Page 38 of The Nanny's Bossy Billionaire

Xavier chuckles behind me.

“What?” I rear back, facing him now, wanting to see his stupid gorgeous face when I punch his mouth.

“Well, if you prefer me to use present tense, Brooke, there’s a much better way I could describe you.” His smile disappears and his eyes smolder.

“And what’s that?”

“You’re mine.” My mind serves me the scorching memory of the way he said that last night as he spilled into me. Holy hell.

Okay, I walked into that one, I think, as heat creeps up my neck.

“Which means if you run now,” he continues, “I’ll hunt you.” The mood switches from playful to heated in two seconds flat.

I concentrate on keeping my breathing even. He’s so irritating. And freaking hot. The jerk.

“What, no sassy comeback?” he teases.

“You’re an animal, you know that?” He belly-laughs, collapsing on top of me. The rich sound vibrates pleasantly over me. “You certainly think like one.” He laughs harder and before I know it, I’m laughing too.

I see Ryan coming toward us just as we settle down again.

“Hey, Brooke,” he greets.

“Hi, Ryan.”

“Lazybones, haul ass, race is starting now, we’re dropping toys. Winner takes all,” Ryan says to Xavier.

“Great. One sec, yeah?”

“Sure. Bye, Brooke.” Ryan jogs back.

“Toys?” I ask.

“Mostly cars, yachts, bikes, maybe.” He uncurls from the lounger and I immediately miss his warmth.

I see.Toys indeed. Somehow, I didn’t think they’d be betting on their Xboxes.

“Baby—”

“Of course, I’m good, go have fun, okay.”

He kisses me until I’m breathless, then saunters off. “See you later, gorgeous.”

As if on cue, Zoey scurries onto the chair beside me as soon as her twin leaves. Giddy with excitement, she asks, “What gives?”

“Oh my God, he’stold you!” I look back to where Xavier is joining the other guys on the shore.

“He’s told me nothing. Xavi is like a clam with information. But I have eyes.” She rubs her palms together. “So?”

“We’re seeing each other, I think,” I say. It feels good saying it out loud.

Zoey claps excitedly just as Bonnie drops next to her on the lounge chair, sipping on a cocktail. She caught the end of our conversation.

“Well, that’s certainly a relief!” she begins without preamble. “The sexual energy zapping between them two could power a small city. To think thatI’vebeen in the middle of that all weekend and still haven’t managed to get laid. Speaking of”—she looks in the direction of Xavier’s retreating back—“I can tell you, as a good, observant friend, that compared to yesterday, Xavier looks extremely relaxed and loose-limbed.” She takes a sip, turns to me, and says solemnly, “Which makes me wonder... can you even walk? Without a bowleg, that is?”

“Bonnie!” I laugh. “You do remember Zoey is Xavier’s twin sister, right?”

“Oopsie, I’m sorry. See, I have no filter between my brain and mouth.”

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