Nanny

33

Kate

The German lessons were going really well. Every day I went over the previous words and phrases we had learned, then introduced new ones into their vocabulary. Soon the twins were able to identify many of the objects in the penthouse: window, refrigerator, pantry, television.

My plan was working.

But when we weren't doing lessons, I found my thoughts drifting to Adam, Braxton, and Mathias. At night I fantasized about what they would do to me next.

On Thursday I was very excited to see Adam at lunch. We had been teasing and taunting each other by text message. He said that if he beat me at Scrabble, he had a very interesting new thing he wanted to try with me.

I didn't know what it was, but I was tempted to lose on purpose just to find out.

But right before lunch I got a text from him.

Adam: Shit. I have to work through lunch. Big conference call with our Argentina clients. Scrabble rain check?

Me: If you're afraid to play me, it's okay. You can just say so.

Adam: I wish that was it! I've been studying six-letter words beginning with J.

Me: Ohh, I'm shaking in my boots.

Me: You sure there's nothing I can do to convince you to skip the meeting?

Adam: When your boss is Braxton Nash, you can't skip meetings without a really good excuse. I'll make it up to you.

Me: :-(

I ate my lunch quietly. Barry could tell I was sad, so he offered to play Scrabble with me even though he couldn't read. I told him no, but I appreciated the offer.

After putting them down for their nap, I received a call. From Braxton.

He had never called me before. The hackles on the back of my neck went up.

"Hey, Braxton?" I answered. "Is something wrong?"

"Everything's fine," he replied. "Are the twins napping?"

"I just put them down."

"Good. I'm about to hop on an important conference call, and I need you to get something for me. Go into my bedroom."

I walked to the end of the hall and opened the huge double-doors. "Okay. I'm here."

"There should be a package on the bed."

I approached the bed. There was indeed a purple box there, wrapped with silky white ribbon. "I see it. Want me to bring it to you?"

"I want you to open it."

I hesitated, then untied the ribbon. Inside the box, surrounded by pink tissue paper, was a bundle of black lingerie. I put the phone on my shoulder and lifted it out of the box. It was a long chemise fringed with pink lace, with a matching garter belt and stockings.

"Are you still there?"

"This is gorgeous," I said. "I can't wait to wear this for you tonight."

"No," he replied. "I want you to wear it now."

"Now?"

"Put it on, then come upstairs. Claudette can monitor the twins while they nap. Don't take too long. I'll be waiting for you."

Before I could ask if he was serious, he hung up.

I stared at the lingerie. I couldn't just wear this upstairs! What if someone was in the elevator? Heck, what if there were people on the same floor as Braxton?