Nanny with Benefits

Keith knew how to rub someone the wrong way; he had the knack down. He’d rubbed Damon the wrong way, and I’d never seen him anywhere near being angry—until now.

“You’d better let go of her arm. If the lady says no, then she means no,” Damon said in a deep tone. Alexis let go of his fingers and stepped back. It was obvious she’d seen Damon in a bad mood before. Suddenly, my arm was free. I rubbed the soreness where a bruise would definitely appear in place of the reddened fingermarks.

“I warned you once to keep out of something that isn’t your business,” Keith barked as he squared up to Damon.

Damon shook his head as he smiled through tightened lips. His jaw bulged through his rugged cheeks, yet he stayed composed even though he was angry. “This lady is in my employment as my nanny. As long as she remains in my employment, I won’t butt out of it, as you request,” Damon remarked in a low, menacing tone.

Come on, Keith, don’t pull the macho bullshit.

Keith broadened his shoulders and gave the entire “you and whose army?” speech as if that’d scare Damon off. Damon shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a couple of coins and handed them to Alexis, who stood with her arms wrapped around my leg. She wasn’t quite sure how to take what was happening.

“What’re these for, Dada?” she asked him.

“Bad word coins.”

Alexis looked up at me and whispered, “Dada hasn’t used any bad words today.” I pulled her closer to my leg. Not yet, Alexis. Not yet.

“I’ve asked you politely to let it be and leave. You can stand there and flex your muscles as much as you want,” Damon said in a cool, calm, and collected manner. “If you want me to kick your fucking muscled ass from here back to where you came from, I can arrange it in a matter of seconds.”

Alexis muttered as she stood behind me. She pulled her mitten off with her teeth and pushed the coins inside her Barbie-pink jacket pocket. “Dada has one more bad word coming,” Alexis said, obviously counting them. I looked down and smiled.

“Get outta here, you two-faced piece of crap.” Damon lifted his hand to swipe Keith with the back of his hand. He restrained himself for a couple of reasons. First, we stood in the entrance of Cafe Blanca and were the entertainment. Second and more importantly, Alexis stood watching his every move.

Keith huffed and puffed as he pulled on the zipper of his jacket. He started to storm off. “You’re making a huge mistake here. You’re gonna regret it,” he yelled.

“Good-bye, Keith,” I replied. “Don’t ever call me again, and say hello to Travis for me.”

Keith hunched his shoulders as he rammed his hands into his pockets. The cold chill turned his breath, and he huffed and puffed like a steam train as he neared the river in haste.

“What was all that about?” Damon asked as he crouched, picking Alexis up.

“History. That’s what all that was about,” I said. “Can you believe he said his cousin was dead and that he was upset? It wasn’t even true.”

“It’s hard to know what lengths some people will go to manipulate a situation.”

I handed Alexis a coin and apologized before I spoke. She lifted her hands and pushed them against her ears, making me smile. “Well, that prick isn’t going to manipulate me ever again, thank goodness,” I said. “What are you two doing here anyway?”

“Can you believe I had such a nice time by the river the other night that I couldn’t think of a better place to go, apart from a more child-friendly offering?”

“Well, enjoy your lunch,” I said, giving a smile, grateful he’d been there in my time of need.

“You’re here, so you’re more than welcome to join us,” Damon said. Alexis turned to me and gave a grin, and I so wanted to stay with them.

I did the right thing, though. Alexis and her father were spending quality time together. “I’ll give it a miss. I knew my day would be ruined when I heard his voice. I want to go home and forget all about it.”

“Okay, if that’s what you want. Just take it easy. See you tomorrow?” Damon asked.

I smiled at him and turned to Alexis, handing another coin to her. She held her ears like a good girl. “Of course you will. It’ll take more than a douche like him to keep me away.”

I gave Alexis a cuddle, and Damon sent a wink in my direction. I felt good that they were a part of my life. The chemistry was there with Damon, undeniably so, and every time we were near each other, it was apparent we felt the need to grow closer still. I would go home and think about him as I cleaned my apartment. God, it felt good to be falling, and I was falling hard.