A/N: I had every intention on waiting to post this until mid-December after my surgery that will have me off my feet for twelve weeks, but alas, someone convinced me to post it now... so, don't be surprised if the updates are a little slow. Please let me know if you like it and if you're interested in a Teaser for the next chapter.

Anastasia

This is so out of my comfort zone. Why I let Kate convince me to do this, I don't know! I was three margaritas in when the moment of weakness hit me and I agreed. I know nothing about children.

Kate's boyfriend, Elliot, has a billionaire brother who happens to be a single father... and sounds like a complete dick. Rumor has it that he's gone through twelve nannies in the last year and no nanny agency in Seattle will agree to take the asshole on as a client.

Somehow my name came up. Me. The only child. I haven't even ever held a baby before! But, I think Kate is sick of having me in her apartment. She saved me from crawling back to my parents when I left the publishing world behind. I spent four years getting my damn degree and within a few years of working with a Publishing House, I was over it. Ending up in the hospital probably had something to do with it. My boss was a disgusting douche bag. I don't like to even think about it.

Anyway, my money ran out for rent and Kate loved me enough to keep me from having to move back in with my parents at the ripe old age of 25. They're already put off about the money they dished out that ended up to be in vain. I managed to get enough scholarships to pay half my way, but my parents ended up paying the rest. I promised them I would pay them back one day... and If this job works out in my favor, I'll be able to pay them back by the end of summer.

Kate is already in the middle of packing up my things so I can move in to the asshole's house before I even meet him or his daughter. She's so optimistic. Wish I was. I used to be. The real world fucked me over too bad for me to be anything but salty and pessimistic.

"You really want me gone, don't you, Kavanagh?" My lips turn down into a frown as I watch her box up my Harry Potter collectibles. I hate when people touch my HP shrine. I've got multiple versions of the books, bobble heads, wands, action figures, etcetera, etcetera. You get the idea. I spent my entire childhood obsessed and I'm a complete Potterhead. Yes, I know I'm a nerd.

"I never said that, Ana. It's good luck is all. If you want the part you have to act the part. Pack up like it's going to happen and it's going to happen."

I stand there in my pressed black slacks and a lavender sleeveless top with high neckline and lace accents as I watch her throw my prized posessions in a box. I definitely feel Mary Poppinish in this outfit. Especially with my black retro inspired Mary Jane booties on my feet. I tap said shoe on the hardwood floor, annoyed.

"If you break any of my wands I swear I'll shove both pieces up your ass."

Kate gives me a knowing grin. "Nerd. Don't worry. I wouldn't dream of breaking any of your precious collectibles."

"You touching my things doesn't help with my nerves." I'm already an anxious mess. I really don't want to deal with an asshole all afternoon, but I do need to get out there and make some sort of money. It's been six months since the incident with the douche bag and I need to move on.

"Can you just maybe... like hold off on packing any more until I get back?" I want to be able to focus on meeting the man and his kid without worrying about what Kate has her mitts on.

Kate sighs and her arms drop to her sides. "Yea, I suppose. El will be here soon anyway." Her eyes rake over me. "You look great, Ana. Very professional."

I smile at the compliment. "You think so? It doesn't make me look too stuffy?"

She cocks her head to the side while she eyes me. Finally she shakes her head. "No, just stuffy enough. Christian is as stuffy as they come, so a little stuffy is good."

"Christian? That's his name?" Sexy.

"Yes, but don't call him that. He prefers Mr. Grey."

I roll my eyes. "Of course he does." My eyes fall to my Harry Potter clock on the wall. "Shit, I need to go."

Hurrying down the hallway, I grab my handbag from the hook on the wall by the door and as I open the door, I startle.

A behemoth of a man is standing in the hall of the apartment, his shoulders wide enough to fill the doorway and tall enough to tower over me. Luckily, I know this man and I know he's nothing but a big, flirty Teddy bear.

"Jesus, Ana. I didn't mean to startle you." Elliot's strong arms wrap me into a a hug, my face being shoved into his t-shirt covered muscular chest. It's obvious he owns his own construction business. He's fucking Tarzan.

I give him a quick squeeze before he lets me go. "Damn, Elliot. Do you use machinery to move those trees you cut down or do you just lug them yourself? I almost suffocated in your pecks."

His head falls back in a loud laugh that is pure testosterone, but I just shake my head at the giant man in front of me.

When his green eyes land back on me, I feel him give me a once over like Kate had just done. "Damn. You make a hot nanny, Stasia."

I roll my eyes. "I don't want to look hot. I want to look professional." I comb my fingers through my hair, worried that he somehow messed it up when my head smashed against him.

He gives me a wink. "You can look hot and professional at the same time."

I worry my bottom lip with my teeth. "Any pointers in dealing with your brother?" It's hard to believe that he could have a brother so uptight when he's so laid back and friendly.

Elliot shrugs. "He can be a dick. Don't let him intimidate you. He can smell fear and he preys on it. That's probably why he's so good at what he does."

"Steele! Why are you still standing there? Move!" Kate hollers at me, making me hop to. Damn it. I'm going to be late now. Stupid Elliot. He got in my way.

XxXxXx

As I make my way up the twenty floors to the executive floor of his own building, I am bouncing in my tiptoes. I am ten minutes late and the elevator seems to be climbing at the slowest rate possible. I can't believe I'm late. The asshole is going to see me come out of the elevator and turn me right back around to ride it back to the lobby. So much for professionalism.

Finally, the sweet feminine voice of the elevator states that I have reached the twentieth floor. Huh. Who knew elevators were feminine?

I quickly make my way towards the receptionist desk and find a blonde woman with resting bitch face sitting at her desk, typing away on her desktop computer.

"Um, hello..." Smooth, Steele. No confidence.

Her blue eyes snap up to mine.

"I'm-"

"I know who you are." She interrupts me and I actually take a step back in surprise. "You're late."

I wince. "I know, I'm sorry."

"Mr. Grey is not pleased."

I wet my lips, wondering if I should just retreat to the elevator.

"Andrea!" A baritone voice growls out of nowhere, making me startle.

The blonde, who I assume is Andrea, looks unbothered. She reaches for a button on her phone.

"Yes, Mr. Grey."

"Where is she?!?"

"Well he sounds delightful." I murmur under my breath, Andrea's eyes shooting back up to mine. I bite my lip and look up, suddenly finding the ceiling very interesting.

"She just got here." I look back at the blonde and find her raking her eyes up and down my body, her eyebrow raised.

Shit. Suddenly I feel like I chose the wrong outfit.

There is a beat before he answers her and I imagine him taking a deep breath, trying to keep his anger in check. Does he care enough to even do that?

"Send her in."

"You heard Mr. Grey. Go on. Right through those double doors." She points using her whole hand toward the giant gray doors with long modern handles of the same color.

Tripping over myself, my pin-up heels suddenly feel too heavy as I make my way toward the giant doors. They look ten feet tall and heavy as can be, but when my hand finds the handle and I pull, it opens with ease. I slide in when the door opens enough for me and turn to look curiously at the giant door as it slides closed with ease. Interesting. I wonder what these doors are made of.

"Ms. Steele."

I turn quickly on my heel to find the most gorgeous man I have ever laid eyes on. My breath leaves me in a huff of air as my eyes land on his stormy gray eyes. His eyes are hard, a wrinkle between his eyebrows forming as he scowls his perfect eyes at me under his long, copper eyelashes. His nose is pronounced and straight, his lips pressed into a line, hiding from me. His jaw that is covered in short copper stubble is strong and clenched and I can practically hear his teeth grinding. He looks to be a little over six foot tall, his shoulders slimmer than his giant brothers, but his shoulders are strong enough for his coat to sit perfectly on them. I lick my lips nervously and tell myself to stop gawking at the asshole in front of me.

I clear my throat. "Mr. Grey. I apologize for my tardiness."

His eyebrow cocks. "And what was so important that it kept you from a job interview?"

"Daddy, be nice." A sweet voice gets my attention and I notice for the first time a little girl with dirty blonde hair that reaches her chin sitting behind his desk. I can only see from her shoulders up and she looks tiny in his giant chair.

I watch the brooding asshole turn towards the little girl and suddenly his demeanor changes. His face softens and he squats in front of the little girl that is sitting at his desk. I don't know how his tailored pants don't give way when he does this, but I hear no tearing noise, so he manages to squat safely.

"Eloise, lovebug, you know I only want the best nanny for you. I don't want you to be late to any of your activities because your nanny has poor time management skills."

My heart swells at the softness towards his daughter, even though it's obvious she doesn't know what poor time management skills mean.

I step deeper into the room and find myself squating on the opposite side of the chair. His scowl returns as he watches me, but I do my best to ignore him.

"Eloise, is it?"

Turning towards me, the sweet girl gives me a large smile that shows she's missing a few teeth. Her eyes are gray like her father's but they're lighter and less troubled.

"Yes, that's me. But I like Ellie better."

I smile back at her. "Okay, Ellie. Nice to meet you." I hold my hand out and she reaches for my hand to shake. "My name is Anastasia, but I like to be called Ana."

"Hi, Ana." Her eyes dance around my face. "You're pretty."

"Thank you, Ellie. So are you."

Reaching out, her hand runs over my long hair. "I like your long hair."

"You do? I was just thinking about cutting it."

Her eyes widen. "I used to have long hair, but I fell asleep with gum and daddy had to cut it." Her hand pulls on her own short, chin length hair. "Short hair is awful. Please don't cut it. We can play beauty shop."

I grin. "Alright, you've convinced me."

"Your hair is dark."

"Yes, it is."

Suddenly, she frowns. "Dark hair makes my daddy sad. I think that's why he was mean about you being late."

"Eloise Grace!"

My eyes shoot to his before settling back to Ellie. She turns her head and scowls at her father, which makes me crack a grin. "Well, it's true!"

"Why do you say that?" I get her attention and she turns toward me, reaching for my long hair again.

"Because I've never had a dark-haired nanny before and Mommy had dark hair... but she left us. That's why it makes Daddy sad. It reminds him of Mommy."

My heart aches with her admission.

"Eloise, we've talked about this. It's just a coincidence. I'm not angry because of a hair color! She's late for an interview. That's unprofessional." His tone is warning, but lacks any true bite.

"Your daddy is right, Ellie. I'm afraid it was unprofessional."

She pouts. "Well, I'm sure you had a good reason. Just tell Daddy. If you smile at him, it helps..." She leans in and whispers "trust me!"

I giggle at her comment. "It was actually your uncle Elliot that made me late. He was giving me pointers on your dad so that I could spend more time with you."

She turns toward her father. "See, Daddy! She was trying to be a better nanny! You can't be mad now."

I look at him and I swear I see a flicker of entertainment in his face, but I can't tell.

Ellie leans into my ear and cups her hand, whispering that I need to smile at him to make him like me. It makes me grin at him.

"Looks like Ellie is giving you pointers like her Uncle Elliot."

"I like Uncle Elliot. He's my favorite. He's giant and when he puts me on his shoulders, I can touch the ceiling! Sometimes I'm scared I'm going to float into the sky!" Her eyes widen dramatically. "But Uncle always promises he won't let go."

"Uncle is good people. He wouldn't let you float away, Ellie."

"You like Uncle Elliot?"

I nod. "If course I do."

"Do you sit on his shoulders, too?"

I laugh. "No...er, well once, but only because we were trying to put up Christmas lights... and he didn't drop me or let me float away."

Ellie giggles and it warms my heart. I love this girl.

"I like you, Ana."

"I like you, too, Ellie. I think you and I are going to be good friends."

"Can grown-ups be friends with kids?"

"Of course they can!"

She searches my face. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-five. How old are you?"

"Nine."

"Nine? You're very mature for a nine year old. I think we'll get along perfectly, don't you?"

She nods, her dirty blonde hair bouncing a bit. "Yes! Daddy, can we keep her for a nanny?" Turning towards her father, she sticks her lip out in a pout, her hands clasped to beg him.

His eyes glance back and forth between his daughter and me, so I decide to follow suit and clasp my own hands, my lip sticking out dramatically. Say yes, Grey! I'm already obsessed with this little girl, so if I've got to whimper like a dog to get him to cave, so be it.

Luckily, he caves before I get a whimper out.

"Fine." He sighs, pushing himself up off his crouched position while he runs his hand through his hair. "But you're on a probationary period for one week."

Standing, I give him a nod. "I understand, sir. I won't let you down."

He looks me up and down a few times, sizing me up. He doubts my capabilities.

Yea, me too, Grey.