Page 13 of Baby Nanny

“Take it as a warning.”

Annalise’s smile grew and Jack stared in disbelief. Why didn’t she react the way every other intelligent person within his sphere of influence did when confronted with the predatory side of his nature? She should be quaking in her sensible flats. She should be utterly intimidated by the slightest frown. Hell, she should be doing precisely what he said without a single word of argument. Instead, she helped herself to another olive and popped it in her mouth as though lounging across from a man capable of destroying her world was an everyday occurrence.

“Do you have no sense of self-preservation?” he demanded.

She blinked, mildly startled. “Excuse me?”

“You are familiar with my name , Iassume? With my reputation?”

She frowned. “Sure. Who isn’t?”

“What, may I ask, do you know about me?”

She shrugged. “You’re thirty. You’re rich. Powerful. You were supposed to go into the family business with your father. Instead you walked away. When you were cut off from the Mason purse strings, you built an import/export empire from scratch that succeeded in eclipsing your father’s in the business world. You’ve been linked, romantically, with some of the mostbeautiful women in the world.” She blinked at him in open bewilderment. “Is it important that I know your history? Will it help somehow with Isabella?”

He gritted his teeth. “No, but it should help in our dealings.”

Her eyes narrowed, then widened. Her mouth gave another betraying quiver before she bit down on her lip to suppress it. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Mason. Have I neglected to treat you appropriately?”

“Instant obedience to my every whim would be appreciated,” he responded dryly.

A gurgle of laughter escaped. She leaned forward and pitched her voice to an ingratiating purr. “Very well, sir. Your every wish is my command, no matter how boring and tedious all that instant gratification may become.”

He fought for a control that should have come without thought or effort. But ever since Annalise had entered his life with her distinctive hip-swinging stride, all control had eluded him. He couldn’t help himself. He released a barking laugh, unable to recall the last time he’d felt such genuine amusement. Isabella’s head jerked up and she stared at him in open disbelief, as though the sound was not only unheard of, but downright impossible. Sorrow caused his humor to fade. Was his laughter really such a rare occurrence?

Annalise followed the progression of his thoughts with uncomfortable accuracy. “Okay , Iget it. You’re a ruthless businessman. But who are you to Isabella? How do you want her to respond to you, Jack? Should she fear you, or should she look on you as her kind and loving uncle?”

He shook his head. “It’s not like I have a choice . Iam what I am.”

“Are you saying you’re incapable of kindness? Of love?”

He turned his gaze on her, one he didn’t doubt reflected the wintry coldness that seized hold. “Those qualities were eradicated long ago. What I can give my niece is a home, financial security and as much attention as I can spare.”

“Got it. That sounds a lot like duty and obligation to me. And yet, not two minutes ago you claimed that wasn’t why you took Isabella in. You might want to consider which is most accurate.” She fixed him with an unwavering stare. “And I suggest you choose one CPS will buy.”

“You want me to lie?”

“Right now, I’m not sure even you know what’s truth and what’s lie.”

He swore beneath his breath and surged to his feet. He’d had enough of this touchy-feely stuff. Time to take control, and this time he wouldn’t let Annalise wrest it away again. “I think we need to discuss what happened earlier in the playroom.”

His comment struck a nerve. She deliberately turned her head in Isabella’s direction. His niece remained fully engaged with her doll. “I believe I already addressed that issue. It won’t happen again.”

“Time will tell.”

She followed his example and thrust back her chair. He couldn’t begin to imagine the amount of inner fortitude it took for her to stand and face him. But somehow she did it. “I have no excuse for what took place earlier . Iwill tell you I’m no stereotype, despite that unfortunate incident. You’re paying me to take care of your niece, not be your mistress. Decide now, Mr. Mason. Which do you want ? Ananny or a mistress?”

“And if both roads end up in the same place?”

“I’ll quit before I become your mistress. Is that clear enough?”

“Quite.” He leaned his shoulder against one of the beams supporting the wooden canopy that shaded the patio and folded his arms across his chest. “There’s only one small problem.”

“Which is?”

Her poise wasn’t as secure as she’d like to pretend. He’d always been excellent at reading people and Annalise proved no exception. He caught the slightest quaver of her voice and the helpless balling of her hands. Even more telling, the pulse in her throat fluttered like a moth struggling to throw itself into the flames. And like that moth, she was irresistibly drawn to something guaranteed to deliver her into the arms of certain disaster.

His arms.

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