Page 29 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

"Yes, there's ice cream in the freezer. Daddy put it there."

"We can't have ice cream for dinner, but we can have it before dinner if you promise not to tell Daddy."

He nods and pulls his lips together.

"Good," I say, and we go downstairs.

I know Connor said I don’t have to make food, but nothing in the fridge interests me, so when we're done eating ice cream, I set out to make dinner from scratch. We make meatballs and macaroni and cheese. Ethan is excited to help, and we joke and laugh the whole time. When we’re done eating, we’re full and decide to have our own little dance party before bedtime. I connect my phone to the Bluetooth speaker in the living room and put it on a level that will get us hyped without disturbing the neighbors. A beautiful ballad comes on and we're twisting and turning to it, singing along at the top of our lungs when suddenly the music stops. I turn to look and there is Connor standing with the speaker in his hand. His jaw is clenched, and his eyes are red with anger.

Now, why would he be angry because we’re dancing? Isn't it a good thing to dance? Ethan was having so much fun and it's not even bedtime yet.

"What are you doing?"

"We were dancing before you cut the music," I retort.

"We're just playing, Daddy."

"Go to your room, Ethan."

"Dadd—"

"I said go to your room. Don't make me repeat myself."

Ethan crumples his face as though he's about to cry.

"And I don’t want to hear you crying."

Ethan sniffs and makes his way up the stairs.

"I don't appreciate you dancing all over the house."

"Is there a problem with dancing?"

"I just don't appreciate it. Look, I only hired you because of Ethan, okay?"

“And I only accepted the job because of Ethan. You don't have to be rude to me because you’re paying me. I will not take that from you."

I walk out with him still holding the silenced speaker in his hand.

Chapter 10

Connor

Ihadadreamlast night. About a woman. She glided around the fields with so much grace. Her body shapely and flexible. Her hair red like the setting sun. And when she turned around it was Aria.

I've been awake since 3 a.m. trying to make sense of the dream, but I've come up with nothing yet. Why was she in my dream? I don't even like redheads. I've only been with brunette women. But lately, I've been noticing how shapely her body is. How adorable her freckles are. How sexy her legs are. How alluring the hollow of her neck is. I find these feelings disconcerting. I hate that I can't stop, I hate it. But I can't stop it. The subtle way she throws back her head when she laughs. The way her eyes twinkle with excitement when she eats her favorite meal. The way she crosses and uncrosses her legs. The creaminess of her skin. It's frustrating when you're actively trying not to be attracted to someone, but they pull you in regardless.

It's 6 a.m. now and I have no zeal to leave my room. I don't want to see her and her perfect face. I feel so guilty. I feel like I'm betraying Cassy. The feeling just sits in a pit in my stomach.

I hear a light tap on my door. Is it her?

"Who is it?"

"Me," a tiny voice answers.

I let out a sigh of relief and get up from my bed. I don't cover my body up since it's Ethan. I pull my boxer briefs down my thighs; the hem stops just below my upper thigh, and I get the door. When I open it, I'm shocked to see Aria standing behind him. I swallow hard and feel my face flush as blood rushes to it.

"Erm. I thought it was Ethan."

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