Military Daddies’ Nanny (Lucky Women’s Daddies Reverse Harem #1)

Chapter 7

Nancy

Dinner was a chaotic affair — as chaotic as one could hope to expect in Drew’s military camp excuse for a house. Bella and Jason were actually conversing in a light tone, their soft voices barely audible over the din of clattering cutlery, and Nathan and the men were talking about something that had happened at the shop.

Drew sits at the head of the table, occasionally interjecting orders to keep the kids in line, while Nathan and Carlos add to the conversation with their own anecdotes and jokes.

I'm absorbed in making sure everyone has enough to eat, my mind still replaying the earlier tension with Drew.

After dinner, I start clearing the table, determined to keep busy and not dwell on the mix of frustration and attraction that Drew seems to effortlessly stir up in me.

My eyes linger for a moment on Carlos, who catches my eye and flashes a grin. The sight sets my heart racing furiously and I look away, embarrassed at the thought of getting caught staring.

While he would never be mistaken for a magazine cover model like the Johnson brothers, Carlos does have a rough sort of handsomeness about him, and at six feet tall, he’s anything but small next to the other men.

His brown, intelligent eyes always look like there’s mischief lurking around somewhere, while his muscular, stocky build gives him the impression of a career brawler—which is in direct opposition to the sweet person he has been since the moment we met.

"Need a hand with the dishes?" he asks, already stacking plates.

"Sure, thanks," I reply, appreciating the help. I find Carlos’ easygoing nature refreshing, his laid-back charm a stark contrast to Drew's more intense demeanor.

We move to the kitchen, and I begin washing while Carlos dries. The warm water and rhythmic motions are soothing, and for a moment, I can almost forget the earlier argument.

"So, how are you settling in?" Carlos asks, leaning against the counter as he dries a plate. "The kids treating you all right?"

I nod, scrubbing a stubborn bit of food off a pan. "They're great. Bella's a handful, but she's got a good heart. Jason's just a sweetheart."

Carlos chuckles. "Yeah, Bella's got a lot of spirit. I imagine that Drew was similar as a kid. Always wanting to have the last word."

I smile, imagining a younger, equally stubborn Drew. "That doesn't surprise me."

Carlos's expression softens. "You know, Drew means well. He's just...protective. Especially after everything that's happened."

I pause, looking up at him, but his silence tells me that’s all he intends to say on the topic. "I get that. Being a single dad is not the easiest job in the world. But sometimes it feels like he's questioning everything I do."

Carlos nods sympathetically. "He's not used to letting go of control. Give him some time. He'll come around."

I appreciate Carlos' insight, though it doesn't completely ease my frustration. "I hope so."

We're quiet for a moment, the only sound in the room the clinking of dishes and running water. Then, the kitchen door swings open, and Drew walks in. His presence immediately changes the atmosphere, the tension from earlier still lingering.

"What's going on in here?" Drew asks, his tone more brusque than usual.

"Just helping Nancy with the dishes," Carlos replies easily, unaffected by Drew's mood.

Drew frowns, his gaze settling on me. "You don't have to do everything, you know. We can manage the dishes."

I frown too. "I know that, Drew. But I wanted to help."

He crosses his arms, his expression hardening. "You don't need to. It's not part of your job."

Okay, he's really starting to push me, and the calm I'd mustered was fading.

I set down the dish I was washing, turning to face him fully. "I know my job, Drew. But that doesn't mean I can't help out where I see fit. It's called being part of a household."

Carlos presses his fingertips over the bridge of his nose, clearly uncomfortable at the mood in the room. “Does anyone else feel that? It's called tension, and it's brewing between you two. Can you dial it down a little?”

Drew ignores Carlos, his focus entirely on me. "That's not the point, Nancy. The point is you're doing too much."

“Oh, God,” Carlos mutters under his breath.

I stare at Drew, incredulous. It takes me a moment to regain my composure. “That was not my intention. I was only trying to be helpful, to contribute. I don’t think that was such a bad thing."

“Guys,” Carlos's voice is getting louder but he is ignored.

Drew runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his eyes. "You're supposed to help keep an eye on the kids, Nancy. You don't have to take on everything."

The implication behind his words stings, and I feel my temper rising. "I'm aware of that, Drew. But I assure you, I do know my limits, and I don’t intend to cross any lines here."

Drew opens his mouth to respond, but Carlos cuts him off, wiping his hands on a napkin with a pleading look in his eyes. “Okay, that's enough.” He shifts his gaze across the both of us then finally settles on his friend. “Come on, Drew. Chill out, man. You don’t always have to make everything so difficult. All she’s trying to do is help out. Criticizing her like this…”

The room falls silent, the air thick with tension. Carlos looks between us, clearly wondering whether he made a smart choice when he decided to intervene.

Drew's eyes flash with anger. "I'm not trying to criticize, Nancy. I just call it like I see it. Plus, I was only trying to help.”

I laugh, a short, humorless sound. "If you really want to help, maybe start by trusting me to do my job."

He takes a step closer, his voice low and intense. "I do trust you. But I also don’t want you burning out. Especially not on my watch, and not under my roof."

“Thank you for looking out for me,” I say with thinly veiled annoyance. “I can do with less of that, honestly. If you’ll excuse me, I have something I need to take care of.”

With that, I turn on my heel and walk out of the kitchen with measured steps, my heart pounding with anger and irritation. I need air and space to clear my head and escape the suffocating tension.

Why does he always argue with me?

I know what I'm doing when it comes to helping children, especially preteens like Bella who are navigating the most tricky of their childhood years. But as much as Drew's pigheadedness riles me up, I can't deny the spark of arousal I feel anytime I'm in his presence.

Those strong arms, that towering muscular frame, the rugged handsomeness of his chiseled features—he's unfairly attractive in a very primal, masculine way.

And then there's his brother Nathan with his leaner build, messy hair, and sexy nerd vibe behind those glasses. Not to mention their friend Carlos, all brash confidence and roguish charm.

I shake my head, exasperated with myself as I continue stomping down the sidewalk. What is wrong with me? Am I really just some repressed woman who gets flustered around any remotely good-looking man?

The thought makes me frown. No, I don't think that's it. I've encountered plenty of attractive guys over the years without feeling anywhere near this level of heated awareness.

There's just something about those three that does it for me in a big way. Which is ridiculous and more than a little unprofessional, considering I'm Drew’s employee, essentially. I need to get a grip.

I find a dingy little dive bar on the road across from me a few blocks later. Without thinking, I cross the near-empty street and push open the bar’s sturdy door. Maybe a drink or two will settle my raging hormones.

The place is fairly empty this early in the evening, with just a couple of lonely drunks hunched over the scarred bar top. I snag a free stool and order a glass of white wine from the disinterested-looking bartender, sipping it slowly as I try to decompress.

It doesn't take long for a couple of pretty decent-looking guys to amble over, obviously hoping to strike up a conversation with the "new girl" at the bar.

They both have that overly-friendly, vaguely predatory air that sets off alarm bells for me immediately. One leans in too close as he offers to buy my next drink with a sleazy smile.

"Thanks, but I'm good," I demur politely, pulling slightly away to put some distance between me and the newcomers.

The guy's smile slips fractionally, taking on an annoyed edge that makes me bristle. "Aw c'mon now, don't be like that," he presses, reaching out to try and touch my arm. "We're all just here for a good time."

"She said she's not interested, amigo . Why don't you take the hint?"

The deep, familiar voice from behind me sends a shiver down my spine. I turn to see Nathan approaching, hazel eyes leveled in a cool glare at the offending guy.

The creep opens his mouth, maybe to protest, but seems to think better of it at the last second after getting a look at Nathan's subtly intimidating presence. He and his buddy back off with some grumbling.

Nathan slides onto the stool next to me, signaling the bartender for a beer.

"You really shouldn't be out drinking alone," he chides me gently, though there's a hint of a teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Especially in these kinds of rough-around-the-edges places. Never know what kind of unsavory characters you might attract."

"Gee thanks, I'll be sure to only imbibe at the fanciest, most high-class establishments from now on," I shoot back dryly, feeling oddly giddy at his unexpected appearance despite myself.

Up close, his easy confidence and little crooked smirk are incredibly attractive. Not to mention his glorious hazel eyes framed by a few stray locks of that soft auburn hair falling over his forehead. My fingertips practically itch with the urge to brush them back.

Get it together, Nancy. This is why you're here in the first place!

"So, is this a regular haunt for you then?" I ask, trying to push aside my heated thoughts as I take another sip of wine. "Scoping out places to rescue damsels in distress is just your average evening pastime?"

Nathan lets out a low chuckle that sends a delicious shiver through me. Damn, I'm in trouble here .

Nathan takes a sip of his beer, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Not exactly. This place is just close to home, and sometimes I like to unwind here after a long day. The company can be...interesting."

I laugh softly, feeling some of the tension easing out of my shoulders. "I guess it is a good place to people-watch."

We sit in comfortable silence for a few moments, just sipping our drinks. I steal glances at Nathan, taking in the strong line of his jaw, the way his shirt stretches over his lean frame. My thoughts are spinning, but I feel a strange sense of calm just being near him.

"So, what brings you out tonight?" Nathan's voice is gentle, genuinely curious.

I hesitate, swirling the wine in my glass. "I needed some air. And...I needed to clear my head."

"Clear your head, huh?" He gives me a knowing look. "Something on your mind?"

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Yeah, you could say that. It's just...this whole situation with you guys. Drew, Carlos, you. It's confusing."

Nathan's expression softens. "Confusing how?"

I take a deep breath, deciding to just lay it out there. "I find all three of you incredibly attractive, and it's driving me crazy. I mean, I know it's not professional, and I keep telling myself I need to get a grip, but... here we are."

He looks at me for a long moment, tapping the bar with a finger, then smiles. "It’s not the craziest thing I’ve heard in the world. Besides, it makes me glad to hear you feel this way.”

I raise a brow at him, curious and confused. “What do you mean?”

"Nancy, you're gorgeous. Smart, funny, and great with the kids. It shouldn’t shock you so much to find out that I’m also very attracted to you too. And judging from the looks Carlos and Drew were giving you all evening, I’d bet a fortune they probably feel the same way too." His eyes lock onto mine, serious and intense. "Honestly, I think you're amazing."

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart skip a beat. "Really?"

"Really." He reaches out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through me. "And there's nothing wrong with you for feeling this way. It’s unusual, maybe, but definitely not unnatural."

His hand lingers near my face, and before I can overthink it, I lean in, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepens, fueled by the mutual attraction that's been simmering between us.

When we finally pull apart, we're both a little breathless. Nathan's eyes are dark with desire, and I can feel my own pulse racing.

"We should probably get you home," he says, voice husky. "Before we do something we'll regret."

I nod, though every part of me wants to stay right here with him. "Yeah, you're probably right."

He helps me off the stool, steadying me with a hand on my waist. As we walk out of the bar and into the cool night air, I allow myself to process the kiss we shared, my insides still all squishy from the sweetness of it.

It’s chillier than it was earlier, and I wrap my arms around myself to keep back the chill. Nathan walks in step with me, his hands thrust deep into his jeans pockets. The silence between us is oppressive, and I resist the urge to fill it with a thousand words.

As we approach the house, Nathan stops and turns to face me. "Nancy, I know this isn't easy. But give it time. Get to know us, and let us get to know you. I promise things will make more sense."

I smile up at him, grateful for his understanding. "Okay. I'll try."

He leans in and kisses me again, softly this time, as a promise of more to come. "Goodnight, Nancy."

"Goodnight, Nathan."

He holds the door open for me and then locks up behind me. “Headed off to bed?”

“Not yet. I have to make sure things are in order first, but soon.”

He nods. "Don’t stay up too late.” Without another word, he turns to climb up the stairs to his bedroom.

I watch as he walks away, my heart feeling lighter than it has in forever. I wonder what Drew would say if he found out that I was messing around with his brother so soon after I started working for them.

Once Nathan disappears from sight, I return outside to stand on the porch for a moment, savoring the cool breeze and the warmth that Nathan's kiss left on my lips.

I slip inside quietly, careful not to wake the kids. My thoughts are a chaotic jumble of desire and confusion as I tiptoe to my room. I change into my pajamas and slide under the covers, replaying the evening in my mind.

The memory of Nathan's kiss lingers, making my skin tingle with the afterglow. I can still feel the warmth of his touch, the gentle pressure of his lips.

It's a heady sensation and one that I can't shake off easily. As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my mind drifts back to our conversation.

Nathan had been so understanding, so genuine with his words. He hadn't made me feel silly or embarrassed about my feelings. Instead, he had acknowledged them, validated them, and assured me that I wasn't weird for having them.

But what now? How do I navigate this tangled web of attraction and affection without crossing professional boundaries?

I sigh, knowing that there's no easy answer. All I can do is take it one day at a time, just like Nathan said. Unfortunately, when I drift off into sleep, thoughts of all three men still clash in my mind, locked in mortal combat, threatening to drive me mad.