Page 46 of The Sacrifice
“I was worried about you. He sounds awful.”
“He’s….” My face fills with heat, and it has nothing to do with the kitchen appliances.
“Oh, girl,” she groans. “You didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?”
“You got busy with him, didn’t you? You know the nanny code. We went over it barely a week ago. I should have known you were doing naughty things when I didn’t hear from you.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Bullshit. It’s a big deal. You sign a contract not to have sexual relations with a company client. You could get fired or sued by him for breach of contract.”
“He’s not going to sue me.” I roll my eyes and pace from the stove to the doorway.
“That’s what you think now, but what about when it goes bad, and he blames you for his child’s late-night partying?”
“She’s three months old.”
“Whatever. I don’t think you understand how serious this is. If it gets out that you’ve had sex with your boss, no one else will want to hire you. The women won’t trust you to be alone with their men.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I lick my lips and run a hand through my hair.
“What do you mean it doesn’t matter?” The exasperation in her voice rings through the line. “Of course, it matters.” If we were in the same room, she’d have her hands on my upper arms while shaking me until my eyeballs rattled. Luckily, I’m several hundred miles away.
“I’m not sure what will happen between us, but I don’t think I’ll take another nanny position.”
Jackson stops in the middle of the living room and raises his hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were on the phone.”
“It’s fine.” My eyes sweep over him. He’s wearing black shorts and a white T-shirt. I arch my eyebrows and smile. “Same clothes?”
“What?” Olivia’s voice is muffled as I study him.
“Nah.” He winks. “I showered and changed into something I had in my locker.” He shrugs. “I guess you never know when you’re going to get dirty.” He stalks toward me and grabs my free hand. “Like now.” He raises it to his lips and flicks his tongue over the tip, causing my knees to wobble.
“What are you doing? Is he there now? Let me talk to him. If he’s going to ruin your career, he needs to make promises for a future. I can’t believe you fell for him. I told you being a nanny for someone you knew was a bad idea. But did you listen to a word I said? No. I’d better be in the wed–”
“Goodbye, Olivia. I’ve got to go.” I hang up on her and toss the phone onto the counter. “I missed you.” I lace my arms around his neck as he backs me into the counter. The handle presses into my butt, and I shift sideways to relieve the biting sensation. Not that I mind a good biting.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You’ve been a nanny for four years and had plans for another position when Andrew conned you into this job. Although, I hope Hadley and I are more than a job.” He kisses my neck. “I heard you saying on the phone that you’re not taking any more positions. Are you okay with that?”
Am I okay with that? I’ve broken my oath and wouldn’t feel comfortable taking another job without the company knowing what happened, which is a sure bet to the unemployment line. Not to mention, I want a future with Jackson, so that means no more nanny positions.
I love being a nanny. It’s something I’m good at. I enjoy traveling. I thrive on helping streamline someone’s life so they can be a better parent. I love the children. But I can’t be with Jackson and not live in the same city, if not the same house with him. I don’t want to.
“Yes, I’m fine with that.”
He runs his thumb over my jawline. “What will you do?”
I shrug. “I guess I’ll turn in my resignation. I signed a contract with them saying I wouldn’t get into a physical or emotional relationship with a client. I’ve broken those six ways to Sunday.”
“Yes.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Yes, you have. And we’re about to break it the seventh way, but I need to know you’re okay with giving up your passion.” His eyes sober, and the wicked grin on his face disappears. “Not that I want you to stop watching Hadley. I don’t trust her with anyone else.”
“It’s fine.” I cup his face. I love that he’s worried about me and wants me to be happy. “I never intended to be a sixty-year-old nanny with no family. I wanted to do this until I had a family of my own.” My heart skips a beat as panic swells in my chest. I drop my hands from his face. “Not that I’m trying to say–”