Page 19 of Nanny I Want to Mate

I wanted to blame embarrassment for the heat that rushed my body, not the feel of his strong forearm underneath my fingertips. It could have been my imagination, but I swore his cheeks had reddened.

I backed away slowly and took in everyone’s eyes on us—particularly his brothers’ eyes, which were on Charles.

Charles cleared his throat and tipped his chin. “You’re … you’re welcome, Becky,” he stuttered, averting his gaze and motioning to the door. He plucked out his wallet. “You’ll need this. It’s a credit card for the expenditures for the girls. It has a very high credit line, so don’t go disappearing with it.”

I took the card from him and stared at it. I didn’t know if this was a joke or if he was serious because his face was serious.

He turned to Patty then. “Patty, please give Becky the phone we gave you before you go.”

“Will do,” Patty replied, a small smirk playing on her lips.

“We should go now.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and then tugged out his keys. “Um … we have dinner reservations.” He pulled at his collar and then adjusted his shirt.

As everyone filed out, I squeezed Patty’s hand beside me. “Thank you, Patty!” Then, I hugged her because I was beyond excited and relieved.

There was no doubt I would love it here by the stories Patty had told me and the vibe I was getting from the family. This would be a change, no doubt. I was used to caring for adults, but I imagined that the children would bring a different kind of joy.

When Patty patted my back, I whispered, “That was awkward, huh?”

She pulled back, smiling. “Not awkward. Just funny.” Then, she hooked my arm in hers. “And I’m so happy. This puts me at ease. You here, taking care of my girls.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later, we pulled in front of a swanky Italian restaurant. Patty and I rode with Charles while the girls rode with their uncles. I knew it was an upscale place, given the amount of cars waiting for valet service, the ambience, and even the patrons standing by to get inside—women in their cute dresses and men in business-casual wear at their sides.

I tugged at my sweater and pulled my ponytail to my side. I wished I’d changed my clothes, but I didn’t own anything fancy. Plus, the men hadn’t changed and were in casual attire. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a tad bit underdressed and out of place.

In big, bold letters,Café Italiawas written against the awning above the restaurant. I’d never been to a fancy restaurant. There was never an opportunity to go. The fanciest restaurant I’d ever been to was at the casino buffet, and that was a comped meal.

A valet attendant opened the back door to Charles’s Range Rover, and I stepped out of the car.

Brad and Mason had driven in a separate car and were right behind us, and I followed the clan.

Everyone’s eyes flipped up to Charles as he led us past the people waiting outside, past the double doors, to the inside, where a sophisticated woman with a red bob holding menus greeted us.

I tugged at Patty’s arm. “Patty, I’m not sure I can afford a meal here.”

She linked my arm through hers. “Don’t worry. Charles takes care of everything.”

I smiled awkwardly, all teeth showing this time. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, honey. You’re officially employed by the Brisken household.”

My attention was forced to the front—to this tall woman with Pantene-sleek chestnut-brown hair in a fitted dress.

“Good evening, Mr. Brisken. Your table is ready. Please follow me.”

I forced myself to stop fidgeting and concentrated on pushing one foot in front of the other. I couldn’t help it. I was a bucket of nerves and totally out of my element in a fancy restaurant in my casual clothing.

As we were escorted to our table, I observed everyone noticing the Brisken men. I couldn’t blame them. They were gorgeous. I mean, when three tall, model-looking, dark-haired, brown-eyed men strolled into Café Italia, everyone—men and women, old and young—openly gawked as we walked past tables to the back of the restaurant.

Maybe they were staring because Brad was carrying Mary or Sarah was knowingly making Mason laugh so loud that it was making everyone turn, but my money was on the fact that this family looked as though they had stepped out of a Gap commercial.

Seriously.

But although the men were stunning in their separate and unique ways, Charles stood out to me. Because his beauty was like that of a god you couldn’t touch. Strong, fierce, powerful.

He didn’t talk often, but when he did, he spoke with authority and strength. Undoubtedly, he’d been groomed for and grown into his position as the CEO of Brisken Printing Corp.

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