Page 12 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

CHAPTER TEN

Gemma

A fter what feels like the longest week, I wake up early on Saturday morning and the sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day, and I want to do something special. I don't just want to hang around the house all day.

Choosing a new long pink and green maxi dress, I pull it over my head. I pick out some brown wedges, sliding them on to finish the outfit. I grab my sunglasses and head downstairs.

The house is unusually quiet. Fern is busy today, and I still haven't spoken much to my family.

They think I'm being silly. Being as stubborn as I am, I’m not apologising first, so that leaves me to my own devices.

I do a Google search of local things to do, and I find something that piques my interest.

I switch apps and scroll through the local food delivery companies, finding one that makes picnics to order.

After a little deliberation, I opt for sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and a fruit platter.

They even have fresh orange juice and bottled spring water.

I search through the house and find a picnic basket and a blue blanket—perfect for what I need .

I make coffee for Alex and prepare a light snack for breakfast for the kids, just a small bowl of cereal each. At least that's something I can't mess up. Alex comes downstairs as I'm bringing the groceries in.

"What's all this?" he asks.

"I thought we'd have a picnic," I say with a big smile. "Get out of the house for a bit."

Alex doesn't argue; he simply nods and drinks his coffee. He pulls a face, and I bite my lip.

"Too much coffee?" I inquire.

"It's fine," he says with a half-hearted smile. "You tried."

Alex drives us to the local park. It’s already busy, but we find a spot under a tree which gives us some shade.

“This is a great idea,” Alex says, he looks relaxed in his dark blue chino shorts and white t-shirt. This is the first time I have seen him dressed so casually. My hungry eyes trace the outline of his body. He is rather hot.

“I know,” I tell him.

Alex lays down the blanket, and Eden helps me unpack the picnic. She finds a cupcake and before I can stop her, she takes a huge bite.

“You’re meant to eat the snacks after your sandwich,” Alex tells her.

She has a cheeky smile on her face. Taking another huge bite, all I can see are the crumbs spilling out of her mouth.

Alex, Ace, and Eden soon play football while I lie down on the grass with my eyes closed, trying to improve my suntan. It feels right being out here with them like this, all together.

“Hello, again.” I wince at the voice that greets me. It's like nails on a chalkboard .

“Penny.” My eyes open. She is standing over me in her summer outfit, but George isn’t with her.

“Are you having a nice time?” she asks, her voice is far too sweet.

“Yes, thanks. You?” I will her to go away.

“I’ve not heard from Alex. Did you pass on my number?” she asks curiously. I think we both know I didn't.

“No, actually, I forgot, I’ll do it now,” I say, sitting up.

“It’s okay. I’ll do it,” she says.

She walks over while they are mid-game. Rude .

“Penny?” I hear Alex say, kicking the ball to Ace.

“Hi, Alex.” Penny’s voice grates on me.

The children moan when they see who their father is now talking to.

She is getting too close to him. Move away, bitch.

I’m surprised at myself. I don't have any right to be possessive over Alex, but I know a bimbo when I see one, and she's it. She’s looking for money, and Alex is that ticket for her.

“I’ll play with you,” I tell the kids. I get up, going over to them.

We kick the ball between us. Ace has moved positions; he stands in front of his father. I stare at Alex and Penny. My eyes narrow as Penny touches Alex’s arm. It sends shivers down my spine. He isn’t mine, but I don’t want her near him either.

“To me,” Ace shouts.

A stupid thought pops into my head. Lining the ball up, I hitch my dress to just above the knees. Taking aim at Penny, I kick it as hard as I can. It goes up in the air, higher than I anticipated, and smacks Alex on the forehead.

Hard.

“Alex, shit!”

He stands there, unsure of what just transpired, and pats his head.

“You said a swear word,” Eden shouts.

“I know.” I run over to Alex, who looks a bit dazed .

“Are you okay? You poor thing.” Penny is all over him, rubbing his head.

I doubt that is helpful.

“Dad.” Ace and Eden follow me.

“I’m okay. What did I do to upset you?” he jokes.

“Gemma did a swear, Daddy.” The little tattletale. “She said sh.. iii?—”

“Eden, no," Alex and I both say at the same time.

“Gemma is an adult. She shouldn’t say those words in front of you, but if she does, you never repeat them. I have a bit of a headache now,” Alex says, shaking his head a little.

“You have a lump.” Penny touches him again, she examines him, ignoring the children.

“I’m not surprised. Did you see that thing flying at me?” Alex smirks at me. "You could have been a professional striker."

“I’m sorry. I can’t play football very well.”

“Daddy, will we have to chop off your head?” Eden asks, laughing like a wild animal at her father’s injury.

“I hope not.”

Ace glares at Penny the whole time. It doesn't go unnoticed by me; it’s what I do when I don't like someone.

Once Penny leaves us and the swelling starts to go down on Alex’s head, we decide to take a walk. I carry the picnic basket while Alex has Eden on his shoulders, and Ace carries the football.

“I want an ice cream.” Eden moves her father’s head sideways so he can’t miss the ice cream truck.

“I have an injury. On my head,” Alex points out.

“Look, Daddy.” Eden keeps his head still, making sure he can see.

“Who wants an ice cream?” Alex asks.

Ace is just a bit ahead of us and Eden is between Alex and me as we walk with our ice cream cones .

“Gemma, hold my hand,” Eden demands, slurping the last bit of her ice cream.

Her fingers are a sticky mess. She gives the soggy cone to Alex. As that part isn’t nice.

“Let’s wash your hands first. I’m not touching those mucky fingers,” I tell her.

She puts her hands out to grab hold of me.

“Eden, no, no…” I run away from her, her wild little laugh following me.

I look behind to see Ace has joined her.

I throw the picnic basket down so I can run faster.

The children are coming for me, screaming with laughter.

Turning my head to see where they are, I don't notice a dog that’s running towards me.

I skid at the last minute to avoid landing on top of the terrier, and I twist my ankle.

I end up on my side, my dress half way up my body.

A throbbing pain sears through my ankle. The owners come over to apologise and check on me; it is an accident, of course. Alex runs over with the picnic basket that I discarded.

“Are you okay?” He sits down next to me, looking at my ankle. He’s gentle as he lifts it up.

“It’s sore. I’m not sure I can walk on it,” I moan.

Alex’s thumb massages it in small circular motions. “Good news, I don’t think it’s broken, just sprained.” He looks at me. "That's what you get for running from little monsters," he jokes.

“Just what I need. Can you help me up, please?” I ask.

“Ace, take the basket. Eden, the ball.” He bends down, lifting me in his arms.

“What on earth are you doing?” I almost yell.

“Carrying you.”

“Put me down.” I struggle to get out of his arms.

He places me back on the grass. Struggling to get up on my feet, Alex crosses his arms over his chest as he watches me. But I do it. I get myself off the ground only to fall into him, supporting myself on his arms.

“I’ll hold onto your arm,” I suggest.

“Get on, I’ll give you a piggyback.” He bends down. The car is a good mile away.

Hitching my dress up, I climb on. “Forward.” I point to the car, kicking him with my good foot on the one side like I was riding my old horse, Broomstick.

“Do you want to walk?” The gruff tone means he isn't amused by my antics.

“Sorry…” I try not to laugh.

Alex’s walking pace is slow.

“Good boy.” I pat his head. “I’ll give you a special treat when we get back.”

I feel Alex tense underneath me. “Maybe this should be a quiet walk,” he suggests.

“Daddy, I want you to be my horse when we get back,” Eden says.

I hear him groan so only I can hear, as he carries on back to the car.

Once the children are in their seats, Alex helps me in. “You should be okay in forty-eight hours. Until then, rest it,” he tells me.

Once I am sitting and comfortable, he puts my seatbelt on me. “I can do that,” I protest.

Putting his hands in the air, he backs off.

Alex

She almost gives me a hard-on in the park.

I have to keep repeating the words, ‘ I’ll give you a little treat when we get home.

’ They may be completely innocent, but my dick doesn't get that message.

It thinks she means something else: on her knees, in front of me.

What is this woman doing to me? I need to put some distance between us .

“Gemma, will we have to cut your foot off?” Eden asks, breaking the silence between us.

“No, she’s not going to cut her foot off. Are you?” Ace adds, double-checking.

“I hope not.” Her face changes as she tries to hold in a belly laugh, but it is too late.

Tears are rolling down her face as she can’t stop them. This makes me crack, and soon we are all in hysterics, with the children making silly jokes about her. It isn't even that funny, but the four of us bonded.

It takes a while before we all calm down so I can drive back home. With the radio blasting and our singing skills being put to the test, I can’t think of a time when we have been this happy as a family. That is all down to Gemma.

When we get back, Gemma hobbles to the sofa, holding my arm tight, I feel her fingernails digging into me.

“Thank you,” she says as I help lay her down and grab some cushions for her to rest her foot on.

“Thank you for today. We all needed it.” I kiss the top of her head.

The action surprises us both. Her face flushes pink, and I walk off. What the hell is wrong with me? It was a reflex, automatic. It felt right, but it is wrong. Jesus, she's sixteen years younger than me, and she’s my nanny.

I go to the bathroom and lock myself in there. I run the shower, get undressed, and climb in, reaching down to masturbate. Thinking of those words, that promise of a treat for being a good boy. I am a good boy… I can't be doing this. But I can't help myself as I picture her on her knees, either.