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

Chapter 9

Nancy

“Remember. You have to bring them back before dinner. Too many crazies running unchecked in this goddamn city.”

I nod quietly as Drew relays his list of commandments for the hundredth time. I know better than to tell him I know what I’m doing and that this isn’t my first rodeo. Plus, whatever his faults, I can’t be mad at a man who is concerned for the safety of his kids.

It was the hardest thing in the world to get Drew to agree to let me spend some time with Bella and Jason. Fortunately, Carlos was around to talk some sense into his best friend.

“Come on, man, cut her some slack,” he said. “It’s not like she plans to auction them off or something. You gotta let her do her job, and she can’t do so without getting to know them first. It’s just the mall, Drew, not Somalia.”

Drew walks us out to the driveway and crosses his arms on his massive chest. “Seven p.m., Nancy. Don’t be late. And drive safe. And don’t forget to have Bella put on some extra sunscreen if she has to stay out in the sun too long.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” I answer. He looks like a statue, rigid with a stern expression. How the hell can someone look so imposing, annoying, and sexy all at once?

Bella and Jason steal glances at me as they have hushed conversations while I drive. I can see them smiling at me through the rearview mirror, and I smile back.

“Come on, you're with me, not your dad,” I say, meeting their eyes in the mirror for a fleeting moment. “You can talk as loud as you want. I don't mind. In fact, I want that…it's quiet in here, don't you agree?”

They chuckled. That's good. We're making progress.

"So," I say, keeping my tone light and friendly as I merge onto the highway. "I was thinking we could start by hitting up the mall for a little shopping trip if that sounds fun?”

The excitement in their eyes is glaring, but they're still holding back their reactions.

“Bella, they've got all kinds of cute stores there where you can look at outfits and accessories. And Jason, the Game Zone usually has a bunch of new games and merch on display."

I see Bella's shoulders tense a bit as she glances up, clearly apprehensive about being put on the spot. But then Jason perks up, his eyes going comically wide behind his thick glasses.

"The new Call of Battle game just came out last week," he says eagerly, the first real spark of excitement I've seen from him. "I've been wanting to check that out so bad!"

It’s the most I’ve heard the boy say. Ever. Bella seems to relax a little at her brother's enthusiasm, offering him a small smile before turning her attention back to me.

"Shopping could be cool, I guess," she mumbles with a halfhearted shrug, but I don't miss the way her eyes have lit up ever so slightly. "Dad never really lets me pick out my own stuff anymore."

A protective fierceness flares in my chest at her words. Of course Drew is just being the typical overbearing father worried about his little girl growing up too fast.

But actively preventing a blossoming young woman like Bella from expressing herself through her clothing and style choices is only going to breed resentment and inhibition.

"Well, your dad may have had to sign off on this little excursion," I say, keeping my voice carefully neutral. "But I fully intend to let you two go a bit wild and get whatever fun new outfits or games you've had your eyes on. Within reason, of course."

Bella's eyes widen almost comically at that. "Wait…really? You're not going to be all judgey and lame about what we pick?"

I have to suppress a laugh at her affectionately rude phrasing. "Heavens no! We're going to have a totally judgment-free shopping experience today. I'm here to facilitate self-expression and youthful exploration, not stifle it."

The bright, surprised grin she shoots me makes it all worth it. In the rearview, I catch Jason watching our interaction with a curious look on his face. The excitement from earlier is gone, and he’s back to his usual taciturn disposition.

As we finally pull into the crowded mall parking lot, I can't help but feel a slight sense of relief at the chance to get out of the house and away from the complicated emotional turbulence of the past few days.

I keep replaying the heated, breathless kiss I shared with Nathan at the bar, paralyzed by a swirling haze of arousal and disbelief that it had even happened.

And of course, there's no ignoring the fact that shortly after that mind-blowing make-out session, I baldly admitted to finding both Nathan and Carlos irresistibly attractive along with Drew. I’m basically throwing all caution to the wind and putting my deviant desires for all three smoking hot men out on the table with zero chill.

God, the memory of it still makes me cringe with humiliating embarrassment. What had possessed me to be so bold and reckless?

I've spent my whole life since puberty striving to hold myself to the highest moral standards, bottling up any untoward sexual urges or improper thoughts as firmly as possible.

Yet one night of wine-fueled overindulgence was all it took for me to basically throw away all sense of propriety in a blazing cloud of lust and desperate desire.

I'm just grateful Nathan seemed to take my drunken outburst with relatively good grace…even if he did kiss me right after with that smoldering heat.

Drew, though…I have a feeling he's going to be significantly less pleased if word of my depraved interest in him and his closest friends ever gets back to him.

The guy is basically a human personification of stubborn chivalry and iron-clad morals, after all. Openly expressing desire for not just him, but his own brother and best friend as well?

Yeah, there's no way a stoic, rigid hard ass like Drew is going to let that slide without a massive tantrum about professionalism and appropriate boundaries.

Which is why I need to put the whole mortifying incident firmly out of my mind for now. I'm here for the kids, not to untangle the messy knot of turbulent lust and utterly inappropriate cravings those three incendiary men have awoken in me.

Squaring my shoulders with a resolute inhale, I unbuckle my seatbelt and twist to face Bella and Jason. "All right guys, let's go have some fun!"

The brilliant grins they both shoot me make my heart swell. I’m spending the day focused solely on them, helping boost their sense of individuality and self-confidence. This is the kind of pure, simple pleasure that reminds me why I was so drawn to the nannying profession in the first place.

No matter how irresistibly attractive certain people in this household may be, the kids' emotional needs have to come first.

At least, that's what I resolutely tell myself as I step into the mall, doing my best to ignore the persistent whispers of want still swirling through my restless mind.

When we get out of the car, Bella practically drags me toward the trendy clothing stores, her eyes shining with delight. I laugh as she darts from rack to rack, pulling out different tops, skirts, and dresses to show me.

"Oh Nancy, isn't this skirt just the cutest?" She holds up a floral mini-skirt, her expression pleading. "Do you think Dad would let me get it?"

My heart squeezes at the hint of insecurity in her voice. Drew really needs to lighten up and let his daughter explore her own style. Keeping her stuck in children's clothing isn't healthy.

"You know what?" I say, looping an arm around her shoulders. "Your dad put me in charge of getting you two outfitted with some new looks today. So I'm giving you full permission to get that skirt if you love it, okay?"

Bella throws her arms around me in a tight hug, and my chest tightens at the affection. "Thank you, Nancy! You're the absolute best."

I spend the next couple hours following Bella around various stores, giving my honest opinions and feedback on all the different pieces she tries on.

She has a delightfully bold style, choosing bright patterns and shorter hemlines that I know Drew will likely have a conniption over.

Once we've hit all her favorite shops, it's Jason's turn to lead the way towards the Game Zone. He wastes no time making a beeline for the latest releases, his eyes going wide behind his glasses.

"Nancy, look!" He points at a game behind the display glass. "This is the one I've been dying to get! Can I...can I please get it?"

My heart melts at his adorably hopeful expression. "Of course you can, hon. Your dad told me to get you whatever games you wanted today."

Jason lets out a little whoop of joy, making me chuckle. Boys and their video game obsession .

By the time we finally make our way home a few hours later, the backseat is filled with shopping bags brimming with our spoils from the day. I can't wait to see the looks on Drew and the guys' faces.

As soon as we walk through the door, the heavenly aroma of spices and sizzling meat greets us. Carlos is in the kitchen, his back to us as he tends to something on the stove.

"Mm, smells amazing in here!" I call out, drawing his attention.

He glances over his shoulder with a crooked grin. "Ah, you're just in time. Dinner is almost…" His eyes widen almost comically as they land on Bella. "Well, well, would you look at that! You look beautiful, Bella!”

Bella blushes scarlet at the compliment, but she's also glowing with pride. I feel a rush of affection for Carlos' ability to make her feel so confident.

"Carlos made his famous carne asada tacos for dinner," Nathan chimes in, wandering into the room with a cold beer in hand. "Did you guys have fun shopping?"

Before I can respond, Bella is already bouncing excitedly towards him. "Nancy let me pick out a whole new wardrobe! Well…not a whole wardrobe. But like, definitely a few really cute outfits! Oh, and Jason got the new Call of Battle game he wanted!"

Nathan arches an eyebrow at me over the top of Bella's head, and I shrug casually.

"What? You guys told me to take them on a fun shopping trip, so that's what I did."

A small smile curves his lips, and I feel warmth slowly blossoming in my chest. God, he's unfairly handsome, even in a simple T-shirt and jeans.

The front door opens and Drew strides in, looking ruggedly sexy in his well-worn Carhartt jacket and boots. There are a few streaks of grease on his cheek, no doubt from working on cars at the shop all day.

"Something smells good," he comments, shrugging out of the jacket. His brows furrow as he takes in the pile of shopping bags. "Did you two go ham at the mall or what?"

Bella nods and offers up one of the bags from her fashion haul. "Nancy took us shopping and let us get all kinds of new stuff,” her voice is calm, filled with hesitation, like she's being compelled to answer.

“Oh yeah?” He grins. “Can I see?”

She shoots a look in my direction, and I nod subtly. Bella exhales and holds up one of the floral skirts, giving it a little twirl to show off the flirty hemline. Drew visibly pales, his eyes bugging almost comically.

"You…you got her that?" he asks, sounding strangled.

I bite my lip to smother a laugh at his stricken expression. Bella may be maturing into a beautiful young lady, but she'll always be his little girl in Drew's eyes. Time to set some boundaries.

"Bella is thirteen years old, Drew, not a toddler," I point out evenly. "She's begun to develop her own sense of personal style and image. As her parent, you should be encouraging that growth and self-expression, not stifling it."

It's quiet for a long beat, tension humming between us. Then Drew closes his eyes and lets out a resigned sigh. When he opens them again, his expression is more controlled, if a bit strained.

To my surprise he grunts and walks out of the room without another word, leaving me confused and curious. This is a victory, regardless. At least we didn’t dissolve into a shouting match this time.

Bella beams at me gratefully before tentatively moving to the other room to show her dad the rest of her outfits. Drew grimaces a few times but manages to keep his composure admirably.

The rest of the evening is spent laughing and joking over a delicious taco dinner. Bella seems engrossed in a quiet conversation with Nathan about starting at her new high school in the fall and how excited she is to finally get to pick her own clothes.

Even quiet Jason seems happier than usual as he regales us all with breathless descriptions of his new video game.

Drew remains fairly reserved, shooting me veiled glances throughout the meal. But for the most part, he seems to have accepted his little girl's journey toward womanhood, if a bit grudgingly.

I'm honestly just grateful he didn't make more of a fuss or totally shut down my attempts to give Bella a self-confidence boost. Baby steps.

That’s all that matters, really. As for how I feel about the three gorgeous men, well, I guess I have to figure out what to do about that sooner rather than later. It feels almost as if I’m sitting on a keg of gunpowder, waiting for the faintest spark to blow things sky-high.