005— Game Over — Or Just Starting?

...RILEY...

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He’s staring at my legs.

Heck, who would’ve guessed my crush… my obsession… would find me attractive? My heart’s doing a weird kind of dance, half panic, half excitement.

And the best part? He’s trying to be discreet about it but I see right through him.

Looking away, he said. “You shouldn’t be here,” . “I thought I made myself clear. You stay out of this house. We don’t need you. Hell, I don’t even want you here.”

I lifted an eyebrow, crossing my arms, leaning back against the counter. “Really? Because last I checked, I wasn’t hired by you, Mr. Knight. I’m here because your perfect little wife thought it’d be a good idea to hire me as the nanny. So, congratulations—I’m staying.”

His nostrils flared.. “Stay? You… you have no idea what you’re walking into. You know why I don’t want you here? Because I found out from your boss…you were fired. Drugs, theft… you’re a mess. Do you know how many people I’d have to fire if I let a thief into my house?”

I laughed, bitterly. Drugs? I'm not crazy to do them, but whatever, let him think that low of me. “A thief? Oh, Mr. Knight, thanks for the compliment. But let me clear it up for you—you’re lucky. I’m not here for you. I’m here for your sister. And I’ll have you know, if being fired and ‘messy’ qualifies me to be the best nanny your spoiled kids will ever have, then congratulations, you’ve just hit the jackpot.”

He stared at me like I had just slapped him. And maybe, in a way, I had. My words were sharper than I meant, but I wasn’t backing down.

“You’re too bold,” he muttered, almost under his breath.

I tilted my head, smirking.. “Bold? Honey, I’m honest. It’s different. You should try it sometime instead of yelling at people like I’m some criminal for breathing in your damn house.”

He stalked closer, and suddenly… I felt his hand grab my arm. A cold fire shot up from my shoulder to my spine. “Hey! Let go!” I spat, trying to wrench free. But he didn’t listen.

Before I could process, he slammed me against the wall hard enough that the air left my lungs in a jagged whoosh. “Look here, young lady,” he growled, “look at me while I talk to you.”

I tilted my head, smirk tugging at my lips.“Oh? You want me to get lost in those eyes, Mr. Knight? Because, newsflash… I think I already am.”

His gaze faltered, and his fingers slackened against my skin.

That was all the opening I needed. My palms shot to his chest, shoving him back with a burst of adrenaline. He staggered a step, surprise flashing across his face, and before he could recover, I spun him, slamming him against the wall instead.

The impact echoed through the narrow hallway as I pressed in, holding him there, our breaths tangling in the charged silence that followed. We're not exactly the same height, but okay.

“See, Mr. Knight?” I murmured, eyes locked on his. “You’re not the only one who can slam someone into a wall. How does that feel, Mr. Knight?” I asked, smirking, letting my gaze wander lazily over him, daring him to react.

He froze, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. “Did… did you just…”

“Yep,” I cut him off, tilting my head. “I just did. And I’d do it again. Maybe even worse if you keep staring at me like I’m trouble you want to get into.”

He ran a hand through his hair, and I could see the frustration on his handsome features.

Seeing him up close…

He's undeniably hot…I wanted to kiss him without giving a fuck that he's married.

My thighs were doing it again.

“Waiy, you think this is… funny?” he asked, voice taut with frustration, trying to regain authority.

I shrugged, my smirk widening. “Funny? Maybe a little. Messing with you is the best part of my day so far. You, all serious and angry, thinking you can scare me. Sweetheart, you’re adorable when you’re angry. But also, really… fragile.”

He blinked at me like I’d just insulted his entire existence, but the way his chest rose and fell told me I’d hit a nerve somewhere.

“Do you want me to stop?” I whispered, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. “Or do you like being pinned to your own wall?”

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. For a fraction of a second, he actually looked stunned, like he’d forgotten how to breathe.

And then the door slammed open.

“Oh my God!”

We both whipped around. Cassidy stood frozen in the doorway, her manicured hand still on the knob, her eyes darting between me and Soren.

Her gaze dropped to where my towel was barely clinging to my body and then shot back up to our faces, eyes wide like she’d just walked in on a murder scene.

“Are you two…” she gasped, her voice pitching high, “are you two making out?!”

My stomach lurched.

I'm fucked.