Curvy Nanny for the Nerd

19. Brady

Chapter 19

Brady

I told Toni my last name and the world didn’t crumble around me. I told Toni something important about me and so far, nothing had changed.

Oh, things had changed, but nothing world ending. She’d opened up to me, she’d given me everything I wanted and needed, and she hadn’t asked for anything in return. She didn’t suddenly find herself in need of designer clothes or expensive jewelry, she didn’t just remember a sick family member in need of an expensive surgery. Toni was the same sexy, sassy woman that she’d always been, and that was a woman I couldn’t get enough of.

Now that I had her again, in my heart and bed, a switch had flipped inside. I was more focused than ever on work, more productive than I’d been since Layla had come to live with me, and it was perfect. Everything was just fucking perfect. I worked late into the night after leaving Toni with a satisfied smile on her face, fixing bugs and updating code until the game had finally started to resemble my creative vision.

The phone rang and I picked it up on the second ring. “Yes?”

Sierra laughed at my greeting. “Oh good,” she sighed. “I was worried that aliens had taken over your body.”

“Funny,” I snorted at her good-natured ribbing. “You called for a reason other than to bust my balls?”

“Yes, actually. Just making sure that it was you who’d sent the teams all this work and not some hacker looking to steal our IP.”

“It was me,” I assured her easily. “Inspiration struck, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“Inspiration?” Sierra laughed. “Is that what we’re calling the smoking hot redhead nanny sleeping under your roof?”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

More laughter erupted down the phone and I covered my face. “Sure you don’t.” That was the bad part of working with certain people for too many years. It was hard to lie to them, and damn near impossible to keep the important details under wraps. “I’m glad you’ve found your inspiration, Brady. You deserve it.”

I grumbled and shook my head. “Not so sure about that.”

“Well I’m sure. As a woman who works in this business and who has known you for years, trust me when I say that Toni is nothing like the vultures out to trap you.”

I believed her, mostly. But it wasn’t that easy. “But how are you so certain?”

“Trust your instincts,” she shot back easily. “If you’re being honest with yourself boss, you already know the score.”

I knew the truth, but I just couldn’t let go. “Not sure that I do, Sierra, but I’m working on it.”

“Good. That’s all we can expect from any man. Good luck, I’ll call if I have any questions.”

“Okay,” I answered, but the call was over before the words reached Sierra’s ears. “Good talk,” I said to nobody but myself and sighed, tossing my phone on the sofa across the room.

She was right about one thing, Toni was not a viper. She seemed to have no interest whatsoever in my wealth, but her desire to know more about me hadn’t dissipated over the past few weeks. But her interest never veered towards money or even work, other than to know what drove me.

Thoughts of Toni had me hungry for a taste of her, so I got up from my desk and went through the house in search of my redheaded spitfire. “Antonia, where are you?” She wasn’t in the kitchen or the living room with Layla.

“Hey Uncle Brady.”

“Hey Lay, what’re you up to?”

“I made you a picture!” Her proud smile was contagious, and I put my search for the nanny on hold, sitting beside my niece to compliment her artwork.

“What did you draw?” I peeked over her shoulder and my mouth hung open. “Holy shi- crap, did you draw this for real?”

She looked up at me with a sparkle in her eyes. “Yeah, I did. What do you think?”

I was stunned into silence at her talent. “I think this is wonderful.” The sketch was so lifelike it was jarring, the way she’d captured me deep in thought, my gaze staring off into space with a thoughtful expression. “This is incredible, Layla. I mean, you’re seriously talented.”

“Duh, Uncle Brady.” She giggled, and the sound was wonderful and adorable. “You really like it?”

“No, I really love it. I’ve never seen a sketch so life-like before. How…why did you draw this?”

“Because I like to draw, and I wanted to draw you something.”

“Well I love it, so I think you need to tell me the best way to hang it. Should I buy a frame or can I just nail it to the wall.”

Layla shrugged, laughing sweetly. “I don’t know, Uncle Brady, I’m seven.”

“Oh now you’re only seven? Any other time you’re the most mature seven year old on the planet, but now when I need your help, you play the kid card.”

“You’re funny,” she said and erupted into a fit of giggles.

“I love it, Layla. Thank you.” I did something I’d never done before, I wrapped my arms around my niece and smacked a loud kiss against her cheek. “Thanks.”

Her cheeks flushed an adorable shade of pink and I gave her one last squeeze before I went in search of Toni. My fingers itched to touch her, my mouth vibrated with the need to taste her succulent lips. My heart raced to set eyes on her again.

“Looking for someone?” Toni called out to me and I turned to face her with a smile.

“Holy fuck, Toni.” She wore a simple outfit of skintight jeans and a white tank top that molded over all of her curves. Her nipples were hard and her mouth was slightly open. “You’re gorgeous.”

She smiled. “You were looking for me, Mr. Winsome?”

I nodded. “I was. Are you busy?”

“Nope. What’s up?” She grinned again and leaned against the wall, arching her back, which drew my eyes to her beautiful breasts.

“I’d like to take you out. On a date.” Where in the hell those words came from, I had no idea.

“A date?” She nearly choked on the word, which wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for. “Seriously?”

I nodded. “Is that something you’d like to do?” I felt nervous for some reason and I tried to shrug the feeling off.

“Yeah,” she grinned. “Of course. That sounds lovely.”

“Where would you like to go?”

Her green eyes widened and she licked her lips. “I know the perfect place!”

My heart lurched at her words, but I swallowed down the worry and smiled. “Sounds good.” I hadn’t planned a date in years, and even if she chose the most expensive restaurant in the state, I would be all right with it. “Are you nervous about taking me out, Brady?”

“Yes,” I growled. “Incredibly nervous. You?”

“A little, but I’m also excited. I’m curious to see what ‘Date Brady’ is like.”

“Date Brady? Is he supposed to be different from regular, everyday Brady?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “That’s why I’m curious to see for myself. When?”

“Tomorrow? I can arrange childcare for Layla, I’m sure.” I hoped.

Toni tossed her head back and laughed. “I’ll take care of it, handsome. No worries.” She cupped my cheek and leaned in gently until we were chest to chest and brushed her lush lips against mine. “See you tomorrow,” she purred and walked away.

“We still have dinner at home tonight.”

She laughed and waved at me over her shoulder. “I think we could use a little a few hours apart. It’ll make tomorrow even more fun, don’t you think?”

I laughed and watched the swing of her hips as she walked further away from me. “Wear those jeans again, please.”

Toni stopped and turned with a gleam in her eyes. “I’ll think about it.”

I’m in so much fucking trouble, and all I want to do is run headlong into it.