Chapter 21
I’m trying to catch my breath after sprinting from my car just as the door opens. Sophia’s hazel eyes light up the moment they land on me.
“Miss Sadie, you’re here!”
She opens the door wider, revealing her dad, who stands, with only one crutch today, just inside the living room, and my mouth dries up like the Sahara.
Gray sweatpants hang off Niko’s hips and my eyes do a slow perusal of just how well they fit.
They leave little to the imagination, and I am not mad about it.
Not one bit. The waistband of his Calvin Klein boxer briefs peeks out above his sweatpants, and my hands itch to reach inside.
I’m unsure of the type of shirt he’s wearing because my eyes refuse to move from the lower half of his body.
Suddenly, working for this man sounds like the worst idea ever.
As if on cue, Sophia runs between us, throwing ice water on a very inappropriate moment I’m not too proud of.
Jumping up and down, she grabs my hands. “Daddy told me you’re going to hang out with me! You’re like a super pretty Nanny McPhee! Oh my gosh, Miss Sadie. I can’t wait to show you all my toys!”
Niko steps forward, placing his hands on Sophia’s shoulders, attempting to slow her bouncing body.
“Slow down, Sophia, there’s plenty of time for that. Why don’t you go finish your breakfast while I talk to Sadie? I need to leave soon for treatment and then you can give her a tour of all your things.”
Sophia grunts out a disappointed, “Ugh, fine,” and then takes off to the kitchen to finish her food.
“Let’s take a seat.” Niko’s hand sweeps into the living room, and I choose to sit at the lone chair next to the fireplace, needing as much space from him as possible at the moment.
He takes a seat on the couch on the other side of the coffee table and leans forward, elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped between them.
Tucking a hair behind my ear, I break the silence first. “I’m sorry I’m a couple minutes late. Ellie needed to talk to me and I lost track of time.”
Niko studies me and I shift in my chair uncomfortably waiting for him to start the childcare conversation.
“Is everything okay?”
His question catches me off guard only because I didn’t expect him to even notice something was off with me.
I should’ve known he could see right through me.
I contemplate if I should tell him about the predicament I find myself in.
On one hand, Lincoln and Ellie are none of his business.
But on the other hand, I find myself wanting to confide in him.
With both things in mind, I tell him about my situation, but leave out some details.
“The lease is up on our apartment and I need to start looking for a place of my own.” There. Simple enough and I didn’t need to mention I’m too broke to afford my current place on my own.
Niko’s eyes remain on me, completely void of any type of emotion or reaction.
Nervous under his stare, I shrug. “But it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll find something. Let’s talk about Sophia’s routine so you can head out.”
He seems to be thinking about something. His eyes are squinted and I swear I can see the wheels turning in his head. The energy in here is all off and I blame myself. He distracted me with his gray sweatpants and now I can’t think straight.
I’m nervous. He seems to be nervous. We need to start over.
Just as I’m about to ask again about Sophia’s sleep schedule and routine, Niko surprises me. Again.
“You can stay here.”
I blink twice, trying to understand if I heard him correctly. Sure I must’ve misheard, I ask him to repeat himself. “I’m sorry? I don’t think I heard you correctly. What did you say?”
Niko leans back against the couch, placing one arm over the back of it just like he did the night I came here for ice cream. Memories flash through my mind of how badly I wanted to lean in and kiss him. Him sitting here like that, in those damn gray joggers, is not making this situation any better.
“I said, you can stay here.”
He says it so casually, as if me moving into his home with his daughter is no big deal. This man who has refused to hire a nanny because he trusts no one. What gives?
“I’m sorry. But let me get this straight.
” His mouth quirks at the edges but he eyes me, waiting for me to go on.
“You want me to move in here. With you. And Sophia. The same man who probably doesn’t even trust the little old lady at the grocery store asking for help to reach something on the top shelf. ”
He loses the internal battle he was waging, fighting a smile, and his beautiful teeth flash full and bright my way.
Some hockey players may have the unfortunate luck of losing teeth and looking ridiculous, but Niko is not one of them.
Thank the heavens because that smile is a gift straight from the gods.
“Yes, Sadie. That is indeed what I’m telling you.”
His voice is calm and collected, only making my brain an even more jumbled mess. I can’t understand how he can be so cool about this.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
“Why’s that?” he asks.
“Um. Well—” I try to come up with a good enough excuse that doesn’t include because I want to climb you like a tree, but I’m having trouble focusing at the moment with the way those sweatpants now hug his muscular thighs and ass so perfectly with the way he’s sitting.
I have a serious gray sweatpants problem.
“Because we need to keep this professional.” That’s a perfectly valid reason. Yay, me.
Sophia chooses this moment to come running into the living room. She hops up onto the couch with her dad, leaning into his side. The scene makes my heart melt and momentarily I’m wondering if moving in here wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
“But, Miss Sadie. All my nannies live with us.”
Nanny? There’s that word again. Is that what I am? I’d like to think of it as more of a friend helping a friend, but by definition I guess I am a nanny, even if it is only part-time.
I try but fail to hide how shocked I am by the fact that his past nannies have lived here. Moving my eyes from Sophia to Niko, I raise my eyebrow at him. “Is that so?”
Niko ruffles Sophia’s hair, causing her to fall into a giggling fit. The adoration in his eyes as he looks at his daughter is something I never saw in my own father’s eyes. This sudden realization has me averting my gaze to a spot behind the two of them.
“That’s right. I actually had separate living quarters added on to the house for a nanny after Sophia was born. With my unusual work and travel schedule, it makes sense to have a live-in nanny for when I’m gone for days at a time or not getting back until the middle of the night.”
Duh. Of course the nannies have always stayed here. He’s a professional athlete who travels for days, sometimes weeks, at a time.
Feeling like a complete idiot, I nod once. “Right. Of course. Silly me.”
Niko looks back down at Sophia and gives her arm a little squeeze.
“What do you say we show Sadie where she’d be staying if she decides she wants to stay with us?”
Sophia is full of excitement as she screams, “Let’s do it!” and hops off the couch, sprinting toward the back of the house.
Niko and I stand at the same time. I wait for him to grab his crutch and lead the way. After he takes a few steps toward the kitchen, he stops and turns to me.
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just assumed you would be planning to stay at least some nights here. Especially with how the playoffs are set up and us being gone for a few days at a time for away games.”
He stands with one hand in his pocket, the other gripping his crutch, looking unsure of himself. His nervousness is downright adorable.
“You didn’t make me uncomfortable. We just haven’t discussed logistics, and I wasn’t sure how long you’d need me.”
We both stare at each other, the air filling with tension by the second.
“So…how long do you need me?”
I’m at war with my emotions. Part of me doesn’t want to be in such close quarters with him because I don’t trust myself. But there’s another part, particularly my heart, that is racing at the prospect of spending time with him away from the rink.
Oh, and having a place to stay doesn’t hurt matters either.
“Let’s chat on the way.”
This house is so gigantic, there’s more than enough space in these hallways to walk side by side, so that’s what we do.
“Ideally, I’d have you here until at least the end of the season. I really want my parents to have a break. Them getting sick was just another indication of how worn down they’ve gotten from taking care of Sophia.”
We turn the corner toward what I’m guessing is the garage and Niko opens the door for me. Once we’ve stepped into the massive space, Niko continues.
“Sophia’s sleep has gotten much better, thanks to you, I think, but she’s still sometimes climbing into bed with me. I just don’t want to put my parents in that situation anymore.”
He leads the way to the far side of the garage where there’s a door I didn’t notice the first time I was in here. To be fair, I was too busy looking for a sports car to notice some random door.
The door is cracked open, indicating Sophia is already somewhere beyond it, and I walk up the two stairs that lead to the door. I ask over my shoulder, “So when you’re out of town, where would you want me sleeping? I’m assuming you don’t want me this far from Sophia.”
Once I make my way into the living space, I am absolutely blown away by what I see.
Just inside the door is the cutest little entryway with hooks and cushioned bench underneath with storage for shoes.
Taking a few steps farther inside, I see that the interior matches the feel of his home.
An open-concept living space with wooden beams and accents greets me.
To my left is a cozy living room, completely furnished with a couch, throw blanket, and beautiful coffee table.
There’s even a fireplace with the most gorgeous wooden mantle I’ve ever seen.
Niko’s voice follows me as I slowly walk farther into the apartment.
“Ideally, you’d sleep in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs near Sophia’s room when I’m out of town. There’re two to choose from.”
I nod along with him as he describes the bedrooms with attached bathrooms, but I’m too mesmerized by the kitchen to pay full attention.
The kitchen is a baker’s dream, causing me to nearly bounce with excitement.
Stainless steel appliances are tucked between white farmhouse-style kitchen cabinets that are decorated with sleek black finishes.
A gigantic kitchen island with marble countertops sits in the middle of this place I’d call heaven but that’s not even the best part.
A double oven is screaming my name and my body is being pulled in its direction on its own accord.
My hand caresses the front of the oven, as if I’m petting Hunter’s new dog, but honestly this oven is better than any new puppy. Turning around, I find Niko leaning against the new refrigerator, arms crossed as he takes me in.
“I’m sorry. I stopped listening to you. This kitchen is magnificent. This would be mine?”
I can’t hide the excitement in my voice. Niko’s face splits into a grin just as Sophia joins us from somewhere down the hall. She runs full speed my way and I lean down to scoop her up just in time.
“Miss Sadie, do you like it? Can I show you your bedroom?”
Unable to deny this precious little girl, I put her down then take her hand as she leads me down the short hallway just past the kitchen.
My mind is still on the space we’re leaving.
Recipes for snickerdoodles, cheesecake, tarts, and breads run through my mind as I think of all the possibilities of magic I can create in there.
Niko’s dad voice interrupts my swirling thoughts of baked goods. “Sophia, she didn’t say she’s staying here. It’s not her bedroom. Yet.”
I don’t miss the way his voice teasingly says “yet,” and I look over my shoulder to find him staring as his daughter pulls me into the last room down the hall.
“Look, Miss Sadie! It’s a room for a princess, just like you!”
I’m about to tell her I’m no princess, but holy shit. She’s right. This room is straight out of one of her favorite fairytales.
A wooden canopy bed sits in the center of the room draped with sheer white fabric, similar to what hangs in my office, creating a soft bohemian look.
The natural colored bedding looks as soft as a cloud, complete with patterned throw pillows.
On each side of the bed sits a small wooden bedside table with lamps, emitting an ambient glow.
Behind the bed is a beautiful gold sunburst wall decor piece that I can’t look away from.
I turn to find Niko holding Sophia’s hand, smiles on both of their faces. Sophia leans into her dad, whispering but loud enough for me to hear.
“I think she likes it.”