Page 13 of Kingpin's Nanny

She huffs with dismissive laughter.

I’m tempted to point out that half the Christmas cake she and Ivy made, I stole to eat in my office. Bella is very attractive to me. Even more so than fruit cake.

Part of me wished I had been here from the beginning of her show, but that just wasn’t an option. Ivy got really upset that Bella wasn’t there at bedtime. Bella had told her she wouldn’t be, but through tired snivels, Ivy said she was worried Bella wouldn’t have anyone to spend Christmas with. I didn’t have the heart to explain that Bella hadaskedfor the time off. I certainly wasn’t going to tell her that as we spoke, Bella was probably preparing for her evening’s fun.

I nearly called Bella, multiple times. Ivy just wouldn’t settle. On any other night I would kiss her and let her get to sleep on her own. But there was no way I could leave Ivy tearful and unhappy. I thought it was a bonus staying with Ivy kept me away from the temptation of Bella.

I told myself it didn’t matter, because I wouldn’t turn up for the livestream anyway, because that would be filthy and immoral. I would only log into OnlySantas to ensure Bella had left and got her money.

I never expected to open a video link to the girl I love and want in equal amounts perfectly framed on her bed, sprawled out with only a Santa hat on and her fingers on her sweet, pink pussy. On display for me, like a feast for a starving man.

But itdid matter.

I’ve been thinking of this the wrong way around, protecting myself. I should have turned up, because Bella deserves to feel as gorgeous as she is.

I sweep my hand through my hair and curse.

You are sexy.

And I am going to hell for this. But some truths cannot be denied.

She looks down like a kicked puppy. “The man I want doesn’t think so.”

Then he’s an idiot.

“Don’t talk about him like that!”

My eyebrows hit the ceiling as jealousy poisons my gut.

A protective little elf, aren’t you?

“He’s great. He’s just…” She looks wistful. “He doesn’t want me.”

I’ll kill whoever this man is. I’m going to find out who he is, and end him. Who could possibly look at Bella and not want her? Who could resist being the person she loved and defended?

Someone who doesn’t deserve her, the back of my mind whispers.Likeyou.

Usually, I’m exactly wrong for Bella, but tonight, I’m anonymous. Right now, I’m not her much older boss who shouldn’t want his niece’s nanny, for fuck’s sake. For this moment only, I’m the lucky bastard who can comfort her.

I want you.

A pleased smile creeps across her face. “Really?”

Yes.

“I’m alone for Christmas, and that kinda sucks.”

She doesn’t deserve to feel unloved. Not when she is so very loved by Ivy and me. My heart goes brittle. I did this. I shouldn’t have agreed to her having any vacations, at all.

Or if I’d given her time off each week like she asked for originally, maybe she could have been willing to be with us for Christmas, as she belongs.

“Are you alone?” she asks, a little wary.

I laugh to myself. Sometimes she’s naive. I’m watching her sex show on Christmas Eve. Of course I’m alone.

Yes.

And I mean that in every sense of the word. I’m alone right now, and I will be tomorrow too. I’m alone in the world.