Page 17 of Where the Blacktop Ends

Oh, God, I hope they aren’t dead.

“His father, my son, is in Europe finishing school. His mother, isn’t in the picture.”

I nod my head though still not clear on what that means. Is she going to show up while I’m with Liam? What do I do if she does?

“Did you send your son away for school because you were worried about your image?” I blurt out because I want to know the type of guy I’m about to work for.

“What do you think, Georgia?” he snaps with a scowl, his hazel eyes changing to something much darker.

I shrug because I don’t know. “The last family I nannied for had young kids, so there wasn’t much risk of a scandal, but they were still very particular about who their children were around and how they were seen. They were protective of their reputation, so I guess it’s kind of similar.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

“No, Georgia, I didn’t send Max away. His girlfriend's pregnancy was unexpected, and he wanted to finish school. He left a few months ago to do that, but he’s still close with Liam. I support him completely. I trust that he’ll come back to be Liam’s father when he’s ready.”

Oh.

I nod. “Okay.”

“So, do you want the job?”

His question comes fast, his piercing gaze making it hard to think straight. His eyes bore into me, and I can see he’s the type who doesn’t tolerate much, whether in politics or life. Someone used to getting whatever he wants and expects people to fold under his intense stare.

“I’ll take the job,” I say, feeling a mix of excitement and extreme anxiety.

He tosses the pen he was tapping onto the table and stands. “Great. I’ll have my assistant send over the official offer, along with the rules and requirements. You’ll need to move into the house this weekend. I leave for a business trip on Monday. Your background check will be finalized by then, I’ll put a rush on it.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Is that a problem?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, that’s fine. My lease is up this month anyway, I just need to tell my landlord.”

“If they give you any trouble, let me know, and I’ll take care of it.”

Yikes.

I'm not sure if he meant to word it that way but it sounds more like a threat than an offer.

“Okay...” I think I should say no. I really, really should, but I already know my okay is confirmation that I’m doing this. That Iwantto do this.

I open my mouth to say something about how I can’t wait to meet his grandson, but before I can, he turns on his heel and strides out the door, leaving me standing there, speechless with more questions than answers.

Chapter 6 – Georgia

“No, wait, please tell me what happened again,” James swipes at his eyes, tears rolling down his face as he tries to hold back his laughter.?? He’s sprawled out on the edge of my bed in the cottage we’ve been sharing all summer when he’s in town, laughing so hard I’m half-worried he might throw up on the brand-new silk sheets I indulged in to celebrate my stay in New York.

“Come on, it isn’tthatfunny.” Okay, even I know my interview with Troy Marshall is equal parts bizarre, confusing, and hilarious.

“You’re really about to nanny for the same guy whose cock you sat on in the country club steam room?”

“I mean, it wasn’t just his penis that I sat on. It was a good mixture of thigh, cock, and pelvis - at least, I think. The thing was massive, I couldn’t have dodged it if I’d tried.” I toss that last bit in just to keep him going because I know it’ll get him laughing even harder. This is what we do—no doubt, we’re themost immature adults in the Hamptons, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

He finally catches his breath and sits forward, pressing his fingers into his sides to stop the laughter as if he can push it back into his gut. “Did it slip inside of you?”

“No! Oh my god, James, there was no way that thing couldslipanywhere. And stop talking about it!” I try to straighten my face but end up doubling over in laughter again. “How am I going to do this? I have to be professional now. He’s myemployer.And a grandpa! I can’t think about his enormous package every time I look at him.”

“You don’t have to do shit,” he shoots back laughing again. “It sounds like he needs some humor in his life. Please tell me he didn’t get hard after you sat on it?”

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