As Lex corners me in the elevator, I feel I can’t breathe. His scent makes my mind fussy. I would even say dizzy. I can’t help but compare him to Brennan. Next to Lex, Brennan looks like a high school jock. Lex’s eyes are hazel with flecks of gold, while Brennan’s dark brown eyes are cold and malice.

“Are you afraid, mio angelo?” Lex asks me so close that I can taste the fresh mint air exiting his mouth.

“Yes. You’re intimidating. I’ve never been with a man, and you’re—” I blurt out, but the elevator door opens, so I don’t get a chance to finish whatever I say. I don’t know if I should be thankful or afraid for the person inside the elevator.

A man looks stunned inside the elevator. He steps out. I don’t know what to make of the interaction. If I’m going to say something, I don’t get the chance. The elevator door closes, and Lex’s attention is back on me.

“Who are you?”

You would think it’s an obvious answer. He knows everything there is to know about me. Lex did his homework on me, and I’m debating if I’m impressed or worried about what he will do to me.

“You already know who I am. Can you please take a step back? I feel like I can’t breathe.” He caresses my bottom lip with his thumb, prompting me to close my eyes. His thumb makes my lip feel like it’s on fire.

“Open your eyes, mio angelo.” Instantly, I follow the order. “No harm will ever come to you. Do you believe me?”

Another simple question I can’t find the words to answer. How can I answer the question when I know nothing about him or his intentions?

“It’s not about believing you. I don’t know you.”

I answer before I can stop myself. The elevator door opens again. Lex turns and retakes my hand. He leads us out of the elevator. I don’t get a chance to see where I am. Lex continues to walk until we are standing in front of a door. He opens it and reveals an office.

When he finally stops walking, he presses my back against a wall. He cages me in one arm on each side of me. Lex steps closer.

“I’m a man of my word, and no harm will ever come to you, at least not from someone outside these walls.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” He leans closer. I think he will kiss me for a moment, but at the last second, he turns so that his lips are next to my ear.

“It’s hard to believe someone like you is a virgin. Did no one pique your interest back in your small town?”

His question makes my heart race. I find myself wishing I could hold on to something. Instead, I must lay my hands flat on the wall, pretending to hold on to dear life.

“Lex, my intimate life has nothing to do with what you forcefully hired me for.”

“I’m not forcing you into anything.” I can’t take the heat of his breath on my neck or the closeness, so I place my palms on his chest to push him off. But that does nothing. It makes him chuckle. I’m about to beg him to step back when he does before I can.

“Hmm, unexpected,” he says under his breath. “Angela will show you to your bedroom. You can ask her for anything you might need. Hunter will be here tomorrow at seven in the morning. Be ready.” He turns and walks toward his desk.

“I need to get my things and let the motel know I’m leaving.”

“It has been taken care of. Your things should be here any minute.”

“Lex—”

“You will call me Mr. Biagini.” He says in a cold tone.

“I apologize, Mr. Biagini. I don’t need anything from—” Something gets attention, and then he takes out a cell phone.

“On thirty-seven. Angela will settle her in. I want you here.” He tells the caller, staring at me. His look is so intense that it makes me shiver. Lex ends the call. I watch as he types something on his cell phone frozen in place. “Gio is on his way up with your things.” There is a knock at the door. I can’t help myself and look toward it. “Come in.” A stunning woman stands at the door.

“Mr. Biagini, how can I help you?” The woman asks, taking a few steps inside the office.

“Ms. Walker is Hunter’s new nanny. Please give her a tour and show her to her bedroom. Hunter will be here in the morning.”

“Not a problem, sir. Would you need the chef to prepare dinner for you?”

“I won’t be staying tonight.” Lex stops talking, which prompts me to believe that he is done. But after a few seconds, he started talking again. “Have the chef prepare dinner for Ms. Walker.

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re dismissed.” He adds coldly, looking away from me.

“If you can follow me, Ms. Walker.”

She doesn’t need to tell me twice. I’m not sure I can take any more of Lex. The fog seems to lift as we leave the office, allowing me to take in my surroundings.

“Your bedroom is the one beside the kitchen. Hunter’s bedroom is across from Mr. Biagini. I should warn you, nannies don’t last.” She says in a cold tone.

I want to ask her more about it, but I don’t. Even though I’m letting Lex believe I will be the new nanny, the first chance I get, I will be leaving. I will have enough money with what he is paying me in two months. We walk past a kitchen. She stops in front of a door.

“This is your bedroom when you’re in the condo. You have your own bathroom. See that you don’t use any of the others. Mr. Biagini doesn’t like his staff to get too comfortable.” Standing before Angela, I see she must be interested in Lex.

Little does she know that I’m not interested in him. “The chef is gone for the day, and I’m not making him return to make you dinner. There are leftovers from lunch in the refrigerator. You can eat that.” Her tone is sour.

“Do you live here as well?” I find myself asking.

“Only the nanny lives here.” She snaps.

“Have I done something to offend you?”

“You don’t deserve this job any more than the last nanny.” She answers right before she turns to leave.

“I didn’t ask for this job.” My words make her stop and turn to face me.

“That is what they all say. I give you two weeks.” She laughs and starts walking again.

I take a deep breath and open the door. I’m not sure why I’m shocked by what I see. The bedroom looks like something from a magazine and is larger than my room at the motel. If this is the nanny’s bedroom, I can’t imagine what the rest of the condo looks like. I walk over to the glass wall overlooking the skyline. I’ve never seen a more stunning view.

“What have I gotten myself into?” I let out a sigh. This is so unbelievable. Before I can question myself more, there is a knock at the door. I walk over to the bedroom door. When I opened it, Gio stood with my carry-on and a gym bag.

“This is everything that was in the motel room.” I go to take the luggage when he walks past me uninvited.

“Thank you,” I say, not knowing what to say.

“Lex wanted me to remind you that Hunter will be here at seven in the morning,” Gio says, setting my gym bag on the bed and the carry-on next to the bed. “If you need anything, you can call me.” He holds out a business card.

“Thank you.”

“See if you will thank me by the end of the week.” He says with humor in his voice.

“Gio—”

“What?”

“Is there any way I can get out of this?” I ask before I can stop myself.

“Once Lex decides on something, he sticks by it. I’m sorry to tell you there is no escaping this.” He answers with pity in his voice.

“But I don’t want to be here. I didn’t ask for this job.” He stands a few feet from me.

“It doesn’t matter what you want. Lex has made you the nanny, and that is who you are. Better get with the program. It will make things easier for you.” For a few seconds, he looks at me like he wants to say more, but he’s debating it. “As long as you care for Hunter, there will be no issues. Word of advice: don’t get too comfortable and follow all his rules.” He finally adds.

“Thank you.”

“See you around, Red.” He says as he walks toward the bedroom door.

I stand in place until Gio closes the door after him. After a few seconds, I walk to the bed and sit on it. A million things are going through my head. But the most important one is: Who is Lex Biagini, and why is everyone warning me?