The Beast's Nanny (The Nannies)

He chuckled. “And now you’re far more talkative?”

“I don’t know why. It’s not like I mean to spew word vomit everywhere. Are you mad?”

“I could never be mad at you.”

“I bet it’s really easy to do.” She sighed. “I tried to avoid it.”

“The doctor came to see you about your shoulder today, didn’t he?”

She nodded. “He said it’s healing up okay. It’s not like I can’t use it. I can. I just have to be careful so I don’t tear the stitches.” She frowned. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make this dinner all by myself, and you made that chef hate me.”

“No one could hate you.”

“Every time I enter the kitchen, everyone runs away.”

He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “That’s because I was pissed off.”

“You stabbed that poor man.”

“He threw knives at you and called you names.”

“It was fine.”

“If one of those knives had hit you—” He couldn’t even bring himself to finish his sentence.

He couldn’t stand the thought of her in pain. Even now with her shoulder. He wanted to take the pain away. The only consolation he got was the fact she kept on hugging him with those pain pills.

“Hey,” she said, cupping his face. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Why don’t you help me cook? You, me, and James, it’ll be so much.”

“You want me to help you cook?” He hadn’t been in the kitchen to cook for himself in years. It was why he hired a cook.

“Unless it is beneath you. Are you not used to cooking for yourself?”

“Ha, ha, very funny.”

She pouted. “Is that a yes or no?”

He reached out, pushing some of her brown hair behind her ear. She was so incredibly beautiful. He wondered if she realized how much. It wasn’t just her looks that made her that way. She had a good heart. A kind soul. In every single way that mattered, she was stunning.

That was why he couldn’t get her out of his mind. With every single other woman, he knew what to expect. When it came to Grace, he was confused. She didn’t want the same things as everyone else, far from it, and he wanted to know every single part of her.

Stroking her cheek, he wondered what she was thinking. Most of the time she was an open book, but he still wanted her to talk all the time.

Again, something new for him.

“I’ll cook for you, Grace, but what will I get out of it?” he asked.

“Food. When you cook, there is always a reward.”

He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Tell me what you were going to say when I caught you in my office.”

She pouted. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I didn’t even think to phone the police. Don’t you think that’s weird? You’re a bad man. I should have called them to take me away, but…”

“What?”

She was getting sleepy now and he knew he had limited time with her.

“But … I don’t want to. It’s weird. I keep on telling myself that I should hate you and I do, but, I like you as well. I was coming to tell you that I agreed to your terms. I’m scared, Caleb.”

“Of what?”

“Of how you make me feel.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “I’m so tired.”

“How do I make you feel, Grace?”

“Like I want you to touch me every single time I see you. I’ve never been with a man and I like the look of your hands, and I want to see your ink. I’ve always wanted a tattoo. I didn’t finish ordering.” She slumped against him and he held her.

Glancing at the computer screen, he saw she’d put several items into the shopping basket. After closing the lid, he picked her up in his arms and carried her upstairs, going to her room this time.

He was willing to take this at her pace.

She let out a little snore as he entered her room.

Her bed was pristinely made and he couldn’t help but smile. To most, she was the perfect house guest.

He’d been alerted the other day that she and James had been going to every single guard and handing out a cookie. They wanted to know if they could have permission to take the sweet treat. He’d granted it and went to the surveillance room to watch her. She was a natural when it came to taking care of kids.

James was already thriving in her care.

He missed his mom though, he got it.

After laying Grace beneath the covers, he removed her shoes and got her settled into bed.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, kissing her lips.

“Uncle Caleb?” James asked.

He turned toward the door to see his nephew rubbing at his eyes.

“Hey, champ.”

“Is she okay?”

“Of course.” He held his arms open, sitting down in a chair as he did. James came and crawled into his lap, and Caleb watched her sleep.