Page 17 of Winning Brynn

Because if all anyone ever sees is the shell, they'll never feel the need to look deeper. They'll never discover the parts of my soul I keep hidden from the light, the secrets of my past, or my own self-loathing.

But for some reason, Leo's clear disdain of me stings.

Not that I'll ever let him know that. So, I plaster a charming smile on my face, as if he's just given me a compliment. "Why, thank you, kind sir."

"Your British accent could use some work," he says in response.

"So could yours."

"I thought my accent was sexy." His lips tip into a smug smile. "That's what you told your friend, no?"

God, I hate him.

"I also said it was stupid."

"And you called me hot," he tacks on, awfully proud of himself.

"I recall also calling you an egotistical asshole."

"Oh, did you?" He cocks his head to one side. "I'm choosing not to remember that part."

Snorting with frustration, I dig my fingernails into the mattress at my sides to stop myself from hurling something heavy at his face. "Of course you are."

"Look," he starts, shifting on his feet again in the nervous way he did when he first asked to come in, "as fun as it would be to trade insults all night, I actually need to talk to you about something."

I eye him skeptically. "Go on."

Dipping his gaze, he looks down at his feet. "It would really help me out if you could do this nanny thing."

I wait expectantly for him to expand, but nothing follows. His eyes don't lift either. He simply continues studying something on his obnoxiously white sneakers.

I'm not really sure how I feel about my brother suggesting me for the job. For the first time in a long time, my schedule isn't jam-packed with events, appearances, and meetings. I have the odd commitment here and there, but aside from my sponsored social media posts, I'm free as a bird.

Truthfully, I was looking forward to spreading my wings and flying free for a bit.

And by that, I mean sleeping the days away and trying out some sex toys a female-empowerment company sent me as a gift.

Taking on the responsibility of a child would really cockblock my self-care plans.

And yet, as I sat there on the floor of my brother's living room with the most adorable little girl in my lap, I realized that spending time with her wouldn't be all bad.

I think... I think I might actually like it.

"Think you can bring yourself to say please this time?" I ask with a pointed twitch of my eyebrow.

Dark eyes finally meet mine, blazing with resentment. "Do I really have to?"

"Yes."

"Fine." His hand pulls at the back of his neck as his eyelids scrunch shut.

"This is really painful for you, huh?" I can't resist asking because, evidently, I just don't know when to shut up.

His answer comes out through clenched teeth. "You have no idea."

"Well, go on, then." I wave a hand in his direction. "We don't have all day."

Blowing heavy breaths through his nose, he readies himself for what is apparently the biggest moment of his life. "It's important to me that Salem is comfortable with whoever is going to be taking care of her, and for some reason, unbeknownst to me, you are the first female she has ever been able to tolerate. And while I am not in the habit of discrimination, my experience with Steve the sex offender has shown me that I'd really prefer a woman in this role. So, Brynn, annoying as you are, would you mind being Salem's nanny for the time being?" He pauses then reluctantly adds, "Please."

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