Page 81 of The Nanny and the Nerd
“Rowen?” she pressed.
“No problems on my end. We’re ironing out the kinks.”
Penelope nodded. “Yes, the kinks! We are all about the kink.”
Fuck!
He and Penelope stared at each other with pure terror in their eyes as an ominous stretch of silence swallowed the room.
“Madelyn, are you there?” he asked like a child calling out to see if the Boogie Man was still under the bed.
“Yes, I’m here. I spoke with your mother, Rowen.”
Double fuck! Theoh-shitfactor of this call just increased tenfold. This was worse than the time he’d been summoned to the principal’s office in fifth grade for hacking into the school’s computer system and giving every kid in his class straight As.
“Oh, yeah?” he answered.
“She told me about the lovely afternoon she spent with her granddaughter today. I believe there was cookie baking and pizza involved?”
“Did she mention anything else?” he squeaked in what must be the same prepubescent tone he’d used with the fuming principal back in the fifth grade.
“She tells me that Phoebe adores Penny and that the child is doing well in school,” Madelyn continued.
He released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “That’s all true.”
“And you’ve been working long hours,” the woman added with a thread of displeasure.
His anxiety dialed up again.
Why was he scared of this woman? He was worth billions. He was a tech giant. He didn’t need to fear anyone. He was a grown man. Still, in his defense, she did exude a formidable presence. He hadn’t known her long. But in his meetings with her and the guys, the men were on their best behavior. Erasmus, the trash-talking tank of a former athlete, and Mitch, the chef who could barely utter three words without yelling at someone, and Landon, constantly checking his phone, acted like attentive, well-mannered choirboys in her presence.
“I have been putting in long hours and sleeping at the office,” he answered, waiting for her to scold him, but the woman changed tack.
“Penny,” Madelyn crooned.
“Yes, sir, ma’am, Madelyn!” she answered, fanning herself.
It had gotten damn hot!
“Is Rowen meeting your needs?” the woman pressed.
Penelope’s mouth opened and closed a few times. “Excuse me?”
“Is he supplying you with everything you need to fulfill your duties?” Madelyn questioned.
Penelope stilled as her gaze raked down his body. Was she ogling him? Jesus! She was—and he liked it.
She flicked her eyes to the floor. “The supply is good. Tip-top supply. All the supply a nanny could want.”
That made no damned sense!
He stared at the phone. One second passed, then two, then three…
“Ah! That’s good to hear. Rowen, I’ll ask you the same question. Are you satisfied with Penny’s performance?”
He gulped. “Satisfied?”
“Yes, are you satisfied?”
