Page 4 of Playing with Fire

Well, it wasn't going to be as my new nanny, that was for sure. My plan to avoid her had gone well over the last two weeks, and I hadn’t run into her since that night at the bar. Seeing her every day wouldn't help diminish my growing attraction to her.

Luckily, I pulled up in front of the firehouse, and he jumped out before my lack of a response made things awkward. Jay stopped traffic, and I pulled the rig hard to the left before backing it up into the bay. Once I had it parked, we all climbed out and gathered our gear, checking it and getting it all set up for the next call.

My phone vibrated two more times in my pocket. I hadn't checked it since wrapping up at the fire we'd just dealt with. Pulling it out, I saw a string of texts from Maggie. When we’d talked this morning, she was hell-bent on finding a dependable nanny who wasn't seventy. At this point, I had to agree with her. Originally, the idea of a young nanny didn’t sit well with me. My dad had cheated on my mom with someone almost twenty years younger than him. A woman who had, on occasion, babysat me when she was a teenager.

But I needed to remind myself our situations were totally different. I was only about to turn thirty-three, and I was no longer married. Not to mention, I would never get involved with the nanny anyway. You don't shit where you eat. Anyone with any sense knew that.

I clicked on the text notifications, pulling up my thread with Maggie.

Maggie: I found the perfect nanny.

Maggie: She’s starting tonight.

Whoa. That was quick. How the hell did she find someone in only a day?

Maggie: And you already know her, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Unease settled in my gut as I racked my brain for anybody I knew who might fit the bill as a nanny.

Me: Who is it??

Maggie: Izzy Mitchell

Fuck my life.

Maggie: Perfect right? Money's tight and she could really use a part-time job. And she's good with kids. Perfect driving record and doesn't mind nights and weekends.

Maggie: I can't believe Jay didn't suggest her to you.

I scrubbed a hand down my face. He did. Plenty of times. But each time, I brushed it off. Because my fucking dick liked the chick way too much to be my nanny.

But what the hell could I say now?No, we can't hire her because I get a hard-on every time she's around?That would go over great. And then I'd have Jay up my ass asking why we didn't hire her. I wanted to have that conversation even less.

I wondered if I could turn this new development into an advantage. Maybe this was what I needed to squash my attraction to her. Seeing her with my girls would surely be the thing that would stop me from getting hard every time I was around her. If I thought Jay's little sister was off-limits, that title had nothing on my kids’ nanny.

Chapter Four

IZZY

“Eighteen,nineteen, twenty. Ready or not, here I come.” I removed my hands from my eyes and started my search for two little girls who were scarily good at this game. The last round I got a little worried when I couldn't find Nikki.

“Oh no. I think I finally lost them.” This time I was catching on to what worked. I walked slowly, listening for the telltale giggles. “What should I do?”

I made my way through the great room and froze when I thought I heard something. Then jumped when the front door suddenly swung open.

“Daddy!” Both girls jumped up from behind the sofa, squirming their way out and rushing to the big man who stepped into the room.

He wasn't super tall, around six feet, but he was muscular, seeming to take up a room with his size. Validating the impression of power and strength, he scooped a girl up in each arm.

“Hey girlies.” He greeted each with a kiss on their foreheads, and I nearly melted when they each tucked their heads into the crook of his shoulders. His gaze met mine, and the wide smile he wore a moment ago morphed into confusion before quickly turning into a scowl.

What was his problem with me? I couldn't imagine he was surprised by my presence. Surely Maggie told him I was starting tonight.

He focused back on his daughters, looking from one to the other. “You've had your showers?”

Alice nodded. “Yep, and brushed our teeth too.”

“I made sure any homework I could see in their backpacks was done and made them dinner as well.” Why did I feel the need to explain my worth to him? To make this grumpy man happy with me?

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