Anastasia

Holy Shit. Christian actually smiled. Barely, but still. That small smile made him actually look his age, which is thirty-one by the way... a little google can go a long way. It also made him look even more gorgeous than he already was. He definitely needs to smile a little more. He seems to have the world on his shoulders and the stress is going to send him to an early grave.

Mr. Grey and Ellie just finished showing me the gorgeous guest house that is across the large pool/outside kitchen area in the back. It has one bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and an open floor plan that houses a living room with a television, a full kitchen with an island and a beautiful oak dining room set that sits six. There are two sets of French patio doors that open to the pool area along with a built in washer and dryer hidden under the cabinets of the kitchen.

"I think this is the most beautiful place I've ever lived." I can't believe that this is going to be my home.

Christian ignores my comment and instead, opens his palm to me. "Here is the key. The code to the security system and the wifi password for the guest house is on the counter."

Looking into his hand, I notice it perfectly manicured and just as beautiful as his face. I've never been attracted to hands before, but for some reason, I find myself a little turned on by them. I inwardly roll my eyes at myself. Get ahold of yourself.

I take the key that is attached to a leather keyring that's got the word 'chateau' written in gold lettering on the front and suck in a puff of air through my nose when my fingertips graze his palm. An electric current runs down my arm, but I clench my jaw and try to ignore it.

His palm remains open after I take the key and I'm completely confused.

"Your car keys, Ms. Steele."

"Ha!"

He rolls his eyes. "I'm not going to do anything with it. I was going to unpack your vehicle."

"Oh. Well, I appreciate that. I'll walk up with you. It'll take both of us."

"I can help, too!" Ellie smiles at us and turns to race toward the SUV that Mr. Grey doesn't want her near.

We hurry after her and by the time we make it to the car, she's grunting and panting, trying to pull out a small duffle bag.

"Do you need help?" I ask, seeing she almost has it out of the backseat. I don't want to be a ball buster and do it for her if she wants to do it.

"No, I got it!" She grunts as she jumps down from the backseat and yanks with all her might. Christian manages to grab the duffle just as the heavy thing is about to fall on top of her.

"Ellie, this is heavy. Why don't you get something else."

"But I want that one!" She puts her hand on her hips and gives her dad sass.

"That's okay, Ellie. I've got something that's more fun to carry! Come with me!" Opening my back hatch, I pull out my suitcase with wheels and pull up the handle before handing it to her. "Can you roll this back to the the pool house?"

"It's a guest house, not a pool house." Christian grumbles, throwing the duffel over his shoulder while he holds a box under his arm. He heads back towards the guest house and I can't help, but stick my tongue out at his retreating form.

"It's a Ana's house now, Daddy!" Ellie mentions, wheeling the suitcase back and forth like a snake while she giggles.

"Yes, I suppose you're right, lovebug. It's her house now." He comments, resigned.

I grin.

XxXxXx

"Can I help you unpack, Nanny Ana? I'm a really good organizer! I can do your wwwwhooooollllleeee closet by color!"

Her calling me Nanny Ana is the cutest thing I've ever heard. I'm obsessed with the new name. "The whole thing?" I ask, giving her a skeptical look.

She gives me a toothy grin and nods. "I promise."

"Ellie! Where have you been all my life?" I am not the most organized person, so the fact that my new nine year old best friend is organized is delightful.

She giggles up at me. "I think I was in Heaven waiting for Mommy and Daddy to fall in love so they could have me."

My chin drops at her reply and my hands clutch my heart. "How do you not just eat her up?"

Christian's eyebrow raises. "Do you make it a habit of eating children, Ms. Steele?"

I give him a playful scowl. "No, but I've never met one this stinking adorable!"

"I am rather adorable, Dad... and her name is Ana. She's not a teacher."

I bite my lip, trying to keep the grin off my face and find Christian staring at me. There's something in his eye that I can't quite decipher, but I imagine it has something to do with his perfect daughter.

Clearing his throat, he blinks a few times and runs a hand through his copper hair. "I think it's best I call her Ms. Steele for the time being, Ellie. We don't know if she's staying, yet, remember?"

"Don't say that, Daddy! I like her! She's pretty and funny and she's my best friend now! We have to keep her!"

"She's not a dog, Ellie."

"I know! But, we still have to keep her. I'll be a good kid and she'll be a good nanny. You just wait and see!"

XxXxXx

"I know my daughter is completely smitten with you, Ms. Steele, but that doesn't discount the fact that you're inexperienced. I've looked over your resume and it shows absolutely no prior experience with children."

Resume? I didn't make a resume. Kate must have made one and sent it to him without my knowledge. He has a manila folder laying open on the desk in his home office and I see my picture paperclipped to a packet that's sitting in it. I shift awkwardly in my seat across from him. He sent Ellie upstairs to play by herself and I find myself missing her because he's more intimidating on his own. I just don't understand why I have to find it so sexy.

"You do, however, have four summers-worth of lifeguard experience and I see here you have kept your CPR certification up-to-date. What I want to know is why you have your bachelors in English and Comparative Literature and not putting it to good use."

"I-well, I have my reasons. It's not something I want to pursue anymore. I'm starting new."

His eyes narrow. "...As a nanny."

I roll my eyes and hear him give a warning growl from his side of the desk. "I just need to clear my mind and start with a clean slate."

"And you think that spending all of your time with a nine year old is going to do this for you?"

I give him a full-fledged grin. "Absolutely. Being with a soul that is so optimistic and excited about the world and her future is exactly what I need. She sees the beauty in things that we take for granted every day. I feel like I can see the world with a new set of eyes. I need that."

"Care to explain why?" His jaw is hard and I don't know why he seems angry.

"I'd rather not."

Sighing, he flips through my packet. "I've done a thorough background check on you and found nothing of the sort record-wise. Not even a parking ticket. Your record is clean...except for one thing."

I swallow.

"I see here that at the end of last year you filed a police report on a Jack Hyde, but asked for the case to be dismissed just a two weeks later. I looked him up and he just happens to be a Senior Editor at Seattle Independent Publishing. Want to tell me about that?" He quirks an eyebrow at me, his eyes looking straight into mine like he's waiting to catch me in a lie or something.

"No."

"No?"

"That's right. I don't want to talk about it and I will not talk about it." I look down at my hands and try to keep myself in check. I can feel the burning in the back of my throat from wanting to cry, but I swallow it back.

"Are you running from your past, Anastasia?"

My eyes pop back up to his, shocked that he used my first name. I recover quickly. "That's none of your business." I keep my tone low and warning.

"Oh, it's not?"

"Absolutely not." I find myself grinding my teeth.

"You don't think I deserve a full disclosure considering I'm your new employer?"

"Why would I?" What the fuck is his problem?

"Oh, I don't know. I might want to know if you're going to go running off at the end of this to file something against me next."

My mouth drops and tears form in my eyes. "How dare you! What happened with Jack is between him, me and Elliot. No one else!"

"Elliot?" Christian actually looks shocked.

I wince. "It doesn't- just...just leave it, Mr. Grey. I'm begging you. I've signed your NDA, Elliot promised me that you're trustworthy, and although you act like an asshole, you don't seem the Hyde type. I would never file anything on you. I couldn't do that to Elliot and I couldn't do that to Eloise."

"An asshole?" He looks conflicted. His eyes are hard and his jaw is clenched, but his mouth is curving up like he wants to smile.

"I'm sorry. I just mean... I don't know what I mean. You're a hard man." I shrug, unable to take back what I said.

"You are one of a kind, Ms. Steele."

"What does that mean?" I don't know if I'm supposed to take it as a compliment or take offense.

Sighing, he shakes his head. "I think it would serve you well to work on your interview and communication skills. You're lucky I don't fire you with that disrespect."

My heart plummets at his words. I'm being chastised... but I deserve it. My tears are still flowing, but I think that's the only reason he hasn't yanked me out of my seat and thrown me out. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me. I hadn't meant to offend you."

His shoulders finally relax and he gives me a nod as he wets his lips. "Fine."

I blow out a relieved breath and wipe at the tears that have fallen.

"Do you need a few minutes, Ms. Steele?" He hands me a handkerchief and I gladly take it to blot my face.

"Thank you, Mr. Grey. I think I'm okay."

He gives me a look over before giving me a nod. "Okay, now onto the rules and expectations. This first week is a probationary period, so we'll consider this a free week to get to know each other and then we'll dive into a strict regiment next week. If you stay that is." He hands me a packet of information on Eloise's likes, dislikes, allergies, emergency contact information, her strict activity schedule and sleep schedule. It also goes through what she's allowed to eat, what she's not allowed to eat. What television shows, music, and games have been prohibited in their household and her screen and phone limits. It also lists expectations of me.

"You want me to train with a trainer three times a week? Why?" I'm not his property! I'm not unhealthy be any means.

"I want you to stay in shape to keep up with my daughter. I need you to be strong and your heart healthy while she's in your care."

Fucking hell. "What if I don't want to?"

He shrugs. "Then pack your bags."

I eye him, trying to intimidate him, but fail miserably. He just pelts me with his own hard gaze and doesn't even bother to blink. I look away first and cross my arms obstinately. "And I'm supposed to do this on my free time?"

He sits back in his chair. "Of course not. Your free time is yours. In the summer, Eloise goes to her child aerobics class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It keeps her social and keeps her heart healthy. You two will go together and you'll have your own instructor while she's in her class."

"And you're going to let me drive her?"

"Considering your record, I feel relatively safe with you driving her, but you will drive her in one of my vehicles. I don't want her in that piece of shit in the driveway."

"Don't start on that again." I rub my temples. I hate that he's so obsessed with the car situation, but I can't deny that a part of me is excited about driving around a brand new fancy car. I've driven Kate's Mercedes a few times and it was such a treat.

"I expect you to be up and over at the main house by 7:00 am every morning so that I can leave by half past. I have a Housekeeper that cooks for us that lives on the other house on the grounds that will be here throughout the day, so don't worry about anything with the house. I want all of your attention on Ellie. Mrs. Taylor can handle the house.

"If you turn to page four, you will see her schedule of activities. On Mondays and Fridays Maria will come over for her Spanish lessons and on Tuesdays Jaleesa will come over for her swim lessons."

How many swim lessons does this kid need? "What if it rains?"

He gives me a cocky smirk. "We have a pool and sauna on the lower left level of the house."

Holy shit. "Ellie failed to mention that during her tour."

He shrugs.

"Will I be able to use these pools during my free time?"

He looks at me for a beat before nodding. "Yes, I'll allow it. It'll keep you healthy."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"At three o'clock on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Ellie has softball practice. It is imperative she is there because I am sponsoring their team the Seattle Greys."

I snort. "Original."

Again, he shrugs. "The kids voted. I liked the Seattle Werewolves better, but supposedly it scared the kids."

I giggle at his admission. "So much better."

He gives me an amused smirk and my heart skips a beat. He's finally relaxing around me and it makes me feel accomplished. "Their games are always in the evenings or on the weekends, so you won't have to worry about sitting through them, but I do want you to stay through their practices."

"But I can come to watch her games if I want though, right?"

He lets out a soft chuckle and I actually shiver from it. I find myself rubbing the goosebumps off my arms. I chew my lip, suddenly cold and flushed at the same time.

"You're always welcome. I'm sure Ellie will love having you there."

When I look back toward Mr. Dominant, I find his eyes on my mouth. Entertained by his fascination with my lip biting, I can't help my smirk. It shakes him from whatever world he's in and he blinks a few times.

"Where was I? Oh, yes. Ellie's dance class and piano lessons are only on Saturday, so unless I need to head to the office, you shouldn't have to deal with either one of those."

"Wait. Dance class? Piano lessons? Spanish? Aerobics? Does this girl ever get to relax?"

He rolls his eyes at me. "It's the summer. She has no school. She needs structure."

"It's summer, Christian! The girl should be able to relax! Her mind needs rest after the nine months of learning."

"First of all, it's Mr. Grey. I did not give you permission to call me anything, but. And second of all, she's my daughter and I will do what I think is best for her."

"I apologize, Mr. Grey." I might not agree about the the amount of activities he has her in, but he's right. She's his daughter. I'm just the hired help.

Christian

*Fall in love with her yet?*

El's text annoys me. He's forever teasing me over every little thing he can and it's getting fucking old.

*Don't be ridiculous.*

*Damn, bro. You'd think having a hot nanny would brighten your mood a little bit.*

*You think anything that walks on two legs and has a vagina is hot.*

*Bullshit. You have eyes asshole.*

I grind my teeth. Another asshole comment. I have noticed just how striking she is, but she's the nanny for fuck's sake. I'm too busy with Eloise and work to even think about having anything with any woman, let alone one who my daughter has fallen for. Plus, I'm not about to be one of those men who falls for his nanny.

*I don't mix business with pleasure, Elliot.*

Eloise is obsessed with the nanny and I would never do anything to threaten that. Plus, she's absolutely infuriating. I could think of a couple creative ways to punish her for that sassy mouth and facial expressions, but that's a sexual harassment case waiting to happen.

She's already pressed charges in the past. I really wish I knew what the fuck really happened there. It makes my skin crawl. This Hyde fucker must have done something... especially with Elliot getting involved. I know I told her I'd leave it, but I'll end up asking Elliot anyway. Elliot is family which makes it personal. I need to know if I need to do something to keep him safe... not that he can't take care of himself, but paying others to make problems go away is easier and less messy.

My phone pings. Looking down, I notice another text from Elliot.

*Just go easy on her, C. She needs a soft place.*

What the fuck does that mean? I want to interrogate the fucker because he knows way too much and seems completely invested in this girl I don't know anything about, but I know it isn't the time. I want to be face-to-face with my brother so he can't run or lie.

I stand and stretch, rubbing my face roughly. It's been such a long evening. It's past 10:00pm, but I see the lights to the guest house still on. Stepping over to my French doors off my bedroom, I open them and make my way out to my deck. I find myself leaning against the railing as I look across the pool to the guesthouse.

The curtains are open and I see the nanny inside, digging in a box that sits on the sectional sofa. She's dancing around in nothing but little cotton pajama shorts and matching tank top. She must be listening to music. Fuck. Her thighs are smooth and sexy and I find myself growing in my own pants.

Stop it, Grey.

She's the nanny for fuck's sake! I hate that I'm attracted to her. I've always been attracted to petite brunettes with porcelain skin and she fits the mold perfectly. God's cruel joke.

Still, I watch her as she shakes her little ass around. Why the fuck am I such a creep? She doesn't need her boss staring in her windows. I wonder if there is a way I could politely ask her to shut her curtains at night. Probably not. That's one way to scare the shit out of her. That's basically telling her that I can't control myself and that she isn't safe here. Plus, she isn't doing anything wrong. She's clothed, she's safe, and hidden from outsiders. But not from me.

I need to go to bed. I need to not think about my nanny's thighs... no matter how soft and smooth they look.

Forcing myself back into my room, I do something I haven't done in over a year and I shut my drapes.

Teaser? Just ask.

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