Entangled To The CEO

Kristen’s [POV]

“We don’t know any of the neighbors,” Jake said. I took a step back towards the door, wondering if I should just leave quietly.

But that seemed kind of rude, too, so I just stayed where I was as Jake battled with his babysitter.

“Noah can make friends.”

“Are you insane?” he demanded.

“I don’t know who those people are. They could be sadists or criminals or murderers with bodies in their freezers.” I could hear the eye roll in Janet’s tone.

“See you in half an hour, Jake,” she said. The line went dead. Jake stared at the machine for a second and then he turned to me as though he realized I was still standing there.

“Did she just hang up on me?”

“Uh… I think she might have.”

“God damn it,” he said with frustration.

“What the hell am I going to do? We’ve been anticipating this dinner forever. It took months of preparation to get all parties to agree to this meeting in the first place. If I’m not there, we may as well kiss this whole deal goodbye.” I thought about the quiet, relaxing evening I had planned for myself not even fifteen minutes ago.

I thought about my night of binge-watching, my sushi dinner, and my dessert with Ben and Jerry.

It was a beautiful plan, and I needed it badly. Which was why I was so shocked at the next words that came out of my mouth.

“I can babysit your son.”

“Excuse me?” Jake said, turning his blue gaze on me like he couldn’t quite believe his ears. I didn’t blame him; I couldn’t quite believe my ears, either.

“Um… I only meant if you have no other choice, and since this dinner is so important… I could… uh…babysit your son for you.” Jake raised his eyebrows.

“That’s very nice of you.”

“I’ve been told I’m a nice person,” I said.

He almost smiled almost but not quite. I could see the conflict in his eyes.

He wanted desperately to take me up on my offer because he could see he had little choice left.

But he was also nervous to entrust a stranger with his child.

“I’m not a sadist or a criminal,” I said before I could stop myself.

“And, I don’t have any bodies in my freezer.”

Jake’s eyes were intense and searching. He looked amused, but I wasn’t sure if I was just imagining that.

“Is that right?” he asked in a cool, even voice.

“I promise,” I said.

“All the bodies are buried somewhere safe.” Jake raised his eyebrows, and I blushed scarlet.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

“Bad joke.” This time I was sure one corner of his mouth went up. I realized with a start that I had never actually seen him smile.

“You’re serious?” he asked.

“About the bodies?” I asked, slightly confused.

“About the offer,” Jake said pointedly, and I wanted the ground to open up right then and there and swallow me whole.

“Of course,” I said quickly, trying to make the blushing stop.

“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t serious.”

“You realize that this gig is an overnight one,” he said.

“Janet always spends the night on days like this because I usually get home around two or three in the morning.”

“Oh,” I said. I hadn’t realized that, but I was still not going to withdraw my offer.

“Well, I’m okay with it as long as you are.” “How are you with kids?”

“I used to babysit my neighbor’s kid when I was in high school,” I replied.

“How old was the kid?” “Uh…seven or eight.”

“Noah’s four,” Jake told me.

“It’s a difficult age.”

“I can handle it,” I said.

“I’m good with kids. And if I have any problems, I’ll be sure to call you. But don’t worry; there won’t be any problems.” Jake looked hesitant only for a moment.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“You’ve done good work for me, Kristen,” he said.

“You’re smart and efficient, and I’ve seen how hard you work and that is why I’m trusting you with my son.”

“I understand that you’re nervous,” I said, without beating around the bush.

“In your shoes, I’d probably be nervous, too. But don’t worry too much. I have a way with kids.” Jake seemed to take a breath.

“Okay, then,” he said.

“I’ll call Janet now and let her know that you’re the one who’s going to come and take over for her.”

“Right.”

“She’ll give you the house key and a list of emergency numbers to call, just in case,” Jake said.

“His bedtime is nine o’clock on weekends, and he’s only allowed one hour of TV. And, if you have to feed him at any point, I’d prefer healthy snacks.”

“Of course,” I said.

“Ask Janet to show you the room you’ll be staying in; it’s right opposite Noah’s,” he continued.

“I should be home around two or three in the morning. I’d appreciate it if you kept your room door unlocked so that Noah can get to you in a hurry if he needs to.”

“I’ll remember that,” I nodded. Jake walked back around to his desk.

He paused for a moment, and I sensed that he felt a little awkward.

“This is nice of you. Thank you, Kristen.”

“I’m happy to help,” I said, giving him a small smile. I excused myself and headed back to my desk to gather my things.

I would need to make a quick pit stop at home to grab my pajamas and a change of clothes for the next day.

I was leaving the office when it hit me that I would be in Jake’s home.

I would be firmly ensconced in his personal space.

The thought worried me. I wondered how Jake would react if he knew my secret. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing.

Was I trying to help like I had claimed or was I just digging a deeper hole for myself?