Bad Nanny (The Bad Nanny Trilogy #1)(79)

I move over to the opposite side of the living room and pick Sadie up, setting her up on the carpet and changing her diaper. I haven't done this in, like, forever but I used to babysit in high school so I figure it out pretty quickly. Admittedly, it's kind of gross, but manageable. As I squeeze Sadie's chubby foot, I find that I can't stop myself from fantasizing about what Zayden's babies might look like.

And here we go again with the damn hormones.

I finish changing the kid, standing up and balancing her on my hip as Zayden lays on the couch with a satisfied, sleepy expression on his face.

“Since it's monsoon fucking pourin' out there,” he says as he points toward the expanse of the bay window with his inked hand, “I was thinking: mall first. 'cause then we can get those big ass pretzels with the cinnamon and sugar on them and let the kids burn energy at the indoor play place. Then—and check this brilliance right here—we pick up hot wings and burgers and veg out right in front of the TV.”

Zayden turns on his side to stare at me, propping his head up with his hand.

“What do you think?” he asks when I just get caught there staring at him. There's this surreal moment where it almost feels like the eight of us are a family or something … and it feels kind of … good?

“I—” I should probably tell Zay I have homework and use his free babysitting skills to get some studying done. But then I look into his eyes, into that pale color that burns so bright with playful energy that I can't say no. I just can't. Not going to happen. “Okay.”

When he smiles at me, I feel almost dizzy.

How stupid is that?

“Here,” I say, coming over to stand next to the couch. “You feed the baby, and I'll get the kids up.” As I hand Sadie to Zayden, I feel his fingers slide across my skin, hot as coals, and pull away as quickly as I can. It's like, when our skin's touching, I don't think with a clear head.

“Don't make me give you another lecture about piercing hygiene,” Zayden shouts as I start up the stairs and feel my lips break into a smile. “If you don't clean it properly, I'll know about it.”

I grin and shake my head as I slip into Grace's room to wake her and Kinzie up.

I have a feeling that today, today is going to be a good day.



The play place at the mall isn't exactly the most exciting destination, but then, Eureka isn't the most exciting town in the world. The only things we have in spades here are outdoor beauty … and rain. Sort of a frustrating dichotomy if you think about it.

Zayden buys the kids whatever treats they want from the food court and then sets 'em loose on the playground as we take a seat on one of the benches. I haven't been here since I got back in town and wow, it brings some old memories crashing to the forefront of my mind.

“The first boy I ever kissed, I kissed right here,” I tell Zay, pointing at the hideous faux granite linoleum beneath our feet. It hasn't changed at all in the last ten years. The only thing that's different about this place are the stores. When I was younger, there used to be an interesting mix of local shops. Now, one whole wing of the mall is empty, advertising storefronts for rent, and the rest of it's been turned into outward facing big box stores like Petco and Kohl's.

Kind of depressing.

“For real?” Zayden says, turning to look at me with his pretzel clutched in one hand. His hair looks extra perfect today, spiked up on one side into a Mohawk, the other shaved with fresh stars. He's even put on the tiniest smidge of liner and changed out his piercings. They're all black today, all matching. His lip piercings are actual rings today instead of the studs he's been wearing since he got here. So hot. I want to grab 'em with my teeth and pull. Kind of like I did with the piercings in his cock.

I choke and glance away, back towards the kids, watching as Kinzie and Bella chase each other up the faux rock wall.

“Right on this very bench?” Zayden asks with a playful lilt to his voice. I glance back at him just in time for Zay to lean forward and press his mouth to mine. His tongue flicks out hard and fast and I'm left sitting there with the faint taste of cinnamon on my lips. “I'm giving you new memories,” he explains as I shake my head with a laugh.

“Not on this exact bench,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “Just here, in the mall. Where'd you have your first kiss?”

“Mmm,” Zayden leans his head back and stares up at the skylights in the ceiling. I use the term skylights loosely because there's definitely not much light leaking through the glass; it's gray and dark and stormy as hell. “With my friend's older sister, in the bathroom of her church during a youth group meeting.”

I raise my slightly sore brow as Zayden lifts his head back up and grins at me again.