“So, it wasn’t a live-in situation.”
“No,” he hedged. “But I did travel with his family to the Bahamas over spring break. And, yes, I’ve nannied for girls. It’s just that my longest, most recent, placement was for a boy. He goes to the same school as Sophia. Well, at least, he did.”
I nodded. “And they’re moving, right?”
“Yes.”
His blue eyes were so expressive, framed with dark lashes and dark brows. I was tempted to stare into them all day.
“Well,” I said, pushing off the banister. “I hope you’re comfortable with dressing in drag,” I teased. “Because Sophia loves all things pink, glitter, and dress-up.”
He coughed a few times. “I’m game for anything.” He leaned in, brushing against me as he passed.
My heart was racing, and I stood there a moment, staring after him. Had I imagined the seductive lilt to his tone?
I closed my eyes and took a few calming breaths.Get it together, Alexis.
When I entered Sophia’s room, she was in her closet. Dresses and accessories were flying through the open doorway. I watched Preston’s expression for annoyance or surprise, but he merely seemed amused.
“Princess Sophia,” he said, projecting his voice.
All movement stopped. There were no more flying shoes. No boas or tiaras being tossed from the closet. She peeked her head around the doorway, tentatively glancing between Preston and me. I gave her a reassuring smile.
“Princess Sophia,” he said again, addressing her as though she truly were royalty. She perked up, straightening. “My name is Sir Preston, and I’ve been sent to your kingdom on a noble quest.”
Her eyes went wide, and I knew she was eating this up. “You have?”
He nodded, and I watched their interaction with rapt interest. Sophia was outgoing by nature, but it often took her a while to warm up to new people. With Preston, she seemed as captivated by him as I was.
I couldn’t help but stare. The sight of this tall, muscular man sitting on the floor and playing with my daughter while wearing a crown was almost more than I could handle. He smiled at her the entire time, spoke with an impressive British accent, and made her laugh. I didn’t know if Sophia liked Preston as much as I did, but I was already under his spell.
Was he attractive? Yes. But I didn’t think it would be an issue. As Lauren would say, “I can appreciate the candy without sampling it.” I needed help, and Preston was willing to step in. He was here to do a job, nothing else.
Chapter Four
“Sir Preston,” Sophia said in a very serious tone. “I have another quest for you.”
“Does it involve raiding the pantry again?” I teased.
She giggled. “Maybe.”
She was entirely too precocious for her own good, or maybe just for my own good. I hadn’t been offered the placement yet, but I had a good feeling. Sophia and I had clicked, and I found myself feeling hopeful for the first time in days.
This girl was too adorable. And her mom… I shook my head, stealing a glance at Alexis. What were the chances I’d be placed withher? The mystery woman who regularly inhabited my fantasies.
I couldn’t believe it when she’d opened the door. I couldn’t believe the same woman who was seeking a new nanny was the same woman I’d often seen at Theo’s school. The same woman I often found my mind drifting to.
And now, I not only knew her name and address, but I was in her home. Talking to her, getting to know her. And the reality was even better than my fantasies. Well, except for the fact that in my fantasies, I wasn’t her nanny. And she was usually wearing a hell of a lot less.
She stood against the doorframe, scrolling through her phone. She was deep in concentration, her brow pulled together. I used the opportunity to watch her, admiring the loose waves in her hair, the bow of her lips, the swell of her breasts. She was wearing some kind of short-shirt combo that revealed a large expanse of bare skin on her back. And that wasn’t even the best part. The best part was her toned, tanned legs, which were begging to be touched.
Her phone rang, snapping my attention away from her and back to her daughter. The one I was supposed to be keeping my eyes on.
“I have to take this,” Alexis said before excusing herself to the hall.
I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I could hear snippets of the conversation. She sounded confident, in her element, and she seemed to be negotiating something—a property deal. It only made me more curious about her, and I was already extremely curious as it was.
I wanted to know everything about her. More than anything, though, I wanted to know if she was single. Her ring finger was bare, and I hadn’t once heard her refer to a husband. One hadn’t been mentioned in the file either. Not that I’d spent a ton of time reading it, but I certainly would now.
