Page 48 of The Nanny Goal

“We’re heading up to find Shannon,” I explain. “What are you doing here?”

“There’s an indoor dog park upstairs. And it’s wet outside, so…we’re here to burn off some energy. Becca and Charlie are coming, too. They just got a puppy who needs some lessons in how to play from Puck.”

“Charlie?” Inessa yells the name. “Charlie!”

Puck, to her credit, doesn’t even flinch.

As if summoned by the full force of a demanding toddler, there’s yapping in the distance, and thundering footsteps. Charlie runs into view with Becca and an excited puppy right behind.

“Hi Nessa,” Charlie says.

“Jump,” she says.

He gives her a wicked little look, immediately knowing what she means.

Becca greets me and I tell her about our mission.

“Maybe Inessa wants to come with us to the dog park instead,” Becca offers. “So we’re not jumping on the furniture while people are trying to work.”

From down the hall that Inessa and I just came, I hear Alexei call my name. “Emery? Are you still there?”

He comes jogging around the corner holding Inessa’s diaper bag. “Oh!” He takes in the other people who've joined me. “You found friends.”

“We're all going up to the dog park,” Becca says. “Today it is going to double as a preschool playground because it’s raining outside.”

“Great.” Alexei goes to hand me the backpack but then stops. He looks at me, he looks at Becca, he looks at Inessa, and then he says, “Can you take Inessa with you? I promised Emery she could skate today.”

“It’s okay,” I protest.

“It’s not,” he says firmly. “You are helping me. I owe you some fun.”

Kiley reaches for the diaper bag. “I’m happy to be on Inessa duty.”

“I don’t mind—” I start to say, but Alexei has already grabbed my hand.

CHAPTER15

ALEXEI

Taking Emery’s hand was a mistake, because holding Emery’s hand feels fucking good.

I like the way she squeaks in surprise and then wraps her fingers around mine, holding on tight when I lead her back into the empty equipment room.

Dragging her around at my pleasure is definitely not within the very tenuous terms of her employment.

“I don’t need…” She trails off as I yank a helmet off the shelf. “I was just going to skate a bit with Inessa. You don’t need…”

I grab shoulder pads next. “I don’t think anyone else is skating today. It’s you and me and one of the trainers. You can’t tell me that you haven’t fantasized about taking a few shots at me in net.”

She laughs out loud. “Excuse me?”

I raise my eyebrow at her.

“Okay, fine. It might be fun.”

“Yes, good.” I put the pads over her head.

“I’ve got it,” she murmurs, her gaze catching mine. Sharp. Warning.

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