Page 17 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

From there on, I don’t get to shoot again—not even once.

Ball after ball, Hazel drops them into the pockets until there’s only the eight-ball remaining.

“What the absolute fuck? Since when did you become an expert at pool?”

I’m in utter shock as Hazel grins at me, clearly very happy with herself. She’s definitely kicked my ass, as promised.

Still, there’s a flicker of something in her eyes after she sinks the eight ball, and it’s official that she’s won.

“Well, let’s just say I practiced. Just in case.”

For when I got back from the military…to impress me.Fuck.

“Okaaay,” I drag out, wanting desperately to change the subject, “what do you want for winning?”

Hazel smiles and leans against the pool table, regarding me. I squint at her, all false annoyance, as she reaches up and scratches her chin.

“Go on. Take your time.” I glance up at the clock. “We’ve got four whole hours till closing time.”

She sticks her tongue out at me, reminding me too much of all the nights we had in this bar that went on past closing. How we were kicked out eventually, finding our way back to her place and indulging in another type of fun.

My erection is straining behind my zipper all the more now, and I clear my throat, trying to think about baseball or infected wounds.

Anything to take my mind off the best sex I’ve had in my life.

“Alright, Easton.” Grinning, Hazel reaches for my cue, and I hand it over, narrowing my eyes at her. “I’ll take another drink,andI have a few questions for you. No dodging.”

I stiffen. Answering questions could be a bad fucking idea. But Hazel’s eyes are glowing, and I just can’t say no.

“I suppose I owe you. Still,” I reach for her empty glass and mine, angling myself toward the bar, “all you had to do was ask, Hazel, not kick my ass in pool.”

“Ah, but this wasmuchmore fun.”

I don’t respond; I just shake my head with a reluctant grin and head over to order. I have no clue what the fuck fate is up to bringing this woman back into my life.

I have zero time for a relationship with anyone, let alone the woman I ruined things with. And I don’t want to complicate things between us even more.

Keeping things professional is the best bet for both of us.

Blurring the lines between being friends and being more will only wind up hurting us both. I can’t commit to anything, and Hazel deserves more than that.

Still, in the back of my mind, a tiny voice screams at me. It’s faint, a voice I haven’t listened to in years, but it’s there.

You loved her more than anything else, Easton. You were going to come back, but you were a chicken shit, and you ran.

I shrug all that away. It couldn’t work then, and it won’t work now. There’s no use pretending any different.

I won’t set myself up for pain, and I will never forgive myself if I hurt Hazel again.

So, it’s just drinks and a chat. I can manage that.

Sure, Easton. Sure.

SIX

Hazel

One week. I’ve been working for Easton as his babysitter for an entire week. And it really should be getting easier.