to get up, he spoke. “She’s asked for you to come back every day, and she fucking hates the new nanny, okay?” he snapped.

My eyebrows elevated.

Michael scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. “She threw a tantrum when I introduced her to the woman. Yesterday, she told the poor lady to get lost because she wasoldandboring. I was shocked and appalled.”

I slapped my hand over my mouth to muffle my snicker.

“This isn’t funny, Mia,” he growled. “My kid hasneverthrown a tantrum. I didn’t know she had it in her. She’s been acting out in some crazy rebellion becauseyou’renot her nanny. She called me a ‘big ole’ meanie’ for telling you to leave.”

I sniggered again but pursed my lips to keep my laughter suppressed. “She isn’t wrong about that part. You are a big ole’ meanie.”

That earned me another severe scowl.

“The point is that this isn’t Poppy’s normal behavior. I caved.” He shrugged. “Plus, Mrs. Peters threatened to not come back today, and as I found out this morning, she wasn’t bluffing. So, I’m down a nanny… again. I suppose Poppy was right. The woman was too elderly to keep up with her…”

His eyes became like twin daggers, boring into mine as if he was trying to see through me. “I’m still skeptical about you, Mia Clarke. I dug deeper than Amber did with the background check. You flitted from apartment to apartment before you settled into this one. You’ve never held a job for more than a couple months,and your social media tells a story of a chaotic woman who hangs out with an iffy crowd.”

My smug smile gradually melted away as panic set in. How the hell did he manage to dig so deep? Just who was this Michael Hayes, really? Did he know about my ex and the trouble he’d gotten me in?

As he stared at me, he didn’t mention anything about it. I suspected if he knew, he wouldn’t be here. Heat scaled my face. “Theiffycrowd is in the past. I didn’t even really know them. They were my ex-boyfriend’s crew.” My gaze dropped to the floor because everything else about me was spot on. “I’m not irresponsible… Well, I mean, I would never be with a child.”

He didn’t speak, just continued to stare at me until I started to squirm. “Alright, so I’m not perfect,” I snapped. “Who is? You wouldn’t be here if you were all that put off by me babysitting your child.”

Michael inclined his head. “You’re right. Since Poppy is apparently besotted with you. I’m willing to give you another try.”

I snorted. “Would it kill you to admit that you need me?”

“I don’tneed…” He looked up at the ceiling and then sighed. “Alright, I’m in a tight spot with the whole nanny situation.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Forget about that job you have lined up.”

I scoffed at the demand.The arrogant bast?—

“The salary that Amber presented you… I’ll increase it.”

The generous, gorgeous man…

I stared at Michael, utterly speechless, because I was shocked, and I was busy calculating how fast I could buy my freedom from the mess I was in with his generous salary. However, he took my silence to mean I wasn’t convinced, so he added, “I’ll give you a sign-on bonus. Nannies don’t typically get that.”

He mentioned a figure that made my jaw slacken, and he explained, “I feel the need to add some incentive considering that being my nanny may get hectic at times.”

“You mean when you work long hours and go on business trips?”

“Precisely, and you’ll have to travel with us sometimes. It might take a toll on your personal life.”

“Oh, that’s cool. I don’t have a personal life.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. “Also…” He sighed. “I’m hoping you can start immediately… say this afternoon?”

---