Page 16 of The Nanny's Bossy Billionaire

Chapter Seven

Brooke

I’m seething as Ileave Xavier’s apartment, but I continue to chat with Lisa as we return to Zoey. How dare he insinuate I’m after his money, and worse, sex? Does he take me for one of his floozies?

Well, you did sleep with him within half an hour of meeting him.I want to kick the snarky voice in the mouth.

“Mommy, Mommy, can Brooke make my hair like hers?” Lisa squirms to get down as soon as the elevator doors open to the lower floor, and runs to her mom.

“Of course she can, sweet pea.” Zoey chucks her daughter on her plump chin. “Now, do you want to run and get Daddy so we won’t be late?”

Lisa giggles and skips off, shouting, “Daddy! Mommy says you must hurry…”

Zoey smiles at her, then turns to me, and I see the uncanny resemblance.My God, she’s the female version of Xavier. Why didn’t I see it before?

Because I’ve been trying my hardest to block out Xavier from my subconscious, that’s why.

I’d arrived at the Saunders’ Upper West Side penthouse just before eight a.m. and was welcomed into the spacious foyer by Zoey’s husband, Dan. While waiting for Zoey, I took in the massive open-plan living room and was immediately awed by the floor-to-ceiling windows, showing off a breathtaking view of the Hudson River.

People do actually live like this,I’d thought as Zoey’s musical voice floated into their living room.

“Hey, Brooke, thanks for coming in early, you’re a lifesaver.” Zoey in person was petite and very pretty, dressed casually in a soft gray wool sweater, her shapely legs encased in black leggings. I was struck again by her unusual green eyes.

“We’re super late for the airport.” She’d moved into the kitchen area toward the coffee maker. “Would you like some coffee, Brooke?” she’d asked with a smile.

“Oh no, I’m good, I just had one before coming in.” I’d looked around, wondering where Lisa was.

Zoey noticed. “Lisa ran upstairs when she heard her dad say her babysitter is here. She has a room there as well, so she’s likely hiding there. Or maybe by the piano.” Zoey got milk from the fridge. “I think she’s a bit nervous about meeting you because she’s been told she has to be on her best behavior,” she’d said. “I’ll get Dan to fetch her—”

“I can go get her if that’s alright? It would help break the ice, I think,” I’d said.

“Good idea,” she agreed. “It’s just through that elevator.” She pointed to the foyer, and I noticed a smaller elevator just to the side of the one I’d come in from.

“The X button takes you up and Z is to come down.” I was already moving toward the foyer when she called, “He’s still sleeping. Lisa knows not to wake him so she won’t be noisy because he can be a bit of a grump in the morning.”

I wasn’t quite sure I followed. “Who are we not waking up?”

“My twin brother, Lisa’s uncle,” she said. “He lives upstairs, and that private elevator connects our floor to his. It’s quite the handy thing to have really, although now that Lisa knows the buttons it can be a bit of a pain to find her these days.”

Zoey has a twin brother? Ivy hadn’t mentioned that. Although at the interview Zoey had said Lisa’s uncle lived nearby. Anyway, nearby, upstairs—semantics. I needed to go get Lisa.

The smaller elevator opened into a luxurious apartment that was the same as the one below except that instead of the light tones of Zoey’s, the upper floor penthouse was decorated in shades of brown and black and there was a massive curving staircase leading to a mezzanine floor. I spotted a beautiful, black grand piano on the far side of the living room. The thick, pleated curtains had been drawn over the floor-to-ceiling windows, all except one, which showed off an amazing view of the George Washington Bridge.

I was immediately drawn to the view, and without thinking, moved to the window.Wow. This would be spectacular at night.

I felt the hairs on my nape rise a second before I heard the sleep-roughened voice.

“Brooke?”

I’d been startled by the unexpected voice behind me, but when I turned and saw Xavier, I realized I should have known. Twin brother. Zoey’s eyes, the same hair, the same smile. His gaze was heated as it swept me up and down, pausing on my chest. Unbidden memories I’d forcefully repressed came rushingback. His hands, his mouth. I blushed furiously, struggling to keep my reaction under control.

He’s the biggest manwhore in all of New York City.

That helped cool my ardor. Then he started to speak, and I fought the urge to smack his smug face. He still looked like he wanted nothing more than to devour me, but his words were angry and accusing.

I don’t do repeat fucks.My hands curl into fists as I remember.

“Brooke?” Zoey calls, looking at me in a puzzled way.

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