Page 6 of At Her Service (Club Velvet #2)

CHAPTER 6

A bby stared up at the Hollywood Hills mansion in the distance as she turned into the driveway, stopping before the ornate iron gates. The sprawling two-story house sat at the top of a hill, rising above everything else.

Abby grabbed her phone and checked the address again. Yep, this is Valerie’s house. Here goes nothing.

She rolled down her window and pressed a button on the intercom next to the gate, glancing at the camera above it. A few seconds later, the gate rolled open.

Taking a deep breath, she put her car in drive and made her way up to the mansion. Why was she so nervous? Valerie wasn’t the first wealthy parent she’d worked for. But she was the only one who made Abby’s heart stop with just a look and had a voice that made her whole body burn.

She parked her car in the driveway. The enormous mansion was even more impressive up close. The sun was setting, the orange sky reflecting in the glass windows that made up every wall of the house, and it was high enough in the hills that even this far inland Abby could see the ocean stretching out beyond the Los Angeles cityscape.

She stepped out of the car, trying not to think about how out of place her old junker looked in front of the opulent mansion. When she reached the front door, she took a moment to compose herself, then rang the doorbell.

A few seconds passed. Then, the door opened and Valerie appeared, dressed in a light tan pantsuit and black heels that made her long legs look even longer. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders in tight curls, and her lips were a deep, rich crimson. She looked just as tantalizing as she had in the park that day.

And like that day, she sent Abby’s heart racing.

“Abby. I’ve been waiting for you.” Valerie looked her up and down. “Why don’t you come in?”

Abby followed her into the wide-open living space. The inside of the house was much like the outside, all crisp edges and glass, with marble floors and modern art. But it didn’t feel harsh or sterile. The evening sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which gave the mansion a cozy warmth and brightness. So did the fluffy oversized cushions on the couch and the luxuriously soft rug on the floor that Abby longed to sink her bare feet into.

And there were plenty of signs of Hazel’s presence, from the high chair at the dining table to the brightly colored wooden toy chest beside the couch and the discreet baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. The entire mansion, inside and out, had been meticulously designed, every element intentionally curated.

Abby turned back to Valerie. She’d been gawking for too long. “You have a beautiful home.”

“It’s only a few years old,” Valerie said. “I had it built just before Hazel was born so she could have a place of her own to grow up in, something truly unique and special.”

She led Abby over to the couch and gestured for her to sit. Abby sat down obediently.

“I’ve just put Hazel to bed, so let’s get down to it.” Valerie took a seat in the armchair across from her. “As you know, I’m looking to hire a new nanny. It’s a full-time, live-in position. You’ll work for me and only me.”

“That’s not a problem. I quit my old job, so I’m completely free.” Abby would have to talk to Erin about it, but it wouldn’t be hard for her to find a new roommate to take over half the lease.

“Good, because there’s one thing I need you to understand.” Valerie crossed one leg over the other, folding her hands neatly on her lap. “My daughter is my world. I’m entrusting her to you with the expectation that you give her, and your work for me, your undivided attention. That you put your job first.”

Abby nodded. Unlike that day at the park, Valerie was all business this evening. But that only made her more enticing.

“While I may have high standards, I’m not an unreasonable woman. In return for your service, you can expect generous compensation. Double your old salary, as agreed. Full benefits, your own room, all food and meals included, ample time off. If you’re going to be responsible for my child, I need you well-rested and at your best. You’ll work no more than 40 hours a week, however, I expect some flexibility in terms of when you work. Do you have any other commitments? Family, regular engagements or appointments?”

Abby shook her head. “I can be available whenever you need me.”

“Oh?” Valerie swept her eyes down Abby’s body, then back up again. “Surely a young woman like you has plenty to do with her time. No boyfriend or girlfriend to keep you busy?”

“Nope. I’m all yours.”

Valerie’s lips curled up slightly. “Good to know.”

Abby’s cheeks grew hot. But Valerie’s smile soon disappeared.

“Let me be honest. I’ve already vetted you—called your references, verified your credentials, run a background check—and I’m satisfied with what I found. And we already know Hazel likes you. With that in mind, I’d like to take you on for a trial. One week, starting next Monday. How does that sound?”

“That sounds great,” Abby said.

“Do you have any questions for me? Any reservations or issues you’d like to discuss?”

“No, nothing comes to mind.”

Valerie studied Abby’s face. “You seem nervous. Is something the matter?”

“Not at all.”

Valerie leaned forward in her chair. “Now, Abby, we don’t want to start our working relationship off on a lie, do we?”

A shiver rolled down Abby’s body. Was it that obvious how hot and bothered she was?

Was it obvious why ?

“I…” She glanced away for a moment. “I guess I’m just a little intimidated by you.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Well, you’re so famous and talented, and—” Abby held up her hands. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not some obsessed fan. I didn’t even know who you were until after you left the park and I looked at your business card…”

Abby cringed. With every word she spoke, she was making things worse.

“But I do know your work,” she said. “I’ve seen most of your movies. And I’ve watched every single episode of LA Legal .”

“I’m impressed,” Valerie said. “ LA Legal was my first production gig, and not my best work. The network had far too much control over it.”

“It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. It has been since I was a teenager. I had the biggest crush on Monica.”

Valerie raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Way to out yourself to your boss. The last thing Abby needed was for it to be even more obvious that she was into Valerie.

But judging by the look in her eye, Valerie already knew.

“You’re not the first woman who has told me as much,” she said. “A strong, confident lawyer like Monica has a certain appeal. My one regret is that I didn’t fight harder to have her end up in a relationship with the detective.”

“You mean Evelyn? I always thought they were supposed to be a couple.”

Valerie nodded. “But the network wouldn’t allow it back then, so the best I could do was hint at their relationship by having them drive off into the sunset together at the end of the finale.” She sat back in her seat. “Back to the topic at hand. Let me reassure you that you have no reason to feel intimidated by me. If you’re going to work for me, live here with me, I want you to feel comfortable around me. Just pretend you’re babysitting for the mom next door.”

“Right. Sure.” But thinking of Valerie as the mom next door didn’t make her any less alluring.

She rose to her feet. “Let me show you around.”

Abby got up and followed, Valerie’s heels clicking on the marble floors as she led her to the stairs. The second floor was a labyrinth of halls and rooms, each of which Valerie described as they passed. There was a playroom for Hazel, stocked to the brim with books, crafts, and toys. Her bedroom, a forest of green filled with bespoke toddler-sized furniture, a magical woodland mural flowing across every wall. A guest suite and several spare bedrooms, each with their own spacious bathroom. A theater room and a cozy reading room. And the main bedroom, Valerie’s room. All were meticulously neat and tidy. There was none of the usual chaos caused by a toddler.

Valerie stopped at a door midway between Hazel’s bedroom and her own. “This will be your room.”

Abby peered inside. The “room” was more like a full-sized hotel suite. In the center was a plush king-sized bed, a spacious sitting area off to the side. A loveseat sat by the large window, which provided a picture-perfect view of the sun setting over the city. At the other end of the room were two doors, one leading to a generously sized ensuite bathroom furnished with marble counters, gold fixtures, and a vast bathtub. The other led to a walk-in closet that was twice as big as her apartment bedroom.

Abby blinked. She was gawking again. “This looks great.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Valerie said. “I want you to feel at home here. You’re free to make use of the rest of the house, aside from my bedroom and my study. It’s downstairs. I’ll show you.”

Valerie led her back downstairs and over to a door just off the living room. It had a keypad next to it.

“My study stays locked at all times,” she said. “It isn’t safe for a child, and I keep sensitive material inside, so it’s off-limits to both you and Hazel, understand?”

“Yes, of course.” Valerie was a Hollywood executive. She probably had unreleased movie scripts and other top-secret material to protect.

They moved on to the home gym and the rest of the downstairs rooms before Valerie led her outside to show her the deck and crystal-clear pool. Then they headed back inside and into the kitchen.

“Help yourself to anything in the fridge at any time,” Valerie said. “Emergency contacts are here. If you can’t get a hold of me, try Simone first, then go down the list.”

Abby nodded. Valerie was far better prepared than most of the parents she’d worked for before.

“That’s the tour done. But there’s one last thing we need to discuss.” Valerie’s expression grew serious. “I value my privacy, and Hazel’s even more so. As a woman in the public eye, my family and I are under constant scrutiny. So I ask that you keep anything to do with me and Hazel under wraps. You will not speak about the details of your job to anyone. You will not post about it on social media. You will not take any photos or videos while you’re under this roof or out with Hazel. While I’m accustomed to being under the media’s spotlight, I will not let my daughter be subjected to it.”

“Of course. I understand.”

“Then we’re on the same page. You’ll sign an NDA before you start, but that’s nothing more than a piece of paper.” Valerie rested an arm on the counter next to her and leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Abby. “What I want, what I value more than any legal document, is your word.”

Abby nodded. “You have it.”

“Good.”

Silence fell between them. But Valerie didn’t take her eyes off Abby. Instead, she studied her even more intently.

“There’s one last question I have for you,” Valerie said. “One thing I’m curious about. What made you change your mind about taking this job?”

“Well, my old job was the only thing stopping me from taking you up on your offer,” Abby said. “So after I quit, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. This job sounds great. And Hazel seems like a good kid.”

“So that’s why you called me up in the middle of the night?”

“Right.” Abby glanced down sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

“I didn’t mind. I was glad to hear from you. So tell me, why did you quit your old job?”

Abby shrugged. “Honestly? The kids’ parents treated me like crap, and I decided I wouldn’t stand for it any longer.”

Was it a mistake to be so honest with her new boss? It wasn’t exactly professional.

But Valerie only nodded. “Good for you. Rest assured, you won’t be mistreated while working for me. As I told you the other day, a good nanny is worth her weight in gold, and I will treat her as such.”

Valerie’s words echoed in Abby’s mind again. I’ll make sure you’re treated right.

Just like you deserve.

Abby’s pulse fluttered. Why did those words send all kinds of indecent thoughts racing through her mind?

Valerie straightened up. “If you don’t have any more questions for me, I’ll see you out.”

As Valerie led her to the door, Abby pulled herself together. And when she left the house and made her way to her car, she could feel Valerie’s eyes following her.