Page 45 of Bully Wolf's Nanny
“It’s fine,” Daisy said.
Francesca’s lips pursed slightly, no doubt in annoyance that Daisy hadn’t taken the bait. So instead, she turned back to Nicolas, placing a soft hand on his forearm. He had to fight back to urge to shrug it off instantly.
“Oh, Nicolas, do you have to go?” she simpered, rolling her shoulders back, tilting her chin down ever so slightly. No doubt in an attempt to draw his attention to her cleavage.
“Yes,” he replied, “we’re finalizing the merger with Harper. I have to be there. I’d avoid it if I could.”
“Of course, of course! They’d all be lost without you, Nicolas, there’s no doubt about it! Onlyyouare clever enough to pull something like this off. Of course, you must go! I have to say, though…” Her tone dropped, her eyes growing lidded, her voice breathy, “I will miss yousomuch.”
Daisy’s scent flared in annoyance, the only sign she was affected by Francesca’s little performance.
Nicolas did shrug her hand off his arm then, and her eyes narrowed for the briefest moment, her eyes flicking to Daisy.
“I’m sure Daisy will miss you too,” she said, her voice growing slightly louder, her long fingers reaching out to clutchthe crystal wine glass and swirl the liquid around. “I mean, how could she not?”
Daisy glanced up, her green eyes wide.
“Well?” Francesca purred, leaning towards Nicolas. “Why don’t you tell him how much you’re going to miss him?”
Daisy swallowed, her face pale, and her eyes flickered to his.
“I’m going to miss you,” she said, her voice dull, before she immediately returned to picking at her food. His heart wrenched in his chest.
Francesca laughed in delight, a high, tinkling, irritating sort of laugh. “Oh, Nicolas, I think she has a little crush on you!”
Daisy’s head jerked up, her mouth opening and shutting, her eyes wild with fear as she glanced between them. “No! I don’t, I mean…why would you think that?”
Nicolas growled, ‘Don’t be such a child, Francesca.’
“Oh, Nick, it’s harmless! I think it’s sweet, Daisy. I mean, why wouldn’t you have a crush on him? He’s so sexy. Go on, admit you have a crush on him. It’s good to get it all out in the open.”
Daisy’s cheeks were stained red, her knuckles white where she gripped her fork. She took a few fortifying breaths, and Nicolas fought back another growl.
“I have a crush on you,” she said in that same dull, dead tone. Apparently, she had decided just allowing Francesca her fun was the best way of dealing with her.
Nicolas, however, had had enough.
He slammed his hands down on the table and stood, ignoring Francesca’s squeak of surprise as she was forced backwards.
“That is quite enough,” he snarled, leveling his gaze at Francesca with all the ice he could muster. “Whatever little game you seem insistent on playing, it ends now. I may not be able to stop you being here, being with Gracie, but do not forget that this ismyhome. Daisy ismyemployee. If you continue like this, I will have no choice but to find alternate accommodations for you, no matter what threatening letters your lawyer may send. Are we clear?”
Francesca drew in a breath, the shock clear on her face, but he didn’t let her speak.
“Are. We. Clear?”
She nodded, throat bobbing, fear naked on her face.
He glanced over at Daisy. She too was gaping at him, lips parted, brows drawn together in what appeared to be confusion. She looked so open, so vulnerable, he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and throw her down in his bed and never let her leave.
Instead, he drained his glass in one gulp and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter 15 - Nicolas
Seven years ago
He wasn’t sure when it had become normal. Every day, after school, he would cut across the parking lot into the woods, heading for the path he knew Daisy took home. He would find her, she would pretend to protest, and then he would take her by the waist and silence her with his lips.
At some point, they’d begun talking. He would pull away, admiring the flush in her cheeks, her swollen lips, and brush the hair from her face. Then he would ask her how her day had been. She would answer. They would sit down, side by side, his arm slung over her shoulders, and talk. Sometimes things would get heated again and he would lay her down in the leaves, sucking her neck as her fingernails scraped down his back. Other times, all they would do was talk.
