After the first few weeks of flying, I was exhausted. I had adapted back to my routine effortlessly. It helped that I didn’t have to worry about Sky when I was working. Paloma had been such a blessing. I couldn’t have asked for a better nanny. Not to mention a cook. She had made me three meals a day, despite my protests. She never complained once and was always on time. And Sky seemed as happy as a lark.

I wanted to do something nice for Paloma. Maybe take her shopping. Spoil her.

Hell, I wanted to fuck her.

But that was totally out of the question. I wasn’t going to reward her kindness by hitting on her. And I didn’t want her to think she had to hook up with me because I was her boss. So, I would put myself in check and just appreciate how lucky I was to have found her.

I pulled up to my home and was greeted by Paloma who was holding my little girl.

“Hi sweetheart. I missed you,” I said to Sky, but I meant it to Paloma as well.

“Here’s your daddy.” Paloma finally handed her to me, but Sky let out a cry. 

Ah fuck. I tried again to grab her, but she clung to Paloma like a magnet, snuggled against her breasts. Not that I could blame Sky—I wanted to stick my face in Paloma’s breasts also.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” she said as she hugged Sky. “I’ll just hold her until you are done with your lunch. I made you tortilla soup.”

Sounded good to me.

“You sure? You are off if you need to leave.”

“I’m in no rush. I’ll stay a bit longer.”

Sky’s last babysitter couldn’t wait to leave every day, and Sky never seemed to care that she was gone. Now Sky was already becoming attached to Paloma. Was I going to take another caretaker away from my daughter? And what would happen next year when I was stationed at my next base? At some point, I would have to deploy again. My own parents would never watch her, and though Catherine’s parents offered, they were so cold that they would probably ignore her. They had even mentioned that they would maybe even put her in full-time daycare. I didn’t have a problem with daycare, but I didn’t see why they couldn’t watch her since they were retired.

Who would sing songs to her at night? Who would love her when I wasn't around?

I studied Sky interacting with Paloma. Sky smiled and clapped and pulled Paloma's hair. Suddenly, I wanted to be the one pulling Paloma’s hair while she screamed my name.

Ah fuck. It had been so long since I’d had sex. But I couldn’t think of the nanny like that, even if she was wearing an apron wrapped tightly over her clothes. The tie in the back accentuated her amazing ass. I pictured her wearing nothing but that apron as I took her from behind.

Fuck, Sawyer was right. I really did need to get laid.

At least I was about to eat another great meal. The kitchen smelled like lime and spices, and I couldn’t wait to taste the soup. Hell, I couldn’t wait to taste Paloma. Well if my cock weren’t going to be satisfied, at least my stomach would be.

Still holding Sky, she placed the bowl of soup in front of me. “How was your day?”

“Great. How was yours?”

“Perfect! Sky and I had so much fun today. I took her to story time at the base library, and then we danced.”

I took a big scoop of my tortilla soup, and the warmth immediately soothed my stomach. I had never had a version like this with a clear broth base instead of a tomato one. It was filled with big chunks of avocado, wedges of lime, and shreds of chicken. A dollop of sour cream accentuated the flavors, and the freshly toasted tortilla strips gave it an extra crunch. I loved it. I wished I could eat like this every day.

Maybe I could.

“This soup is excellent. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She bounced Sky on her lap, but I noticed that she checked her phone. Was she looking at the time? Was she late going somewhere?

Every day since she had started, I came home after work and Paloma had made me a feast. After she handed me Sky, she would leave.

And she never told me where she was going. She said it was to see her sisters but how did I know that was true? Maybe she had a man.

Not that it had been any of my business. I had made it very clear from day one that I didn’t want to be her friend. That I didn’t want to hang out with her or even be in the house with her unless I was asleep or at work. I didn’t want to get to know her.

But the curiosity was killing me. Who did she see every day for hours? Was it a boyfriend? If it were, I’d be pissed. Not because I wanted her, but because that would mean that she had lied to me. I couldn’t stand liars. And I didn’t want some jealous boyfriend getting mad that she slept in my home, that she cooked for me, cleaned my place and took care of me even though I did my best to keep my distance. 

Which was becoming increasingly hard because she smelled so incredible.

Fuck it.

“So, what are your plans today?”

My question caught her off guard, and her eyes widened. “Oh, just going to see my sisters.”

“Do you want me to give you a ride?”

Her cheeks flushed. I had definitely not meant that type of ride. Though I’d be game to give her the ride of her life. 

“No. I’ll walk. It’s a beautiful day.”

It was not a beautiful day. Though it was January and seventy-one degrees, there were high winds that would kick up the dust in her face. It was so gusty that we might not even fly tomorrow. The chill was setting in and by the time she returned tonight, it would be in the forties. 

“It’s going to be cold tonight. I don’t mind picking you up when you are done. Just text me.”

“I’m good, but that’s really kind to offer.”

Why was she being so evasive and secretive? Was she embarrassed by where she lived? I wasn’t going to judge her by her home. She was so fucking hot—I bet she had a man.

I must’ve been horny as fuck because I sat there staring at her while I finished my soup. I imagined her naked, riding some douche, as she screamed Ay, Papi, while she came. Then he probably flipped her over and plowed her as he spanked her incredible ass. 

Dammit, I had been watching way too much porn. And last night I had even searched for hot Latinas on Pornhub. Maybe Sawyer was right. It had been a year. I was still a man. I loved my wife; I always would. But I really, really needed to get laid. 

But definitely not by my nanny.

I finished my soup, and she handed Sky back to me after giving her a kiss on her head. 

“Bye. I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Bye.”

I watched her walk out of the door, and then paced for a moment. Something was off with her. I knew she was keeping a secret from me, and I was determined to find out what it was.