Page 17 of Protecting My Nanny

"Goodnight, Nicole," I say finally.

"Goodnight, Shane," she replies, giving me one last lingering look before she turns and heads upstairs.

I watch her go, feeling a strange mix of emotions. There's something there between us, but it's wrapped up in so much else—secrets, regrets, responsibilities. I know I want to get closer to her, but I also know that doing so will mean confronting whatever it is she's hiding.

As I turn off the lights and head to bed, I can't shake the feeling that tonight was a turning point. Something has shifted, and I am still determining where it's going to lead. But I know one thing: I'm not ready to let go of whatever this is. Not yet.

Chapter 8

Nicole

I gently tuck Jaime into bed, noting the weariness etched on his face from his long day at school. The soft glow of the bedside lamp casts a warm, soothing light across the room. As I begin reading the story he's chosen, his eyes grow heavier with each word. He's already asleep before I reach the halfway point, his breathing soft and steady.

Closing the book, I look up and find Shane standing in the doorway, watching me. He doesn't say anything, but his gaze is intense. He's soaked from the rain, his dark blue shirt clinging to his muscular chest, making it impossible not to notice.

"Shane, I didn't know you were here," I say, my voice low to avoid waking Jaime.

"I was just enjoying the story," Shane replies, his eyes still fixed on me.

"You're all wet."

"Yeah, it's pouring outside."

I glance out Jaime's window, finally noticing the rain running down the glass. How did I not see it before?

"Do you want to have a cup of coffee with me?" he asks.

"Don't you want to change first?"

"Nah, it's just a bit of water. I'd rather warm up first."

"It's a little late for coffee," I respond, hesitating. "I think I'm a bit…"

"Oh, come on. I know how much you love coffee. I've already started brewing it. Don't make me waste the beans," he says with a teasing smile.

"Okay," I agree, unable to resist. A cup of coffee won't hurt.

Leaving Jaime peacefully asleep, I follow Shane to the living room. Two steaming coffee mugs wait for us on the table near the couch. As I settle onto the sofa beside him, the calming aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills my senses. The rain continues its rhythmic dance against the windows, creating an intimate backdrop that feels almost surreal. Shane takes a slow sip from his mug, his eyes never leaving mine. An unspoken tension between us has been building for weeks, and is now impossible to ignore. Under his gaze, my pulse quickens, and the warmth of the coffee does little to calm the rising heat within me.

"You know," Shane begins, his voice low and smooth, "I've been thinking a lot about what you said the other day… about being more present for Jaime."

I nod, a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. I'm glad he's taken my words to heart, but the intensity in his eyes makes it hard to focus on anything else.

"I meant it," I reply softly, cradling the mug in my hands. "He needs you, Shane. You're the only family he has left."

Shane reaches over, placing his hand on mine. The touch is gentle, but it sends a jolt through me. "And what about you, Nicole?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do you need?"

The question catches me off guard. I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. The room feels smaller, the air thicker, as if we're the only two people in the world. I'm suddenly awareof how close he is, the way his body leans toward mine, the warmth of his hand still resting on mine.

Shane leans in closer, his breath warm against my cheek. "You don't have to hide anything from me," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. "I'm here… if you want me to be."

My heart races, my mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts. I should pull away, remind myself of the boundaries we've carefully maintained, but the pull toward him is too strong, the desire too overwhelming.

I look into his eyes, seeing the same yearning reflected back at me. It's a moment of surrender, a recognition of the feelings we've both been denying. Slowly, I lean in, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet, softly at first, but the kiss quickly deepens. Shane's hand slides up to cup my cheek, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulls me closer. The mug slips from my grasp, forgotten, as I wrap my arms around him, pulling him against me.

Shane's hands begin to roam, tracing the contours of my back before sliding under my shirt. I shiver at the contact, my body responding eagerly to his touch. The world outside fades away, leaving only the heat between us, the intoxicating pull of desire. But just as Shane's hands start to slide lower, I gasp, pulling back suddenly. My breath comes in ragged pants, my heart pounding in my chest as I stare at him, the reality of what we're about to do crashing down on me.

Shane's eyes are dark with desire, but there's also a hint of concern. "Nicole?" he asks, his voice husky. "Are you okay?"

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