Page 9 of Where the Blacktop Ends (Whitewood Creek Farm #1)

He settles back in his chair, folding his strong arms across his chest where I notice the bulge of his biceps is straining against the fabric. But I know what’s underneath the uptight suit and what he's hiding behind those walls. A thick, veiny, and muscular body.

“There’s nothing. I’m a ruthless staple in New York politics.

I work long, hard hours to get what I want…

and I don’t have time for other things. Being a nanny to my grandson means you will take on that part.

The soft, tender and happy energy in the home.

Keeping the home clean, helping Liam with his laundry and entertaining him.

Keeping him safe. These are things that unfortunately, I don’t have time for right now and need to outsource. ”

“Okay...”

He shakes his head at my use of that word again. “Any boyfriends, Georgia?”

“W-why do you need to know that?”

He glances up from his laptop where he’s typing. “Need to know if you have plans to bring any men into my home while my grandson is asleep.”

“Oh...”

He waits, folding his arms over his chest again.

“No…No boyfriend.”

“Good, because if you ever bring another man into my house while Liam is there, you’ll be fired quicker than you start.”

“Your house?” I squeak. With his stupid broad shoulders, brooding stares, strong jawline, and monster cock under the same roof as me?

He nods. “You realize this is a live-in nanny position, right?”

No.

“Um… yes. That sounds familiar.”

It definitely doesn’t.

“Great. So, if you want to bring a guy around, it’ll need to be on the weekends when he’s with Eleanor. I don’t want him seeing strange men come and go and frankly, it’s a safety concern.”

“Who’s Eleanor? And you won’t have to worry about that, I said I’m single. Plus, why do you automatically assume that the men I date are strange?”

He sucks in a breath like he wants to say more but doesn’t, ending our conversation with a nod of his head instead. Never answering my questions but full of them himself.

“Okay, I have no further questions of you at this time. I need someone quickly because Eleanor, Liam’s current nanny, can’t keep up with him anymore. The Smiths vouched for you, so you have the job if you want it and pass the background check.”

“Geesh, sound more desperate. It doesn’t even sound like you care who you hire.”

He shrugs. “I’m a busy guy and will be traveling next week for work. Either you’re in or you’re out. I’m a straight shooter in every area of my life. Don’t have time to dick around and appease your ego.”

I bite my lip nervously, realizing I know next to nothing about this man—his politics, where he lives, or what kind of world I’m stepping into.

But the truth is, I don’t have a choice.

I’m not ready to go back to Texas and start over, searching for a different career without a college degree.

Nannying is all I know, and more importantly, it’s what I love. And clearly, Mr. Marshall needs help.

“Okay, but I have one question.”

“What’s that?”

“Where are Liam’s parents? You said his mom isn’t around and his dad is your son?”

He rubs his temples again as if such a simple question is causing him stress.

Oh, God, I hope they aren’t dead.

“His father, my son, is in Europe finishing school. His mother, isn’t in the picture.”

I nod my head though still not clear on what that means. Is she going to show up while I’m with Liam? What do I do if she does?

“Did you send your son away for school because you were worried about your image?” I blurt out because I want to know the type of guy I’m about to work for.

“What do you think, Georgia?” he snaps with a scowl, his hazel eyes changing to something much darker.

I shrug because I don’t know. “The last family I nannied for had young kids, so there wasn’t much risk of a scandal, but they were still very particular about who their children were around and how they were seen. They were protective of their reputation, so I guess it’s kind of similar.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

“No, Georgia, I didn’t send Max away. His girlfriend's pregnancy was unexpected, and he wanted to finish school. He left a few months ago to do that, but he’s still close with Liam. I support him completely. I trust that he’ll come back to be Liam’s father when he’s ready.”

Oh.

I nod. “Okay.”

“So, do you want the job?”

His question comes fast, his piercing gaze making it hard to think straight. His eyes bore into me, and I can see he’s the type who doesn’t tolerate much, whether in politics or life. Someone used to getting whatever he wants and expects people to fold under his intense stare.

“I’ll take the job,” I say, feeling a mix of excitement and extreme anxiety.

He tosses the pen he was tapping onto the table and stands.

“Great. I’ll have my assistant send over the official offer, along with the rules and requirements.

You’ll need to move into the house this weekend.

I leave for a business trip on Monday. Your background check will be finalized by then, I’ll put a rush on it. ”

“Oh, okay.”

“Is that a problem?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, that’s fine. My lease is up this month anyway, I just need to tell my landlord.”

“If they give you any trouble, let me know, and I’ll take care of it.”

Yikes .

I'm not sure if he meant to word it that way but it sounds more like a threat than an offer.

“Okay...” I think I should say no. I really, really should, but I already know my okay is confirmation that I’m doing this. That I want to do this.

I open my mouth to say something about how I can’t wait to meet his grandson, but before I can, he turns on his heel and strides out the door, leaving me standing there, speechless with more questions than answers.