“So, tell me the truth.” I point an accusatory finger at her. “Did you get back on that dating site after I went to bed last night?”
“Um…no. Why would you think that?” She smiles guiltily. “What made you guess?”
“There were a few clues this morning. Empty hummus container. Kitchen light left on. Your computer wide open on your reactivated profile.”
“Darn.”
“Don’t be ashamed,” I laugh. “Just make me another drink.”
I hand my empty glass to her just as my phone rings from somewhere in the other room.
“Ugh.” I lethargically jump down from the counter. “I don’t want to walk all the way over there.”
“So don’t.”
“It’s probably my mom. She said she’d call today to see how the interview went.” I take a few steps across the living room, swaying a bit. I don’t have much of a booze tolerance, and Amy must have made the margarita stronger than I’m used to.
Behind me, she laughs. “You’re not drunk after one margarita, are you?”
“Can it. You make them strong.”
Picking my phone up from the coffee table, I frown at the unknown number.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Jayne Hayfield?”
“This is her,” I sluggishly say, feeling way too tipsy for this conversation.
“This is Rebecca from Prestige Nannies. First of all, congratulations. We’re very happy to have you on the team.”
“Thank you,” I breathe, hoping, for some reason, that the smell of tequila isn’t detectable over the phone.
From the kitchen, Amy gives me a questioning look.
“Now,” Rebecca goes on, “I’m calling because I have a job opportunity for you.”
“Really?” My heart flutters. “Already?”
A job, I mouth at Amy. Her eyebrows rise, and she gives me a double thumbs-up.
“Yes. Can you be downtown this afternoon?”
“This…this afternoon?” I gulp. “What, um…what time?”
“Preferably within the hour.”
“Um.”
Amy stares at me. My ears ring.
“Hello?” Rebecca asks.
“Yes,” I thickly answer. “I’m here.”
Shit, shit, shit. What am I going to do?
“Can you make it to an interview today? We have a potential job for you, and the client would just like to make sure you’ll be a good fit.”
“Just for an interview?” I ask. “It’s not for actual work?”
“I believe so,” Rebecca slowly answers. “But the client didn’t specify. He just needs someone to come in right away.”
“Okay.” I bite down on my lip. I can do this. I might be one cocktail deep, but it’s just an interview.
“Wonderful. I’ll text you the information now. Please remember to adhere to all the policies outlined in the handbook. Remember, you’re representing us all. Good luck!”
Rebecca hangs up, and my gaze falls to the handbook that I dropped on the coffee table. I just got it this morning. I haven’t even cracked it yet.
“Well?” Amy eagerly asks, hurrying over to me. “You have an interview?”
“Yeah. Now.” My mouth is so dry it’s a miracle I even get the two words out.
“Woohoo!” She raises her hand for a high five, but I just stare dumbly at it. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m in no position to go to an interview right now. I can’t even drive.”
“So get a cab.” Amy’s phone is already out, and she’s typing away. “I’m ordering you one now.”
“Okay.” I nod and swallow. “What am I going to do? What am I going to say? What if I mess everything up? I could blow the interview, and the agency will fire me before I’ve even done a day’s work.”
“Jayne.” Amy places her hands on my shoulders. “Chill. It’s going to be fine. If anything, the buzz you have going on will help you in the interview. You’ll be super relaxed.”
“Uh…yeah, I guess.”
My phone beeps, and I take a look at the text from Rebecca: an address, a building, and a name.
“Benjamin Glen,” I slowly say. “That sounds familiar.”
“Benjamin Glen,” Amy repeats. “Are you serious?”
I reread the text. “Yeah. GlenTech. That’s where the interview is.”
“Holy shit,” Amy breathes. “Jayne, you’re interviewing with the CEO of one of the biggest software companies in the country. No, the world.”
Cue the sweating palms and uneven breathing. “What? No. I can’t be.”
“This agency isn’t screwing around. They really do have the most exclusive clients. Did you know that Benjamin Glen created VetLink?”
“That’s that…that…” I shake my head, looking for words. The room spins, and it’s no longer just because of the alcohol.
“The social media site for veterans. Wow. This is so cool. Hey, maybe he wants to interview you because you’re ex-military.”
“Uh. I don’t know.” I search for my purse. “Maybe. Where’s my coat?”
“It’s pretty warm out.”
“I need some kind of jacket,” I insist. “In case it gets colder.”
“Right there.” She points at my jacket, tossed over the back of the couch.
I slip the jacket on. “How do I look?”
“Hold on.” Amy steps forward and smooths some hair behind my hair. “Great.” She glances down at her phone. “Your car is here.”
My heartbeat must double. Is this happening? Am I really about to go interview with one of the richest men in the world while spinning from tequila?
“I have to go,” I stumble, tripping over both my words and feet.
“Jayne.”
“Huh?” At the door, I spin around.
Amy pointed looks down. I follow her gaze and see I’m wearing house slippers. Though I kept on the morning’s outfit, I switched from heels to the most comfy footwear I own the second I got home.
“Right.” Kicking off the slippers, I pull on my heels and pray they don’t send me tumbling in the street—or worse, tumbling in the middle of Mr. Glen’s office. “Wish me luck.”
“Hold on!” Amy darts into the kitchen and returns a moment later with a bottle of water. “You should chug this.”
“You said being tipsy will help!”
She grimaces. “Good luck.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, knowing I’ll be needing it.
Chapter 5
Jayne
The foyer of GlenTech takes my breath away. Literally. It’s lavish and comfortable at the same time. There are plush, oversized chairs next to marble-detailed walls. A coffee bar that can give any pretentious, artisan one a run for its money. I try not to stare as I make my way to the front desk and announce my arrival.
Strange as it feels to be having two interviews in one day, it’s even stranger to be meeting with such a high-level client.
At least my buzz has worn off. Somewhat. I drained the water bottle in the cab on my way over, and now my erratic pulse is probably more due to nerves than anything else.
The receptionist sends me to the top floor, where a second receptionist takes me down a hallway and into a closed-off waiting room. The entire building feels like a labyrinth. There must be thousands of people working here, and from the looks of it, their king sits high above them all.
Here comes the nausea again.
“Would you like an espresso while you wait?” the receptionist asks. “Or a water? Cognac?”
“Um, no thank you. I’m fine.”
Cognac? Damn, fancy.
The cellphone in her hand buzzes, and she takes a look. “Oh. Mr. Glen is ready for you now. Right this way, please.”
She takes me further down the hallway, through another set of doors, and past a woman behind a desk who gives us the go-ahead. My guide raps on a door, and a male voice tells us to enter.
“Go right ahead.” She opens the door for me, and I step forwa
rd. I’m on my own from here.
The room I find myself in is so bright that all I can do is blink for a moment. When my eyes adjust, I see a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, a seating area composed of a leather couch and chairs, a giant fish tank next to a just-as-giant desk…and a man.
He’s walking towards me, his hand outstretched. “Jayne Hayfield?”
The words don’t come. This is Benjamin Glen? He can’t be more than a few years older than me. Not only that, the man standing here looks like he just walked out of the pages of a magazine. Guys with this kind of bone structure sell cologne and watches; they don’t run multi-billion dollar companies.
“I’m Benjamin Glen.” He shakes my hand, and his eyes briefly sweep down my form before they snap back up to my face. He smiles, a slight flush entering his cheeks.
Likely, he’s embarrassed to be caught checking me out. Which is strange, because I wouldn’t think a man in his position would have very many qualms.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I have to force the words from my lips, but at least they happen.
“Have a seat.” He gestures to the sitting area, waiting for me to go first.
As I take each careful step, I can feel his gaze on my back. It makes a delicious shiver go up my neck as my stomach knots in anxiety. I thought the tequila was going to make it hard to focus on this interview, but now I’ve been presented with a whole new problem. How am I supposed to keep it together with a man this hot staring me down?
I perch on one of the chairs, carefully crossing my ankles and resting my hands on my knees. One second at a time. One question at a time. I just need to focus on what’s happening at each moment; that way, I’ll make it through this.
Benjamin settles on the couch across from me, on the other side of a coffee table, and I take a brief moment to finish checking him out. Dark, wavy hair, dark eyes, a button-up shirt with rolled up sleeves and dark slacks. I can’t stop my eyes from lingering on the muscles peeking through the thin fabric.
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” I say, realizing that if I don’t say something soon I’ll be in serious trouble of coming across as an idiot. “I only just signed with the agency this morning.”
A smile flickers on his lips, but it doesn’t last long. He’s clearing his throat, all business. “I think you’re just what I’m looking for.”
I nod, though what he’s “looking for” is still unclear. Does he mean that I fit the bill because I’m ex-military? There’s probably nothing else that’s particularly unique on my resume, so I have to assume it’s that.
“How many children do you have?” I ask. Before I can stop my eyes, they flit down to his hand.
No wedding ring.
Now, it’s my turn to check my disobedient gaze.
“One,” he answers. “She’s six and in first grade. It’s a teacher workday today, so she’s with one of my assistants right now.”
“That’s a great age.”
“Mm-hmm.” He looks at the door briefly before glancing my way even more quickly. It’s like he can’t get his eyes to stay in one spot.
Did I do something wrong? My stomach sinks, but I keep the smile on my face.
“I’m looking for a nanny who provides more than just childcare,” Benjamin says. “My hours can be unpredictable, and I often work late. Mia will need homework help and her dinners made. Also, I need someone who has a clear schedule. The earlier you can come in in the mornings, the better. Saturdays are usually a requirement. Sundays are off, unless I need her watched for some reason. If you ever need time off, the agency can make sure there is someone to cover your days away.”
I nod through all of this. I have no problem working six or more days a week, as long as…
“I know the expectations are high,” Benjamin continues, “but I pay very well for them. Much more than industry standard.”
They’re just the words I was looking for.
“I’m used to working long hours,” I answer. “The military prepared me for that a long time ago.”
“You were in the military?” He cocks his head.
“Yes, I—” I start to point out that my background is in my resume, but check my tongue.
“My father was in the army.”
“Is that why you started VetLink?”
“Yeah. It is.” A wide, genuine smile appears on his face, showing off perfectly white and straight teeth. “When did you leave?”
“This fall. I was in for six years.”
Benjamin nods, a faraway look in his eyes. “I worked on VetLink for years. My father is my hero, and I wanted to do something that would help him connect with others who have served.”
“That’s really sweet.”
Suddenly, he blinks, the haziness disappearing from his eyes. “They didn’t tell me you were a veteran.”
Now, I’m even more confused. Isn’t my military experience what he was talking about before when he said I’m just what he’s looking for?
“And you’re from…”
“San Bravado.”
“Ah.” Benjamin studies me, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. I wonder if he was ever married. If so, how long has he been divorced for? Maybe he has a partner, and they just don’t wear rings.
I shouldn’t be thinking like this. I already told Amy that I’m not looking for a man right now. I need to get everything else in order. Plus, this guy is—if all goes well—about to be my boss. Lusting after the person I work for probably won’t lead anywhere good.
“Mia has had a number of nannies in the last year.” He pauses. “I’m looking for someone who can provide some stability for her.”
“Understood.” I nod. “I don’t have any conflicting plans for the future. I’m not going back into the army, and what I really want to do right now is take care of kids. It’s my passion.”
It’s a simple explanation, but hopefully, it’ll suffice.
“Great. In that case, I would love to offer you the job. If you’ll just sign this…” He reaches under the coffee table and pulls something from the lower shelf there. It’s a sheet of paper, which he slides over to me. “It’s a typical confidentiality agreement. I take great pains to make sure pictures of my daughter don’t get into the media. That goes for her whereabouts, as well. No one knows where she goes to school, and I want it to stay that way.”
I take a quick look over the agreement. It looks a lot like the one I already signed for Prestige.
“I’ll never reveal anything that could compromise her safety,” I promise, looking into his eyes to show him I mean it.
His brown eyes soften, and he nods.
Using the pen he offers, I sign on the dotted line and push the agreement back across the coffee table.
“I’ll need you at work at seven thirty tomorrow morning,” Benjamin says, slipping the pen behind his ear. Something about the move is so sexy, and for a moment, I’m close to coming undone again. I squeeze my hands tight and try to ignore the warmth pooling between my thighs.
“Seven thirty is just fine,” I respond.
“I thought so.” He smirks. “Military discipline and all. It’s impressive.”
“Surely you have it as well,” I say without thinking. “You’re, what? Maybe thirty, and you’ve built a giant software company? I’m guessing you inherited some of your dad’s self-discipline.”
Benjamin’s lips part, and his eyes squint slightly, as if he’s trying to see through a fog. My skin turns hot. Why did I bring up something so personal? Maybe I’m more buzzed than I thought I was.
When Benjamin finally answers, his words are slow. Well thought out. “I’ll be lucky if I ever become half the man my father was.”
There’s so much reverence in his voice that my chest swells with emotion. I don’t know how to answer, but it’s no longer because I’m afraid to say the wrong thing. Instead, I’m worried that if I open my mouth I won’t be able to stop talking.
Benjamin checks his wristwatch. “I need to be getting back
to work, but I’m glad to have met you.”
Just like that, the tender moment is over.
“I should be getting home, too,” I say as I stand. It’s not exactly true. The only things waiting for me at home are my roommate and an evening of stressing over my upcoming first day of nannying.
“Have to get back to the wife, huh?”
“Um.” I bite the inside of my lip, confused. What is he talking about? Could he know that I call Amy that?
I’m not in a position to ask too many questions, so I just nod.
“Right. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Glen.”
“You can call me Benjamin,” he offers. There’s a new silkiness in his voice, and it makes me inhale a little too sharply.
“In that case, call me Jayne.” I laugh, but it turns into an awkward throat clearing. We both know he already planned on addressing me by my first name. I’m the dang nanny, not his boss.
Benjamin’s lips part, but he pauses. I stay frozen, waiting. Something invigorating is filling the air between us, but I don’t yet know what it is.
“Have a good evening, Jayne,” he says.
Benjamin turns and walks for his desk, and I’m left to see myself out.
On the bottom floor, I slip into the bathroom to take a look in the mirror. Flushed cheeks. Dilated pupils. If my new boss didn’t notice how attracted I am to him, he’s willingly blind.
Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’m here to work, not to man hunt. There are plenty of guys in San Bravado. I’ve never pursued a relationship with a boss, but I know how that kind of thing tends to play out.
Benjamin Glen is off limits. No matter what.
Chapter 6
Benjamin
“Who’s got your balls in a vise-grip?” Matt asks.
I glower at him. “Want to say that a little louder?”
He laughs and glances around the small, dimly-lit bar. Nobody has heard him. Or, if they did, they don’t care. The turn-out at our usual spot is small, just like it always is. Few customers pass over Eclipse’s threshold each night, thanks to their strict entry policy. I like it that way.
I may be a bit of a tech nerd, but in San Bravado, that means something. Hardly a day goes by where someone doesn’t recognize me. Being able to come to at least one bar and kick back with nothing more than a few curious glances soothes me. Eclipse’s patrons are either too rich to care about who I am, or they know they’d be kicked out if they started a scene.
Nanny For Hire - A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire Romance Page 3
