Between them and my agencies, my plate was full to the max. I had to have someone I could trust in their lives and in our home.
No matter what, it was my job to protect them.
Looking at the clock again, the doorbell rang, echoing off my office walls. My assistant interrupted us, telling the kids to come with her, so I could deal with who was at our door.
I grabbed my cell phone and stuck it inside the pocket of my suit jacket while grabbing the files I had for the kids’ schedules off my desk. Once I had everything I needed, I made my way downstairs.
The doorbell rang again as I opened it.
Revealing a very pissed off Evie.
Evie
Before he could speak a word, I shoved the document against his chest, catching him off guard. He clutched the paperwork before it fluttered to the ground.
“Here’s our contract. If you agree to all of my terms, you’re looking at your new nanny.”
He didn’t bat an eye as he flung the document back at me. “I’m not signing this.”
“What?” I scoffed. He was already testing my patience, and it was only nine in the morning. “You didn’t even look at it.”
“I don’t have to look it over to know it’s full of terms and conditions I refuse to follow.”
“Well then, I’m not going.”
“Darlin’, even if I signed your bullshit agreement, I’m not going to obey it. We both know I don’t answer to anyone.”
“Especially me, right?”
“Did I say a word?”
“You didn’t have to. It was implied. But I’m not surprised in the least. It won’t be the first time you’ve broken a promise to me.”
“The only thing I’ve ever broken is your heart.”
“Don’t give yourself that much credit, Caleb. Actually, I’m grateful we never worked out.”
“Is that right?”
“Absolutely. I don’t have to answer to you. I didn’t then, and I don’t now.”
“Then why are you standing at my door with your suitcase?”
“You’ve given me no choice. Again, you’ve forced your hand in my life. Except this time it’s through my business. I’ve worked too damn hard to have the best agency around, and I won’t let you take that away from me. So here I am. You need a nanny. I have rules. Take it or leave it.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Since when have we ever followed the rules, Evie?”
“That was before. I won’t fall for your antics this time. I don’t even drink tequila anymore, so don’t think you’ll be able to get into my pants through margaritas.”
“You make it sound like I took advantage of you, sweetheart, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I gave you what you wanted, or better yet, what you were begging me for.”
“I’m not here to talk about that mistake. In fact, I don’t want to discuss anything that isn’t about Ethan and Ariel, as you’ll see on page three of my contract. We’re not friends, Caleb. I have no interest of going down that road with you.”
“Going down or on?”
“Per condition twelve on page four of our agreement, you’re not allowed to talk to me like that anymore.”
“I haven’t signed a thing. I can speak to you any damn way I please.”
“Fine.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Good luck on your trip with your kids. Talk never.”
With that, I spun around to leave, but he caught my wrist, stopping me.
A spark of electricity sizzling through my skin was not what I expected. Even after all these years, the lies, the pain, the memories of what could have been, I thought I’d put it all behind me.
However, it was still alive and thriving. Our connection wasn’t something I could ever ignore. Trust me, I’d spent years trying. My body’s reaction to him was another emotion I wasn’t prepared for.
Instead of succumbing to him, I yanked my arm back and snapped, “Don’t touch me.”
The bastard actually had the brass balls to grin, knowing exactly why I was warning him. I don’t know how long we stood there, a power struggle raging between us. Until out of nowhere, his baby girl wrapped her arm around his leg.
This was the first time I’d seen her in person. After he married Tessa, Caleb completely shut me out of his life in every way, shape, or form. I’d only run into him randomly a couple times throughout the years. I’d seen pictures of them at Jax’s house and in the press. Caleb was the best sports agent in the industry, and reporters loved his rugged, handsome face. He was getting better looking with age.
Bastard.
He was a private person. I’d never read or seen an interview with him. Very rarely had I seen photos of his kids on gossip sites or magazines while they were out in public. I had seen a few pictures of him and Tessa over the years, but they weren’t intimate shots.