Page 62 of The Billionaire's One-Night Stand Nanny

But sleeping with a parent at the school where you taught… that was potentially career-ruining.

And we already knew it was impossible to keep this secret for long. We hadn’t even managed to make it three months.

Still, selfishly, I couldn’t stop myself from asking: “You’ve been my nanny this whole time. I don’t understand why–”

She didn’t wait for me to finish. “And you’ve known that this didn’t have any future to it.”

Please, Ryan, don’t.

This is what I want.

My stomach twisted.

“You’re right,” I said. “Of course, you’re right.” She was still, the sheet draped around her soft waist and her spine straight. I’d been thinking of this as my death warrant, but signing it had given her her job back. Herlife. Wasn’t that a trade I should be willing–evenhappy–to make?It would have to be,I determined, gritting my teeth. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t have… have pushed you.”

She nodded, her hair falling over her shoulders as she did so, the copper dulled by dampness from our shower together. I wanted to grab it, to pull her under me, to pin her there andkeep her, make hermine–

But I’d promised.

Anything you want.

“I should go,” she murmured.

I kept my promises.

So despite the way my heart shattered, a thousand shards of heartbreak lancing through the last remaining hope in my chest, I just nodded. Called Daniel to take her where she wanted to go.

And that night I slipped between the sheets of my cold bed half-drunk and more alone than I’d felt in ten years.

And sent a text to Barrett, who would still be awake, and probably still working.

I need to take you up on that offer of a blind date.

His response was immediate:no problem. sat 8 pm @ mignon work for you?

CHAPTER30

Flora

The black caroutside of my apartment had always looked elegant. Not inconspicuous, not in this neighborhood at least, but understated.

Today, it looked like a hearse.

I slid into the backseat, feeling like I was going to my own funeral.You should be happy,Flora, I reminded myself. I had gotten everything I wanted. My rent was paid. I had a job again, my dream job. My sister’s business would pick up soon, I was sure of it.

And I’d had a wonderful and unexpected summer fling, more than I’d ever dreamed of when I followed a handsome stranger at a book launch home for a one-night stand.

You have nothing to whine about, Flora Connelly.

“Here we are, Miss,” Daniel said as we pulled up outside the now-familiar facade of Ryan and Maddie’s house.

“Thanks,” I said.

I took a deep breath and hiked up my smile again.

Ryan didn’t meet my eye as I peeked into the kitchen to see him collecting his briefcase, his tumbler of coffee.

“Good morning, Maddie,” I said, then hesitated before adding, “Mr. Walker.”