CHAPTER FIVE

Alex's POV

I turn off the lights in Jack's room, lingering for a moment as I watch him sleep peacefully. He spent the entire car ride home raving about Celine, singing her praises, telling me how she'd beaten a game level for him, how "cool" she was. He talked about her the way he talks about superheroes he admires.

Jack liked her.

And that... made me happy. More than it should.

Celine looked just as gorgeous as the first time I met her. Maybe even more so. Today she was dressed casually, a short skirt, a tight sweater that showed off her impressive chest, which I felt guilty for even noticing. She wasn't wearing the red lipstick from the first day, but her lips were shiny from some gloss, drawing my eyes anyway. She had stacked silver necklaces and big bangles that somehow looked like pieces of art on her.

Too young, I remind myself. Way too young. Will's niece. And I shouldn't be looking at her at all.

When we got home, Jack passed out on the couch immediately after finishing the chicken soup I made him. I had to wake him just enough to get him changed into pajamas, brush his teeth, and get into bed. Then he called his mother, like he does every night. It's their thing something he looks forward to. If she ever can't call, she leaves him a voice note.

It helps him sleep. Helps him feel connected to her.

Which is why I'm sure he's been acting out. He went from living full-time with her to only seeing her on weekends. That's a big adjustment for a ten-year-old. Too big, maybe.

He misses her. And even if she tries her best, it's not the same.

I lean against the doorway, watching the rise and fall of his chest. He looks so small like this. So vulnerable.

I'm doing everything I can. But sometimes it feels like I'm failing him anyway.

I run a hand over my face and head back downstairs. The house feels too quiet, too big. I pour myself a glass of water, and my phone vibrates against the counter.

A message from Will.

Call me when you can. It's about the nanny.

I'll just wait to see Will tomorrow, I needed a shower then I needed some sleep.

I exhale slowly, knowing I needed to fix things.

I get into the shower and almost immediately.

Celine. She comes into view in my head as the water warm sprays over me.

I close my eyes to relive the swell of those breasts in the tight sweater she was wearing. I imagine pulling it up staring at her gorgeous chest, knowing for a fact she looked good everywhere.

Her miniskirt was so tight around her ass they could have been painted on. I imagine riping the material, I longed to tear that rip the whole way up to her crotch.

Those lips, fuck those full sexy lips that I could only get away with staring at. Imagining those lips wrapped around my cock drinking me up. My cock twinges at the thought of her kneeling in front of me, eyes looking up as I hit the back of her throat.

I was just another man in the audience lusting over the younger girl and it made me sick which immediately pulled me from my trance.

I was still horny as f*uck but also aware I shouldn't be think about Celine like that.

Mr. Lawrence comes every weekday and makes breakfast and lunch. Dinner too, on the days I get home late. He’s a butler from an agency the same one that provides our cleaning service, so at least the house always runs like a well-oiled machine, even when I don’t.

After breakfast, I drop Jack off at school. I try to do it myself every day unless something urgent comes up.

“Behave yourself today,” I say as he climbs out of the car.

“I always do,” Jack argues, and I shake my head.

“I’m being serious.”

He nods, finally agreeing. “Okay, Dad.”

“I’ll see you later. Matthew will be here to pick you up,” I add, glancing at my driver. Matthew gives Jack a small wave before Jack runs off toward the school gates.

We head into the office afterward. My secretary follows me into my office with my schedule for the day, and once she leaves, I walk down to Will’s office. I fill him in on my meeting yesterday and the conclusions we settled on.

“So what’s up?” I ask when the work talk is out of the way. “Your message last night. About the nanny.”

“Yeah, that.” Will leans back slightly. “What do you think about Celine?”

My heart does a somersault, but before I can give him anything resembling a coherent answer, he continues.

“I mean as Jack’s nanny. They got along really well yesterday.”

“Yeah, but isn’t she… overqualified? And busy with grad school?” I ask.

“She’s on a break,” Will says. “And it’ll only be temporary. You need someone immediately. Her supervisor wants her to take time off and cool her head. She doesn’t resume for two months, she could help until then.”

He’s convincing. Too convincing.

“You can interview her, of course,” he adds, “but I think she’d be perfect for Jack.”

“Will… she’s young. She has her own life. And I need a live-in nanny. Do you think that’ll be okay for her?” I ask, skeptical.

“Yes. Actually, it’s better that it’s live-in.” Will folds his arms. “She was looking for apartments. This way she can take her time and find something closer to campus for next semester. And honestly? I feel better knowing she’s somewhere safe. I hate the thought of her living alone.”

I exhale slowly, feeling myself already giving in.

“Okay then. How about I interview her and talk to Jack about it afterward?”

“No problem. I’ll give you her number so you can set everything up.”

He says it casually, but something tightens in my chest anyway.

I step back into my office and close the door behind me. Before I can talk myself out of it, I pull out my phone. Will has already sent her number.

I hesitate for half a second. Then I call.

She picks up on the third ring.

“Hello?”

Her voice is soft, warm… distracting.

“Hi, Celine. It’s Alex.”

A small pause. “Oh—hi.”

“I spoke to Will. About the nanny position.” I clear my throat. “I was wondering if you’re available to come in for a quick interview. Nothing formal. Just to see if it’s something you’d be comfortable with.”

“Sure,” she says immediately. “When?”

“Today, if possible.”

Another tiny pause. “Yeah… today is fine.”

“Great. Six o’clock? At home.” I say then I quickly say the address for her, making sure to repeat it so as she doesn't miss it.

“Okay. I’ll be there.”

“Good. See you then.”

I hang up before I can say anything stupid or imagine anything I shouldn’t.

Interviewing her. Professional. Temporary. Simple. 

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Celine. Living in my home. Around me every day.

This is either a great idea… or a really, really terrible one.

Celine has no nanny experience, the credentials, but most importantly she's smart and Jack likes her.

Celine Stone is  fucking beautiful. While she's younger than the women I typically go for, actually I have never dated anyone that young obviously not counting when I was at her age, she does have a lot of the physical traits I often find myself attracted to.

Long full blond hair, her skin is flawless and the color of rich caramel, green eyes, a smile that makes my heart race, and full lips I want to sink my teeth into.

She's shorter than most women I date, her breasts are full and sit up. It took every ounce of restraint to keep my glances downward to a minimum.

I'm not blind to how gorgeous she is or the instant attraction I felt when I first saw her and then when I saw my son playing video games with her, but she's also the first person who's come into my life that I can't stop thinking about but also the first person I've seen my son be so free with. I can't fuck that up just because thinking about her makes my dick hard.

So, all of the lustful feelings I may have for the woman who is moving into my house in a few days if the interview goes well, are going to be locked in a box with a lot of other things I'm currently avoiding. Engaging with my son's nanny beyond any level other than professionally is out of the question.