Page 12 of A Nanny For The Bratva Boss
Thank God, Sofia talks the entire time. About school. Her friends. Some boy named Tyler who pulled her hair at recess. Note to self: find out who Tyler’s father is.
After dinner, Maya starts gathering our plates. “Thank you again; it was delicious. I’ll do the dishes.”
I give herthelook.
She shakes her head, fighting back a smile. “Mikhail, you cooked. Let me…”
I raise an eyebrow.
She huffs, “Bossy.”
I start gathering the rest of the shit on the table.
Sofia giggles. “You guys are funny.”
I’m at the sink when I feel something tugging at my jeans. I look down and find Sofia next to me. She motions for me to bend to her level, and whispers, “I like her.”
I wink. “Me too, kid.”
Straightening back, I call to both my girls, “Go finish your movie. I got this.”
They head back to the living room, and I get on with tidying.
Maya’s here. In my space. Being sweet as fuck to my niece. Making my home feel like something I didn’t know it could be. Yeah, she’s here for fucking good.
Five
MAYA
Sofia’s yawning by the time the movie ends.
“Alright, honey. Time for bed.”
She doesn’t argue. Just stretches and rubs her eyes. “Please come with me?”
My entire heart melts. “Of course.”
I glance at Mikhail. He’s leaning against the doorway, looking all badass hottie, with his big arms crossed, watching us.
I smile, he gives me a nod that has me grinning like a fool, and I take Sofia’s hand. We head upstairs, and she shows me where everything is. Her toothbrush. Her pajamas. The stuffed bear that has to sleep on the left side of the bed, not the right.
“Mr. Bear doesn’t like the right side,” she tells me very seriously.
“Good to know.”
I help her brush her teeth and change into her pink PJs with little stars all over.
She climbs in bed, and I tuck her in, making sure Mr. Bear is on the correct side.
“Will you read me a story?”
“Of course, sweetie. What do you want to hear?”
She points to an illustrated book sitting on the nightstand. It’s a princess story with a modern twist. Where the girl saves herselfandthe prince. Okay, now I want to meet Mikhail’s sister even more. Not only is she raising a kind, polite, confident kid, but she’s teaching her the right values as a girl. Kudos, sis.
I’m halfway through the story when I feel him. And all my girl-power thoughts fly right out the window. Because, holy shit, look at this man. Who wouldn’t want to be manhandled, then spoiled by all that’s Mikhail Maksimov? Feel his huge hands all over your body, have his pile of muscles on top of muscles press you into a mattress, feel the burn of his scruff, get your hands on his…
“Maya?” Sofia calls, and I snap my head up.
