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My heart aches at her confession. I don’t say anything, just wrap my arm around her small shoulders and pull her closer. She snuggles into my side, resting her head on my shoulder.
My mind starts to wander then, to a future where I might have a family of my own. But that's a distant dream. I need to be financially stable and find a man who will cherish me and not break my heart.
And then, out of nowhere, Lucy says, "My dad likes you."
I stutter, taken aback by her blunt observation. "Wh-what?"
Lucy grins at my reaction.
"He looked really worried when you passed out. That's because he cares about you."
My heart skips a beat at her words. But I shake my head, brushing off her innocent observation with a smile.
"I'm glad he was concerned. Now, let's watch the movie."
I can't let myself believe Lucy's words. They're just a child's innocent observation. I can't afford to feed my fantasy. Damien is too perfect, like a knight in shining armor, and I'm no princess. And, besides, we just met.
The movie continues, and I feel Lucy's body grow heavy against mine. Her eyelids flutter, and soon, she's fast asleep in my lap.
I look down at her, promising to myself that I'll do everything I can to make this girl's life a little better, even if it means putting my heart on the line.
Chapter 4 - Damien
The coarse concrete of the station stairs is cold under my hands as I descend into the dim glow of the street below. Under a lamplight, I stop, squinting at the time on my wristwatch.
It reads 10:03 pm. I'm cutting out two hours early – a rare exception to the strict routine I developed back in the city.
Tonight's different, though. I'm restless, eager to see Lucy before she goes to sleep. But there's another reason, one I'm not ready to admit.
Sophie. The name echoes in my mind, a sweet chorus that threatens to throw me off balance. Her sudden faint scared me more than I'd like to admit.
The way she fit perfectly into my arms, her skin softer than anything I've ever touched... It was like a rush of adrenaline, sending my heart on a chaotic dance I couldn't control.
But I can't afford to fall for her. I can't allow myself that luxury. We've only just moved to Willow Creek - a new town, a new start.
I need to focus on Lucy, my job. I need to be her protector, her rock. And for that, I must push these brewing feelings aside.
Still, it's hard to ignore the memory of her body against mine, the curve of her waist under my hands, and the unexpected desire it stirred within me.
My bulge throbs in my pants at the thought, and I quickly wipe the sweat on my forehead with the back of my hand.
Taking a deep breath, I set off toward home, the gentle caress of the night breeze doing little to cool the heat spreading through me.
As I approach my house, the porch light seems unusually bright. Stopping in front of the steps, my hands clench into fists at my side. I'm a cop, damn it.
How can a single woman, whom I've known for mere hours, make me feel like I'm walking a tightrope?
She's the new nanny - my daughter's nanny. That's it. No more, no less. I don't know why I'm letting her get under my skin, but it has to stop.
I force myself to relax my grip, my knuckles popping from the sudden release. Stepping onto the porch, I resolve to maintain a professional facade around Sophie.
I can't let her know the effect she has on me. I can't let her hold that kind of power.
She's just a woman, I remind myself as I open the door, bracing myself for what lies ahead. But even as I push the thought away, I can't help the flutter of anticipation that quickens my heartbeat.
And for a moment, I let myself wonder, could she be more than just a nanny? No. She can't be. Nor will she be, I promise myself. And yet, an insistent, nagging voice at the back of my mind dares to hope otherwise.
The murmurs of laughter and joy draw me into the living room. I halt in the doorway, unseen. My eyes land on the tender scene unfolding in front of me - Sophie and Lucy curled up on the couch, their eyes reflecting the soft glow of the TV screen.
