Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

FRENCHIE

It’s been three weeks since Stassi came into my life as well as Avalynn. I’ve never been happier. I finally have this routine down. I wake up early to do some working out, spend some time with Avalynn, and get to work early to do the paperwork. I get home at a decent time and have dinner with Stassi. She’s so good with Avalynn. My mom takes the baby one afternoon a week to give Stassi a break. Stassi cleans the apartment, does laundry and who knows what else. Today is the day mom has Avalynn, an idea pops in my head, since the shop is slow, I text my mom.

ME:

Mom, can you keep Avalynn until I pick her up?

MOM:

Sure. Is everything okay?

ME:

I want to treat Stassi to a night out. She’s been working hard and I want her to know I appreciate her.

MOM:

Of course. I have everything here for her to spend the night if you don’t mind her staying here.

ME:

I’ll let you know.

This would be my first time away from Avalynn all night and I’m not sure if I’m ready for it. I trust my mom completely but I’m nervous.

I tell the boys and Renee I’m leaving early. They look at me with surprised expressions, and I smile at them. I need to keep them guessing. I take the stairs to the apartment two at a time trying to beat Stassi from prepping dinner. I open the door and she’s dancing to some music playing from speakers in the kitchen. She’s getting a drink and I lean against the wall watching her shake her hips while singing off key. She’s beautiful every time I look at her but seeing her like this so vulnerable is breathtaking. The first day I met her in the shop for the interview, I felt this flutter in my chest. Getting to know her over the past three weeks, the flutter is more persistent and the more time we spend time together, the flirting, the casual ways of brushing our hands up against each other as we pass each other in a room or hallway, and the cuddling at night as we watching a movie which means I don’t know how much longer I can stay away. She spins around screaming, throwing her drink at me. It hits me in the chest and I can’t help but laugh.

“Jesus Christ, John-Paul. You scared me. Make some noise.” Stassi clutches her chest. “What are you doing home so early?” Hearing her say home so casually makes me want things I’m not sure I’m allowed to have with her.

“Since today is mom’s day with Avalynn and work is slow today so I figured I’d to take you out for dinner and maybe a movie or dancing.” Stassi’s eyes widen at my words.

“Did you just ask me out on a date?” Stassi’s hands me a towel to dry off and pick up her cup off the floor. Her voice cracks on the word date.

“I mean,” I rub the back of my neck, feeling very nervous all of a sudden. “ I’d like for it to be a date, but if you just want it to be two friends going out together then I’m fine with that too.” I swallow hard as my throat feels so dry all of a sudden.

“I’d like it to be a date.” She bites her lower lip. “But I’m nervous about my job; it’s important to me.”

I take a step forward and place my hands on her cheeks. “You’re an amazing woman and I’m so happy you are Avalynn’s nanny. Going on a date with me will never jeopardize that position. I’m not going to lie to you, I find you attractive not just on the outside but the inside. You make me feel alive when you laugh, when I hear you sing to my daughter, how you talk to my mom daily with updates on Avalynn, and how you make sure I’m taken care. It is something I never thought I could have in my life. I want to explore this attraction I feel toward you. I don’t know if you feel it too.”

“I feel it too.” I lean closer to her and she meets me halfway so our lips touch. It starts out tender and unhurried. I move my hands to her back pulling her closer to me making her gasp opening her mouth for my tongue to slide into her mouth. She moans as her hands slide up my chest. My heart is racing, can she feel it? I deepen the kiss with her. My hands find her long hair and I tug on it breaking the connection as I kiss my way down her neck.

“God you’re beautiful. Your lips are heaven.” I whisper into her ear. She moans my name. My dick is constantly hard around her but now it’s even harder. Hearing her moan my name is such an aphrodisiac because usually people call me Frenchie instead of John-Paul. “If you keep looking at me like that, I don’t think we are leaving this apartment.” Her eyes darkened with heat and I know she wants me too. She likes the idea of staying in with me. Stassi steps back breathing hard. She looks me up and down with a smile on her face.

“You owe me dinner first. How about we do dinner then go from there?” I nod. “I’m going to go shower and change out of this outfit. Is there a dress code?”

“How about a dress? I have the perfect place I want to take you.” I informed her. “I’m heading to my room to get ready.” She nods and heads to walk in the direction of her room but I grab her hand. I give her a quick kiss. “I like kissing you and hope you don’t mind me doing it whenever I feel like it.”

“I approve of this.” Stassi winks at me before walking away. I groan once her door is closed. I run my hands over my face. I'm nervous but it's a good nervous. I feel alive for the first time in a while.

I hear her shower turn on and I head to my room to begin my process of getting ready. I take a quick shower. One of the things I did when I gutted this apartment was add an amazing hot water tank so two people can shower at the same time without losing any hot water.

I step out of the shower, towel off, and stand in front of my closet. What do you wear on a first date with the woman who's caring for your child? I settle on dark jeans and a navy button-down. I style my red hair, dab on some cologne, and take a deep breath. I grab my phone off my dresser and make a decision.

ME:

You can keep her for the night. I expect text message updates.

When I walk into the living room, Stassi's already there. She's wearing an emerald-green dress that hugs her curves and makes her eyes brighter. My heart skips a beat.

"You look incredible," I say, drinking her in.

She blushes. "You clean up pretty nice yourself, John-Paul."

I offer her my arm. "Shall we?"

We head to my truck and I open her door. As I slide into the driver's seat, I catch her scent—vanilla and something floral. It's intoxicating.

"So where are we going?" Stassi asks, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"It's a surprise," I say with a wink. "But I think you'll like it."

We drive through town, the setting sun painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. I steal glances at Stassi, admiring how the fading light plays across her features.

"You know," she says suddenly, "I never expected this when I took the nanny job."

I chuckle. "What, dinner with the boss?"

"No," she says softly. "Feeling like this."

My heart races at her words. I reach over and take her hand, intertwining our fingers. "Me neither. But I'm glad it happened."

We pull up to a small Italian restaurant tucked away on a quiet street. I've known the owner, Marco, for years.

"John-Paul!" Marco greets us warmly as we enter. "And who is this lovely lady?"

"This is Stassi," I say proudly. "Stassi, meet Marco."

Marco kisses Stassi's hand dramatically. "Enchanted, my dear. John-Paul, you've been holding out on us!"

Stassi giggles as we're led to a secluded table in the corner. Soft candlelight flickers between us.

"This place is beautiful," Stassi says, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight.

I smile, pleased she likes it. "Wait till you try the food."

We order wine and appetizers, falling into easy conversation. Stassi tells me about her childhood in Mississippi, her eyes lighting up as she describes lazy summer days by the river. I share stories from my racing days, making her laugh with tales of my wilder stunts.

"So how'd you end up as a nanny?" I ask as our entrees arrive.

Stassi twirls pasta on her fork. "I've always loved kids. Thought about teaching, but I prefer the one-on-one connection. Plus, I get to be a part of a family's life in a special way."

"You've certainly become part of ours," I say softly.

Her eyes meet mine, a tender smile on her lips. "I'm glad."

We linger over dessert, neither of us wanting the night to end. As we step outside, the night air is cool and crisp. Stassi shivers slightly and I drape my jacket over her shoulders.

"Such a gentleman," she teases, snuggling into the warmth.

I grin. "Don't let it get out. I have a reputation to maintain."

We walk slowly back to the truck, our hands brushing. I want to take her hand, but I'm suddenly nervous again. Stassi solves the dilemma by linking her fingers with mine.

We stop by the truck, and I turn to face her, my heart pounding.

"Stassi, I..." I start, suddenly nervous. "I really like you. And not just as Avalynn's nanny. I want to see where this could go."

She reaches up and cups my cheek, her touch sending electricity through me. "I want that too, John-Paul."

I lean down, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet, soft and sweet at first, then with growing passion. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer as she threads her fingers through my hair.

When we finally break apart, we're both breathless. Stassi's cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright.

"Wow," she whispers.

I grin. "Yeah, wow."

I open the truck door for her, stealing another quick kiss before she climbs in. As I start the engine, Stassi reaches over and takes my hand, and everything feels right.

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