Protecting the Babysitter: A Billionaire Alpha Male Romance

by Bloom, Nikki

  “Hayes,” I returned. “Get your overgrown, disgusting feet off my desk.”

  With a growl of laughter, he complied. “Prick. Every time I come to this damned office people look down their polished little noses at me, like that assistant that guards your door like a cute but feisty pit bull.”

  Rubbing my chin, I observed David. With the tattoos peeking from under his collar, the worn leather jacket that he never took off, and the scruffy black beard, he looked like an escaped convict. “Nobody is looking down their nose at you, man. They’re afraid of you. You always look like you’re ready to pummel somebody.”

  Gasping dramatically, he grunted. “What? But I’m such a sensitive soul.”

  “Can’t tell by looking at you,” I snickered.

  David shrugged and lifted the folder he carried. “Well, I did what you asked.”

  My heart leaped as I stared at the file that landed on my desk. Swallowing, I met David’s curious gaze. “What did you find?”

  His bushy brows shot up. “Why don’t you take a look?”

  Bile rose in my throat. I was invading someone’s privacy. Crystal’s privacy. Because of my sick need to control everything and Crystal making it difficult, I hired David to run a background check on her. A dick move, I know. But she refused to tell me anything about herself, and I knew she was hiding something. I had her in my home, around my nephew. In my bed. I just had to know who she was. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the file and flipped it open.

  After a few seconds, I pinned David with a glare. “What is this? There’s nothing here except...”

  “Exactly. Your Crystal Scott, who you said is twenty-four, died fifteen years ago. She must look pretty good for a dead woman if you’re so interested in her.”

  Sending David a murderous look, I growled, “Fuck you, David.” My heart pounded and a wave of nausea washed over me. Was Crystal some kind of criminal on the run from the law? She worked at my nephew’s school for Christ’s sake. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. There was no way she was some hardened criminal. She was so sweet and timid―well, not when she was naked and riding the hell out of me…

  Damn it! Despite my discovery, my mind still went there. There had to be some other explanation. I hadn’t asked her about it, but I had seen unmistakable fear in her eyes more than once. She was definitely running from something, but it couldn’t be the law. I hoped not because as angry as I was, the desire to see her, to experience more with her was still present.

  David cleared his throat. “Hey, you alright man?”

  “I... I honestly don’t know.” I’d never been in the position of wanting a woman so badly, I was actually considering looking over the fact that she was a liar and probably a criminal.

  “You want to hit the bar later? You look like you could use a few.”

  I sat back in my chair and let out a breath. “I’ll take a rain check. There’s something I have to do later.”

  David groaned. “For the love of God, man. Just let it go. You got hung up on a woman, it turns out that she isn’t who she says she is, forget about her and move on. You’ve got a cushy life going here. You want to ruin that for some chick?”

  “She’s not just some chick!” I growled, slamming my hands down on my desk.

  David didn’t flinch. He merely lifted one brow in amusement. I, on the other hand, was shaken by my bout of temper. That was a first for me too. It was official. Crystal Scott...or whoever the hell she was had turned my life upside down. I had to see her. But I didn’t know if I was going to confront her about what I’d discovered or give her the chance to come clean on her own.

  9

  Crystal

  I was back to dull Crystal mode and flying under the radar. I kept my head down at work and prayed like hell that there wouldn’t be some random ID check or something that would totally blow my cover. I mean, I didn’t know if that was a thing at schools, but I had to consider the possibility. I’d already had one miracle―no one had done a background check on me when I’d applied for the job. I think I was all out of miracles.

  Although things were back to normal...my normal anyway, I was still in a daze after the weekend even though two days had passed. And when I said daze, I meant I was still drunk from my very passionate Sunday night with Erik, who I had justly dubbed a sex god. I could still smell his intoxicating scent, hear his seductive murmurs, feel his hands and mouth on me, feel him inside of me. It was a night I wouldn’t likely ever forget.

  I sighed. At least, I had one nice memory to draw on when I was alone and miserable in my apartment or God forbid, another sleazy motel room. It was almost tragic that I most likely wouldn’t see Erik again. I’d made the mistake of exchanging phone numbers with him when I accepted the babysitting job, and he’d been ringing my phone nonstop since I left his place. I had done more than just leave though. I’d run out of his apartment like the hounds of hell were on my heels.

  I panicked when I woke up to find him in bed with me. In all fairness, we were in his bed, so he was bound to be there, but being so cozy with him was a major cause for panic. Sighing heavily as I stirred my coffee, I realized with growing sadness that even if I did distance myself from any romantic relationship, I’d still be heartbroken if I had to leave. I liked my job and the kids. I liked Seattle.

  “What exactly are you stirring into that coffee? Because you’ve been stirring way too vigorously for way too long.”

  Starting, my head whipped up at the sound of the familiar voice. Lorie Evers, the music teacher, stood at the counter studying me with amusement. Lorie always struck up conversations that I was reluctant to engage in. I tried to maintain my distance with most of the staff, only giving polite howdies and goodbyes. Lorie wasn’t having it though, and over time I found myself cozying up to her. It was hard not to because her personality was so inviting. She was a warm, friendly woman with a ready smile, and the most flawless caramel skin I’d ever seen, not to mention the longest legs. I think I asked her once if she used to model and she scoffed it off, claiming that she loved food too much to be one.

  “Hey, Lorie, I didn’t hear you come in.”

  She smiled and flicked a lock of her tightly curled hair out of her face and took the chair next to mine. “Of course not. You were a million miles away just now. Everything okay?”

  “Everything is peachy.”

  She eyed me dubiously. “Right. I guess that’s why you look like someone just kicked your puppy.”

  “Why do people always say that?” I grumbled. “I don’t even have a puppy for anyone to kick.”

  Lorie’s breezy, melodious laughter filled the room and I found myself wanting to smile. My lips twitched and curved upward and before I knew it, a smile was splitting my face.

  “I have no idea why people say that, but you have to admit, kicking a puppy is freaking sad.” Lorie shrugged, “And you look freaking sad.”

  I took a sip from my mug so I wouldn’t have to respond immediately. Damn my expressive face. “I’m not,” I denied.

  Lorie let out another laugh and opened her lunch bag.” Uh huh. Well, then I guess those dark circles under your blood-shot eyes from lack of sleep means you’re oh so happy.”

  I sighed and stared into my afternoon cup of coffee. It was my fourth cup since my day began. I studied Lorie silently for a moment. Could I talk to her? Should I? Of course I shouldn’t. Lorie was a perfectly nice woman who I was sure would be a great friend to keep close under normal circumstances. But I couldn’t drag her into my messy life. I couldn’t tell her my deep dark secret but...I could talk about my weekend in little detail.

  “Okay, you got me. I’m a bit off today because I had an...interesting weekend.” It was more or less the truth.

  “Give me more,’ Lorie said before biting into an apple.

  “I met a guy.” She gasped and scooted her chair closer, making me giggle. “I see you’re all for gossip.”

  Lorie shook her head. “Gossip-no, men-yes. Details.”


  I suppose I was relieved to talk to someone about something. I wasn’t naturally introverted. I was forced to be due to circumstances, and the woman I once was wanted so badly to burst free. “I met this man on Friday and by Sunday night, I’d slept with him. Honest opinion. Does that make me a tramp?”

  Lorie slammed down her apple. “No, ma’am! You’re only a tramp if you make it a habit of sleeping with men you just meet. Frankly, you seem like too much of a prude for that to be a habit of yours.”

  “Hey!” I glanced around to make sure no one else had entered the teachers’ lounge.

  “Oh, come on. You have to admit, that’s the vibe you’ve been giving off since I met you.”

  “That’s not really me,” I replied and pouted.

  “So this…” Lorie waved a hand over me, “…is all an act?”

  Nibbling my lower lip, I nearly said yes. But it wasn’t an act per se; I’d just withdrawn from who I really was because I felt so...defeated. “How about we just stick to the topic of my interesting weekend?”

  Eyes narrowed, Lorie stared at me until I started to feel uneasy. It felt like she could see through me and slowly discovering my secret. Finally, she sighed. “Fine. But one day, I hope you’ll trust me enough to let me in. I really do like you, Crystal, and not to toot my own horn but you’d find that I’m a genuine person.”

  “I can already tell that you are, Lorie,” I said softly. I’d picked up on that the first day I met her.

  “Good.” She smiled. “So, what happened after you…” she too glanced around the room and then lowered her voice, “slept with this mystery man?”

  Cheeks on fire, I admitted, “The next morning I sort of ran away.”

  “So it was a one night stand?” Lorie’s eyes were wide with interest.

  “I guess you can say that. I have no intention of repeating it. I had no intention of sleeping with him in the first place, but it just happened and it was incredible.”

  Lorie’s delighted squeal made me grin. “I’m so happy that you got some. You looked like you really needed to get laid.”

  I was taking a sip from my cup when she made her comment and I ended up in a fit of uncontrollable coughing. I was right; Lorie and I would make great friends if I could get close enough because she was so much like the best friend I’d left behind in my old life. Sobering, I took a couple of deep breaths. “My God, is everyone going to know that I got laid by looking at me?”

  “Only those who’ve been paying attention, so pretty much just me.” Lorie smiled. “Okay, so you had a one-night stand over the weekend and it was great. We all have our wild moments. What’s the big deal?”

  “I can’t stop thinking about him,” I said and sighed. “He’s been calling, and I’ve been so tempted to answer.”

  “Then answer and have more wild nights with him.”

  I glanced at Lorie and rolled my eyes. If only things were that simple. “If I do that, I just might get to like him too much and I’m at a point in my life where I don’t do relationships.” I shrugged. “It’s best for him if I stay away.”

  I was hit with a bemused stare and I hoped Lorie wouldn’t press for an explanation. Fortunately, she was perceptive enough to realize that I’d become uncomfortable.

  “Hmm, well that sucks, doesn’t it? If you feel it’s best to stay away from this guy, then by all means, stay away from him.”

  We both fell silent―me sipping coffee and Lorie digging into her lunch. I let out a breath and allowed her words to sink in. It really was for the best if I stayed away from Erik.

  * * *

  My decision to stay away from the man who haunted my every thought became much more complicated when I stepped outside the blue double doors of the school building and saw him. I gasped. Erik was leaning casually against his flashy sports car with his arms folded and ankles crossed. He wore another one of his expensive suits and a pair of sunglasses. The second I saw him, the first thought that came to mind was that he looked like he was doing a photo shoot for GQ magazine. The only thing missing was the camera crew. The second thought that came to mind―after taking a few seconds to drool over him―was shit! Run!

  And I intended to do just that, but he turned his head and looked right at me and he didn’t look too happy. I swore I could feel the heat of his gaze through his dark sunglasses. Gulping, I thought about still running. All I had to do was turn around and scurry back inside. I mean, what was he going to do? Chase me inside and through the hallways of his nephew’s school?

  Then I thought of how foolish I would look. Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and descended the steps. The school compound was empty. It was past four, so there was no way Erik was picking up Mason again. He was definitely there to see me.

  He unfolded himself and trekked toward me, his face twisted in a frown. I wished I could see his eyes beneath those damn sunglasses, so I could gauge just how upset he was.

  “Crystal,” he greeted. “We meet again.”

  Clearing my throat, I croaked, “W-what are you doing here?”

  A humorless laugh echoed and carried on the breeze. Yeah, he was definitely pissed. “Since you’ve been ignoring my calls, I resorted to lurking outside your workplace, hoping for a glimpse of you.” He took off his sunglasses then, and suddenly I wished he hadn’t. I wasn’t expecting to be so affected when he hit me with eyes swirling with their usual intensity, with a hint of hurt and a whole lot of fury. “See what you’ve reduced me to?”

  “Stalking?” I retorted with a bout of temper. I was just so annoyed that he was making things so hard for me. Why couldn’t he just stay away?

  His lips formed a tight line and the muscles in his jaw ticked. I thought he’d walk away since I’d apparently offended him, but he did the unexpected. His rumble of laughter took me by surprise.

  Erik shoved a hand through his hair and let out a string of expletives. His laughter continued as he shook his head and looked up at the sky. Had he gone insane? “What the hell am I doing?”

  I figured the question wasn’t directed at me and kept my mouth shut. Then he surprised me again by pinning me to the spot with those fierce orbs. “Enough of the bullshit. Get your ass in the car, Crystal.”

  10

  Erik

  The stare down that ensued between Crystal and me would have been amusing if I wasn’t so frustrated. Sure, dishing out orders wasn’t the best approach, but I had reached my wit’s end. I could see the gathering storm in her eyes and I found it sexy as hell. It was official, I was one sick bastard. I was angry at her for ignoring me, suspicious about who she really was yet, I wanted to haul her against me and kiss the ever-living hell out of her.

  “Excuse me?” Her eyes narrowed to angry slits, giving me yet another glimpse of the woman I’d come to realize was hiding beneath her reserved, mysterious facade. “Don’t think you can speak to me like that.”

  Teeth gritted, I said, “Fine. Get your sweet ass in the car, please.”

  “Why you…” She huffed. “You know what? I don’t have to stand here and take this. Goodbye, Erik.”

  I snagged her wrist before she could flounce off. “So help me, I will throw you over my shoulder.” I don’t know what possessed me. I was behaving like a crazy person, but I needed answers. Plus, seeing her and realizing that what I’d discovered about her hadn’t diminished my attraction to her at all, had me feeling out of sorts. I was more angry with myself than I was with Crystal, and I was taking it out on her.

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me.”

  Crystal seemed as if she was about to argue but her mouth clamped shut when she glanced toward the two women who emerged from the school building. The women paused to eye us curiously. Letting out a resigned sigh, she pulled her hand from my grasp and stiffly marched to my car.

  As soon as I got in, she turned on me with a scowl. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

  It was a good question―one I didn’t quite have the answer for. Massaging
the bridge of my nose, I shrugged. “I’m wondering the same damned thing. Look, I’m sorry for my behavior just now.”

  My apology seemed to calm her down a bit because she sat back and faced forward. “Why are you here?”

  “You’ve been ignoring my calls.”

  “Because we have nothing to talk about. I worked for you over the weekend, we ended up in bed, and that’s that.”

  Her nonchalant attitude toward us having amazing sex stunned me beyond belief. Admittedly, I was more annoyed because I was usually the one on the indifferent side. Thinking that maybe karma had come around to bite me in the ass, I fell silent and stared blankly ahead. Maybe David was right. I should just forget about Crystal and move on… if only it wasn’t so difficult.

  Her soft voice filtered into my troubling thoughts. “I’ve offended you again. I have a habit of doing that, don’t I? Look, Erik, I’m not a bitch, I swear, I just―”

  “It never crossed my mind that you were.” I glanced at her with a slight smile, “Infuriating and beyond difficult, yes, but never a bitch.”

  Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled back. Just like that, the tension between us that had been on the way to a boiling point since our first words to each other dissipated. “Let me give you a ride home.”

  “No thanks, I can take the bus. I’m actually going to get a car pretty soon. Thanks to you and your terror of taking care of a harmless six-year-old on your own, I can afford one sooner than planned,” she finished with a small laugh.

  She’d volunteered a morsel of information about herself and I ate it up like a starving animal, eager for more scraps. I gazed at her, wishing she’d put me out of my misery and come clean about who she was. She caught me staring at her and as always, her cheeks took on a pink tinge and she averted her gaze with a shy smile. Then, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She seemed to do that when she was nervous or uncomfortable, I knew that much.