“My previous nanny provided the transportation, so I’d like to keep that as a requirement,” I fibbed, although it wasn’t true since Carlee didn’t start daycare until Ms. Shelly had to quit. Now that she’d started, I knew I would need someone to get her to and from her destination.
“No problem. Now, let me give you a brief summary about our services. We offer hourly and live-in services. Our rates start at twenty-five dollars hourly or twenty-five hundred monthly. Our nannies will provide meal preps throughout the day, cleaning services, and learning activities for the children.
“Should you get a male nanny, bathing will not be recommended unless they can bathe themselves or you’represent during that time. Additionally, our nannies will have security search the home to ensure the home is safe on the first day for both the family and the nanny that’s provided. Does this sound like a good plan for you?”
Impressive.
“It does. And you said I can choose who I want?”
“Yes, ma’am. On the website, you’ll find a list of our nannies with the link to their background checks next to their names. The background check usually takes forty-two hours to come back, so once that clears on both our ends, we can choose a start date for you. Sounds good?”
“Yes. Sounds good.”
“Awesome. Did you want live-in or hourly services?”
“Hourly is fine for now.”
“Okay, and how many days will you need out of the week?”
“All seven. Should there be a time when I’m off, I will keep them informed.”
“Perfect. Do you have any questions for me?”
My first thought was to ask whether Basil was available, but I opted not to since my asking was for personal knowledge. “No, I think I have all the information I need.”
“Great! Thank you for choosing Helping Hands, and we look forward to hearing from you on Thursday.”
“Perfect. Have a good evening.”
“You as well.”
I ended the call and sat back in my chair, deep in thought. My life had been a rollercoaster ride for the past two years, and I felt as if the kids and I needed a vacation. There was too much happening in this one-month span. Between the divorce, Ms. Shelly having to quit, and my caseload being full, there was no doubt thatIneeded some peace. I was tempted to call my cousin Raeley, but she had been so swamped at work, I didn’t want to call and disturb her. I’d usually wait for her call anyway becauseI knew her being an anesthesiologist had her super busy, and I didn’t want to call her with my drama. She was another one of my family members who was crazy. Her mother, my aunt Alexis, passed her crazy down to my cousin, and she was the type who would dope him up and disassemble him.
I went back to my laptop, found a nanny by the name of Yara Dubois, and sent the request for the background check. I then ventured off the site and emailed my travel agent. The kids would be going on spring break in two more weeks, so I wanted to take them to Universal Studios.
Once that was complete, I left my office and ran myself a nice long bath and poured myself a glass of wine. I undressed, tied my hair into a bun on top of my head, then settled into the semi-hot water. I immediately felt my body relax as thoughts of the loc-haired, caramel, light-eyed manny entered my mind.
Just the thought of those succulent lips wrapped around my nipples had my hands roaming over my body until my fingers found my opening, and my other hand pinched my sensitive left breast. The more I rubbed, the more the image of him wrapping his lips around my bud and sucking it while his tongue swirled became clearer.
“Mmm.” I moaned as my mouth grew slack, and my hips activated.
Shit.
I could feel the tingle rise in my groin as my fingers moved faster until I could feel my clit throbbing, and a euphoric feeling washed over me. I sat there for a moment to settle my breathing and shook my head at myself.
I hadn’t masturbated in years, and the shit was embarrassing, to be quite honest. I was embarrassed that I painted the image of a stranger giving me the pleasure that I desperately desired. But I couldn’t deny that I felt more relaxed than I did earlier.
I soaked in the tub for another hour, then let the water out and turned on the shower. I washed quickly, wrapped a towel around me, then proceeded to do my nightly routine. When I stared in the mirror at my reflection, I didn’t even see the woman I used to be anymore.
For the past two years, I could slowly feel myself losing pieces of me because I didn’t see the signs of my husband slipping away. I battled with myself constantly, trying to figure out when the disconnect started between us. Leo was never vocal about his emotions. He made me think everything was fine after giving birth to Chloe and Carlee. It wasn’t until a month after giving birth to Carlee that he started to become distant.
As his wife and the woman who would give my life for him, I tried to do everything to make sure I kept him happy.
But it wasn’t enough.
And now I stood in this big house—alone, tired, stressed, and feeling unwanted.
I needed to pull myself together for the sake of my children. Fuck Leo. I was a good woman to him when I shouldn’t have been, and he’d left me, . . . and my gut told me it was with my best friend.
