Chapter 2

Ryan’s alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., loud and relentless.

He groaned, rolled over, and slapped his phone until the noise stopped. Without opening his eyes, he pulled the pillow over his head and drifted back into sleep.

Across the hall, Selena stood in front of his door, jaw set.

She knocked once.

Nothing.

She exhaled and pushed the door open.

Ryan Stone’s room was dim, curtains half-drawn, clothes scattered like he didn’t care who saw the mess. Her gaze went straight to the bed—and stopped.

He lay sprawled across the mattress, bare-chested beneath the thin sheet, dark hair tousled, lashes resting against sharp cheekbones. For someone so cruel when awake, he looked unfairly calm like this.

Selena froze.

She realized she was staring.

Heat crept into her cheeks and she looked away quickly.

Ryan might bully me in school, she thought, forcing herself back into control, but as his live-in nanny, I’m in charge at home.

Her lips curved.

“Wakey wakey!” she shouted.

“Eggs and bakey!”

She tipped the bucket.

Cold water soaked the bed instantly.

Ryan jolted awake with a sharp gasp, scrambling upright as water streamed down his chest.

“What the fuck—” he snapped, eyes blazing.

“Language,” Selena said lightly. “You don’t want another punishment, do you?”

Ryan stood slowly, water dripping from his hair, fury rolling off him. Without breaking eye contact, he pulled his wet singlet over his head and tossed it aside.

Selena’s breath faltered.

She shoved a towel at him.

Instead of taking it, he grabbed her wrist and pressed her hand against his chest. His skin was warm. His heartbeat was fast.

He leaned closer, voice low.

“You know,” he murmured, “if you wanted to get me wet… there are better ways.”

Selena jerked her hand free and turned away.

“Dry off,” she said firmly. “You’ve got homework.”

“No.”

“I’m going to the beach, nanny.”

He headed for the door.

She caught his arm and dragged him back before he could step outside.

“I don’t think so.”

They collided, bodies too close, noses almost brushing. For a second, neither moved.

“You’ll go after you finish your work,” Selena said, then stepped away and left the room.

Later that afternoon, Selena sat at the dining table with Lily, worksheets spread out neatly.

“Good job,” she said warmly. “You only missed a few this time.”

Lily smiled shyly.

Across the room, Ryan shut his textbook.

“I’m done.”

Selena took his paper and scanned it. Then she calmly marked corrections.

His brow furrowed.

“What the hell? You’re stricter than my teachers.”

“Your dad expects your grades to improve under my supervision,” she replied. “No half effort.”

Ryan snatched the paper and ripped it in two, letting the pieces fall at her feet.

“I don’t take instructions from a slag.”

Selena rose slowly.

“You’re immature.”

“Oh?” Ryan stood too, eyes dark. “Does my nanny need to punish me?”

He stepped closer.

“Ground me?”

“Spank me?”

He smirked, daring her.

“I’d like to see you try.”

Selena calmly took the pencil from his hand and snapped it in half.

“I already am,” she said.

Then she walked away.

By evening, Ryan grabbed his ball and headed for the door.

Locked.

“What the fuck?” he snapped.

Behind him, Selena leaned against the wall, sucking on a lollipop, eyes glittering.

Later that night, Ryan sat on his bed gaming with his friends.

“Come on,” he muttered. “We’ve got this.”

The screen went black.

He stared.

Slowly, he turned.

Selena stood there holding the unplugged cable, smiling sweetly.

Not long after, Ryan found her in the living room with Lily.

“We need to talk.”

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Lily,” Selena replied without looking up.

Ryan smiled darkly. “Oh really? Fine.”

“The rumors about you and the teachers—”

He didn’t finish.

Selena grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

“You’ve got five minutes,” she said once they were alone.

Ryan chuckled. “You’re kind of terrifying, you know that?”

“You’ve been torturing me all year,” Selena said evenly. “Don’t pretend this surprises you.”

“No,” Ryan murmured, stepping closer, fingers brushing her hair. “That was nothing.”

He tilted her chin up, eyes burning.

“You,” he said quietly, “you’re dangerous.”

She swallowed.

“Are you finally ready to take me seriously as your nanny?” she asked.

Ryan smiled and brushed his thumb along her cheek.

“I’ll never see you as my nanny.”

Her heart dropped, and then he leaned closer.

“But I want to make a deal.”

Selena’s pulse thundered.

Ryan’s smile was slow. Dangerous.

“The kind where I stay out of your way,” he said quietly.

He stepped closer not rushing, not grabbing just enough that she felt his presence everywhere. His fingers brushed along her arm, then her waist, light but deliberate. Goosebumps raced across her skin despite herself.

“You’re free to nanny Lily,” he continued. “I won’t interfere. No games. No trouble.”

Selena’s breath came uneven as his hand lingered, his touch calculated meant to distract, meant to unsteady her.

“And in return,” he murmured, drawing her a little closer, “you stay out of my way. You tell my dad I’ve been a good little boy.”

Her pulse thundered.

She tilted her head, forcing a smile. “And why would I agree to that?”

Ryan leaned in, voice dropping.

“Because if you don’t,” he said softly, “I tell my dad I’ve got the hots for my nanny.”

Her stomach flipped.

“You’d be out on your ass by dinner.”

Selena shoved him back, just enough to breathe.

“Okay,” she said. “But this only works if you actually behave.”

She held his gaze. “No skipping school. No letting your grades drop.”

Ryan lifted his hand with a mock-serious expression.

“I’ll behave. Scout’s honor.”

She rolled her eyes and walked to the bed, sitting down, trying to steady herself.

Ryan watched her for a second, then smirked.

“But first,” he said, voice darkening again, “some ground rules.”

Selena looked up at him.

“Fair enough,” she replied.