Sharing Their Nanny (The Nannies)

“Max is worried that he’s going to upset me?”

“Yes,” Dylan said. “But that doesn’t even touch the surface with that guy. He has a lot of heart. He’s loyal, and the best damn friend any man can ever hope to have. What I’m telling you is that Max is … complicated, but know this, he doesn’t want to lose you.”

Raine smiled. “It seems kind of hard to believe.”

“It probably is and I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to kick us out of your bed, but Max’s heart is in the right place. He doesn’t want to scare you by saying the wrong thing. I’m making this sound worse, aren’t I?”

“No.” She shook her head. “You’re not actually. I did notice Max was to-the-point and direct, no-nonsense. I kind of get it.” She offered a smile. “Don’t stress.” She reached out and stroked his cheek.

He captured her wrist and pressed a kiss to the inside. “Then don’t leave.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

****

This was probably the biggest mistake of her life.

Raine looked at the sign of Ménage and her heart raced. It had been three days since she had given herself to Max and Dylan.

Max had avoided her.

Even after Dylan had vaguely told her what Max was like, she still hadn’t been able to get close to him. He arrived late every night, left early the next morning, and stayed at work.

Lake missed her uncle Max, and she missed him as well.

This might be a bit extreme though.

She pulled out her cell phone, found Max’s number, and dialed him. There were only two rings before he picked up.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, everything is great. I was wondering if you could come and let me in. I feel like we need to talk.”

“I will talk when I get home.”

“Max, I’m outside Ménage.”

She waited as he fell silent.

Glancing up and down the street, she saw everyone was minding their own business, not caring about the woman standing outside.

“I’ll be right down.”

She clicked the red button, ending the call, and waited.

Max arrived within minutes. Like always, he looked impeccable. A pristine suit, not a single wrinkle to be seen. His hair didn’t look like he’d been running fingers through it. Calm, collected, prepared for business.

“Would you like me to take you home?” he asked.

“I’d like to talk.”

“Where is Lake?”

“At school,” she said. “I dropped her off and came straight here.”

“Does Dylan know you’re here?”

“No.”

He nodded and opened the door wider allowing her to come in.

Her heart raced. This seemed like a much better idea in her head than it did right now, looking at Max.

He was over six feet tall, which made her five-foot-six feel small. She’d been around Lake and Dylan, and while he was tall, he wasn’t Max tall.

“I’ll show you to my office.”

Ménage was a combination of a nightclub and restaurant. She’d read the raving reviews about the place, and knew it was considered a city hotspot. There was also a members’ lounge or something like that, making it the ménage it was. Three options, one night club.

They passed the large expanse and she followed close behind him, not wanting to get lost. He keyed in a code at the door at the far wall, letting them through. They passed several of his employees, who continued about their business. She didn’t know if they were being rude, or if this was the kind of situation he preferred.

He took her up several flights of stairs before they came to his office, which wasn’t as large as she thought it would be.

“What can I help you with?” Max asked, closing the door behind her and returning to his seat.

“I … would you like me to quit?” she asked.

She did originally have a big, old speech prepared, but now that she faced him, she couldn’t remember a single item she wanted to say to him.

“Pardon me?”

“I know we all crossed the line the other day, and since then, you’ve been so cold to me. I’m aware I’ve yet to sign my contract for your employ. Would you like me to leave?” she asked.

Max’s hands were flat on the desk. “No.”

She lowered into the chair opposite him and stared into his eyes. “What would you like me to do, Max?”

“Continue working for us.”

“And?” She looked at her lap then returned to his blue gaze. “I get if you just wanted to have fun with me. I can work with that and help Lake the best way that I can.”

“It wasn’t just fun. I don’t want to lose you.”

She pressed her lips together, trying to figure what she could say or do that would make him see he didn’t have to be worried. “I get that talking with people can be very difficult. I think it’s one of the reasons I always loved working with kids. They don’t need you to spell everything out for them, and if they do, then it’s usually direct, to-the-point, by-the-book,” she said. “It was how I was trained. We can’t allow anyone to be confused or left uncomfortable.”