Page 5 of Nanny for the SEAL

Oh, shit. No, no, no. Just go back inside. Ignore me.

But I think the universe has it out for me today, because after staring at me for a moment, his steps resume, only they’re leading him to my house.

Dammit. That’s definitely not what I wanted. I also can’t deny the curiosity that’s bubbling up through my blood.

Who is this guy who’s shaped like Thor and fights with young blonde women on his porch? Should I get used to my mornings being interrupted by lovers’ quarrels?

I really hope the answer to that is no.

As he gets closer, I’m struck by the color of his eyes again. I noticed them yesterday, but now, he’s actually getting closer to me, and it’s like those damn things get bluer the longer I look at them.

He’s got rustled, deep brown hair, too. It’s cut in that way that all attractive men seem to be able to pull off, his bangs on the shaggy side while the sides are cut closer to his head.

There’s a light layer of stubble on his jaw, and now that he’s coming up my steps, he’s so much taller than I realized.

“Hi, do you have a moment?”

And he sounds like that? Crap. Well, I’m fucking done for.

I’d laugh at myself if it weren’t so true. His voice is just so deep, this gorgeous bass that rumbles out of his broad, well-defined chest.

So well-defined, in fact, that I can see it crystal clear through his long-sleeve henley.

“Umm, sure. How can I help you?”

There’s a look of concern on his face, his brows pinched together, and something about it tells me that it rarely goes away.

It’s such a strange thought to have, but for whatever reason, I just know that Mr. Next Door is the worrisome, pensive type.

“Look, about yesterday,” he starts, and I can’t stop myself from coughing slightly as I try to hide myself behind a sip of my coffee. “I just want you to know that it wasn’t what it looked like.”

He felt the need to come all the way over here for that? Jeez. Is he planning for the future? Trying to make sure I still think he’s cute?

I cock my brow. I’m not going to fall for that little trick. If he wants to be honest with me, he can start now.

“Oh, really. Well, it looked like you had a screaming match with your latest conquest. No?”

He clears his throat slightly, ducking his chin as his eyes go to the wood slats of my porch, which are straining under his weight.

When the guy looks back up at me, those sparkling blue eyes far too pretty for my liking, he chews on the inside of his cheek for a moment and then nods gently.

“I understand why you might think that. And honestly, I would, too.” He folds his arms over his chest. “But unfortunately, I was just firing my nanny. I caught her stealing from me. Among other things.”

I regard him, narrowing my eyes on his face like I’ll be able to deduce if he’s lying. I’m not terrible at it, but in truth, I assume most people are lying to me. A bad force of a habit.

Still, Mr. Next Door doesn’t seem to give off that nervousness or overconfidence that a lot of liars tend to.

“Your nanny?”

He nods, cocking his head to the side as his eyes roll. It’s a gesture that’s far too attractive for the thirty-something dad living next door.

At least to me.

“Ex. But yeah. I’m…” I can see him visibly stiffen before he finishes. “A widower. She was helping me take care of my daughter, Daisy. Well, she was barely doing that, if I’m honest. But I just didn’t want you to think that your neighbor was some playboy asshole or something.”

I laugh at that, unable to fight it back, and I smile as I nod. “Oh, no, wouldn’t want that.”

The guy rolls his eyes again, and the move is just as attractive in that teasing way. “I’m Xaden, by the way. Xaden Ledger.”

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