Page 30 of Bad Nanny

I turned back toward the patio and walked toward the table, where bowls of chips were laid out. “I think I can handle getting wet.”

Gabriel gave me a look that had me squeezing my thighs together. We were treading in dangerous waters, and I was failing miserably at trying not to dive too deep into whatever this thing between us was becoming.

“Hot dogs are ready!” He cleared his throat and lowered his voice so only I heard. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.” As an image of me on my knees for him flashed through my mind, my eyes inadvertently fell to his crotch.

“Josie.” My name was more of a growl, and my eyes snapped up to meet his darkened ones. “We need to stop.”

I shrugged, sitting down at the table and grabbing a chip. “You started it. I simply said I could handle my wetness.” I smiled as I popped the chip into my mouth.

He pulled the hot dogs off the grill and brought them to the table, setting them in the middle. Instead of moving away, he stood there until I slowly swiveled the chair to face him. Ilooked up quickly, so I wasn’t staring right at the very evident bulge in his shorts.

“What’s this? A pillow line?” He reached for my face and ran a thumb along my cheek. “Were you napping?”

“Maybe.” I started to lean into his touch, but he dropped his hand as Lex’s voice sliced through the moment.

“Geez, get a room, you two.”

I turned toward the table so fast, I would have spun in a circle if my feet hadn’t been on the ground.

“Shut up.” Gabriel stepped away and adjusted the plate of dogs and buns. “You three should get your towels.”

“And miss the scowl on your face when we sit on your expensive patio furniture? Never.” Noah was holding Delaney’s hand and got her situated in a seat next to him.

Delaney bounced in her chair, like she’d had too much sugar. “A bird pooped on a chair once ,and Daddy said he was going to roast the motherfu?—”

“Delaney Lynn,” Gabriel interrupted, pointing a hot dog bun at her.

“Sorry, Daddy.” She didn’t look the least bit sorry.

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing. “You really have to watch your language around children, Gabriel.” I snuck a glance at him to find him barely containing his own laugh.

The more I saw this side of him, the more I wanted him. I always thought my dad was full of shit when he’d tell us stories about how he and my mom fell in love on the first date, but I was starting to understand it now.

Not that I was falling in love or anything like that.

Lex grabbed everyone their requested beverages, and I let my gaze linger on Gabriel’s brothers before my mindwandered to what Gabriel might look like shirtless. Would his chest be sculpted like his brothers’? Heat crept up my neck at the thought.

Gabriel made Delaney’s plate before coming to sit down next to me. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah.” I took a long drink of my water, hoping it cooled down the inferno that was coursing through me.

Silence fell over the table as we all started eating, but that was short-lived.

“Josie, have you seen that Sarah Swoon puppet show?” Noah’s question was like a punch to the gut.

My throat tightened. “Um, I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”

Noah looked surprised. “It’s this adult puppet show that gives love and dating advice. Usually common sense stuff we all know, but the real fun is when the eggplant and clam join the conversation.”

“An eggplant and clam?” Gabriel sounded confused. “And they’re puppets?”

Lex chuckled. “Inside the clam’s mouth shows the female anatomy.”

Noah put his hands over Delaney’s ears. “And the main woman puppet has an OnlyFans account, where she answers adults-only questions and reads smut. I’m thinking of joining to see.”

I nearly choked on my hot dog.

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