Page 57 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

Connor freezes. There’s no mistaking that voice. He pulls away quickly and zips his pants. I slide off the counter and pull my dress down. My center is sticky from all the wetness and my panties stick uncomfortably between my folds.

"What the hell…" she repeats, but doesn't finish the sentence. She turns and hurries out of the doorway and down the hall.

I'm sweating, drops running down my back. Connor is white, as though he's just seen a ghost. We don't say anything for a while. We just stand there, shocked. Embarrassed. Not knowing what to do.

Then Connor moves toward the door and I follow him. Amy is outside, pacing.

"What the hell did I just see in there?"

Connor smooths down his shirt. "I can explain. Please, listen."

"Listen to what?" she screams.

Dad is coming in; he stops when he sees Amy freaking out. "Is everything okay, darling?"

"No, nothing is okay! Nothing!"

I'm holding onto the doorpost and Connor’s head is dropped down to his chest.

"What is it? It's your birthday. You shouldn't be worried. Don’t ruin your birthday with worries."

She points her finger toward Connor and me. "They've succeeded in ruining my birthday."

Dad looks from me to Connor. "What does she mean?"

"They were having sex in the bathroom!"

Dad's hand drops from Amy's shoulder. The caterer, who is passing by with a tray of drinks, stops to stare at us.

He’s facing us squarely now. "You can’t be serious."

"It’s true! I caught them. I can't believe this. Oh, I can't believe this." She starts to pace again.

"Go on," Dad says to the caterer, who hurries on out.

Dad takes Amy to their bedroom and we follow. He leads her to the bed and sits her on it. Strands of her hair are flying out of her professionally done updo, making her look frazzled and disheveled.

This isn’t at all how I wanted this to go. I’ve ruined her birthday. We haven't even given her the presents we came with. Tears start to gather in my eyes.

"Please, tell me this isn’t true. Aria, is this true?" Dad interrogates.

I'm swallowing when Bria appears at the door. "What's going on? The caterer came out looking all freaked out." Her eyes shoot over at Amy, who’s looking catatonic at this point. "Is she okay?"

"Were you two having sex in the bathroom?" Dad asks again.

I nod slowly. Dad’s knees go weak, and he stumbles over to the chair beside the bed. He holds on to the left side of his chest.

"Oh, no," Bria says, and sighs.

The room is quiet for what seems like an eternity. All I hear is the beating of my own heart.

Chapter 20

Connor

Amyseemstobecoming out of her daze. She raises her head and stares sharply into my eyes. "Why would you do that? Why would you do that!"

"I…" But she doesn't let me answer.

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