Page 15 of Doctor Grump

“More like to offer you one,” I said. “In case you were looking.”

Last night, Kendy told me a little about the conversation they’d had, so I knew for a fact that she was actively looking. Why a rich girl like her needed a job so badly, I didn’t know, but I wouldn’t question it. As long as she could do what I needed her to, I would pay her whatever she wanted.

“Hold on.” She held her hand up. “You want to offer me a job? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

“Yes.”

“A job doing what exactly?”

“Being a nanny.”

Her mouth opened, then closed again as she seemed to process the words in her head. “I don’t even know what to say. I’ve never been a nanny before. I don’t have any experience.”

“It’s not so difficult. The main thing is you have to watch my daughter and make sure she’s not getting into any trouble, which she will likely try to. And of course, feed her and all the other relevant things.”

“Wait, your daughter? The same one you accused me of kidnapping?” There was an angry inflection in her tone.

I sighed. I had already known that I would need to apologize. And now seemed as good a time as any. “Yes, well, it would seem I misunderstood what was going on. I’m sorry I went off on you like that. But I’m sure you can understand that, for me, as a father, it’s traumatizing to find out that my child has run away and then overhear someone say they would aid her in her escape.”

“Yeah, I can imagine how that might be,” Piper said sarcastically. “Almost as traumatic as risking your life to save the said daughter and having her father accuse you of being a kidnapper.”

“Yes, I see. As I said, I’m sorry about that. But now that I understand the details and see how good you are with my daughter, I wanted to extend you this job offer.”

“Bullshit,” Piper said with uncharacteristic anger. I cocked my eyebrow and suppressed the urge to smile. Her cheeks puffed up slightly in her anger, and her nose wiggled a little at the end, almost like a rabbit. It was adorable, although I had no doubt she would not appreciate the comparison. “Tell me the real reason why you want me to be your daughter’s nanny,” she demanded.

“What?”

“I mean, it’s weird. I don’t have any experience,” she started as she began listing it off with her fingers. “You don’t particularly like me, and there are probably a million other better-qualified nannies in town.”

“There are,” I admitted. “And my daughter has managed to make nearly every single one of them quit.” News of her bad behavior had also gotten around, and now, a lot of the nannies left were not returning my calls. “But for some reason, she likes you.”

“Ha. More like I’m your last option.”

“Not necessarily,” I said. “But effectively, yes. Kendy and I have a deal. She promised to behave if I bring you on board. You’re the first person she’s ever said that about, apart from her mother.”

Piper cocked her head curiously, “What is the story with her mother anyway? Why can’t she see her?”

“That is none of your business,” I said firmly, leaving no room for argument. “And you will not talk to my daughter about her mother. Understand?”

Anger sparked in her gaze. “Unbelievable. I haven’t even taken the job yet, and you’re already giving orders.”

“The pay is twenty-five dollars an hour.”

That shut her up for a few seconds as she gaped at me. “That’s a lot of money.”

“It is. It’s also a live-in position with a lot of benefits. I know how difficult my daughter can be, so I rather get someone I can retain.” Her eyes were still wide open, and I could tell she was still surprised at the salary. Time to lay it all out. “So, are you in or out?”

She thought about it for a few seconds, then, to my surprise, she shook her head. “No. This is not a good idea at all. I can’t work with you, you’re far too rude and ungrateful, and your mood swings are bound to give me whiplash. Just yesterday, you called me a stalker, and today, you want me to take care of your daughter.”

“I already apologized for that.”

“Barely. And even still, you were right about one thing. I do need to stay away from you. It’s certainly not a good idea for us to work with each other.”

She got up to leave, and I grabbed her hand. My body moved of its own accord, and I did it before I could even think about it. Her head snapped back to me, her eyes shocked. I could have sworn tingles sparked through my palms where we touched, desire zipping through me at the feel of her soft skin.

Damn. Damn damn damn.

“Please.” The unpleasant word felt like it was dragged out of me, but I said it anyway. “I need you.”

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