Page 33 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"Am not." I focus on sweeping, painfully aware of Mira's presence as she moves around the workshop. The scent from her soap mingles with metal and magic, making it hard to concentrate.

She reaches past me for another cloth, her arm brushing mine. The contact sends a jolt down my spine. The broom clatters to the floor, and I curse under my breath.

"Language," Mira reminds me softly, a hint of playfulness in her tone. When I look up, the smile in her eyes makes my chest tight.

The twins take advantage of our distraction to create another sparkle explosion, filling the air between us with swirling lights.

The glitter settles around us like fairy dust, coating every surface in the workshop. Mira's hair sparkles with it, making her look otherworldly in the morning light. My fingers itch to brush the shimmering specks from her cheek.

"Uncle Karn, Mira needs sparkles too!" Luna waves her hands again, but I catch her wrist gently.

"I think we've had enough magical accidents for one morning." I grab a clean cloth and hold it out to Mira. Our fingers brush as she takes it, sending that same jolt through my system.

"Thank you." Her voice is soft, but she doesn't pull away as quickly as before. Progress.

Nova tugs at my pants leg. "Can we show Mira the present now? Please?"

"It's not done." I try not to look at the bracelet from my workbench, now glowing with the twins' added magic.

Mira shakes her head. "You don't have to ma-"

"I want to." My eyes drop to her mouth for just a second. "It's just not ready yet."

Her teeth drag over her bottom lip, and I can't think straight anymore. I swallow hard, trying to think of anything that will not give me an erection in front of the two year olds.

But fuck, all I can think of is her body pressed against mine, her hands in my hair. And how much I want her, how I can't push her but I can't stand to be away from her anymore, either.

"I'm going to take these two upstairs," Mira says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I clear my throat and nod, dropping my eyes to the floor. "I'll be upstairs in a bit."

I don't manage to get anything else done besides chastising myself for all the thoughts of Mira that I can't seem to shake.

14

MIRA

The afternoon sun streams through the windows as I lift Nova from the bed after their nap. They had used a lot of magic this morning making "Uncle Karn's shop pretty." Luna's already bouncing by the door, her copper curls wild from sleep.

"Can we play outside, Mama?" Luna tugs at my skirt. The word catches in my chest - not with pain anymore, but with a warmth I'm still getting used to.

"Let me fix your hair first, little star." I gather her curls, identical to her father's shade. My fingers work through the tangles while Nova patiently waits her turn, arranging her stuffed animals in a neat row.

"Mama, look!" Nova waves her tiny hands, and sparkles of purple light dance between her fingers. "I made it pretty!"

"Beautiful magic, sweetheart." The endearment slips out naturally now. "Just remember what your uncle said about using it inside."

Luna bounces on her toes. "Outside! Outside!"

Once they're appropriately dressed, we settle in the small garden behind the workshop. The twins immediately start their favorite game - Luna creating tiny whirlwinds to chase the fallen leaves while Nova changes their colors. I sit cross-legged in the grass, ready to intervene if their magic gets too enthusiastic.

"Mama! Catch!" Luna sends a golden leaf spinning my way. I snatch it from the air, and Nova immediately turns it bright blue.

"Again!" They both clap their hands, and I find myself laughing along with them. The sound surprises me - six months ago, I wouldn't have believed I could laugh like this again.

A cool breeze ruffles my skirt, and I wrap my arms around myself. The garden's stone wall provides shelter from prying eyes - something I still appreciate, even knowing I'm safe here. The twins' laughter rings pure and sweet, untouched by the shadows in their past.

"Watch this, Mama!" Luna spreads her arms wide, face scrunched in concentration. Three leaves rise from the ground, spinning in a circle. Nova's eyes light up, and the leaves shift from red to purple to gold.

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