Page 16 of Where the Blacktop Ends

“You’re right, I’m stuck at one,” I sigh and sink into the chair across from him, pushing the bag of cookies toward him. “You want one?”

His eyes drop down to the plate and then back to me. “No.”

I roll my eyes because of course he doesn’t. Probably only eats the tears of his employees and the opponents he crushes to maintain his perfect physique.

“Want to help me out then? What are four more good things about you?”

He settles back in his chair, folding his strong arms across his chest where I notice the bulge of his biceps is straining against the fabric. But I know what’s underneath the uptight suit and what he's hiding behind those walls. A thick, veiny, and muscular body.

“There’s nothing. I’m a ruthless staple in New York politics. I work long, hard hours to get what I want… and I don’t have time for other things. Being a nanny to my grandson means you will take on that part. The soft, tender and happy energy in the home. Keeping the home clean, helping Liam with his laundry and entertaining him. Keeping him safe. These are things that unfortunately, I don’t have time for right now and need to outsource.”

“Okay...”

He shakes his head at my use of that word again. “Any boyfriends, Georgia?”

“W-why do you need to know that?”

He glances up from his laptop where he’s typing. “Need to know if you have plans to bring any men into my home while my grandson is asleep.”

“Oh...”

He waits, folding his arms over his chest again.

“No…No boyfriend.”

“Good, because if you ever bring another man into my house while Liam is there, you’ll be fired quicker than you start.”

“Your house?” I squeak.With his stupid broad shoulders, brooding stares, strong jawline, and monster cock under the same roof as me?

He nods. “You realize this is a live-in nanny position, right?”

No.

“Um… yes. That sounds familiar.”

It definitely doesn’t.

“Great. So, if you want to bring a guy around, it’ll need to be on the weekends when he’s with Eleanor. I don’t want him seeing strange men come and go and frankly, it’s a safety concern.”

“Who’s Eleanor? And you won’t have to worry about that, I said I’m single. Plus, why do you automatically assume that the men I date are strange?”

He sucks in a breath like he wants to say more but doesn’t, ending our conversation with a nod of his head instead. Never answering my questions but full of them himself.

“Okay, I have no further questions of you at this time. I need someone quickly because Eleanor, Liam’s current nanny, can’t keep up with him anymore. The Smiths vouched for you, so you have the job if you want itandpass the background check.”

“Geesh, sound more desperate. It doesn’t even sound like you care who you hire.”

He shrugs. “I’m a busy guy and will be traveling next week for work. Either you’re in or you’re out. I’m a straight shooter in every area of my life. Don’t have time to dick around and appease your ego.”

I bite my lip nervously, realizing I know next to nothing about this man—his politics, where he lives, or what kind of world I’m stepping into. But the truth is, I don’t have a choice. I’m not ready to go back to Texas and start over, searching for a different career without a college degree. Nannying is all I know, and more importantly, it’s what I love. And clearly, Mr. Marshall needs help.

“Okay, but I have one question.”

“What’s that?”

“Where are Liam’s parents? You said his mom isn’t around and his dad is your son?”

He rubs his temples again as if such a simple question is causing him stress.

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