Nanny for the Don (Silver Fox Daddies #21)

Chapter 11

Nico

W e’re lying there in a comfortable silence, the kind that comes after you’ve just shared something intense.

But outOut of nowhere, Willow sits up. I watch as she turns to me with a worried expression, her eyes flicking over my face like she’s searching for something. She doesn’t say a word, and it starts to gnaw at me.

“What?” I ask, my voice steady, though I can sense there’s something serious on her mind. She hesitates, biting her lip in that way she does when she’s unsure of herself. I don’t like seeing her uncertain, so I gently push her, trying to get her to open up. “Come on, Willow. Out with it.”

Finally, she takes a breath and asks, “Is this what you hired me for?”

I’m confused, not quite following her. “This?” I repeat, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. You know. This .” She gestures around us, her meaning sinking in a second later.

Sex .

A flicker of offense runs through me. I sit up, leveling her with a steady look.“First off, Ms. M hired you. I had no hand in the selection process beyond giving final approval—and I hadn’t even seen what you looked like before then.” My tone is firm, but I want her to understand there’s no hidden agenda here. “You were brought on because you were the right fit for my girls, not for anything else.”

I see the tension in her ease slightly, but there’s still a shadow of doubt in her eyes, one I’ll need to address. And I can tell there’s more she’s not saying.

She gets up, moving toward her clothes, picking them up one by one. I watch her as she pulls on her thong and then her sports bra, her movements deliberate but graceful.

“You said the other night this would never happen again.”

I shake my head. “I know. But dammit Willow, there’s just something about you.”

She nods and looks down. “I know. I feel it too. I told myself I wouldn’t get caught up again.”

“Me either, but here we are. I have to warn you though, this can be a physical thing only,” I clarify, watching her reaction closely.

She narrows her eyes, not in anger, but in sharp, calculated thought, processing my words.

I keep going, knowing it’s better to be up front. “I know this sounds callous, but I don’t want you getting any ideas about a relationship starting between us. I don’t have the time or inclination for it.”

I see her absorb what I’ve said, her expression unreadable. I know it’s a lot to lay out like this, but it’s better she knows where I stand. I can’t afford complications, no matter how much I’m drawn to her. She needs to understand that clearly.

“This is about keeping things simple,” I say.

She stays quiet at first, slipping into her leggings with a practiced ease. I take one last hungry glance at her perfect ass before it disappears underneath the fabric with a satisfying snap.

As she pulls on her tank top, I wonder if I’ve pushed her too far. Maybe she feels rejected, or worse, humiliated.

She checks the iPad, her face giving nothing away. I quickly get dressed too, pulling on my shorts and shirt, all the while keeping an eye on her, trying to read her. The silence stretches on, making me wonder if I’ve screwed this up.

Finally, she turns to me, her eyes locking onto mine with a steady, unflinching gaze.. “I’m not looking to get attached to you either.”

The relief that floods through me is immediate, though I don’t let it show. Instead, I give her a slow nod, acknowledging her words.There’s a confidence in her tone, in the way she carries herself now, that wasn’t there before. It’s like she’s made her decision and is sticking to it, no hesitation.

“Good,” I say, my voice equally firm.. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

She turns back to the iPad, her attention shifting, and I can’t help but admire the way she handled that. She knows what she wants, and I respect that. This is exactly how it needs to be—simple, just like we agreed.

I continue, making sure there’s no room for misunderstanding.“Just because we’re adding this extra dimension to our relationship doesn’t mean I don’t expect you to stay on top of your nanny duties.”

She snaps her head up, flashing me a hard look that’s all fire. “I would never neglect the girls, and I sure as hell wouldn’t use my body to get out of doing my job.”

I let out a low chuckle. “Seems like I offend you pretty easily.”

She rolls her eyes but can’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, well, maybe you should work on your delivery.”

Her laughter fills the room, a sound I find myself enjoying more than I expected. There’s something about it that lightens the air, easing the tension I didn’t even realize I was holding onto.

I give her a small nod, still smirking. “Alright, Willow. Go enjoy your day off.”

She nods, gathering her things and heading toward the door.

This arrangement might be unconventional, but I’m confident it’s the right move for both of us.

Simple, straightforward, and no strings attached—just the way I like it.