Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“How the hell is that showing your appreciation for me?”
“Don’t sound so ungrateful, Miss Hawthorne.” He smirked. “You said you needed a change of scenery, correct?”
Motherfucker…
FIFTEEN
HARLOW
The SS Raya sailed across the sea so smoothly that I could barely feel the waves.
Calling it a “yacht” was like calling a McLaren a car. It was a floating hotel with endless amenities for all its guests: Two theater rooms, a business wing, a full-service kitchen, a spa, a hair salon, and lavish guest rooms.
Despite the stunning ocean views, I still felt like I was in Manhattan.
William and Charlotte weren’t the slightest bit calmed by the waters, and their oh-so-generous father was too busy with his team to give me more than an hour’s break at a time.
Tonight was our second night aboard, and he was hosting an ‘all-white’ party on the top deck; Me and the children weren’t invited.
Annoyed and armed with my favorite apron, I strolled past the parlor rooms in search of the kitchen.
I hit the lights and gasped.
“Wow…”
With its sleek white and gleaming state-of-the-art ovens and perfectly organized tools in glass cabinets, this was every chef’s dream.
Walking to the fridge, I saw everything I needed for tiramisu, cupcakes, and turnovers.
I carried them over to the prep station and turned on a range.
“What are you doing, Miss Hawthorne?” Olivia stepped in front of me.
“I’m cooking some dessert. Alone.”
“But you’re not a chef.”
“Okay.” I rolled up my sleeves, refusing to let her bother me.
“You’re supposed to be watching the twins.”’
“I am.” I held up my phone, showing her the nursery camera. “They’re sleeping until bath time.”
She plopped down on a stool, eyeing me.
I don’t care.
I focused on the ingredients ahead of me, briefly shutting my eyes and pretending like I was in my dream bakery.
Before I knew it, I was making enough sweets for fifty people, and I didn’t utter a word when Olivia carried two plates away.
While I glazed the final batch of turnovers, a grey-haired woman stared at me from the doorway.
“Let me guess.” I tried not to sigh. “Mr. Dawson sent you down here to kick me out.”
“Not exactly.”
“He’s such an ass.” I slammed a cabinet shut. “What type of boss thinks someone wants to mix a vacation setting with work?”
She arched a brow.
“He takes out all his terrible work decisions on me, like I advised him to buy the worst team in the NBA.”
“They are pretty terrible…”
“He comes home late, barely speaks to me, and then has the audacity to think he’s the father of the year,” I said. “I think he’s overcompensating since he can no longer live the ultimate ‘bad boy’ bachelor life. Hell, I’m shocked women still flock to him like flies, despite knowing he’s a dad; he’s probably terrible in bed, too.”
“I take it you’re his nanny?” She smiled.
“Unfortunately.” I sighed. “What do you do for him?”
“I’m Mama Raya.” She smiled. “His mother.”
Holy shit… “I am so sorry, ma’am.” My cheeks burned. “I didn’t mean a word of what I said.”
“Yes, you did.” She laughed, strolling over to me. “Good to see I made the right decision to tell him hell no.”
“Your son is an amazing and brilliant businessman.” I tried to save face. “He’s a huge inspiration and a great example of what happens when you work hard and believe in yourself.”
“He is also probably very good in bed…”
“Stop it.” She was still laughing. “My son has had an unnerving sense of focus since the day I adopted him. I thought he would grow out of it, but he only became more intense as the years passed. Hell, when he was a basketball player, half of his teammates feared him.”
I bit my tongue.
I’d said enough words for the day.
“You look like you need a break, Nanny,” she said. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”
“I doubt Mr. Dawson will be okay with that.”
“I’ll deal with him.” She picked up one of my pastries, and I suspected this could be a trap.
He’s testing me somehow.
“I haven’t read Daddy Loves Me or The Little Blue Engine That Could to the twins yet,” I told her. “They like how I sound out pages. Oh, and I’ve started singing the ‘One Little Monkey Falls off the Bed’ song, and it’s as fun for me as it is for them.”
“Cut the shit, Nanny.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “Get out of here and find your way to the spa. I’ve got the kids from here.”
“Olivia, too?”
“Yes. Go away.”
Without hesitation, I untied my apron and rushed to my suite.
I changed into my pink bikini and searched for the spa.
* * *
“Ahhhh….” I lay back in the water and shut my eyes, inhaling eucalyptus-scented steam.
The jets under my legs hummed, blowing streams against my thighs.
I can’t believe I was about to turn down his mom’s offer and miss out on this.