Chapter Five
Cassie couldn’t ever recall being this happy before in her life. Thirty years old, a nanny, screwing her boss, falling in love, and it was like she was doing it all for the first time.
She touched her neck, where he had kissed her a little raw last night. There was a slight love bite, which she had covered with her hair. Grace asked way too many questions, which Cassie didn’t mind. How do you tell a kid their father got a little frisky last night in the bedroom?
It had been a month since they had started sleeping together.
A month of sex.
A month of making love.
A month of falling hard for the man.
Leo was everything she had ever dreamed about. He made her feel so treasured, so loved. Not a moment went by that she didn’t think he was the kindest man ever.
He would bring her flowers, chocolates, or a book. That was what she loved the most. If he found a book he thought she would like, he would get it for her.
Her favorite times were when they were together. She loved taking Grace out with him, and for a few short hours she could believe they were supposed to be together.
“What’s wrong with you, dear?” Nancy asked, coming into the kitchen.
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
“Well, for a woman in love you don’t look all that happy.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know if it’s love,” she said, glancing down at her coffee.
Nancy chuckled. “Honey, it’s love, and you cannot tell me it’s anything different.”
“Do you think he loves me?”
“I’ve not seen him allow any other woman near Grace. You’re the first woman he’s allowed to be part of his life.”
“But I’m not the only nanny, am I?”
“You’re not the only nanny. None of them were allowed to live in, or cook. Their job was to arrive at the house promptly at eight, and then to be gone by the time he got home at six. He always puts Grace to bed. During their time here, they were required to teach Grace certain academics, but that was all. With you, he broke all his own rules.”
Licking her dry lips, Cassie was surprised. “I had no idea.”
“With you, Leo is a very different man. I’ve always believed that it meant he felt for you something he has never felt for anyone else. Even his wife hasn’t been given such a change.”
“I’m … yeah, I’m a little surprised. A lot actually.”
From the first day she had arrived for her interview, he had made it clear it was for a live-in nanny, who would need to care for Grace with love and support. He wanted her to feel like part of the family, nothing less.
There had been no demands for academics. He had wanted her to be part of the family life, eating meals, watching movies, and stuff like that. Had he been doing it even before she realized?
“I see that I shocked you,” Nancy said.
“You have. I thought this was … I don’t know. I thought it was the same. What was he like with his wife?”
Nancy’s face scrunched up. “That woman was evil to the core. Leo deserved so much better. She was a manipulative woman, and whenever she didn’t get what she wanted, she would throw a fit until she got her way. I never liked her.”
“What was she like with Grace?”
“First, she wanted an abortion. I heard her and Leo arguing about it constantly. He was so worried she would end the pregnancy that he put a guard on her ass to make sure she didn’t.” Nancy shook her head. “It was the first time since being here I was uncomfortable. She made life hard, and she didn’t do it for any other reason than she could. The moment Grace was born, she ignored her. Called her a body destroyer, and other such cruel names.”
Tears filled Cassie’s eyes, just thinking of the evil woman.
“The final straw came for Leo when he saw her hit Grace. I think for the first time in his life, that man could have committed murder, and I was more than happy to go along with him. I would have struck her down, and not stopped.”
“That is just so awful. Grace is a sweetheart.”
“She was hungry at the time, and she wouldn’t stop crying. Anyway, let’s not talk about that evil one. Don’t think about it. She’s nowhere near Grace, and the day she left was the day this house felt right once again.”
Nancy patted her arm.
So, everything wasn’t what Cassie first thought.
He didn’t have any nannies live in, nor did he allow them to be with him or his daughter together.
The instant Cassie had met Grace, she had been charmed by her. The thought of anyone doing her any harm was just awful.
Getting up from her seat, Cassie glanced out over the garden.
Leo and Grace were not at home as they had gone out to do some shopping. Cassie’s birthday was next week, so it wasn’t a secret they were shopping for her.
Moving toward the counter, she picked up the box that she had pulled out of her wardrobe. Opening it up, she saw several pictures of herself, of her wedding day, and little paper memories she kept for no other reason than they once made her happy.
Her marriage had been a sickness that had slowly spread like a cancer.
Leaving the kitchen, she made her way toward the barbeque pit.
Tipping out the entire box, she threw the box on as well, got some gasoline, and then set fire to the small pile of memories.
Little by little, she watched it go up in flames. Rather than feeling sad, she felt invigorated, like the last piece of her past was finally gone, and she no longer had to worry about it.
She didn’t leave, waiting for the last flame to burn out.
****
Nancy had told him that Cassie had been asking questions. He had also seen the remnants of a fire in the pit. Grace was in bed, Nancy had left, and he found Cassie down at the summer house.
He had one of those walkie talkies that allowed him to see and hear Grace. He wouldn’t leave the house without making sure she was safe.
Cassie stood looking up at the house. She smiled at him, and he saw she was drinking some wine. “I thought it was a nice evening for it. Would you like to join me?”
Taking the offered glass, he saw there was a bottle, and only one glass. “Yes, I would.” He took a sip, and stared at her. There was something a bit different about her. He didn’t know what it was, only that he could see it. “I talked to Nancy.”
“I figured you had. Did you have a good shopping trip?”
“I did. Beverly is out of our lives. She will not be coming back.”
“Who is Beverly?”
“My ex. My ex-wife. She’s gone, and has no reason to come back. Believe me, I would never put Grace in danger.”
“I know. You love your daughter. She’s a special girl. That’s not what surprised me about my conversation with Nancy.”
“No? What was it?”
“The nanny? I’m the first nanny to live in, to share your life.”
He nodded, taking another swig of the wine, and handing it back to her.
She stared at him.
“Why was it different with me?” she asked.
“I told you. It wasn’t just in the heat of the moment, Cassie. The moment I saw you, I wanted you, and I was more than willing to do whatever it took to keep you. I’m not a very good man. In fact, I just know what I want. I can give you a good life.”
She licked her lips, and stared at him. He saw the question in her eyes, and wondered what was wrong. “I, erm, I don’t know what to say. I love being with you, and with Grace. Having a family, it’s what I’ve always wanted.”
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she glanced around the garden.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I guess I’m just afraid to hope.”
He stepped right in front of her. Reaching out, he cupped her face, tilting her head back. “What hope are you afraid of?”
She didn’t look away, and he didn’t know what else he could give her.
Tell her that you love her.
You dope, you’ve not told her.
“To believe that I could be happy, and that you could want me, and have a family. I’ve only ever wanted to be a mother.” She sucked her lips in. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t assume. I would never replace Grace’s mother.”
“Beverly was a spiteful woman. Believe me, I’ve not got a problem with you being Grace’s mother. The way she is with you, I know for a fact she loves you. Just like I love you.”
He felt her pause.
“You love me.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I do.” He took her hand, placing it over his chest. “I love you so damn much. At times, it’s all I can do to keep how I feel to myself. I know it’s crazy. We’ve known each other a couple of months, but I knew how special you are. I want you all to myself.” He pushed some of her hair off her face. “When I look at you, you make me want to be so many different things. A better man, a better father. You make me want.”
“I’m scared,” she said. Her lips wobbled.
Taking her mouth in a searing kiss that had his own blood racing, he stroked her cheek. “You have nothing to be afraid of. I will never hurt you.”
“But?”
He shook his head. “No buts. Give me a chance. You know me, Cassie. You know me.” He said it a second time, hoping she would see that he was sincere.
She nibbled her lip, and she nodded.
“Okay.”
“You don’t love me, too?” he asked.
He saw those tears spill down her cheeks, and he wiped them away, hating that he was the one who put them on her face.
“I do,” she said. “I love you, Leo, and it scares me. I’ve known you for such a little time, and I’m scared to believe that.”
Leo smiled. “I’m going to make sure you never doubt your feelings for me.” He pressed a kiss to her lips.
“Daniel always said that I was too clingy. That I always wanted too much. I squashed him.”
He saw her cheeks heat as she told him that.
“What have I said about that asshole ex of yours?”
“That I needed to stop listening to him, and to stop thinking about him.”
“Exactly. Stop thinking about him, babe. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” He ran his thumb across her full bottom lip, more curious about her clingy ways. “Give me a shot.”
“What do you mean?”
“Be clingy. Don’t worry about what I will think or say. By yourself, and give me a chance to let you know what I think.”
“I’m not sure?”
“Give it your best shot, and give me the chance to prove to you I’m not like anyone else.”
She took a visible deep breath. “I could try that.”
He wanted her to cling to him. Leo didn’t know how much clearer he could make it. She was everything he wanted in a woman.