Page 93 of Nanny for the Bodyguard
Easton laughs, mussing her hair a little bit. “Of course, you get to pick, kiddo. It's not like we're going to watch the adult movies with you. I'm not interested in giving you any nightmares.”
“I amtenyears old. Movies don't give me nightmares anymore.”
Easton makes a face at her, completely not believing what she said, and Jade starts to crumble underneath the pressure as he doesn't say anything.
“Okay, fine. I saw that one movie with my friends, andmaybeI had a hard time sleeping, but it won't be like that because we'll put on something fun.”
Easton chuckles again, and I smile at both of them, dinner not sitting right in my stomach, and I reach out my hand toward Jade.
“All right, cutie, let's go. We'll pick out a movie.”
Easton walks toward the cupboard. “And I will put on some popcorn as I usually do. Extra butter?”
Jade and I both answer at the same time, “Yes!”
The remainder of the night goes as planned. We watch a movie, which is a fun one, and Jade falls asleep about thirty minutes before the end.
I walk her upstairs, making sure that she brushes her teeth really well, considering we had so much sticky food and popcorn tonight. Then I tuck her into bed.
She doesn't even need me to read her a story this time because she's already asleep again. My heart pinches in my chest.
I love this little girl, and I can't let anything happen to her.
That thought has been plaguing me every second of the day. So I've made up my mind. I'm going to go over to my house, my apartment that has been empty for way too long, and I'm going to put some distance between all of us.
If Neil comes looking, he's going to find the apartment first. And I want him to stop his search there.
I don't want him to make it to Jade and Easton. I want to protect them, even if that means sacrificing something that I want so badly.
When I come back down the stairs, Easton is sitting on the couch. He hears me and clicks off the TV. It was playing some type of sports event. I didn't even get a chance to see it.
He stands up and gives me a smile. Walking over, I wait for him to reach me, knowing that he's going to wrap his arms around me like he always does.
When they circle my waist, I nuzzle my face into his chest, breathing in his scent.
This is the last night I'm going to get to spend with him like this, and every part of me believes that I need to make it worth everything.
Shoving everything I'm feeling aside except for the instant draw to this incredible man, I look up into his eyes and put my hands on his face.
“Hey. I think she's asleep, and I think you and I should go upstairs.”
Easton seems a little surprised by my forwardness, but he doesn't resist, giving me that cocky grin and scooping me into his arms.
“I agree.”
He carries me up the stairs, and we go to his bedroom. I cling to him as we push through the quiet house.
This is your last chance. Hazel. This is the last time you're going to see him like this. Make it worth it.
When he sets me down on my feet, my hands go right back to his face, and I pull him down for a kiss. I give everything I have to that movement, sliding my tongue through his lips as he eagerly welcomes me in.
Our tongues dance together, this perfect rhythm we always seem to find within seconds. I close my eyes tight, hoping to block everything else out.
For right now, there is no Neil. There is no past. There is no fake dating. There's just us. And I'm going to enjoy myself this one last time before I deal with everything reality has thrown at me.
Easton leans back, sucking in a breath, and I smile at him, not letting him know how my brain is dwelling on everything to do with Neil.
“Well, I'll admit this is a little bit of a surprise.”
