Where You Belong: A Single Dad/Nanny Romance (The Giannelli Series – Love in Little Italy Book 1)

‘How was the first evening with your new nanny?’ Marcus asks with a smirk.

The four of us siblings are sitting in the office kitchen eating lunch. We haven’t all been together since before Ma fell, but we can always count on Marcus to ruin a good thing.

I raise my eyebrows at him, letting him know I’m not impressed with his insinuation.

‘What exactly are you trying to imply?’

Marcus shrugs his shoulders, acting innocent.

‘Not implying anything. I’m just asking if your hot-as-sin nanny got settled alright in her new room at your house. Did you show her how to use the shower? Sometimes those knobs can be tricky. What would you do if she came out in only a towel and asked for some help?’

Lucas and Mia both cover their mouths to hide their smiles.

‘I’m not living in a freakin’ porno, you idiot,’ I say, smacking his arm.

‘That’s too bad. She’s hot enough to star in a good porno,’ Lucas adds.

‘How old are you two? What the hell has gotten into you guys?’ I look at Mia to defend me.

She just smiles. ‘She is really beautiful.’

I roll my eyes. Apparently, all my siblings are going to get on me about having a good-looking nanny.

I think back to dinner last night when I stupidly decided to teach her about wine. What was I thinking letting her onto such an important part of who I am? My dick nearly jumped out of my pants at the sight of her licking the wine off her lips as she released a soft moan. Sienna and wine have been the only two things to bring me out of my funk, and now Alexis drinking wine has been added to that list. I could watch her sip wines and explore the flavors all day.

Fuck, it was inappropriate of me to be so turned on by a twenty-one-year-old. While my daughter was sitting at the table, no less. I’m starting to regret hiring her, and it’s only been one day.

I’ve tried to be good about not checking in, but it’s beginning to get to me now. I reach into my pocket for my phone, deciding one text won’t hurt anything.

Gabe: How are things going so far?

I try to get back to my food, but when I see the three dots pop up, I’m on the edge of my seat, waiting for her response. When the message finally comes in, I see a picture of the two girls smiling. Sienna is standing behind Alexis, who is sitting on the floor, hair in complete disarray with butterfly clips all over her head.

Alexis: Sienna’s doing my hair. She’s making me into a princess. Great day so far.

I do my best to control the smile that wants to break free at the picture. Something in my chest feels weird at seeing Sienna so happy with another woman besides her aunt or grandma.

Gabe: I think the princess will have trouble finding a prince looking like that.

That’s not entirely true. Even with that hairdo, she’s stunning.

Alexis: I think the princess doesn’t care what the grumpy villain thinks.

Any other day, with any other person, I would wear the grumpy villain badge with pride. Hearing it from Alexis, though…it only makes me feel more out of control with desire.

I spend the rest of the day trying to fight off visions of all the ways I would like to show Alexis my grumpy side. I’m not sure what to do with this craving that only seems to be getting stronger. It’s been a little while since I’ve gotten laid; maybe that’s my problem. A man can only go so long without sex and not have a reaction to the beauty that’s in front of him.

When I get home, I sit in the driveway, trying to mentally talk myself into going into the house and having no reaction to the woman I will be greeted by. As the door opens, I’m hit with Sienna’s giggles, and my body instantly relaxes. It’s the perfect reminder of why I hired Alexis. It doesn’t matter what my body is telling me; all that matters is that Sienna seems to love her.

As I walk into the kitchen, I see Sienna carrying a basket of bread to the dinner table. She sees me and her face breaks out into an excited grin.

‘Daddy!’ she screams and runs into my arms.

I pick her up and breathe in her scent. When I put her down, I survey the room and see Alexis standing there with a small smile on her face.

‘Hi,’ I say to her, not sure exactly how to greet her.

‘Hi,’ she says back.

I see the table is set for two, with a flickering candle in between the plates.

‘What’s all of this?’ I ask somewhat nervously.

‘We made you dinner, Daddy!’ Sienna exclaims.

‘She wanted to make dinner for the two of you,’ Alexis clarifies. ‘We kind of decided to go all out and set the table as well.’

I wonder if she saw the panic start to arise in me at the sight of two plates and a candle.

‘That’s so thoughtful of you.’ I look down at Sienna. ‘What are we having for dinner?’

Waiting for her to tell me she picked chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes; I’m not prepared for the answer that follows.

‘Alex and I made chicken piccata with roasted vegetables. She promised me I would like the carrots and that I would like this chicken more than yours.’

Alexis is biting her bottom lip as she smiles up at me.

‘Oh, really?’ I question Sienna while my eyes remain on Alexis.

‘Come on, Daddy!’ Sienna grabs my hand and leads me to the table while Alexis plates the food off the stove.

As she places the food between Sienna and me, I’m struck with a twinge of disappointment.

‘You won’t be joining us?’ I ask her.

‘Oh, um, I figured you wouldn’t want to spend your dinners with your nanny. I’ll just be in my room if anyone needs me. I had a lot of fun with you today, Sienna.’

‘Me too!’ Sienna smiles.

With that, Alexis disappears out of the kitchen, and I remain lost in my own head.

‘Don’t you want to try the food, Daddy?’ Sienna breaks my train of thought.

I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the funny feelings that have taken root in me. Why am I so disappointed she isn’t joining us for dinner? That was never an expectation from the beginning, and it shouldn’t be now.

‘Of course, I do,’ I tell her as I give us each a big helping of food.

I cut up Sienna’s chicken for her, followed by her carrots. Alexis already had a basket of warm bread on the table, which Sienna has buttered herself.

When I take the first bite of my chicken, my tastebuds weren’t prepared for the flavors they were going to be treated to. The lemon, olive oil, cheese, capers…they all work together in the most delicious way. The texture of the chicken is perfect. It has an amazing crunch to the skin with a moist center.

I stand up immediately and walk to the large closet under the stairs that I had turned into a wine cellar. I know exactly what kind of wine I want to open with this meal. In the cooler part of the cellar, I reach for the Sauvignon Blanc that I picked up on a trip to France a couple years back. It will pair perfectly with the acidity of the lemons in the chicken.

Once I sit back down with Sienna, she looks at me quizzically.

‘I guess you really like the chicken,’ she says matter-of-factly.

‘Why do you say that?’ I question her.

‘Because you got a bottle of wine. You only do that when you really like the food,’ she says, sounding wise beyond her years.

I have to contemplate that for a second. I suppose it’s true. I do only open wine at dinner when I feel like the food calls for it. As soon as I took one bite of Alexis’s food, my body was in motion for something to accompany the food. It’s a testament to how good it is.

‘You’re right, kiddo. The food is really good. You and Alexis did a great job,’ I offer, rubbing the soft skin on her cheek.

She leans into me with her hand over her mouth. ‘Alex did most of the work.’

I laugh before taking a sip of the wine. ‘It’s okay. I’m sure you were great company for her.’

I enjoy the dinner with Sienna as we talk about her day with Alexis. She seems so smitten with her, and I realize she’s not the only one. It’s rare to find a woman who looks like Alexis and can cook like this.

After bath and story time, I tuck Sienna in. The speed at which her eyes flutter closed shows how busy she was today. When I walk back downstairs, I notice Alexis is in the kitchen making herself a sandwich. I’m momentarily distracted by the short pajama shorts and t-shirt she’s wearing.

‘What are you doing? Going for a second dinner?’ I ask before I pour myself another glass of wine.

She shrugs. ‘Nah, making myself a first dinner.’

I don’t mean to slam the bottle down as hard as I do, but the reaction was immediate.

‘What do you mean? You didn’t eat some of your chicken before I got home?’

She looks a bit bewildered by my question. ‘Uh, no. I don’t generally eat the food that my employers pay for. It’s not part of the agreement.’

It’s then that I notice she is making a sandwich on cheap ass bread with meat that I would never have in my house.

‘What the hell are you eating?’ I spew out with anger.

When I notice she’s not catching on, I grab her sandwich and throw it out. Opening the fridge, I grab the leftovers container and a plate to heat up the dinner she prepared. I’m so angry with her, I can’t even think straight. How could she slave away over a meal for me and my daughter, and think a two-dollar sandwich is an adequate meal for herself?

‘What are you doing? Why would you throw away my food?’ she asks.

I manage to look over at her, seeing she’s wearing a look of annoyance as her hand rests on her hip. Her posture makes her look more enticing, which only adds to my anger.

‘I’m making sure you eat a decent meal. When you are under my roof, you do not put that crap in your body. Do you understand me?’ I grab the microwaved plate and set it on the island.

I motion for her to sit, but she stands there defiantly.

‘Did you not hear me, woman?’ I enunciate my words.

‘First off,’ She comes closer to me, finger pointing at me. ‘don’t call me woman. Secondly, I will eat the meal when you ask me nicely.’

Fuck, her opposition is hot as hell. There are so many things I would like to do to her right now. To do to that sweet ass of hers that shows just how much she enjoys her food. She has the perfect body. Curves in all the right places and a tiny waist I wish I could dig my fingers into.

I can tell she isn’t going to back down from this, and I really don’t want her going to bed hungry.

‘Will you please sit down and eat this food?’ I grit through my teeth.

She smiles up at me. ‘That was much better, thank you,’ she says.

I stand here and watch her eat for what feels like a weird amount of time. She confirms my thoughts when she turns her head and looks over her shoulder.

‘Are you just going to stand there and stare at me like a psycho while I eat my food?’

‘Just making sure you actually eat,’ I tell her, hoping she doesn’t know I was lost watching her lips wrap around each bite.

‘How was your first day with Sienna?’ I ask as I wrap back around the island and put away the leftovers.

When I turn back around from the fridge, Alexis is smiling.

‘It was great. She’s so sweet and funny. She had me cracking up the entire day.’

The sincerity in her words makes me crack a small smile.

‘She seems smitten with you. I’m glad you both had a good first day.’

She eats her food quickly and puts her plate in the dishwasher. I continue to stand in the kitchen, sipping my wine as I watch her.

‘Well…’ she starts awkwardly. ‘Thank you for dinner.’

‘You mean the dinner you cooked?’ I point out.

She shrugs her shoulders as a laugh escapes. ‘Yeah, I guess so. I think I’m gonna go relax in my room, probably read a book. Try to conserve some energy to keep up with your little spitfire tomorrow.’

I smile again. Something I’m not used to doing, but that she has gotten out of me twice in the last fifteen minutes.

‘I’ll see you in the morning, Alexis.’

‘Goodnight, Gabriel,’ her silky voice says before she walks away.

I put my wine down as I lean my hands against the island and hang my head. Fuck, I need to get a grip. That voice saying my full name…it’s becoming a problem. How do I politely ask her not to use my whole name because it makes my dick twitch in excitement?