Page 96 of Fifth Avenue Fling

He looks far too fresh to have spent three days in Vegas. Then again, at thirty-two, he’s got an advantage on me.

“I’m surprised the place didn’t go up in flames while you were away,” I say sarcastically, looking up from my screen. “Successful trip?”

He strolls in and rests a shoulder against the wall. “Expansion of The Regency Casino finally agreed. I thought we were going to have another situation with the building contractors. But way more importantly, I got to squeeze in watching the fight at the MGM. Best heavyweight title fight I’ve seen in decades.”

I nod in agreement. “I caught the last half streaming. Tyson’s a legend.”

“Big brother needs to get out more. All this streaming is turning you into a boring old man.”

“You may be on to something.” I stare at him deadpan. “I slept with my nanny. I slept with Clodagh.”

His eyes widen, and he breaks into annoying howls of laughter.

Frustrated, I slam my laptop shut. “Yes, yes, when you’re ready,” I snap. There’s no way I’ll accomplish anything now.

His laughter dies down to a chuckle. “She’s notyournanny. I have a disturbing image now.”

I heave a sigh. “You know what I mean. I fucked my employee. Clodagh. I’m that guy.” Is this what a midlife crisis looks like?

“Saturday night?”

I nod.

“I’m not surprised by the way you were so fired up. Don’t think Teagan didn’t notice either. She’s twelve, not stupid.”

Shit.

Hetiltshisheadinanamusedsmirk.“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why’d you fuck her?”

Connor asks some stupid questions for someone with a high IQ.

Because all I want to do is fuck her deep and hard every single day of my life, then cuddle her afterward, and it still won’t be enough.

“Why does any man fuck a woman?” I snap.

“Fair enough.” He shrugs. “Where?”

“In the house.” I’m a moron.

His brows lift.

“I know, I know,” I cut in before he can speak. “I don’t do it in the house when Teagan’s there. I broke my own rule. I followed Clodagh down to her studio and…” I slump in my leather wingback chair. “I got carried away. Now she’s barely making eye contact with me and tiptoeing around ever since.”

Guilt washes over me.

It’s been three days since Clodagh and I had sex, and the tension between us is so palpable you could slice it with a blade. She only speaks to me about chores in polite but terse tones.

I feel like shit. I went too far, all to satisfy my own selfish needs. Ishouldn’thave followed her to her studio. I want her to feel safe and at ease in my home, and for the past few nights, she’s looked almost tormented.

This evening after work, I’m going to meet with Teagan’s ballet teacher to see if Clodagh’s instincts are correct. Maybe it’s for the best to create space between me and Clodagh.

His mouth twitches into a smirk. “So what happens now? Are you two in a ‘nanny with benefits’ relationship? She seems like a nice girl; you shouldn’t treat her badly.”

“I’m not trying to treat her badly. I’m trying to be professional,” I say, my chest growing tighter with each word. “She and Teagan are getting along better than the other nannies, so ideally, I don’t rock the status quo.”

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