Alien Architect Needs a Nanny (Alien Nanny Agency 1)

Her dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders and her eyes looked larger than usual with the mascara drawing attention to them.

The black dress, a staple of her work wardrobe with a sweater on top, looked very different on its own. The neckline dropped just enough to show a hint of cleavage, and the slender straps revealed her shoulders too much to allow a bra.

I look pretty, she told herself. Showing a little more skin is nothing to be ashamed of.

Satisfied that she had complied with what Janice was asking for, she slipped on a pair of sigh-float boots and headed downstairs to let Ra’as know she was heading out.

She hadn’t technically been on duty since dinnertime, but she had made such a habit of sticking around that she didn’t want the children to feel abandoned if she left without mentioning it.

Slipping into the family room, she saw that Ra’as was alone now, seated on his leather chair again, staring out the huge plate glass window into the night.

“Oh, did you put them to bed?” she asked.

He glanced up and did a double take.

“Emilia,” he whispered, looking her up and down.

“I, um—” she began.

“Wait,” he said, getting up. “Wait, I need to say something.”

She buttoned her lip and waited.

“Emilia, you look beautiful tonight,” he said, his voice rasping on her name. “So beautiful. But nothing can happen between us again.”

“But—” she began.

“I know we have some chemistry, but I have to put my kids first,” he said firmly. “I will not touch you again.”

She was surprised at how much his words stung. She knew it wasn’t right for them to be doing… whatever they were doing. But he didn’t have to make it seem like it was all on her.

He was gazing down at her, as if waiting for her to apologize or something.

Well, screw him.

“Not everything is about you, Mr. Drayven,” she said coolly. “I only stopped in to say good night to the children before going out.”

His face went slack.

“But I can see they’re already in bed,” she continued. “So, I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

She turned on her heel.

“Are you going on a date?” he demanded, his low voice ringing furiously into the corridor.

Classic. He didn’t want her, but he didn’t want anyone else to have her either.

“It’s none of your damned business,” she said significantly, hoping he realized she was echoing back his own words after his date.

His face fell, as if she had slapped him, and she almost felt bad.

But he didn’t deserve her sympathy. So, she turned again and headed out for the night.