Page 45 of Nanny and the Beast

"He made you believe that?"

"I know it." I knowhim.

"Has he made any attempts to contact you after you came here?"

I look at him, wondering what he's going to do.

He has every reason to fire me. I have a stalker, and I didn't inform him about it. He can even sue me and the agency if he wants to.

"He did, didn't he?" he asks.

"He sent an email."

"When?"

"Last night," I say. "Right before I ran into you by the swimming pool."

"You said that you needed fresh air." He studies me with new eyes now.

I avert my gaze. Heat blooms over my cheeks and neck, the fire burning so hot that it stings my eyes.

"Are you going to fire me?" I ask.

"Why would I do that?" he replies.

I glance up at him. Hope inflates inside my ribcage, transient but life-giving.

"It's not like you chose to have a stalker," he says. "All that matters now is what we will do about it. I'm going to start by amplifying security. The kids don't normally go anywhere without bodyguards, but I'll add more guards as a precaution."

I take a deep breath.

This is a new feeling. I'm not used to having someone looking out for me and making decisions for my safety. It makes me feel protected.Cherished.

"You really need to stop looking at me like that, Emma," he says.

I suck in a breath.

"You're just...not who I expected you to be," I say.

"I'm less of an asshole than you predicted?" he asks.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that," I say, smiling despite everything.

His eyes dip to my lips. He's staring at me like he's witnessing a sunrise for the first time. His intensity feeds mine.

We're playing dangerous games.

An electric energy ripples from his body, striking me everywhere. My entire body feels like it's made of guitar strings that have been plucked incessantly. Every cell inside me vibrates just for him.

"I'm not a nice guy, Emma," he says. "I'm not a gentleman. So I really mean it when I say that you need to stop giving me those fuck-me eyes."

Heat rushes to my cheeks.

"You're very honest," I say.

"So I've been told."

"I imagine that many are put off by your honesty."

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