I rang the doorbell and waited while I continued to admire the outside of his home. To the right of the door, I noticed a small Disney princess figure. I bent down to pick it up as I heard the door open.
“Hello there. Calliope?” a deep voice said.
“Hi.” I lifted my face to look at him.
Then I almost fell over.
Oh. Hell. No.
Nope. Can’t work for this guy.
My eyes scanning over him created a multi-visual experience, every bit of his presence capturing me all at once.
He was tall, very tall, with an athletic build and dark hair that curled slightly at the edges. He smiled, a smile that accentuated his perfectly straight teeth and full lips. When my eyes reached his, the real trouble started. They were blue, the color of the light, aqua edges of forget-me-not flowers, and piercing against his dark hair and features.
Forget-me-not. It was unlikely to happen.
“Are you all right? You look a little pale,” he said, concerned. He moved from the doorway, stepping closer to me. “Do you feel faint?”
I took a deep breath and stood up. “Mr. Matthews, yes, I’m Calliope. Or Callie. Whatever. I’m so sorry. I’m just getting over a little cold and not quite myself yet.”
Nice save.
He extended his hand to shake mine, gripping it tightly. “Nice to meet you, Calliope. And please, call me Aaron. Thank you for coming on such short notice, especially now that I know you haven’t been well. Are you sure you’re up for the interview?” he asked.
“Oh yes, of course. Ah. Here,” I said, shoving the Disney princess at him.
He smiled and nodded, taking it from me. “Everywhere. They’re absolutely everywhere. Thank you. Well, why don’t we go in so we can talk?”
I followed him inside, desperately trying not to stare at his ass along the way and failing miserably. I reminded myself there was nothing wrong with a basic human reaction. We were animals by nature, and admiring another animal you found attractive was normal. Although…from where I stood, there wasn’t much normal about the way he looked.
I unbuttoned my coat and looked around the exquisite home. Marble flooring lined the hallway and extended throughout as far as I could see. I trailed behind him down the large foyer, which connected to a narrow hall leading to the rest of the home. To my right was a formal dining room with a long glass-topped table and several high-back chairs.
If offered the job, it would’ve been far and away the most beautiful home I’d ever lived in. My meager background didn’t lend itself to such expensive surroundings. It almost made me uncomfortable.
“Please sit down,” he said, motioning to the table and chairs. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you,” I said, hanging my coat on the back of the chair. I looked across the table and saw a copy of my résumé and references that Evelyn had e-mailed earlier. I noticed a few notes in the margin.
“So, Calliope, why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?”
“Well,” I said, taking in a deep breath. “I’m a third-year elementary education major. I’ve been going part-time so I could balance work along with it, but I hope to graduate next spring, so I’ve taken on more classes this semester. I work nights at a downtown club, but that’s been temporary. My goal has always been to work with children.”
“Which one?”
“Which children?” I asked confused.
“No,” he said, laughing, his bright smile lifting the corner of his mouth into a handsome grin. “Which club?”
“Oh. Right. Duh. Um, Venom? It’s near Rush—”
“And Division. Yes, I know it well.”
“You do?”
“Don’t act so surprised. I’m not that much of an old man at thirty-one.”
“No,” I said quickly. “Of course not. I didn’t mean to insinuate.”
He held up his hand, continuing to smile. “You were right to assume it isn’t my type of crowd, but I used to be part owner of it. I sold off my piece some time ago, but it’s good to know it still has some wonderful employees there.”
He paused, his eyes running across my face, as his smile faded. There wasn’t a sound surrounding us, but the energy in the room more than made up for the silence. The quiet sound of something brewing. Shivers rushed across my body.
“Have you always lived in Chicago?” he asked.
“No, but I never want to live anywhere else. I love it here.”
“Agreed. Best city in the world.”
He paused, glancing down at my résumé. “Your résumé is very thorough,” he said, running his finger down the margin where his notes were. “I really asked for the interview to see if we’d be a good fit, or if rather, you’d be a good fit for us.”
I nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Or maybe I was fixated on the fact that the way he said fit, a normal, everyday word, sounded so sexy.
Or maybe I realized my ogling was going to get me fired before I was hired.
“Why don’t I tell you a little bit about us now?” He ran his hand through his hair and smiled. “I’m sure Evelyn has explained my situation. My mom’s having surgery this summer, and I’ll need someone full-time to help with my daughter.”
As the word daughter left his mouth, his entire face lit up.
“What’s her name?”
“Delilah and she’s four. She’s very smart and very high-energy. I love the idea of having someone with an education background. I’d love for her to go to the museums, take classes, and things like that.”
“Absolutely.”
“And I’m sure as is the case with many four-year-olds, she’s very stubborn and isn’t afraid to let her opinion be known.”
“It’s very common. Testing boundaries and all that.”
“Well, she can definitely win top prize in the most dramatic tantrum competition. But she’s sweet, and while I’m sure I’m biased, I think she’s the most beautiful little girl, inside and out.”
“Is she here? Can I meet her?”
“I thought it best that I meet with any candidate when she was not here. She’s actually spending the night at my parents’ tonight.”
“Well, she sounds like a remarkable little girl.”
“I think so,” he said with a nod. “I understand you’ll need some flexibility with your hours?”
“Yes. Three mornings a week I have class, but that’s only for the next six weeks until summer. Obviously I’ll be completely available then during the summer.”
“It wouldn’t be a problem. Even though my mom has been watching her while I worked from home, Delilah has been used to having me here. I wanted to ease her into someone new for the first few weeks. She’s really only been looked after by family, so as you can imagine, she has one overprotective Daddy.”
The way he said “Daddy” was so endearing I melted a little.
“Totally understandable,” I said.
“So, in the fall, you’ll be in your final year?”
“Yes.”
“That’s wonderful.” My eyes glanced over the white collared shirt he was wearing and to the small patch of chest hair that peeked through.
He slipped a piece of paper out from under my résumé and pushed it across to me. “Would this be acceptable to you?”
I looked at the paper and the number on it referring to the weekly salary he was offering. It was more than I’d made in a week at any job ever. My eyes looked it over again and again, as he tapped his pen on the table. This was in addition to the free room and board. My mind was blown.
“Very,” I responded as calmly as possible. “Thank you.”
“Of course that includes room and board, meals and such. I’d like to check out your references and verify the background check before we go any further. However, I do promise to call you by Monday with my decision regardless of what I decide.”
“Great. Thank you.”
We stood and I grabbed my coat from the back of the
chair. He walked me to the front door, and as he opened it for me with one hand, his other hand brushed against my back. His touch, as light as it was, sent a shiver through my body. “Thank you again for coming on such a short notice.”
“My pleasure.”
I stepped outside and walked down the stairs as I buttoned my coat. I stopped at the bottom and turned. He still stood in the doorway, watching me. I smiled and waved.
He returned the smile, and even in the chilly temperature, my body grew warm all over. If offered this job, it might be the best employment opportunity ever or a mistake of epic proportions.
I went to work that night and the following, thinking of not much else besides Aaron. I worried that if I did move in, my infatuation would only increase and cause me to screw up one of the best jobs I might ever have. I mean, a child was involved with this. Plus, one bad reference from a prominent Chicago figure could jeopardize my future teaching career.
I spent Sunday mulling things over and decided to relax until I heard from him. He may not even offer me the position, and in that case, all of this was for nothing. From working and worrying all weekend, I was exhausted. After a long shower, I put on my most comfortable pajamas and climbed into bed.
Sleep came fast and hard, and I didn’t wake until my phone buzzed on my nightstand the following morning with an incoming call. Groggy, I tried to identify the number on the caller ID, but it was no use.
“Hello,” I said, my throat full of morning phlegm.
“Hi, Calliope? It’s Aaron Matthews.”
I shot up, clearing my throat. “Oh, Hi. How are you?”
“Good. I’m sorry if I woke you, but I wanted to catch you before you went to class.”
“Oh no,” I lied. “I’ve been awake for ages.”
“Well, the reason I am calling is that I would like to offer you the nanny position. Pending the rest of your references coming through as glowing as the others, of course. Plus, I’d like you to meet Delilah beforehand as well.”
“Really?” I said excited. “That’s—”
Fantastic?
Yes. I wanted to say it was fantastic. It was, but it was something else, too. The emotions I had when we met, the way my body responded, was not only out of character, but frightening. With my focus being solely on school and work for so long, I didn’t have time to date, let alone even be completely attracted to someone. What would happen when we were living together day in and day out? That was a recipe for a very volatile situation.
“What do you think, Calliope? Will you be our nanny?” he asked eagerly.
I had a choice. Either I could turn down the job, fearing my initial emotions would filter into my daily life. Or I could stop worrying about what might happen, take hold of this amazing opportunity, and know I could handle anything that came my way.
I mean, was there really a choice?
“Yes, of course, Aaron. I’m thrilled to be your nanny.”
Chapter Two
AARON—
She said yes.
It was the answer I’d wanted to hear, but had hoped she’d say the opposite. I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but like I’d done for the last four years of my life, I put one thing before everything else. Delilah.
Callie was perfect. She was smart, energetic, and driven, all the things I’d been looking for in a nanny for the past month that no other candidate had possessed so completely. Her spirit had filled the room, and I knew before she even left after the interview that I had to have her.
Had to have her.
“Daddy?” Delilah said, entering the living room, her worn bunny lovey in hand. “Who are you talking to?”
She rubbed her blue eyes, her blond hair wild from sleep. My sweet baby girl. There wasn’t a morning that went by when my heart didn’t feel like it was so going to explode looking at her.
“I was on the phone, sweetie,” I said. “Come here.”
She walked over to me and climbed up on the couch. Once she sat, I pulled her into my lap and hugged her. Her hair smelled of the lavender shampoo I used on her from her bath the night before, a scent that reminded me of her whenever I caught it anywhere.
“How did you sleep?” I asked.
“Good,” she said, pulling the bottom of her pink Disney princess nightgown over her legs. “Is Nana coming over today?”
“She is, but not until a little later. I’ll have you all to myself until then.”
She laid her head on my chest, snuggling close, and I soaked up every second of it. It was only a matter of moments before she’d break from her sleepiness and be up and running with newfound energy.
“What should we have for breakfast?” I asked.
Before she could answer, the doorbell rang, an odd occurrence this early in the morning. Delilah hopped off the couch and began running down the hall.
“Maybe it’s Nana now,” she said.
I chased after her, but she had reached the door before I could catch her.
“Delilah Leslie,” I shouted. “Don’t you dare open that door. We need to make sure it’s someone we know, right?”
She sighed and rolled her eyes, a behavior she’d recently acquired that made me fear for the teenage years. “I know, Daddy. You tell me every time.”
She stood to the side, as I looked through the peephole and saw my brother Abel. “Huh,” I said, opening the door. “What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Uncle Abel!” Delilah said.
He stepped in and shoved a Stan’s Donuts and Coffee bakery box and two coffees at me without a word. “Hey squirt,” he said, picking her up. “What’s shakin’?”
“You came to surprise me?” she asked.
“Yup. And to bring you a surprise, too.”
I peeked inside the box, and there were an assortment of pastries and doughnuts. “He sure did,” I said, holding the box up for her to see.
She gasped. “Can I have three?”
“Ah. No,” I said. “You can have one. Come on. Let’s go sit at the table.”
Abel gave her a quick squeeze before setting her down. Delilah ran ahead of us, as I handed one of the coffees to Abel.
“What the hell are you doing here so early?” I asked again.
“Do I need an excuse to visit my brother and my niece?”
“When it’s before eight on a Monday morning, I think it’s only right to assume something’s going on,” I said, entering the kitchen.
“Just getting an early start on the day,” he said, sitting down. He unzipped his coat, revealing his white button-down work shirt underneath.
I raised my eyebrows. “You been home yet? Or did you accidentally fall asleep at work?”
“Maybe you need a nap, Uncle Abel,” Delilah said. “That’s what Daddy makes me do if I’m too tired.”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t fall asleep at work, squirt,” he said, winking at me. “I had a sleepover at my new friend’s house.”
I rolled my eyes at him, and shook my head. Abel was eight years younger than me and had the emotional maturity of a piece of toast. If I was being fair, I was the same way at twenty-three. Fresh out of college and didn’t have a care in the world. The extent of my decision-makings was what bar I was meeting friends at and what woman I’d bring home.
“Daddy?” Delilah said. She stared at the pastry box I was still holding.
I set the box down in front of her. “Sorry. Which one do you want, sweetie?”
I stepped away to get plates, and when I returned she was still looking over her choices, biting her lower lip in concentration before pointing to a rainbow-sprinkled doughnut.
I picked up the doughnut and put it on her plate. She took no time in shoving a huge bite in her mouth. “What do you say to Uncle Abel?”
“Thank you,” she said. She quickly covered her mouth, knowing I’d tell her not to talk with it full before swallowing to say, “Sorry, Daddy.”
I looked at Abel. “Thank you, Uncle Abel,” I s
aid.
“Mom said you got the nanny thing squared away. Is she hot?”
“Seriously? What’s wrong with you?” I asked. “Delilah, you can go take your plate and watch television while you eat.”
“Okay,” she said, rushing out of the room with her breakfast.
Abel waited until she was out of the room before returning to harassing me. “I take that as a yes.”
“Ah. No. You can take that as a warning not to talk like that in front of Delilah. You know she repeats everything, to everyone. She doesn’t need to hear you say that, and then tell Callie.”
He poked at the different pastries. “Callie, huh?” he said.
“Well, Calliope, but yeah.” I paused, watching him press his finger into the confection. “Abel, you picked them out. Do you have to touch everything in the box?”
He held up an apple fritter, pointing it at me as he talked. “I love how you keep avoiding the question.”
“I’m avoiding it because it’s ridiculous. I can’t believe that was your first question.”
He took a bite and waved his hand at me. “Never mind. I can tell by how you’re acting she was hot.”
I shot him a dirty look. “Even if she was, that has nothing to do with why I hired her.”
“I know it wasn’t, but I’m not wrong, right?”
Abel knew me better than anyone else. If I kept denying, he’d see right through me and badger me relentlessly. On the other hand, the thoughts I’d been having about Callie were in such bad form for a person I’d hired to live in my house and be a caregiver for my daughter.
“Don’t say a word,” he said. “I see it all over your face.”
Like a fucking open book.
I picked up my coffee, swirling it around gently in my hand. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He snorted, a mouth full of food. “Sure,” he mumbled. “If she was a Granny Nanny, or hell, freaking Mary Poppins, you would’ve said.”
“I know it’s hard to imagine that I don’t walk the earth leading with my dick like you do, but when it comes to serious matters, like Delilah, it’s totally out of the question.”
So Twisted Page 2
