Page 35 of Bad Nanny

“A good way.” I tucked hair behind my ear for what felt like the millionth time and looked up at him through my lashes. “Stop.”

“Stop?” He smirked, his eyes reflecting the string lights overhead. “I’m simply enjoying the view.”

“What a line,” I deadpanned. “Stop looking at me like you want to eat me.”

“But I do.” He sat back in his chair, taking his menu with him. I’d never seen him look so relaxed. “You walked right into that one.”

“Who’s to say I didn’t say it on purpose?” I raised an eyebrow.

He let out a small groan before looking down at his menu. “You’re killing me here. First, you demand that I kiss you, and then you make me think of what I want to do to you. Let’s order something to eat and drink before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.”

The thought of him doing either of those things sent a wave of lust through me. If I said something in response it would make things that much harder, so I returned to the menu.

“Did you eat dinner? I think I’ll get a few of their appetizers. We can’t be at a theater and not get nachos and a pretzel.We could share.” He was on the same wavelength as me, because that was exactly what I had been thinking.

“I had a really late lunch, so I’m glad there’s food. Let’s get boneless chicken wings too. Why would anyone get them with bones when the sauce and ranch are really the stars?” The number of friendly arguments I’d gotten into over bones or no bones was laughable.

“Then there’s the gristle, and sometimes it looks like you’re eating a vein.” He visibly shuddered. “I can’t do ribs, either.”

“Oh my God, yes! Everyone thinks I’m crazy! Plus, the sauce gets all over your face, and things get stuck in your teeth.”

“My friends used to give me so much shit for ordering boneless.” He sighed, and a wistful expression fell over his face. “Things have been so busy that I stopped hanging out with them.”

“You should text them and go out one night next week.” Though I didn’t need to make my life any busier by working longer hours, Gabriel needed some time for himself.

“I don’t know...” He didn’t need to say anything else for me to know he was thinking about Delaney. Every decision he made was with her in mind.

“She’ll be fine. If she’s not, I have a lot of glitter.”

He reached across the table and took my hand. “You’re an amazing woman.”

How does someone respond to something like that? Sometimes, I hardly even considered myself a woman. Would an amazing woman be sneaking around because shecan’t deal with the potential fallout from her puppet show? Would she take a job just to hide something from her dad?

I bit my lip, not sure what to say in response, so I went with a basic reply. “So are you.”

“Thank you. I try my best.” He flipped pretend hair over his shoulder and grabbed the tablet. “Let’s order.”

After we finished our food and drinks, we moved to the beanbag chair to get comfortable for the movie. I didn’t know whether to cuddle up next to him or leave a small gap between us, but as soon as my ass touched the beanbag, he put his arm around my waist and pulled me against him.

I fit perfectly, and I tucked my feet to the side as I snuggled in against his chest. “This is nice.”

“Mm-hmm,” he murmured in agreement against my ear, tightening his hold on me.

The big inflatable screen in front of us flickered to life, and upbeat pop music blared through the headphones sitting on the side table. Most of the beanbags were filled, and with the way the balcony was designed and how far back we were from the edge, no one could see us unless they were way in the front.

That both excited me and made me nervous.

“Do you want the blanket?” Gabriel pulled it out of the bag with one hand. “This is a nice-ass blanket for a movie theater.”

“And we get to keep it. A souvenir from our first date.” I grabbed the other side and pulled it over me while hedid the same. It hadn’t been as hot as last weekend and with the sun gone, it was a lot cooler and perfect for snuggling under a blanket.

The previews started, and we put on our headphones, drowning out all noise. It was probably a good thing the ear closest to him was covered because if I felt his breath there one more time, I was a goner.

About halfway through the romantic comedy, Gabriel’s hand crept from my waist to under my shirt, his fingers dancing back and forth along the waistband of my jeans. If he meant it to be soothing, it was doing the complete opposite. I wasn’t sure if I should stop him or let him continue, but then he started kissing my neck.

My nipples instantly hardened, and my thighs clenched together as all the pent-up lust I’d been feeling bubbled over. I was pretty sure my underwear was already soaked.

Gabriel’s hand moved higher and higher until it reached the edge of my bra. My breath caught in my throat as he traced the band before sliding his hand back down my side.

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