One knockout blonde with hair attractively tangled caught his eye over by the water where she was examining one of the sailboats. She wore a filmy layered top in blues and greens over a pair of jeans defining womanly hips. Her slender yet rounded body reminded him of someone. He moved closer and suddenly his heart pounded with ferocity because he saw Jamie in the stroller in front of her.
“Reese?”
She whipped around, causing her wavy ash-blond hair to swish against the top of her shoulders. The change of hairstyle had thrown him. He couldn’t decide which one he liked better. Her hair had the kind of texture he’d love to work his fingers into.
At first glance her eyes flickered, causing them to reflect the blue off the water. They seemed to search his for a long moment before she averted them and leaned over to pull Jamie out of his seat.
“Look who’s here.” The second Jamie saw Nick, he grew more animated and squirmed to reach him. “You know your daddy all right.” Reese gave a gentle laugh as she handed him over.
Nick kissed his son, rocking him for a minute while he enjoyed the smell of her flowery scent on the baby’s cheeks and neck. “Have you missed me today? I know I’ve missed you.” He pressed a kiss to Jamie’s tummy, provoking more smiles and laughter.
Today she’d put him in the green suit with the grouper fish on the front. In his tiny white socks and white high-tops, the picture he made tugged at Nick’s heart. He was proud to claim him and grateful for the meticulous care Reese took of him.
He flicked his gaze to her. “Have you walked to the north end to see the Alice in Wonderland statue?”
She nodded. “It’s wonderful. I particularly loved the Mad Hatter. I can’t wait until Jamie’s old enough t—” She stopped midsentence. He found it fascinating how an unexpected flush spilled into her cheeks.
“To what?” he prodded, already knowing the answer.
“I have a tendency to run on sometimes. Obviously I won’t be around when he’s older…it’s just sometimes difficult to think about not seeing this little one grow up.” Nick was gratified to find her this attached to Jamie already. In truth, for the past week he’d been imagining a future that included the three of them. Since the moment he’d brought her to the penthouse, he’d been happier than he’d ever been in his life.
He couldn’t pin it down to any one thing or moment. All he knew was that she was on his mind to the point it was interfering with his concentration at the office. “Let’s grab a bite while we’re here. Have you eaten?”
“I hadn’t planned to until we got back to the penthouse.”
“Are you hungry?”
“I have to admit a salad and lemonade would hit the spot.” No doubt she kept her expenses down by not spending money on food.
“I’m hungrier than that.” Since the advent of Reese in his life, his appetite had grown. Food tasted better. The sky looked bluer. When he woke up in the morning, the world seemed filled with new possibilities. He looked down at his son. “What about you, sport?”
Reese answered for him. “I’m sure he wouldn’t turn down a bottle. It’s warm out here.”
With Jamie against his shoulder, Nick pushed the stroller. Together they made their way to an empty table and sat down beneath the umbrella, welcoming the shade. As he looked around, it dawned on him he hadn’t been here in years. He’d been so busy making money for the brokerage, this part of life had passed him by completely.
“Here’s a bottle for him.” Reese handed him a burp cloth, too.
“Thank you.” His breath caught when their eyes met. “The waiter’s coming over. Will you order me a steak sandwich and coffee while I feed Jamie?”
The baby nestled in his arm, eager for his formula. He was hungry and virtually inhaled it, then let out several burps loud enough to bring some other diners’ heads around with a smile.
Laughter bubbled out of Reese. He loved hearing it. “Your son would be welcome in some parts of the world where it’s polite to burp after a good meal.”
He continued to rub Jamie’s back in order to get out all the air. By the time his eyes fluttered closed, their food had arrived. Nick lowered him into the stroller and put the canopy down to shield him from the sun.
While Reese ate her salad, he attacked his sandwich. “Did I tell you I’m taking him to his grandparents in the morning?”
She nodded. “I bet they can’t wait to see him.”
“Next time I’ll take you with us.”
A shadow crossed over her lovely face. “Why would you do that?”
“For one reason, you’ll be ready for a change of scenery. For another, Jamie is already attached to you. Another week of enjoying your exclusive attention and he’ll have a hard time being separated for a whole day. With you along to reassure him, things will go better.” He could tell by the shadows in her eyes she was worried about it.
“Don’t be concerned. You’ll be free to walk around certain parts of the grounds. Hirst Hollow is open to the public on Saturdays. You’ll be enchanted with the flower gardens.”
Reese finished her lemonade. He could practically see her mind taking it all in, working up a protest. After she put her glass down, she didn’t disappoint him. “No matter what, your mother-in-law won’t be enchanted to see the nanny along for the ride, especially this nanny!”
“Anne’s going to have to get used to it. You’re an integral part of my household.”
“But Jamie doesn’t come from a normal household.”
“Go on,” Nick urged, drinking the rest of his coffee. He was curious to hear the words she was getting ready to spout from lips he suddenly realized he’d love to taste.
“You don’t really want me to spell it out.”
“You’re wrong,” he fired back. “I’m fascinated by everything you have to say on the subject.”
“If I told you, it could be taken as an insult, and that’s the last thing I would want to do when I’ve been given a dream job.”
“At least do me the courtesy of telling me how my son’s home is not normal. I have to work, and I need someone to look after Jamie—what’s wrong with that?”
He was prepared to hear that he made the kind of money that separated him from the masses, but she said something else instead—something that touched on that painful area of his soul no one else knew about or understood.
“In the short time I’ve worked for you, I’ve learned that Jamie is a Hirst and a Wainwright, two blue-blooded American families.”
“You mean we only breathe the rarified atmosphere of the elite upper class from England going back several hundred years? You’re right, Ms. Chamberlain. Someone put it much better than I could. ‘In our world men were better than women, horses better than dogs, and Harvard better than anything.’”
Her cheeks turned to flame, but she held his gaze. “I should never have brought this up.”
“Why not? It’s the truth. Did you know the Wainwrights have had horses on Long Island going back at least two hundred years? Nothing’s more important than pedigree and belonging to the right clubs. Not even marriages have as much significance as long as the principles belong to that exclusive world where the women provide the decoration.
“Everyone has rank, some higher than others. One is aware of his social placement at all times. That’s only the outer shell we’re talking about. Unlike the soft meat of the crab, their inner stuffing is even harder. It blinds them to the loving and understanding of their own children.”
As he spoke, emotion darkened her eyes.
“Erica’s and my family share an ancestry that has been in love with itself for generations. They’ve continued to hone the ‘right’ way to do things to a fine art while at the same time distancing their offspring by their criticism and lack of affection.”
He heard Reese’s sharp intake of breath before she said, “For that very reason certain things aren’t done, like hiring an unsuitable nanny, someone like me.”
“Correct. The way you hug and kiss
Jamie all the time, you’re probably the most unsuitable nanny in existence, which makes you perfect for the job.”
Her delicately arched brows knit together. “That sounded like a declaration of war.”
“War…divorce… Ultimately they’re the same thing. It’s time the cycle of neglect ended, starting with Jamie.”
“So you’re using me for a guinea pig?”
Nick nodded without shame.
“Mrs. Tribe mentioned that you’d be hiring another nanny in the fall. What about her?”
“Since my mother-in-law was the one who arranged for her in the first place, I’ll let her fix the mistake. Barbara Cosgriff’s another blue blood. She and Anne make up part of a very elite circle. The Cosgriffs won’t be in need of their nanny by September, therefore, they’re delighted to do this favor for my mother-in-law, who spoke for me without my permission, something she’s good at doing.”
“So whom do you plan to hire?”
“I’m not sure of anything yet, but it goes without saying that whoever she is, she’ll be entirely unsuitable.”
A small sad smile broke the corner of Reese’s wide mouth. “You’re a clever man gaining my sympathy so I’ll be a willing accomplice.”
“Let’s just say that for Jamie’s sake, I’d like your help. Are you with me on this?”
Her gaze darted to the baby, who was just starting to wake up. She let out a troubled sigh. “You’re my employer. I need this job and I love Jamie, so I’ll do my best for you.”
Nick ignored the little dart he felt when she referred to him as her employer. He hoped she might be inclined to do it for him. Shaking this off, he pulled out his wallet and put some bills on the table. “You have another full week before I force you to face the dragon. Put the thought away until you have to deal with her.”
“That’s not so easy to do.”
“But possible. Remember I’ve had longer practice at this than you.” He stood up. “If you’ll push the stroller, I’ll carry Jamie back to the car. He loves his bath so much, I think I’ll take him for a little swim and see how he does. Have you been swimming yet?”
She hurried to keep up with him. “I don’t have a suit.”
“But you can swim?”
“Yes.”
“In my teens I did a lot of sailing. It’s a sport I’d like to do with my son. If he’s going to share that love with me, then he needs to start getting used to the water. Already he feels safe with you. The next time you go out with Jamie, buy yourself one. Consider it your uniform and put it on my account.”
If she wanted to squirm her way out of that, too bad.
CHAPTER FIVE
ON SATURDAY, Reese tried to study, but finally gave up. With Nick and Jamie gone from the penthouse, she was at a totally loose end. After fixing herself a sandwich for lunch, she took off for Macy’s at Herald Square.
The crowded ten-story department store contained everything including the unimaginable. One would have to be here days to see it all. She ended up spending hours walking around. Eventually she found some swimsuits on sale for her and Jamie.
With Father’s Day coming up, she shipped her dad a small framed picture of New York showing Park Avenue. She slipped in a note telling him to hang it in his office.
While she was looking at the toys, she discovered a wooden hand-painted toy sailboat in sky-blue with a white canvas sail Jamie could give his father. It was the perfect size to fit on a desk or a dresser. The artist on hand personalized it on the keel for her with quick-drying black paint. The Flying NJ. When it was finished, she asked the salesgirl to gift wrap it.
Since she was in the right place, she purchased some doughnut toys and a colorful octopus that played classical music when you touched the tentacles. By the time she got back to the apartment, it was after seven.
As she turned down the hall to her bedroom, she almost bumped into Nick. “Oh—I didn’t realize you were home.” Her pulse raced out of control to see him standing there in tan trousers and a midnight-blue silk shirt. He looked and smelled marvelous.
His dark eyes took swift inventory of her in her jeans and layered top. “Looks like you’ve been having fun. Is there a bikini inside one of those bags?”
Her cheeks grew warm for no reason. “Yes, among other things.”
“I hope you put everything on my account.”
Reese shook her head. “Not today. Excuse me while I put them away.”
He rubbed his hard jaw. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had dinner yet. Paul is going to drive us to Nolia’s in Greenwich Village. The salmon and sea bass are to die for.”
She bit her lip. He obviously needed to unwind after being with his in-laws. “Won’t it make too long a day for Jamie?”
“He’s staying in tonight. Rita, one of the maids who’s been working here a long time, is going to take care of him while we’re gone. I’m expecting her any minute.”
Reese took a shaky breath. Going out to dinner with Nick alone wasn’t part of her nanny job, but as the thought of turning down his offer entered her mind, she realized that she wanted to be with him so badly, she felt an ache to the palms of her hands.
“What should I wear?”
“Anything you feel like.”
In other words, formal dress wasn’t required. She was hot and sticky and needed a shower first.
“Don’t take too long. I’m starving,” he said in a husky tone.
She’d been hungry when she’d walked in the door, but with those words her stomach had too many butterflies to know what she was feeling. “I’ll hurry.”
Ten minutes later she joined him in the foyer wearing a sleeveless dress with a rounded neck in an all-over black-on-white print. The summery outfit could be dressed up or down depending on her accessories. After brushing out her ponytail, she’d caught her hair back at the nape with a black chiffon scarf and slipped on low black heels.
When Nick saw her, the unmistakable glimmer in his eyes set a tone for the rest of the evening, making her feel feverish throughout their delicious dinner. A live jazz band prompted Nick to dance with her. He drew the eyes of every woman, young or old.
She thought of Cinderella, who got her chance to be spun around the castle ballroom with her prince. But in that childhood fairy tale, the author never described the feelings running riot inside the scullery maid who for one night had been transformed into a princess. The adult thoughts and desires of a woman weren’t meant to be read by dreamy-eyed little girls.
Nick had told Reese he wanted her to experience some nightlife while she was in his employ. In her naïveté she’d given in to that temptation and thought she could handle it, but if he pulled her against his hard-muscled body one more time he’d feel her trembling.
“You’re a wonderful dancer, Reese.”
“Thank you. So are you.”
“I could do this all night,” he murmured near her ear.
Don’t say another word, Nick. “If I hadn’t walked around Macy’s all afternoon, there’s nothing I’d like more.”
“I forgot about that. You should have said something sooner. We’ll go.”
Ever the consummate host who went out of his way to make her comfortable, they left the restaurant and rode back to the apartment in the limo. The maid was there to meet them.
“Jamie never made a peep.”
“Thank you, Rita.”
“Anytime.” Her brown eyes flicked to Reese with interest before she left the penthouse.
When the door closed, Reese looked up at her incredibly handsome escort. “Thank you for a lovely evening, Nick. I must be the luckiest nanny in New York with the nicest employer and the sweetest little boy.”
His eyes were veiled as he smiled at her. “We’ll have to do it again.”
No, no.
“Lest you’ve forgotten, Cinderella only had one night at the ball. It wouldn’t do for the hired help to expect a repeat with the prince. Good night, Nick.”
Reese left for her bedr
oom having meant what she’d said. To lose her head over this man when she was being paid to do a job for him would bring heartache—the kind she instinctively knew she would never recover from.
For the rest of the week she made certain she and Jamie were there to greet him when he walked through the door of the penthouse, but that was all. Once she’d told him about Jamie’s day and answered any questions he had, she disappeared to get going on her studies.
On the following Friday she was studying on her laptop when she heard Jamie’s distinct cry through the baby monitor. He hadn’t built up to it. One minute it was quiet in the room. In the next, he’d let go as if he’d awakened with a nightmare, or was in pain.
He’d only been down for an hour since his one-o’clock bottle. She slid off the bed and rushed across the hall to the nursery. Alarmed to see him in so much distress, she picked him up to comfort him.
“Uh-oh—you’re hot.” She walked over to the dresser with him to get the thermometer. To date his health had been so perfect, she’d almost taken it for granted.
“Hmm…l01.4. That’s not good. Let’s check to see what’s going on.” When she undid his stretchy outfit and diaper, she discovered he’d had diarrhea. “Oh—you’ve got a stomachache.” She got him all clean again and put him in a fresh diaper and a shirt.
For the next hour she walked him around the apartment on her shoulder, singing every song she could remember to comfort him. He remained restless and whimpered, then let out another heartrending cry before she felt him have another loose movement.
Back she went to the nursery and cleaned him up once more. This time she applied some rash cream so he wouldn’t get sore. When she picked him up again, he burrowed into her neck, still feeling hot.
Without hesitation she carried him to her bedroom and phoned Nick on her cell. This was the first time she’d called him at his office since coming to work for him. Though she hated disturbing him, she knew he’d want to be told.
“Reese?” He picked up on the third ring. “Is there a problem?”
“I’m glad you answered. Jamie’s come down with diarrhea and is running a temperature of 101. He’s going to need fluids to lower it, but I’m not sure what the doctor would prescribe.”
The Nanny and the CEO Page 7