Page 21 of The Nanny is Off Limits

I shake my head to stop her and also stop myself from ogling her further.“You don’t have to explain to me why you’re watching television out here instead of in your room. You can do whatever you want, Elianna. Don’t let me interrupt you either. I’m just going to heat up whatever you cooked. Smells great by the way.”

“Oh, great. I hope you like it. The kids certainly did. I think everyone is asleep, even Margot. She was exhausted when she got home from practice.”

“How was SJ’s first day with the school shrink? Did he say anything?” I ask her and I watch as she pauses her show and pulls out her phone.

“We, quote, ‘spent most of the time talking about my feelings about Mom. How I’m handling it and if I am talking about her and my feelings enough. They understand I am going through a tough time blah blah blah. Nothing I haven’t heard before.’” She looks up at me. “End quote.”

I can’t stop the smile from pulling at my lips from her making detailed notes on SJ’s response. “Sounds like my son.”

“He seemed okay though. Maybe a little annoyed? But since it was his first day, I did take him and Isla for donuts after I picked him up and he perked up a bit after that.”

“Before dinner?” I respond jokingly, shocked that she doesn’t have a strict ‘no sweets before dinner’ policy.

She winces guiltily. “Well—”

I chuckle, realizing that she did not pick up on my humor, and shake my head at her, to stop her from explaining herself. “Elianna, I’m kidding. I’m sure there have been days when my kids have had a mountain of sugar for dinner.”

“I told them it wouldn’t be an everyday thing, but everyone had a good day and those should be celebrated sometimes.”

I nod, feeling grateful for what feels like the tenth time today that I have some help with Isla and SJ, and head toward the kitchen when I hear her footsteps behind me. “Isla asked about a sleepover this weekend with Sabrina? I told her I would talk to you.”

“That’s fine with me…” I turn to look at her as I pull what I think was meant to be a plate for me out of the refrigerator. I point at it and she nods with a smile. “Are you okay with having another child here?”

“Oh yes, definitely, but…she wants to gotoSabrina’s house,” she says and I wonder why she suddenly appears nervous. “I just…I wasn’t sure if you let her stay over at other children’s houses yet?” I pull off the cellophane and put the plate in the microwave.

“Oh, well if it’s just to Sabrina’s house then yes, they live right down the street and I know her parents well. Her mom was Bianca’s best friend.” Realizing she may not know who exactly that is, I clarify, “Bianca was their mom.”

“Right. Okay, good to know. Does Sawyer have any houses that he’s automatically allowed to go to? It’s just easier for me if I know these things ahead of time.”

“Any of his close friends are fine, but they all typically want to come here because of the pool and the game room in the basement.” I pour myself a glass of wine from the bottle I opened a few days ago. “Do you want a glass?”

“No, thanks.” She shakes her head.

“Okay, don’t feel like you can’t. I trust you know your limits and the kids are asleep.”

“Well, thank you, but I’m also not a big wine drinker. I much prefer beer or…tequila,” she jokes.

“Ah, I remember that age.”

“Can you?” she asks with a cheeky grin and I narrow my eyes at her.

“The cracks on my age are not well received, Elianna. I am not that old.” I pin her with a scolding glare and I’m grateful that she can sense my humor this time because a giggle escapes her lips.

I hope she doesn’t think I’m that old.

“My apologies,” she says.

I wish I didn’t notice the sound of that breathy laugh or how it sends a surge of blood south and a lustful flash across my mind of her on her knees in front of me.Not only is she beautiful and smart with a hint of fire but she is fucking sweet and it’s a dangerous combination that makes my dick hard. I have been on auto-pilot, operating on survival mode since Bianca died, and for the first time in a year, my dick, which had been previously comatose, seems to be coming to life at the thought of my kids’ nanny’s pouty lips wrapped around it.

I try to keep my eyes off of her mouth, but the smile pulling at her lips drags my gaze to them. I haven’t slept with another woman in over a year and suddenly I am hyper-aware of that fact.

No, I told River that she was off-limits. That means she has to be off-limits to me as well.

“Are you alright?” she asks, breaking me from my thoughts. “You’re staring and your food is ready.” Sure enough, the microwave is beeping and my eyes are still trained on her.

I shake my head and turn away. “Sorry, I’m just thinking about something I meant to do before I left work for the day.” I grab the food from the microwave. “I didn’t mean to interrupt what you were watching. You’re welcome to go back to your show.”

She nods before disappearing, leaving me alone to eat like I do most nights. I don’t hate it, but part of me wishes she’d taken a seat and talked to me about how the rest of the day went just to fill the silence. It doesn’t take long before I’m finished eating and moving back toward the living room to find her engrossed in her show again.

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