In Over His Head

Chapter 8

Castiel clenched his jaw as he saw you walk down the stairs. You were dressed for your date and you looked stunning. Your (h/c) hair was pulled slightly back from your face and your makeup accented your eyes perfectly. The bold color on your lips made them look so kissable. You flashed Castiel a smile, which he tried to return. He was certain his smile came out more like a grimace.

"Ooooooh, Y/N! You look so pretty!" Claire gushed, "Doesn't she, Uncle Cas?" You smiled down at the little girl as Castiel whispered, "Yes. O-of course. I'm sure Benny will love it." You looked down at your watch. You still had a few minutes until you had to leave. "Anything you need before I go?" Castiel shook his head, knowing if you stayed any longer, he might not be able to keep his jealousy under control. "I think I have it under control. Enjoy your date." Without another word, he turned to go into the kitchen. You shrugged and headed out the door.

You arrived at Benny's and your heart was pounding in your chest. It had been a long time since you'd been out on a date and you couldn't help but feel nervous. You took a deep breath and got out of the car. As you walked up to the door, your steps became more confident. Obviously, Benny wanted this date with you or he wouldn't have asked. There was no need for you to be nervous. You smoothed out your dress and knocked on the door.

Benny must have been waiting because the door swung open and he stood there with a wide smile. "Hello, darlin'. Come on in," he greeted, stepping aside to let you in. You stepped into the warm and inviting home. Whatever Benny was cooking smelled amazing as the aroma wafted through the house. "Make yerself comfortable, Cher. I just gotta get the gumbo off the stove." You nodded and made your way over to the couch.

Benny came in a moment later, carrying two steaming bowls. "I hope ya like it, Cher." He handed you a bowl and took a seat next to you. The two of you ate and talked like you'd known each other for years. Your nervousness slowly faded away. Benny was easy to talk to, easy to get along with and he was gorgeous to boot. Before you knew it, it was midnight.

You were standing in the middle of the living room floor, swaying in Benny's arms. There was music playing softly in the background, but neither of you really heard it over your laughter. You glanced up at the clock and realized what time it was. As if reading your mind, Benny spoke up. "I won't lie, I'd love ya ta stay, but I wanna take this slow, if that's alright with ya, Cher." You beamed up at him and nodded. "I'd like that." Benny kissed the back of your hand. "Does this mean ya wanna go an anotha date?"

One date turned into two, then three and then many more. You couldn't help but fall for Benny, and before you knew it, nearly six months had passed.

You woke up one morning, feeling Benny's arm draped around your middle and you smiled. It was the first night the two of you had spent together. You looked over your shoulder to see Benny's baby blues already gazing at you. "Mornin' darlin'." You turned over and kissed him. "Morning. What time is it? I have to get back and have lunch ready for Claire when they get home from church." Benny tightened his hold, making you giggle. "I think we got time." You shook your head fondly and snuggled closer to him.

Meanwhile, Castiel's mind kept wandering as he was supposed to be listening to the sermon. When he saw that your car was still gone this morning, his first instinct was to call the police. He worried you were hurt, but then he remembered that you'd had a date the night before. Castiel wasn't stupid. He knew there was always a chance you would sleep with Benny, but the thought still made his stomach turn and his heart clench.

All the way home from church, Castiel kept a tight grip on the steering wheel, barely listening to Claire chattering on in the back seat. "Y/N's home!" Claire cried when the car pulled into the driveway. Sure enough, your car was there. As soon as the car was off, Claire was out and running toward the door. Castiel followed slowly, hoping to calm himself down before he saw you. He would have succeeded if not for the hickies.

Amazingly enough, Claire hadn't said anything, but there were several purple marks on your neck, and a larger one just behind your ear. "Claire, go change out of your dress," Castiel said lowly, trying to keep his cool. It was one thing knowing you were with Benny the night before, but seeing the evidence on your skin was another thing entirely. It made his blood boil, but instead of telling you exactly why, he lashed out.

"That is highly inappropriate, Y/N," he practically growled, gesturing to the mark on your neck. You blushed, but smirked all the same. "Sorry." Castiel narrowed his eyes at you. "If cannot conduct yourself normally in your new relationship, then perhaps you should not be in said relationship." Your smirk fell and your brows furrowed. "I beg your pardon? I'm sorry, Professor Novak, but you have no say in personal life. My relationship with Benny does not interfere with my ability to do my job. I only go on dates on my nights off. I don't bring Benny here, especially when Claire is around so she's not seeing anything inappropriate. I don't even sneak back into the house late at night. You may be my employer, but you are not my father and you have opinion when it comes to my love life."

Feeling as if you made your point, you turned to leave the kitchen and get Claire for lunch. "If Claire sees anything like that on your skin again, I will be looking for another nanny and you will be looking for employment. I do not want her exposed to anything sexual at such a young age." You stopped dead in your tracks and slowly turned to face him. His expression was a mixture of pain, anger and another emotion you couldn't name. You glared at him. You were certainly not going to let him rule your life, no matter who he was. "You can start looking then. I quit," you whispered the last sentence as you fought back tears. "You can take Claire to school tomorrow and I'll be back for my belongings then. Good day, Professor."

You grabbed your bag and practically ran out the door to your car. You pulled your phone out of your pocket and called Benny. Inside, Claire came downstairs just as you ran from the house. "Where's Y/N going?" she asked, but got no answer. Castiel was still standing in the kitchen, staring at the place you had been standing. "Uncle Cas?" He blinked and shook his head. "Y/N left. She won't be your nanny anymore."

Claire'slip automatically began trembling. She didn't want a new nanny. She wanted you.She loved you. " I want Y/N to be my nanny!" she cried. Castielturned away, knowing that seeing her cry would break his heart. "I'msorry, Claire but that isn't possible anymore." Castiel rested his handson the counter. "That's not fair!" Claire exclaimed, stomping herfoot, "This is your fault! I want Y/N!" Castiel turned back to her."Claire! That's enough." Claire stared up at him with wide eyes, herlip puffed out in a pout. "I hate you, Uncle Cas!" she yelled beforeturning and running back upstairs. Castiel sighed and whispered to himself,"So do I."