“You’re hired.”
I felt my jaw drop as I leaned towards him. “But you haven’t even checked my references or anything,” I sputtered.
“I’m not used to anyone questioning my decisions.” His tone held a trace of steel mixed with humor, so it was hard to tell if he liked that I was questioning him, or if I should never do it again. “But, of course, the offer is subject to the background check I’ll run on you.”
Since I’d always been one to follow the rules, I didn’t have to worry he’d uncover anything and shrugged my shoulders.
“I’d like you to come back to meet Sophia tomorrow, after I’ve had the chance to talk with her about you.”
“That will be fine,” I agreed.
“And then, if all goes well, I’ll want you to move in this weekend when I’m available to help.”
“Move in?” I gasped. “I didn’t realize this was for a live-in position.”
“It is now.” Some of my shock must have shown on my face. “No need to worry, though. Not only will we have my daughter to act as a chaperone, but my mother lives upstairs.”
I didn’t understand exactly what he meant about the position only now being a live-in one, but I found myself agreeing anyway. It looked like I’d found the nanny position I’d wanted, only it was more than I’d bargained for.
Chapter 2
Nic
“Caduto dalle Nuvole,” I muttered softly. The expression of surprise had slipped from my lips involuntarily when I opened up my front door to find the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Not in the traditional sense, like a tall, Barbie-shaped model. This woman was all curves and sweetness—a combination so sexy, I was suddenly fighting to keep from scaring her away with an obvious erection. I suddenly had a strong hatred for long sleeve sweaters with buttons up the front. Her dark hair, green eyes, and olive skin hinted at an Italian heritage, and I filed that away for later.
In a spilt-second, I had no doubt the woman was mine. I’d taken her hand and walked her back to my office for an “interview.” It seemed the wisest course of action at the moment. I didn’t want to scare her away. Not that I would let her go. In fact, when she spoke about her desire to be a wife and mom, I decided to move her in with us. Surprisingly, it hadn’t taken much convincing, and I’d had to stifle a lascivious grin when I realized she was just as affected by me as I was by her.
I took her hand once again, helping her up from her seat and guiding her to the front door. I lifted her hand and brushed my lips over the silky skin on the back.
“Until tomorrow, mia dolce.”
Anna’s eyes were wide and a little bewildered, as she nodded then turned to slowly descend the stairs leading to my front door. When she reached the sidewalk, she looked back to where I was standing, leaning against the doorframe, watching her. I smiled and winked, immensely pleased with the pink tinge that appeared on her cheeks. Damn, she was fucking gorgeous, and I couldn’t wait to get another look at the lushness beneath her sweater and learn just how far down she would blush when I was worshipping her body. And make no mistake, it would be happening soon.
I wasted no time calling the agency and informing them of the status change to live-in and asked for her background check to be faxed over. It was in my hands less than ten minutes later. I raised a brow at the name printed across the top confirming my suspicions as to her genealogy.
Gianna.
The name suited her. It was every bit as exquisite as she was. Why in the world would she use Anna? It occurred to me then, she was my Gianna and mine alone, while everyone else got Anna. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably, my cock definitely loving the idea.
“Daddy!” A sweet voice rang out as a blur of tiny arms and legs, with dark hair streaming out behind, hurled themselves into my arms.
I stood just in time to catch her up and twirl her around. “How’s my preziosa today?” I asked Sophia as I smacked a kiss on her plump little cheek.
She giggled and returned the gesture. “I’m feeling good today, can I go to the park?” She blinked her long lashes at me, her light brown eyes wide and begging. “Please?”
How could anyone ever deny this precious girl anything? I checked my watch, I didn’t have another meeting until later in the evening. “Why not?” Her whole face lit up with her smile, and I felt like the king of the world. I would do whatever it took to see that smile on her face, always. Days like those, they almost made me forget the ones where her perfect face was gaunt and pale, her whiskey-colored eyes full of pain.
We collected my mother from her apartment on the fifth floor of our townhouse. I’d built it for her two years before when my father passed. Knowing she was aging, and eventually the stairs would be too much, I had an elevator installed, which was a blessing for Sophia, who often didn’t have the stamina for the stairs, as well.
Our home was in Central Park West, so we only had to cross the street to step out of the concrete jungle and into the lush, green, peaceful atmosphere of the park. My mother and I settled on a bench to watch Sophia as she played on the jungle gym.
“How did the interview go, Niccolo?” she inquired.
I wasn’t sure how to answer, but honesty seemed the best policy, especially when it came to my mother. Nobody in the family could ever get away with lying to Mamma Allegra. “I hired her. But, she won’t be Sophia’s nanny for long.”
Mother started chortling, and I glanced her way quizzically.
“Just like your father, aren’t you Niccolo?”
“I appreciate the compliment, Mamma, but would you mind sharing the joke?”
She reached over and patted my hand. “Your papà
took one look at me and the next day he’d arranged a marriage with my father. Our fathers were certainly happy for the alliance, but it wouldn’t have mattered to my Lorenzo. He would have stolen me away if they hadn’t given their permission. Lucky for him, I’d been mooning after him from afar and was all too happy to let him sweep me off my feet.”
I knew my parents had an arranged marriage of sorts and they’d been deeply in love as long as I could remember, but I didn’t know the rest of the story. “You didn’t know Papà before he asked for your hand?”
She shook her head. “He worked for his family, and I only saw him when he came to our house for business. I wasn’t supposed to be anywhere around, but once I caught a glimpse of him, I hovered in the background every time he was there.” She laughed again softly, but her eyes saddened. “I miss him every day.” She pinned me with a stare. “If she is the one, don’t let her get away, Niccolo.”
“She is and I won’t,” I stated firmly. “She’ll be back to meet Sophia tomorrow. Then I’m moving her in this weekend.”
“Into her own room?” my mother asked suspiciously. Raised in a devoutly Catholic, Italian family, she wouldn’t approve of my sharing a bed with a woman, much less a room before we were married. I had no such qualms and, while I deeply respected my mother, it was my house, my rules.
“For now.” I hated to disappoint my mother, but I was determined to have Gianna permanently in my bed by the end of the next week.
We spent an hour at the park then I took my girls home, instructing my mother to rest and let me order pizza. As expected, she was appalled that we would eat pizza she hadn’t cooked. I looked pointedly at her broken arm, and she huffed but acquiesced.
While they ate and watched a movie, I returned to my office for a conference call.
“Niccolo, you’re going to have to take over the reins soon, I’m getting too old for this shit,” said my uncle, Antonio.
When my father died, Sophia was extremely sick and I was only twenty years old. I asked my father’s older brother to step in for him until I was ready to take his place. Antonio had never had any desire to lead the family business. He’d been happy running the front business, the perfectly spotless and legit shipping company. But, he had understood and agreed.
Two years later, he was reminded why he never wanted t
o be in my father’s shoes and he’d been after me to take his place. I knew my time was running out. But now, more than ever, I needed a little more time. I couldn’t take over until Gianna was officially mine. I wanted a ring on her finger and a baby in her belly before she found out about my “real” job. I’d ease her into the life before opening her eyes to it all.
“I met someone, Antonio,” I stated quietly. There was a beat of silence.
“Serious?” he asked.
“She’s mine. Even if she doesn’t know it yet.”
Antonio chuckled. “There is so much DeLuca in you, Nic. All right, I know it won’t be long then. I’ll give you some more time.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you next Friday at the meeting with the O’Reilly's.” A snitch we had in our pocket had recently brought it to our attention that a local faction of the Irish mob had been trying to inch in on our territory. We were going to attempt a peaceful resolution first, but I knew this group, and I didn’t foresee it happening without force. If things didn’t go well, I’d have to hire security for Gianna and Sophia.
***
The doorbell rang and Sophia perked up from where she was coloring at the kitchen table. I waved at her to stay put while I went to answer the summons.
I didn’t realize how tense I’d been until I saw Gianna standing on the porch. She looked nervous but excited, and it was cute as hell. I swept my eyes down her succulent body, taking in the swell of her ample tits, pressing against the fabric of her white blouse. Her tiny waist, full hips, and long legs (despite her height which her bio had listed as five foot five) enhanced the flirty red skirt she was wearing. I glared a little at the hem, willing it to grow longer.
When my eyes returned to hers, her cheeks were pink and my body tingled with the anxious need to drag her into me and kiss the fuck out of her.
“Gianna,” I greeted calmly, masking the arousal and need humming in my body. Damn, she was gorgeous.
Her eyebrows shot up at the use of her full name. “It’s Anna,” she corrected as she moved to enter. I turned to the side but stayed in the entrance, forcing her to brush by me. The touch was too much. I gripped her hand and dragged her around the nearest corner. I backed her up into the wall of my living room and grasped her waist firmly. Her eyes flitted around apprehensively, but eventually, the green pools locked onto my gaze.
“Not to me,” I told her gruffly. “To me, and only me, you’re my Gianna.”
Her eyes widened slightly, but I only saw it for a second since in the next one, my lips crashed down onto hers.
Chapter 3
Anna
I’d been kissed before. Or at least I thought I had, right up until the moment Nic DeLuca’s mouth claimed mine. There was none of the usual awkwardness of a first kiss. No chance for me to wonder how I should hold my head, if I tasted like the strawberry lip balm I’d put on earlier, or if I should part my lips. As soon as his lush lips met mine, I gasped in surprise and he took control. Head slanted to the right, his tongue swept inside to tangle with mine. His fingers dug into my waist, tugging me flush against his body and proving exactly how much he was enjoying our kiss when I felt his hard length hot against my stomach. By the time he pulled away to nibble on my lips, I could barely see straight, let alone stand by myself without him keeping me upright. The pecks I’d received had been from boys, but Nic DeLuca was no boy—he was all man.
Once I’d steadied myself, one of his hands slid from my waist, down to the hem of my skirt. I shivered when he slid it up my thigh, the heat from his palm searing my skin. “Given more time, I could come to appreciate your choice of skirt, but my daughter is waiting for us in the kitchen.”
His daughter, who I’d come to meet and promptly forgotten about when he’d gotten his lips on me. “Crapballs.”
His deep chuckle made me aware I’d said that aloud and not just in my head. I felt the heat of a blush climb up my neck to my face. He swiped his thumb across my cheekbone as he stared down at me. “Such innocence,” he sighed. “It’s almost a shame you found your way to my door.”
He didn’t give me a chance to wonder what he meant by his statement, twining his fingers in mine and leading me out of the living room and down a hallway into the kitchen. It was outfitted with top of the line, stainless steel appliances and gleaming black countertops, but it still looked homey. Colorful drawings were stuck to the fridge, a few dishes were in the sink, and a large bowl of fruit sat in the middle of the counter. I barely took the time to appreciate the beauty of the room, my eyes quickly drawn to the little girl with long brown hair, practically vibrating in her chair at the table as she stared up at us with shining, brown eyes.
“Is this her, Daddy?” she asked, her voice high with excitement.
“Yes, my preziosa. This is Anna.” The smile he sent her way, his love for his daughter clear in his eyes, made him even more attractive. “Anna, this is my baby girl, Sophia.”
“I’m not a baby anymore, Daddy,” Sophia said in exasperation. “I’m almost seven.”
“Your birthday isn’t for another five months,” he reminded her.
“I know,” she sighed. “That’s why I’m only almost seven.”
She was too adorable. I giggled at her response and she quickly joined in.
“Oh, I see what’s going to happen,” he grumbled exaggeratedly. “You two are going to team up on me, aren’t you?”
Sophia and I smiled at each other, giggling even harder. Once our laughter died down, I shrugged my shoulders at Nic and offered him an apologetic smile. “What can I say? Us girls need to stick together.”
“Yeah, Daddy,” Sophia chimed in. “It’s a girl thing, you wouldn’t understand.”
Her response and Nic’s answering growl set off another round of giggles for me, which were interrupted by the ringing of a cell phone.
“I’m sorry,” Nic apologized after pulling his phone from his pants pocket and glancing down at the screen. “I’ve been expecting a call about an urgent matter and need to take this.”
“Go ahead.” I waved him away, pulling the chair next to Sophia out and dropping down onto it. “Sophia and I will be fine. It looks like she has some beautiful pictures here she can show me.”
There was a moment of awkward silence when Nic left the room, but I quickly filled it by asking Sophia about her pictures. “Is this one a kitten?”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I really, really want one, and Daddy said I might be able to get one soon. It depends on what the doctor says at my next appointment. I hope Dr. Declan says I’m all better and Daddy surprises me with a kitten.”
“What kind of kitten would you want?”
“A fluffy white one!” Her response was lightning fast, as though she’d given a lot of thought to it. “Or a grey one, but it has to be super fluffy.”
“I’ll make sure to tell him to only look at super fluffy kittens if you can get one, okay?”
“Thank you,” she said sweetly.
“You’re welcome, but I love fluffy kittens, too.”
“Maybe you can help with the kitten? Daddy said you’re moving in with us.” Sophia’s angelic voice held the slightest note of uncertainty.
“Your daddy thought it would be easier for me to help take care of you if I did, but only if you’re okay with me living here,” I reassured her.
“Oh, I am!” she blurted out. “But I didn’t know if you had a little girl like me at home who would miss you.”
I moved out of my chair and dropped to my knees in front of her, taking her hands into mine. “No little girls or boys for me yet. If I did, then I wouldn’t be able to move in with you. I graduated from high school a year ago, but I still live with my mom and dad. I’m sure they’ll miss me, but they know it’s about time for me to leave home anyway.”
“My daddy had me when he was in high school when he lived at Nonno and Nonna’s old house.” Her admission confirmed my earlier assumption about Nic’s age. “But we moved out when I was two because Daddy wanted
us to have a house all to ourselves. Then when Nonno died, he told Nonna he was willing to share me with her, and she moved in upstairs and we got an elevator.”
That was a lot of information out of such a little mouth. I wasn’t sure what to tackle first, so I went with the safest subject. “An elevator, huh? I’d love for you to show it to me. My mom and dad’s house doesn’t have one of those.”
She cocked her head at me. “I don’t have a mom, just a Daddy and Nonna.”
“I’m working on it, my preziosa.”
I jumped to my feet and whirled around, startled by the sound of Nic’s voice. For a big guy, he sure was light on his feet. I hadn’t heard him return, but surely he hadn’t said what I thought. The rich, hot, single dad falling head over heels for the nanny, at first sight, was something that only happened in romance novels, not real life. Even if it did, it certainly wouldn’t happen to me. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and stepped away from Sophia, who was staring at both of us, her gaze swiveling back and forth while she had a big grin on her face as she took in the determined look on his.
“I’m sorry to say I need to cut our meeting short. I have business matters which need my attention, and my mother is waiting for Sophia to join her upstairs before I leave.”
Sophia scrambled from her chair and flung herself at Nic’s legs, giving him a quick hug. “Bye, Daddy.”
He bent down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Bye, my preziosa. I won’t be too long.”
“Okay,” she answered happily. She pulled away from him and before I knew it, she was hurtling towards me. Her skinny arms wrapped around my waist as she pressed her cheek against me in a quick hug. “Bye, Anna. It was nice meeting you.”
“It was nice to meet you, too, sweetie.”
She was gone in a flash, racing away, presumably to the elevator she’d told me about earlier.
“That went well,” Nic murmured, twining my hand in his once again.
“It did,” I agreed as he led me down the hallway and to the door. My gaze landed on the wall where he’d kissed me and I almost missed what he was saying as I remembered the feel of his lips on mine.
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