Rayden
THE SUDDEN SCREAM PRICKEDmy ears. I shot up out of my seat. The nanny was back. “Shit, Nicky, what have you done now.” I raced upstairs as another howl pierced the air.
“Fuck!” the air rushed out of my lungs.
She’d run and skidded so hard and so fast, she slammed blindly into my chest. I reached out to grab her arms but lost my balance. The force of her push sent us both tumbling backward. Pain flared in my back, and the sound that left my lips stifled in my throat when I landed on the porcelain floor. I had the breath knocked out of me as she fell in a heap on top of my body. I groaned. Her hair splayed out over my face, we stayed there, breathing hard, for what seemed like an eternity.
“Are you all right?” I finally managed, pushing aside her hair.
“Frogs,” she whispered, lifting her head to tilt it in the direction of her room.
My lips twitched. This close, I got a good look at her. Long hair that was black as pitch. Creamy skin, smooth as silk. Delectable full, kissable lips. But it was the eyes that struck me the most. Clear blue irises that held a faint trace of anger mixed with what. Fear? No. More distress than fear. Neha was right. She was beautiful—wet and smelly—but beautiful.
“I hate frogs,” she muttered. As if realization dawned, she scrambled off me and stood. Slowly, I rose, eyed her distraught features, then walked down the landing to Nicky’s door and pounded. “Nicky! Get your butt out here, right now,” I ordered. Immediately, the door opened. Nicky’s crestfallen face peeked out. “Now,” I repeated, keeping my tone stern.
He walked out and lifted apologetic eyes to the nanny. Neha opened her room door, her pointer finger between her teeth and her gaze wide.
“Did you do this?” I asked.
Nicky fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt for a second. “Yes, Uncle Rayden.”
“Jesus, Nicky, what were you thinking. Water is one thing but frogs in her room.”
He looked up, his face twisted in remorse. “I’m sorry, Uncle Rayden.” I knew he didn’t like me being angry with him, and I believed the sincerity in his apology.
“Not me, Nicky. You need to apologize to her.” I pointed to the nanny. “Go on.” I gave him a gentle push forward, feeling the reluctance in his stiff shoulders. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against his door, waiting to see the outcome of this warpath the kids had chosen.
With another deep inhale, he walked over to her and offered a rueful smile. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
Surprisingly, she smiled before dropping to her knees in front of him. In a voice as sweet as candy floss, she whispered, “your dad’s a great guy, Nicky. I’m trying to help him out by watching over you. Don’t you think he’d want to know you are safe and taken care of while he’s away working?”
“Yes,” he whispered. Neha moved to stand at his side.
“What say we go get some ice cream?” the nanny asked.
Nicky’s eyes lit up. I was intrigued. “Really? But it’s almost dinner time,” he all but wailed.
She laughed—a soft musical sound I wanted to hear again. “Leave Adam to me. You guys like pizza?”
“Uh-huh,” the kids answered in unison, their smiles enthusiastic.
Oh, she was sneaky, all right. The intrigue soared. I was interested in getting to know just how tricky she could be.
She rose. “Okay. So, we’ll do ice cream, pizza, and ice cream again. Does that sound like a plan?” she asked, earning incredulous smiles. “First things first, though, I need to get out of these clothes and shower. Boy, do I stink.” She chuckled. Nicky dropped his gaze to the floor. “You guys go get ready while I shower, okay?”
They nodded and ran off to their respective rooms. When their doors closed, she looked at me, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and mirth.
“Nice,” I complimented. “Don’t think I would’ve played that any better.” I grinned. One of her perfectly shaped brows shot up. “Bribery always works,” I answered her unasked question.
Her naturally pink lips widened in a mischief smile. “A little bribery goes a long way.” She took a step closer and offered a hand. “Hi, we didn’t officially meet. I’m Sianna, the blue monster.”
