Nanny To My Hot Bully

Everyone thinks I slept with my teacher to become valedictorian.

The thought clung to Selena Hart like a curse she couldn’t wash off. Even now, standing in the familiar halls of Westview High, it followed her—heavy, humiliating, permanent. The rumor had spread faster than the truth ever could. It cost her mother her job. It stripped Selena of her reputation. And no matter how hard she worked, no one cared what was real anymore.

Scandal was easier to believe.

“Teacher’s fucker.”

The words cut through the hallway like a blade.

Selena’s steps faltered for only a second but she didn’t turn around. She never did. Ella thrived on reactions, on watching people break. Selena refused to give her that satisfaction.

Laughter echoed behind her.

Her jaw tightened as she pushed open the art room door, where students crowded around the displayed projects. Her piece stood near the center dark, raw, painfully honest. It was the only place she’d ever told the truth.

“Liked my art project?”

The voice came from behind her. Iow, familiar, dangerous.

Her spine stiffened.

Ryan Stone.

Nineteen years old. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Untouchable. His presence alone commanded silence. Messy dark hair fell into his eyes, green and cold as they settled on her like he already owned the moment.

He studied her artwork slowly, deliberately, like a predator circling prey.

Then he smiled, but it wasn’t warm.

“I call it ugly inside, ugly outside.”

Laughter erupted immediately.

Selena felt heat rush to her face, but she refused to look away.

Ryan Stone. My arch-nemesis. I should have known.

She turned to face him fully.

“Tell me,” she said tightly, “when will you get bored of bullying me?”

Ryan’s eyes darkened.

“Bored?” he murmured. “Watching you pretend you earned that title honestly? That never gets old.”

He stepped closer too close.

“You slept your way to the top of Westview High’s pyramid,” he continued calmly.

“I get it. You needed the scholarship.”

He paused, deliberate.

“But the whole sleeping-with-the-teacher thing? It’s pathetic now.”

The room exploded with laughter.

Selena’s chest burned but she lifted her chin.

“I didn’t,” she said clearly. “You probably made up that rumor because you couldn’t keep up with me.”

Silence crashed down.

Gasps followed.

Ryan stared at her, something unreadable flickering across his face before his lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.

“You’re brave,” he said quietly. “Or stupid. Hard to tell.”

“And you’re ugly when you’re an arse,” Selena shot back.

The room froze. No one spoke to Ryan Stone like that.

His smile vanished.

In a flash, he surged forward, slamming her against the wall. His arm came down beside her head, caging her in completely. Students scrambled backward, fear rippling through the room.

“You think you can challenge me?” Ryan growled.

“This is my school, Selena Hart.”

Her heart thundered but she didn’t look away.

“Kiss my ass, Ryan Stone,” she spat, shoving him.

He barely moved.

“I thought you only let teachers do that,” he murmured cruelly.

Laughter followed but it sounded distant now.

“Move,” Selena snapped, humiliation burning her skin.

“I’m late for my new job.”

She forced her way past him only to be blocked by Ella and Lucas.

Ryan’s voice cut through sharply.

“Let her go.”

They stepped aside instantly.

Selena walked away without looking back.

Ryan’s phone vibrated in his hand.

A message from Lily.

Where are you? Dad said you’re taking me to therapy.

His jaw tightened.

“Shit.”

He didn’t joke about Lily. Ever.

Selena hurried down the street, replaying the humiliation in her head, when she noticed a small girl stumble and fall. Blood scraped her knee.

“Oh my God are you okay?” Selena rushed forward, lifting her gently.

“It’s just a graze. Let me see if I have a plaster.”

“Lily!”

Selena looked up just as Ryan came running toward them. A cracking sound echoed overhead.

“Watch out!” he shouted.

He lunged forward, throwing himself over them.

The tree came crashing down on him.

Selena froze.

“You… saved me?”

Ryan pushed himself up, wincing.

“No,” he said coldly. “My sister.”

Then, harsher:

“I don’t care whether you live or die.”

Selena scoffed.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever done for me and you’re still being a bum about it.”

Lily stepped closer and tapped Selena’s arm, typing thanks on her phone.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Selena smiled.

She glanced at Ryan.

“How did someone so sweet end up with such a horrible older brother?”

“She hasn’t spoken since our mom died,” Ryan said flatly.

Selena’s expression softened.

“My dad died a few years ago,” she said gently.

“It feels like a club no one wants to be part of.”

Lily smiled.

Selena’s phone buzzed.

“Oh no... my boss is wondering where I am.”

She looked at Lily.

“You’ll be okay with this big, scary man?”

Lily nodded.

“Don’t act like a saint,” Ryan snapped.

The words stung. Selena turned and walked away.

Lily frowned and typed:

Why are you so mean? She’s nice.

Ryan watched Selena disappear.

“…Yeah,” he muttered. “Maybe she is.”

The mansion loomed ahead massive, beautiful, intimidating.

Selena rang the bell.

“You must be the new nanny,” a man in his forties said, eyeing her.

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry I’m late.”

“You’re lucky my children aren’t home yet,” he replied coolly. “Otherwise, you’d be fired.”

Relief washed over her.

“You’ll be babysitting my daughter. She’s eleven,” he continued.

“And my nineteen-year-old son.”

Selena blinked.

“How am I supposed to punish someone my age?”

“Figure it out,” he said flatly.

She nodded.

I need this job. How bad could he be?

The door opened.

“Lily and I are home.”

Selena turned.

So did he.

“What are you doing here?” they said at the same time.

The man smiled.

“Son, meet your new nanny.”

Time stopped.

Selena’s heart stopped, her phone nearly slipping from her fingers.

“Ryan Stone…” she whispered.

“And his sister are the ones I’m babysitting?”

Sweat broke out across her skin. Her chest tightened. Her world tilted.

Ryan’s eyes darkened. Then his lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.

“Well,” he said quietly,

“this just got interesting.”