Page 51 of Knot Just Their Nanny
“More’s the pity,” he says with that wicked smile. “But I know. I just wanted you to know I told Ben about us.”
All the blood drains from my face. “What?”
Liam’s smile widens, not missing a beat. “I told him I asked you out, and you said yes. Just wanted to keep everything out in the open, no secrets.”
I feel my heart rate picking up. “And how did he take it?”
He shrugs, that grin still plastered on his face as if he knows something I don’t. “He took it like Ben takes anything that surprises him; he brooded.”
“Oh, God,” I mutter, suddenly worried about what this means for my job. I love this job; I love Mia already. I can’t lose her. “This isn’t going to be a problem for me working here, is it?”
“No way,” Liam quickly reassures me. “Ben wouldn’t hold it against you. He’s too decent for that.” He pauses for a moment,as if considering his next words carefully. “But I think there might be more going on in that head of his than he’s willing to admit.”
My stomach does a little flip at the thought. Ben is... well, he’s Ben. Gorgeous, rugged, and a great father to Mia, knows how to growl at an omega when she’s purred in his face like a fool. Fuck, a burp would’ve been the better option. But he’s also my employer and I’ve always been strictly professional—until last night when things got a bit blurry with all the purring.
“Don’t worry about Ben,” Liam says, snapping me back to the present. “Worry about what you’re going to wear on our date, because I plan to impress.”
I laugh despite the nervous flutter in my belly. “You already have,” I admit.
Liam winks at me before stepping back. “Tonight, I’m going to show you how much I want this.”
“Tonight?” I frown. “What about Mia?”
“Ben will be here.”
Well, good point, but it’s short notice.
“Okay, I guess,” I murmur and watch as he walks away, hot, wet and sexy as hell. Fanning myself a little, I grab my towel and my dressing gown and head for the shower. I need it after that little encounter. It’s not just to get myself in gear but to cool down, literally. My thoughts are racing, not just about Liam, the kiss, and him telling Ben about us, but also about Ben. His breakdown this morning, me telling him about Eddie and his reaction to that. Not to mention the purr and growl situation.
Ugh! I’m driving myself crazy.
As I step into the steamy water, I shake it all off and focus. I’m here for Mia, not to be off gallivanting with Liam, nor to be thinking about Ben in any other capacity than Mia’s dad.
The water cascades down my back, soothing my nerves. I’ve got to keep things in perspective. But my thoughts won’t stayfocused. I mean, it’s one date with Liam, who happens to be incredibly charming and hot—that’s all. Yet, there’s this niggle at the back of my brain about Ben and his brooding silences.
I turn off the shower, step out, and wrap myself in my towel and dressing gown. The mirror is fogged up, but as I wipe it clear, I see my reflection staring back at me—my face flushed from the heat and maybe from something else, too.
I hear Mia stirring on the baby monitor, which makes me move. She’s going to need her bottle soon, and that’s my cue to leave all these confusing thoughts behind for now.
I get dressed quickly, making sure I choose an outfit that is practical for looking after Mia.
I find Ben in the nursery, reluctant to leave, it seems. He is staring at his daughter in his arms and looks up, annoyed when I come in.
“Work,” I say gently and hold my arms out for the baby.
He glares at me and refuses to hand her over. But I glare back, and just as I’m about to fold like a cheap tent and drop my omega gaze from his alpha domination, he sighs and hands her over.
“I know you don’t want to go, but she’s on the mend. I’ll send hourly updates, check her temperature and keep you informed. Okay?”
“Fine,” he glowers and marches off without so much as a goodbye, have a nice day.
So I decide to be a dick and shout after him, “Bye! Hope you have a lovely day!”
His answering grunt makes me chuckle, and I kiss Mia’s head. “Your daddy is a real grouch.”
She babbles back at me, which I take as agreement, and set about our little routine which is comforting and fills me with a deep joy just to be here doing what I love and falling deeper in love with this baby girl who has captured my heart.
After settling Mia down for her morning nap, I’m left alone with my thoughts again, and they stubbornly drift back to the two men in my life. Liam with his laid-back charm and easy smile, and Ben with his brooding intensity and fierce love for his daughter. I don’t have much time to ponder, though, as my phone pings with a message from Liam:
