Be Mine (Jackson Boys 2)

“Have a seat,” I gesture toward the upholstered chair. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water would be lovely,” she says, almost dismissively, as if I’m the help in my own home. She sits down in one of the chairs positioned by the sofa, clasps her hands, and tucks her legs demurely to the side. “So, Nick, I can call you Nick, right?” Because I’m getting my potential nanny a glass of water, I can’t tell if he nods his head, but he must because she asks yet another question. “What’re you doing with yourself this off-season?”

“Feeding the ducks with my girl. I think we’re having a tea party later, right, Cassidy?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“That’s adorable,” Danielle simpers. Doesn’t she know any other adjective?

It takes effort not to stomp around the kitchen and slam cupboard doors. It’s not Danielle’s fault she’s pretty or that Nick’s reacting in a predictable manner. Hell, if I swung in that direction, I’d be tongue-tied and flirty with Danielle myself. Advising myself to calm the hell down, I reappear in the living room with the glass of water. “Here you are.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Feeling old at the age of twenty-two, I take a seat on the other side of Nick. “Cassidy, honey, we’re going to talk to this nice lady for a bit. Can you go finish your movie in Mommy’s bedroom?”

“Okay.” Cassidy gives me a sweet hug and wet kiss and then crawls over my lap to give Nick a kiss too.

“Bye, sweetheart,” Danielle chirps.

Cassidy gives the girl a little wave before running down the hall to watch Cars for the umpteenth bazillionth time.

Nick shoots me a questioning look when I don’t immediately ask any questions. “Am I doing this interview?”

“Sure, why not?” I pick up Danielle’s résumé and pretend to be engrossed in her early childhood experience, which is surprisingly not as bad as Nick made it out to be. She’s babysat every summer for the same family for three years. Currently, she’s working at a daycare.

“Okay. So tell us about yourself?”

Danielle scoots her butt to the edge of the seat so her knees are nearly touching Nick’s. “I’m nineteen which I know is young but I love kids. I’m going to school at nights to learn more about early childhood education but not so that I can teach but rather to be a better care provider for children. I’m looking for something more personal than daycare and,” she adds in a husky tone, “more intimate.”

“You have any kids of your own?”

“Not yet. I hope to someday.”

“I don’t doubt that you have a dozen guys lined up to put a ring on that finger,” Nick says.

She blushes and reaches out to bat the back of Nick’s hand. “Not that many.”

Kill me now, I write in the margin of the résumé.

“But you go out, right? You’re not just focused on your work,” Nick presses.

No. I think I’ll kill Nick. I jot that on the other margin.

“Of course! I mean, I like to think of myself as well rounded. I love football and kids,” Danielle declares.

If she moves any farther off the edge of her seat, her ass is going to be on the floor.

“What kinds of clubs do you like?” Nick asks.

“I love, love, love The Cave. Have you been? I’ve never seen you there.”

“Naah, I don’t think I have.” He turns to me. “You been to The Cave, Lainey?”

Oh, he remembers that I’m here. “Actually, yes, Charlie and I went there with Reese last week.” Reese decided it was criminal we were all single and dragged us there. I was bored. Charlie looked like she wanted to poke her eyeballs out with toothpicks, and Reese declared we were the worst wing-women in the history of the dating game.

“Huh. And you didn’t take me?”

“You were at a team meeting.”

“Next time, I want to go.”

“Noted. Can we get back to the interview?”

“Oh right. Actually, I think we know everything we need to know.” He gets to his feet and holds out his hand. Danielle places her elegant one in his and allows him to help her up. The action places them chest to breast, thigh to thigh. Their bodies are so close I swear her knit-covered tits are going to brush against his pecs if either of them take a breath.

“Thanks for coming, Danielle,” he says, gracing her with a wide, panty-melting smile.

“Anytime,” she says dreamily. He maneuvers her star-struck frame to the door and has her outside the apartment before either of us realize what he’s doing. “When will you be making a decision?” she asks, her voice a little uncertain as she registers where she is standing.

“I’ve got your number,” Nick says.

“Yes, you do.” Danielle smiles broadly. They stare at each other for an uncomfortable moment before Danielle finally turns and walks away toward the elevator bank. But Nick watches her until the doors of the elevator car slide open and Danielle disappears inside. He waits for a second and then closes the door.