Page 75 of Single Dad's Hot Nanny

“This is pretty much kidnapping, you know that, right?”

He gave me his signature scowl. The one that scared others but was strangely attractive to me. “Don’t be so dramatic. Have a seat while I get Poppy to bed.”

I glowered at him. “No. I’m going to my room. You can’t force me to?—”

“Mia. Sit. Down.” His voice was low and authoritative, with that steely edge that always sent an involuntary shiver down my spine… in an erotic sort of way. It made me want to obey, but I wasn’t going to make this easy for him.

His gaze bore into mine, and the tension between us thickened. As we engaged in a silent battle of wills, my resolveweakened because I realized that I was more turned on than angry about his demanding attitude.

“Mia…” His low, stern tone resonated with warning. “Sitdown. We’re going to talk.”

With a huff of frustrationandarousal, I plopped down on my ass as he told me to because, damn it, Michael giving orders in that tone was the hottest thing ever. Or perhaps it was the fact that I never felt threatened in the least even when he was authoritative.Safe. I always knew I was safe with him… and I loved him.

When he gave me a satisfied look and sauntered away, I threw my purse down beside me and glared at the pretty and expensive accessory. My entire outfit cost a fortune. My wealthy boss had surprised me with the ensemble this morning. I’d walked into my suit after going out to breakfast with Poppy and found gift boxes boasting the names of brands I’d never be able to afford. The other night when I had told Michael I might decline Olivia’s invitation to her wedding because I didn’t have anything to wear, I’d never expected he’d buy me things.

At first, I’d been delighted because I’d never worn a Dior dress in my life. I fiddled with the jewelry draping my neck. I wouldn’t even have dreamt of wearing this many diamonds either. However, as I’d stared at the items Michael had delivered to my room, my heart sank. What if he went out of his way to buy things because he didn’t want me to embarrass him? He simply wanted to make sure I fit in with all his rich friends. I’d been feeling out of place in his world all week and then he made that comment at the reception…

Heaving a sigh, I got up and started to pace. As I made my way toward the large windows, I told myself for the millionth time how stupid I was to have fallen for a man who would never see me as more than his daughter’s babysitter… who he sometimes slept with. As I pressed my forehead to the cool glass,I sighed. My mission to find Mr. Right had failed epically.Iwasn’t right forhim.

“Mia.”

I jumped and whirled around to face Michael. He stood watching me with his hands in his pockets. He’d take off his tuxedo jacket and his bow tie. With the top buttons of his shirt undone and his hair disheveled as if he’d raked his fingers through it several times before coming back in here, he looked scrumptious. However, I needed to stop checking him out like that because he was probably about to lecture me for supposedly flirting with his friends,which was ridiculous. He was likely going to redraw that employee-employer line too, so… maybe no more hot sex with my boss.

He watched me as warily as I watched him. It was confusing because he wasn’t giving off the energy of someone who was about to dish out admonishment.

“I’m sorry about the alleged kidnapping,” he began. There was a note of amusement in his voice, and I laughed.

“I can admit when I’m being melodramatic.”

He took a step toward me. “I’m also sorry about the way I behaved at the reception.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “I wasn’t flirting with Spencer.”

“I know. I figured he was the one doing all the flirting.”

True. However, I couldn’t tell Spencer I wasn’t interested. I certainly couldn’t tell him I was already in love with his friend because our casual affair was supposed to be a secret.

He hung his head. “I let my jealousy get the best of me.”

I stared at him, completely thrown off by his admission. Michael Hayes—calm, composed, always-in-control—wasjealous?It didn’t compute. He was the one who’d insisted we keep things casual.

“Oh…” My hands dropped to my sides. “I thought you were upset because…”

He tilted his head. “Because what?”

My face practically caught fire, and my eyes slid away from him.

“You thought what?” he insisted, taking another step closer.

“I assumed you were angry because I’m not…” How did I explain my insecurities about our differences without sounding like a fool?

Michael’s eyes narrowed on me. The more confused he seemed, the more embarrassed I got. “Mia, you’re going to tell me what the hell is wrong right now.”

I rolled my eyes at his command. He just couldn’t help being bossy.

“You’ve been acting off,” he added. “I need to know if I’ve done something wrong, so I can fix it.”

“You haven’t done anything.”

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