Page 36 of Fifth Avenue Fling

“Fantastic,” Connor booms, clapping his hands together. “I can’t wait to meet you, Clodagh.”

“Me too,” she calls out, confused.

“Show’s over.” Connor pushes to stand and slaps me on the back forcefully. “Try not to bury yourself inside the nanny.”

“Jesus,” I hiss, glaring at his back as he leaves. He meant for her to hear that.

“Uh, Mr. Quinn?” Clodagh asks in a quiet voice after a long beat. “Do you need anything else? If not, I’ll get back to work.”

I realize I’ve been staring at her. “No. Did you read the instructions for Monday evenings?”

She nods. “I’ll have dinner ready at seven o’clock for both of you. Is option four from the menu list okay this evening? Salmon and roasted vegetables?”

“Sure. Actually, no.” Might as well make her sweat. “Teagan likes a nice huntsman pie. Here’s your chance to redeem yourself. Mrs. Dalton makes a superb version.”

“A huntsman… Great.” Her smile falters for a moment, but she quickly recovers. “Consider it done.”

She pushes her hair behind her ear and grabs the laundry basket. The idea of her handling my underwear seems too intimate.

“Mr. Quinn… will you be watching me any more today? Because it might make me feel a little paranoid.”

“No.” My jaw tightens. “It may surprise you that I have to work, considering I’m the CEO.”

She laughs, holding the laundry basket. “Fair enough. Uh, anything else?”

“That’s all for now.” I pause. “There’s A/C, you know? I’ll show you how to use it when I get home.”

Or maybe I won’t.

I hit the mute button.

“Bye!” Clodagh shouts. Her eyes dart around the room guardedly, wondering if she’s still being watched.

My finger hovers over the app button to close it just as my phone rings.

“Yes.” I put Mandy on speaker.

“Alfred Marek was in reception, demanding to speak to you. Security escorted him outside, but he’s hanging around the building.” She pauses. “I thought you should know.”

“The son?”

“Yes.”

“How long?”

“About forty-five minutes. Should we call the police? Technically, he’s not doing anything illegal. He’s just watching the building.”

“He’s waiting for me.” I sigh, scrubbing my face with my hand. I don’t have time for this shit. It sounds like Junior didn’t take his dad’s decision well. “Call the police. I don’t want him harassing any of the staff. I’ll talk to them if you need me to.”

“Right away, sir.” She dials off, and I turn back to the screen to where Clodagh is cleaning.

I have somewhere to be… but…

I hit the zoom button, zooming… zooming… zooming until Clodagh’s face covers the screen.

Heat courses through my veins. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, wondering why I’m entertaining the thought of bending my disobedient nanny over my knee for not paying heed to the man of the house.

This is fucked up.

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