Page 10 of Puck Your Nanny

After a while, the car turns onto a long, tree-lined driveway. The house is even bigger than I remember, all modern angles and glass, with some windows so large they seem to replace the entire wall. The driver pulls up and glances back at me with a grunt. "End of the line."

"Thanks for being understanding about my extra luggage. You'll be getting a hundred dollar tip on top of the fare. I’ll be quick to unload." I offer an apologetic smile.

He grunts.

Hopping out, I head to the back as the trunk pops open. I grab a box and turn to walk further up the drive, only to find Nate standing at the entrance. Another man stands behind him, his short, curly red hair bursts out from under an old, navy blue baseball cap. A smattering of freckles dusts his cheeks and the bridge of his round nose. Warm brown eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins and meets my gaze.

Nate’s lips quirk up in a grin. He steps forward, reaching for the box in my arms. "Need a hand?"

Relief washes over me. "That’d be great."

He takes the box from my grasp. "Don’t worry about the rest, Daisy. Calvin and I have it. Why don’t you head inside?" He gestures to the man behind him. "Daisy, this is Calvin James. Calvin, Daisy. Johnson."

Calvin continues to smile and extends his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You, too." I take his hand, his grip warm and firm, and a surprising jolt of heat travels up my arm, settling as warmth in my center. Heat floods my cheeks, and I release his hand, hoping they won’t notice.

Nate and Calvin head toward the car while I follow Nate’s suggestion and step inside. I linger in the entryway, watching them handle the heavier boxes with ease. The Alpha driver stays put until they finish, and he does a U-turn to head out.

Together, Nate and Calvin bring everything in. I feel bad letting them do all the work, but they make it look effortless. I step aside, giving them space. Once the last box is inside, Calvin shuts the door.

Nate turns to me. "Just leave everything in the hall for now. William is napping, so it’s the perfect time for a tour."

I follow Nate as he turns to walk down the hall, toward the living room. Calvin trails behind us. The polished, dark-stained hardwood floors reflect the light streaming in through the massive windows. The walls are painted a cool, neutral gray, accented with bold, colorful artwork. Everything is clean lines and sharp angles with high ceilings.

"So," Nate gestures to the open-concept living area. "This is the main living space." He points to a large, comfortable-looking black sectional sofa facing a massive flat-screen TV. I hadn’t taken much of the room in yesterday, too focused on getting to the dining area and not fucking up my interview. But I remember the long wooden table we sat at, just off to the side.

Calvin grins and nods toward the TV. "Game nights get pretty intense."

We move on. "Peter’s study and bedroom are down this hall," Nate says, pointing. "He’s away on business right now. Dealing with one of his investments."

Calvin snorts. "He’ll be back in a day or two. Don’t mind him if he seems grumpy. He’s not a morning person. Or an afternoon person. Or an evening person." He winks. "He just needs a minute to warm up."

I nod.

Nate pushes open a set of double gray French doors, revealing a kitchen larger than any I’ve ever seen. It has gleaming stainless steel appliances, dark granite countertops, and a massive island. A smaller, round gray table sits near a window, clearly meant for less formal meals. The cabinets are sleek, dark wood, and the backsplash is a mosaic of gray and white tiles.

"Wow." I take it all in. "This is amazing."

Nate and Calvin exchange a look before laughing.

"You guys must make a lot of money as hockey players." Warmth creeps up my neck and into my cheeks, I had no idea hockey players could do so well for themselves.

Nate tilts his head from side to side. "I'm Captain on the Vipers. We're kind of a big deal. Get a lot of brand deals. Always go to the Alpha Cup every year. Though," he grimaces, "we lost to the Iron Wolves last season. They are normally shit. We underestimated them. It won't happen again."

Calvin claps him on the shoulder. "And I'm their goalie. One of the best in the league." He winks.

I smile. "I don't really follow hockey."

Nate shrugs. "Doesn't matter. We'll convert you." He grins, and for a moment, I forget about everything except the way his green eyes sparkle.

He gestures towards a set of sliding glass doors. "Anyway, let's show you the backyard."

I step out onto a large patio. The backyard is breathtaking. It's beautifully landscaped, with rolling green lawns, vibrant flower beds, and carefully placed trees. A crystal-clear pool shimmers in the sunlight, and further back, I can see a small, serene koi pond with smooth, gray stones bordering it. There's even a small, well-tended vegetable garden tucked away in one corner.

"Wow. This is incredible." I take a slow turn, taking it all in.

"It's nice to have some outdoor space. Especially in the city."A hint of pride enters Nate's voice.

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