Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Could you stare any harder?”
I look away guiltily at Shakira’s snarky voice.
“Oh, would you look at her face,” Ramera, one of the other nannies, says.
They have taken me by surprise.
“What’s going on?” Delilah asks.
“Oh, nothing.” Shakira shrugs. “I just think your girl there has a crush on your man, she’s staring at the two of you like she wants to rip your head off, bury you, and take him.”
Oh, this is not happening.
I can’t even think of a comeback good enough that I’m not going to look like an absolute stuttering idiot. If I say she’s being ridiculous, she’ll just make it worse. If I admit she’s right, then hell will be unleashed.
“That true, Maggie?” Delilah asks.
I blink, shaking my head.
“That’s enough crap,” Hugh says.
“It’s just a question, babe.” Delilah shrugs. “I’m sure she doesn’t mind.”
“It’s fuckin’ rude is what it is, that bitch needs to learn to shut her damn mouth.”
Shakira’s mouth drops open. “How dare you call me a bitch!”
“Call it like I see it, and, woman, you’re a fuckin’ bitch. Leave Maggie alone.”
“Oh, wow,” Ramera says. “I guess Maggie isn’t the only one crushing.”
They all giggle.
“I’m not putting up with this,” I say, shaking my head and standing.
I walk off down the beach, my cheeks burning.
Fuck them.
They’re out for the attack and they’re going to do anything they can to bring me down. I’m done, fucking done with them, they want to mess with me then it’s on. It’s so far fucking on it’ll light up this god damned beach.
Yelling in the distance alerts me to a fight going on. I’m guessing by the sounds of it, it’s Delilah.
Great.
Here we go.
I find an old washed-up log and sit on it, exhaling.
This is meant to be relaxing, but it’s far from it.
Footsteps alert me to someone approaching, and I squint to see Hugh coming over to where I’m sitting. When he plonks down beside me, I can hear his angry panting.
“You okay?” I ask.
“I can’t fuckin’ do it, Maggie. I try, god knows I try, but that woman and I are never goin’ to work. I can’t fuckin’ take it any longer.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I should have said something back there, but I just didn’t want to give them a single reaction. It’s not worth it.”
“You don’t owe them a fuckin’ thing, and I’m sick of you bein’ treated like you’re trash. You’re the best fuckin’ person in this place, not a single one of them come close.”
I go quiet, holding my breath.
“I’m endin’ things with her. It’ll never work.”
I continue holding my breath.
“Were they right, Maggie?”
His voice is low, husky and oh god, if I open my mouth I’m afraid of what will come out.
“Answer me,” he growls.
“Yes,” I whisper, the sound barely audible over the crashing waves.
He turns.
“Hugh,” I say, my voice almost pleading as he reaches out, his hand cupping my jaw. “We can’t.”
“Oh, but we fuckin’ can.”
“No, you’re still with Delilah ...”
“Not for long.”
“But until you’re not ... we can’t.”
He growls and leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine. “When I finally kiss you properly, Maggie, you’re goin’ to wish we never waited so long. I’m goin’ to blow your fuckin’ mind every god damned day that I can.”
Oh. My. God.
“And when I fuck you, you’ll forget every man that came before me. I promise you that.”
My knees are shaking.
“Hugh,” I whisper.
“Tell me you don’t want it, and I’ll stop.”
I bite my tongue.
“Tell me, Maggie.”
“I can’t,” I say. “I can’t.”
“Because you want me as much as I want you.”
I exhale. “Yes.”
“Tomorrow. Tomorrow this ends, and I finally get to put my hands on your body in ways I’ve only fuckin’ dreamed about.”
I tremble.
“But for now—” he presses a long kiss to my head “—I gotta do the right thing.”
He stands, and I watch as he disappears into the shadows.
Oh.
My.
Word.
EVERYONE IS ASLEEP.
Drunk on wine.
The perfect chance for me to make these perfect nannies remember who is boss around here. I’ve had my plan in place, but I had to wait until they were long out of it to carry it out. Those women went crazy on the wine, clearly caring more about themselves than the babies sleeping in cribs beside them. Oh well, more fool them for having to get up with a pounding headache.
I had to wait until two in the morning, but as soon as the house goes quiet, I get out of bed and take my supplies. I walk into Shakira’s room first. She’s sprawled out on the bed, not covered by blankets, her breathing so deep it’s clear she’s well and truly passed out. I walk over and peer down at her—she didn’t even get undressed, she just fell onto the bed and that’s where she remains.
Her little bub is sleeping in the crib, tucked in soundly. I lean over and check on him before looking back to her.