Page 44 of The Nanny's Bossy Billionaire

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“I’m—just feeling a bit off.”

“Maybe you’re coming down with the flu or something?”

“Yeah, maybe,” she says in a low voice. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

“Oh, don’t be silly, babe, we’ll do it another day. I’ll drop by yours in an hour. Do you need me to get you anything?”

“No, I’m good, and really, you don’t need to come tonight. I just need to sleep it off. I’m sure I’ll be alright tomorrow.”

“I want to see you, Brooke.”

There’s a pause, then, “Okay.”

“Great, I’ll see you in a bit.”

I hang up and call to cancel the standby helicopter as Gail’s maternal voice comes on the intercom. “Your four o’clock just arrived, Mr. Bennett.”

“Thank you, Gail, send them in,” I say, throwing on my suit jacket.

When Stella lets me into their apartment, she has an unnaturally bright smile.

“Xavier!”

“Good evening, Stella, you look well.”

“Thanks, Brooke is just having a rest.” She takes the grocery bag out of my hands and shoos me into her room. “Give me a shout if either of you needs anything.” She scurries off quickly.

Strange. Stella usually lingers to chat unless she’s on her way out. Which she isn’t.

I find Brooke curled up in bed crocheting. Which means she’s stressed about something.

I take off my jacket and get on the other side of the bed, gathering her in my arms. She puts her face in the crook of my neck, inhaling my skin.

“God, I love it when you do that.”

“You smell amazing. These days there are not many things that do,” Brooke murmurs.

Unusual. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“I am now.”

“What do you want for dinner?” I take my phone out.

“I’m not really hungry.”

“Some soup then. Tomato soup and bread from Libby’s, okay?” She doesn’t look too keen but also doesn’t say no, so I make the order.

“So how did it go with the school board today?”

“Oh, same old, you’d think we were haggling at a flea market. It’s just about hiring a teaching assistant to help with the art and music club, even just on a temporary basis because we’re heading into summer now. There’s a lot of activity before the summer break.” She sighs. “We got there in the end; they’ll get us someone.”

“That’s great,” I say, proud of her for getting it done.

“What about you? Was your meeting alright? You hardly got any sleep last night.” She blushes.

We were ravenous in our need yesterday, indulging in each other for hours.

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