Page 49 of Protecting My Nanny

She moves her mouth to my ear. "I want you to take me as hard as you can," she whispers, her breath warm against my skin. Then she runs her tongue lightly up my ear, the sensation sending shivers down my spine.

She climbs off me and lies on her back, inviting me with her eyes. I position myself above her and thrust into her, her body arching to meet mine as she gasps, her hands grasping at my arms and back. I respond to her every request, her moans driving me further, faster until we're both lost in the rhythm of our bodies.

When we're done, we lie next to each other, quietly catching our breaths as we stare at the ceiling.

"Shane," she says suddenly, breaking the silence. "I just want to say I'm happy working here and being a part of your and Jaime's lives. I don't think I've ever told you how much I appreciate you and all you do for everyone."

"You're the gift, Nicole," I say, turning over on my side to look at her. "One neither of us could have expected or even knew we needed. We appreciate you just as much."

She looks back at me, a soft smile on her lips. She reaches out and pinches my cheek lightly with her fingers. "You're sweet," she says, her voice tender.

Now is my chance, I think. The words are right there, on the tip of my tongue, but something stops me. It's been so long since I've seen her smile when we've made love like this. I don't want to ruin the moment. I stroke her cheek gently. "I've got to get ready for work," I say, feeling the moment slipping away.

"Go on," she replies, her smile still in place as she leans in to kiss me. It's a soft, lingering kiss, one that feels both like a promise and a goodbye.

"Let me know about the field trip, when and where."

"Yeah, I guess it slipped my mind. I'll forward you the letter from the school."

"Thanks," I say, gathering my clothes and giving her one last smile before heading back to my room, still naked and smelling of her.

That night, I get home late. The house is dark and quiet as I walk into the kitchen. A note on the fridge reads, "Lasagna's in the oven," with a time and temperature to heat it up. I'm still stuffed from the late-night subs with the staff, so I skip it and pour myself a glass of scotch instead. As I pass by Jaime's room, I peek in to see him sleeping soundly, his little face peaceful in the dim light. I notice Nicole's light is still on, but I don't bother to disturb her. I've been surrounded by people all day, and I need a moment to myself.

I head out to the second-floor terrace that overlooks the pool. From here, I can see Nicole's balcony just across the way. Her curtains are drawn, but a sliver of light escapes around their edges. I'm lost in thought, the cool night air wrapping around me like a blanket, when I hear footsteps behind me.

Nicole slides up next to me, resting her arms on the railing just as I am. We both look out into the night, the silence between us comfortable yet heavy with unspoken words.

"You know, I realized at work that you'd already texted me about the field trip," I confess, trying to break the tension.

"Yeah," she says simply, her voice carrying a strange finality.

"I'm so lucky to have you," I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

"For as long as I'm around, Shane, I'm happy to help out."

"For as long as you're around?" I question, the ominous tone of her words making my stomach twist.

She hesitates before answering. "I just mean… life is unpredictable."

"That's why it's good having you around to remind me," I say, trying to sound reassuring, but her words have planted a seed of worry in my mind.

"Yeah, but anything could happen, Shane—to you, to me. One of the most important things I've learned from Jaime and you is that changes happen, sometimes tragically, and you have to adapt. You have to be flexible if you don't want it to break you."

I look at her, my eyes searching her face for some sign of what's really going on. But she keeps her gaze fixed on the horizon, her expression unreadable. The way she's talking, it's as if she's preparing herself—or maybe even me—for something. The thought sends a cold shiver down my spine, a feeling of dread creeping in that I can't quite shake.

"So… I wanted to know how you felt about us going out for two days near the end of this month," I say, trying to steer the conversation back to something lighter, something that could bring her back to me. "No Jaime, just us on the yacht. There's a great little island a few miles off the coast that's having a festival. I thought it might be a nice getaway."

Nicole turns to look at me, her eyes soft but distant. "Sure, Shane. That sounds really fun," she says, but there's a lack ofenthusiasm in her voice that makes my heart sink. "But let's talk about it later," she adds, her gaze slipping away from mine once more.

Frustration starts to bubble up inside me. I've been patient, I've given her space, but this… this distance between us is growing, and I feel powerless to stop it. "Why'd you even come out here with me if you didn't want to talk?" I ask, my voice harsher than I intended.

Nicole goes quiet, surprised by the sharpness in my tone. She doesn't answer right away, and when she does, her voice is small, almost fragile. "Because I didn't want to be alone," she says, and there's a vulnerability in her words that catches me off guard.

I take a deep breath, trying to push aside my frustration. "Nicole, I need you to tell me what's going on with you," I say, my voice softer now, pleading. I turn toward her, taking her hands in mine. "Please. I can't help you unless you do."

She remains silent, her eyes downcast. I can feel the weight of whatever she's carrying, and it's crushing her—crushing us.

"Whatever you need to fix it, if I have the means, it's yours. But please tell me what I need to do. If it's money, I'll pay you more. We can work this out," I offer, my desperation creeping into my words.

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