Page 67 of Nanny and the Beast

I take a step back.

"Mrs. Hendricks, I think I found someone," she says into her earphones.

A moment later, Mrs. Hendricks stands in front of me.

"Oh dear," she says. "I should have guessed. It makes sense now why he asked for someone who fits your exact description."

"What's going on?" I ask, shifting from one foot to another.

Electricity buzzes through my body, like it knows something my mind doesn't. I want to bolt, but I also want to hear what Mrs. Hendricks has to say.

She pulls me aside so we can speak in private.

"Do you remember when I told you that all of my girls have the freedom to choose who they want to spend the night with?" she asks.

"Yes," I say. "But what does that have to do with me?"

"I have a proposition for you," she says.

"What kind of proposition?" I ask hesitantly.

"There's a client. A very important one."

I shake my head, already uncomfortable with where this is headed.

"We talked about this," I say. "I don't want to be anything more than a cocktail waitress."

If I was having this conversation with anyone else, I would be panicking right now. But for some reason, I feel safe with Mrs. Hendricks. I know she won't make me do anything I'm not one hundred percent comfortable with.

"I think you're going to want to hear this out," she says.

I fold my arms in front of my chest as I wait for her to continue.

"He's one of my most important clients, and?—"

"I don't care how important he is," I say.

"Let me finish," she says softly.

I purse my lips.

"This client has never asked for a girl until now. He's never even so much as shown interest in one, but tonight, he asked for someone who looks exactly like you."

"I have brown hair, brown eyes, and a plain face," I say. "I'm sure you won't have trouble finding someone more suitable for the job."

"My darling, absolutely nothing about you is plain," she says. "And I've looked at the others. You're the only one who meets all the requirements."

I shake my head.

This is one line I refuse to cross.

Going ahead with this will lead me down a path I never signed up for. I'll become someone I won't even recognize.

"I'm not going to sell my virginity tonight, Mrs. Hendricks," I say.

It's the one thing in my life that completely belongs to me. When I finally do decide to have sex, I want it to be with someone I love. Not someone who paid for it.

I wrap my hand around the pendant sitting on my chest.

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