Chapter 4 CHA

Chloe Georgiou followed Andreas Nikolaou along the seemingly endless hallway, her eyes taking in everything. He was a vision in a white button-down shirt with rolled sleeves to expose well-muscled arms. It was the kind of build that spoke of hard work and strength, not a body pumped up in the gym. The impeccably fitting slacks flattered him, and Chloe struggled to keep from having an unclean thought about his buttocks. She bit her tongue, reminding herself that he could be a boss, not an object of fantasy.

The house was a work of modern genius, a magazine centerfold come to life. It was beautiful, but impersonal-a place that lacked the vacation knick-knacks and family photos that come with residing in a home. Chloe's own cluttered apartment, mismatched furniture and books stuffed into bookcases, was a universe away.

"Come with me, please," he said, his voice distant.

He led her into a big office, the door already ajar. He waved towards a plush chair next to his desk, and Chloe sat, her back stiff even though she was surrounded by decadent comfort. A lone photograph on the desk caught her eye: a photograph of a little boy, his child.

"Can I get you something, Chloe?" he asked, the sound of her name on his lips causing her to shiver.

"No, I'm fine," she managed, her voice a bit shaky. She watched his eyes flick over her body before he picked up a file off the stack on his desk.

"I see you have a lot of experience," he said, scanning the paper. "And your suggestions were glowing. One of them described you as a godsend to her twins."

"They were good children, really. I never really had trouble with them. I've always gotten along well with children," Chloe replied, trying to sound confident.

What about challenging kids? Have you ever looked after any?" he asked, hunching forward, his hand stroking his solid, bristly chin. The movement was so relaxed, so masculine, it almost diverted Chloe's attention.

Of course," she said, throat-clearing. "I've worked with children since I was eleven. Nine times out of ten, they just want to be heard, or they need some boundaries. When they feel understood, though, they tend to go back to being their fabulous selves.".

Andreas pursed his lips, looking back at her resume. Chloe had a strange mix of emotions: an intense attraction to this handsome guy and a growing sense that he was not going to give her a job. She wanted to insist on knowing what the problem was, but she didn't say anything.

He finally put the paper down and looked at her, his gaze once more scanning her from top to bottom.

I may need to have you work the whole week at times. I work late and require someone who can commit for the evenings to Ariadne. Would that be a problem?"

"Not at all. I don't mind working overtime," Chloe answered in a rush.

"I might also need you on Saturdays as well. I am in the city most of the week and only come back here at weekends, so you will be working from my city flat as well. Is that arrangement acceptable to you?"

"No problem," Chloe said. She could tell he was still hesitant, but she knew she was the best person for the job. Not only were the pay good, but her potential boss was so handsome she could stare at him all day.

"Is there anything else you need to know about the job?" she asked, trying to get things going.".

"My daughter is my world," he declared slowly, tension creeping once more onto his shoulders. "Ariadne's not been cooperative lately, so she can be... difficult. I want to assure you that won't be an issue for you."

"Not at all. I've worked with all types of kids. I have more patience than you know and techniques to get them to feel safe and heard.".

"You seem terribly confident," he said, stroking his jaw again.

"I take pride in performing my work, Mr. Nikolaou. Taking care of children is my calling. I'm good at it, and I promise you won't be disappointed if you hire me."

His eyes seemed to bore into her very essence as he took hold of the folder with her information and tucked it into his pocket. Chloe's heart sank, believing she'd gone and done it.

Then, his green eyes fastened on hers in a resolute, direct stare and said to her, "Call me Andreas. And when would you be free to start?"

Chloe stared, amazed, her heart flying. Despite his possessive attitude, he was giving her a chance.

"Oh! I can start tomorrow. I have no appointments.".

"Alright," he replied, standing up. "You can come to my house in the city. The address is on the back page of your contract, but let's sort out the details first, you have to meet Ariadne."

"I'd love to," Chloe replied, standing up and grabbing her purse.

Have you had chickenpox?

Chloe smiled. "Yes, when I was a child. I have lifetime immunity."

Good. Ariadne has just recovered from an attack of measles.

"Aww, poor kid."

"Yes."

They passed through the enormous, silent house, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors. To Chloe, it was an uncomfortable silence, but Andreas glided through it as if he was at home. She sensed him, her skin tingling with heightened sensitivity. She had never felt this way around a man.

When they came to a door, Andreas knocked gently before going in. Chloe's heart melted seeing the little girl inside. She was a miniature version of Andreas, with the same black hair and enormous, round green eyes. She was so adorable, even with the red spots still scattered over her face.

Andreas's face relaxed, and he smiled as he looked at her. The warmth and love emanating from the stern man was palpable.

"Ariadne, I want you to meet your new nanny, Miss Georgiou."

The little girl glanced at them, then down again at the phone she held in her hand. She puckered up, rolled over onto her stomach, and lazily kicked her legs in mid-air, glancing at her phone screen as if nothing else was in the world.

This wasn't going to be simple, but Chloe was eager for the challenge.

"You don't want to say hello?" Andreas asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

Ariadne shook her head. As her father rubbed her back, she crouched low and shot Chloe a look of loathing. It was a tough look, one of bitter distrust and anger. Chloe was taken aback, but she was not deterred. If the child thought for one moment she was going to release her so easily, she had another idea coming. Chloe was going to befriend this child if it was the last thing she did.

"Okay, I need to do some paperwork with Miss Georgiou. Maybe we could watch a movie together afterwards," Andreas offered.

Ariadne's head snapped up. "Really? Can I get to pick?"

"Maybe. I'll select a choice, and you can choose from that," he agreed.

"Yes!" she screamed, leaping off the bed to grab the remote.

Andreas smiled, the deep rich sound giving Chloe's heart the sudden jolt. "But spare me a moment, okay? Play your game, and I'll return."

"I'll grab some snacks along with us," he got up and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Do you want something in particular?"

"Popcorn and juice," she said, her gaze swept over the titles shown on the screen.

"Juice and popcorn it is then."

"Okay, Daddy.".

As soon as they left the room, the smile vanished from Andreas's face. The same distant coldness filled the space between them as they walked downstairs.

"She seems sweet," Chloe offered, trying to break the silence.

"She is," he agreed. "She has a hard time letting new people in, but she's not a bad kid."

"I'm sure she isn't. By the way, where is the rest of the staff?"

"They're attending a wedding. One of the bridesmaids is getting married," he explained.

They rode in silence until they reached his office. He opened a drawer and retrieved a set of keys, handing them to Chloe.

You can start tomorrow morning. Arrive there by seven. Be early. Carry the documents with you and bring them back signed. I've put a file on Ariadne's routine and schedule in there, Kalliopi my maid.

"Good, fine. Thanks for the job, Andreas. I promise you won't regret it.".

A brief flash crossed his eyes, as though he was already regretting his decision, but he did not utter anything. He simply stood and stared at her for a moment. Chloe took the papers and shook hands with him. Their palms touched each other a fraction of a second longer than absolutely necessary, a quiet acknowledgment of the strange tension that had existed between them since the very beginning.

Andreas stepped back and cleared his throat. "See you tomorrow," Chloe said with a large, unselfconscious smile. "Thanks again for the opportunity."