Page 13 of Nanny for the Single Dad Cowboy
I let out a shaky breath, running my fingers over the sheets, trying to calm myself. Deep breaths. Focus. I came here to work, so I’ll get the job done. It’s Sienna’s name on the line, and I will not ruin her reputation with my fear.
Speaking of Sienna, I yank my phone from my pocket and punch in her number. I need my best friend to help me organize my thoughts. It rings twice before her voice bursts through like she’s been waiting for this exact moment.
“Tess, finally, are you okay? How is everything? Are you melting yet, or have you discovered a secret Texas snowstorm?”
I groan dramatically, flopping back onto the bed. “Oh, hilarious. Yes, I’m sweating like a pig in silk sheets. Yes, I might spontaneously combust any second now. But no, everything is not okay. It’s far from it.”
“What’s wrong? You’ll survive the heat and everything else, like venomous snakes, dust, and cowboys.”
My pulse stutters at the last word, and I cover the phone with my hand. “Ha-ha, very funny. Speaking of cowboys, remember that guy I—“ I pause, trying to keep my voice neutral. ”—ran into before?”
“Which one? You run into a lot of boys.” She giggles.
“Shut up! I do not.”
“Okay, fine, you do not. Which guy?”
“The one I met at the tech summit.”
“The cowboy?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t tell me—“
“Yes! He owns Iron Stallion—no wonder the name sounded familiar,” I explain.
“Honestly, I thought you made him up.” Sienna cackles.
“Si!”
“What? Can you blame me? A cowboy in a wheelchair who fucked you to a sleep coma—come on. It sounded like the perfect porn script.”
“Sienna, this is serious. What do I do?” I panic.
She clears her throat. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Let me guess, you’re pretending not to know him?”
“Of course I am. I’m not stupid, Sienna. But it’s like everything that led me here, every stupid decision, every threat I dodged—all of it landed me in front of him again. And I have to act like I don’t know him, which is harder than it sounds.”
Jace and I spent the morning together, him showing me around the ranch and the office while I tried my best to remain professional, pretending I didn’t remember every inch of his naked body.
Sienna snickers, then teases, “You, sweating in that palace with pink hair and city-girl clothes, while trying not to melt under a cowboy’s gaze? I’d pay good money to see it. Maybe I should rethink Miami and come to Texas instead.”
I roll my eyes. “Funny. Except I might actually combust before I even get my work done. It’s hot as hell here; the air is like soup. And this room...” I wave my hand around vaguely. “It’s bigger than my last apartment. And hotter. And I’m already regretting every choice that brought me here.”
“You sound like a diva,” Sienna says, laughing again. “But also like someone who’s surviving the apocalypse in heeled boots. I love it.”
I groan. “You love it? You’re terrible. But yes, I’m surviving. Barely.”
Sienna’s teasing fades, and her tone softens. “Okay, listen. Turn on the air conditioning, suck it up, and keep your cover, Tess. Focus on the job, don’t get distracted, or let him know anything.”
I stare at the ceiling, exhaling a shaky breath. “Okay,” I whisper, quieter now. “I’ll do it. Keep my head down, survive, get the job done, and leave before anyone figures anything out.”
“Atta girl,” Sienna says, her tone warm. “And Tess? Don’t forget, your life’s more important than pride. Stay safe.”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. The tension in my shoulders eases slightly. The room is still hot, the place overwhelming, and the man I can’t let myself remember is somewhere out there, probably watching my every move.
But for now, I’m safe.
