There was nowhere more beautiful than the little town of Angel Sands on a summer’s day. Chelsea steered her car off the Pacific Coast highway and onto the small cliff road that wound down toward the bay, the California sun blasting in through her window, warming her skin and making her smile.
She had a job. Even better, it was close to her hometown and her family. Sure, she’d be busy working, but even nannies got time off. And when she did, she couldn’t wait to spend time with her mom and her sister, not to mention her nephew. Maybe after the terrible year that she had, things were finally going to turn around for her.
Neil had sent her the details of the house they’d be staying in, along with an employment contract and confirmation of her salary. All three of them had made her smile, because this was turning out to be so much better than what she’d dreamed.
To her right, the Pacific Ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see, the tips of the waves sparkling like diamonds beneath the sun’s rays. She followed the road past expensive cliffside houses and the Silver Sands Resort that dominated the bay. Finally she reached her destination, turning into a paved driveway lined with palm trees.
She vaguely remembered this place being built when she was a kid, not that she’d paid much attention then. It was outside of Angel Sands, and so expensive that nobody she knew could ever afford it. Like so many houses on this stretch of Silver Sands, it was aimed at the elite.
Two stories clad with gray marble and white stone, the house was dominated by huge windows that reflected the surrounding nature. Mountains and rocks, palm trees and shrubs, and her own car as she made her way past what looked like an oversize garage with its own living accommodation toward the house itself.
There were two cars parked outside. A Mercedes and a Chevy Tahoe. She felt stupid parking next to them in her little ten year old Volkswagen. She’d always intended on upgrading but it felt like an unnecessary expense when she was nearly always allocated a family car when she took on a new job, and this one was still reliable when needed.
“Miss Kennedy,” somebody called out.
She looked up to see Neil Rickards walking out of the garage.
“Hi.” She smiled at him. “What a beautiful day.”
His expression softened. “Yes it is. Come inside and I’ll take you on a tour.”
“Is Luna here yet?” she asked. Neil had told her she would be coming down today. He and Chris had arrived two days earlier. She was excited to meet the little girl she’d be taking care of. Those first meetings were always awkward yet important. She wanted to get to know her, find out what made her tick. How she could make sure she had a great summer.
“She arrived an hour ago. She and Chris are somewhere inside.” Neil gestured at the overwhelming home. “Do you have luggage to bring in?”
“Oh yes.” She turned to her car and popped the trunk, hefting her suitcase out and grabbing her travel bag. It was summer so she’d been able to pack light, but she’d put in a few extra things like evening dresses and a business suit in case she was required to take Luna to something more fancy.
The rest of her clothes were shorts and swimwear. What else would you take to the beach?
“Let me take that,” Neil said, his hand brushing hers to grab the case. He took it easily, walking ahead of her as she swung her bag over her shoulder and closed up the car.
“Have you been to this house before?” he asked as they made it to the gleaming white steps that led up to the front door.
“No,” she admitted. “I didn’t run in those kind of circles growing up.”
He gave her an appraising look. “Nor did I,” he murmured. “Okay, so the entry system is on a keypad. You’ll have your own code, and that sends an alert to the security company that you and Luna are home.
“Is it monitored twenty-four-seven?” she asked.
“Yes. We take security seriously. They’ll monitor it remotely unless we need them on site for any reason.”
“What kind of reason?” she asked.
He shrugged. “If there’s any danger.”
She nodded. “That’s understandable. But you’ll find this area is very quiet and peaceful. Not too many dangers around here.”
“That’s how we hope to keep it,” he said lightly, tapping a code before pushing the door open. He put her case on the floor and stepped aside to let her through.
The hallway was expansive, the floor clad in the same marble as the exterior of the house. The walls were painted bright white and covered in what looked like expensive artwork. At the end a sweeping staircase led up to the second floor.
“This is the hallway,” Neil murmured, in case she hadn’t worked it out. “Over there is the living room. To your left is the kitchen, maybe we’ll start there first.
“Sure.”
The kitchen was as impressive as she’d expected for a home like this. Once again it was all white, with a huge island in the middle that could seat at least sixteen people around it without looking busy. It opened up to a huge patio area, that covered as much floor space as the interior, with distinct seating areas and an outdoor grill room, leading to a large swimming pool surrounded by a fence.
“Is the gate lockable?” she asked Neil.
A smile played at his lips. “First thing Chris asked, too. Yes it is.”
“Good. And I see there’s a path leading down to the cliff edge.”
“Another fence and lockable gate are going in there today. The crew should be here soon. Luna won’t be able to get out there without one of us. Not that she would, she’s a good kid.”
“Better to be safe though.” Her eyes met Neil’s. He nodded with understanding.
“Yes, definitely.”
“And the steps? They lead down to the ocean?”
He nodded. “They do. They’re wide and easy to navigate with handrails on each side. And there’s a lockable gate at the bottom which stops people from getting in.”
“It’s like a good looking Fort Knox,” she quipped and his smile widened.
“A beautiful Alcatraz,” he replied, winking.
There was no sign of her boss and his daughter as Neil continued on the tour. He showed her the laundry room and the den where she and Luna could hang out, along with her bedroom and Luna’s on the second floor. Luna’s bedroom was in the center, and hers on the left. She had a view of the mountains rather than the ocean but it was still gorgeous.
“The master suite is there,” Neil said, gesturing at the only door on the other side of the second floor. “Three rooms in total. Completely over the top but amazing view of the ocean. Plus he has a balcony to die for.”
Neil was relaxing. She liked it. Maybe working with him would be fun.
“Well he’s the boss.” She shrugged.
He nodded. “That he is.”
“Where do you sleep?” she asked him.
Neil’s eyes widened. “Oh, not here.”
“No?” She tipped her head to the side. “Then where?”
“I rented an apartment a mile or so away. If I had to live with him as well as work with him one of us would probably end up dead.”
She wasn’t sure whether or not to laugh. It was a joke, right? Because she had to live and work with him. She opened her mouth to ask why he was hard to live with, but shut it again because she didn’t like gossip. And though Neil was being nice, his loyalty would always be with his boss.
Or it should be.
“So it’s just the three of us and our friendly remote security guards,” she said, as he led her back down the stairs.
“Only at night. I’ll be here in the day if Chris is. Or sometimes if he isn’t. And when I’m not here I’ll be at the set with him. And I’m always on call if he needs me.” Neil pushed the door to the kitchen open. “Would you like a drink? We have everything stocked. We have a housekeeper come in daily and she can buy in any groceries you want. She’ll clean the rooms and keep everything tidy, but you’ll be responsible for Luna’s laundry and her meals.”
“Of course.” Chelsea nodded. “And I’d love a coffee if you have one.”
“We have a machine,” Neil said. “Not a pod one, either. Chris is very particular about his coffee.”
Of course he was. Along with most of L.A. he was probably particular about everything he put between his lips.
And then she was thinking about his mouth and… damn! Inappropriate much?
“There’s an instruction book by the machine but I’ll make it this time and you can watch. How do you like it?” Neil asked.
“White no sugar please.”
“Coming up.”
Neil continued making small talk as he pressed a button to grind the beans, then another to steam the milk. She leaned on the counter, watching as he pressed the button to make a flat white, internally thanking God there was a manual. She needed caffeine in the mornings like she needed oxygen, so she’d have to get used to this beast of a machine.
“The security guard,” she said, when he passed her a mug of steaming coffee. “Will he accompany Luna and me when we leave the house?”
“You won’t be leaving the house,” a deep voice came from behind. She turned to see Chris standing there, a little girl next to him. Luna was holding onto his arm, a shy look on her face.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, her dark hair as straight as iron as it hung down to her shoulders. She had the thickest eyelashes Chelsea had ever seen, sweeping down over wide pale blue eyes that were staring right at her. Chelsea smiled at her, and the corners of Luna’s lips twitched.
“Hey Luna,” she said, ignoring her father for a moment, though she intended to ask why the hell they needed to be stuck in the house. “I’m Chelsea. It’s so great to meet you.”
Luna tightened her grip on her father’s wrist. “Hi.”
“Hey, you’re missing some teeth. That’s cool!” Chelsea walked over to her, squatting down to be at her height.
“I’ve lost one on the bottom, too,” Luna whispered. The gap gave her a slight lisp. It would be gone when her adult teeth came in.
“Did the tooth fairy come?”
Luna nodded. “She left me a necklace.”
“Oh wow. Maybe you can show it to me some time?”
“It’s in my mommy’s safe. She says it’s too expensive to wear.”
“Never mind. Maybe we can make a necklace out of shells while we’re here?” Chelsea said. “We could collect some from the beach.”
Luna smiled, a dimple dancing on her cheek. “You can make necklaces from shells?”
“Yep.” Chelsea nodded. She liked Luna already. She was shy but Chelsea sensed that she wanted to open up. Hopefully over the next few days she’d do exactly that. “I used to do it every summer. Did you know I grew up here? When I was your age, I used to love going to the beach and finding all the best shells.” She leaned closer to the little girl and whispered, “Don’t tell anybody, but I still love it.”
“Can we make shell necklaces, Daddy?” Luna asked, looking up at her father. “Right now?”
Chelsea followed the little girl’s gaze. Instead of looking at his daughter he was looking right at her, his eyes unreadable. “Not now,” he said. “Why don’t you go find a book to read while I talk to Miss Kennedy?”
“Later maybe?”
“Now.”
Luna sighed. “Okay.” She looked at Chelsea with hope in her eyes. “I’ll see you soon?”
“Yes you will.” Chelsea smiled warmly at her.
As soon as Luna skipped out of the kitchen, Chelsea pushed herself up to standing. She hadn’t realized Chris was so close – enough for her arm to brush his thigh as she stood. Her heart leapt as she stepped back and lifted her gaze to his.
“Is everything okay?” she asked him.
“I just told you that you wouldn’t be leaving the house. Then you raised her hopes about making shell necklaces.”
Chelsea blinked. Who was this guy? The easy-going man she’d met at the interview had disappeared. She didn’t like it. “But we’re here for two months. Surely we’ll be able to go to different places? You can’t keep a kid locked up for that long.”
His expression was implacable. “She’s my daughter. You’ll do what I wish.”
Okay then. Taking a deep breath, she tried to find the right words. “There are a lot of educational opportunities on the beach. And all around the town. She needs to be around other children, too. It’s important at her age.”
“I understand what’s important for my daughter. But so is her security. And while we’re getting to know this place – and you – I’d prefer to keep you in one place.”
Ah. So he didn’t trust her. Understandable but aggravating. It made her wonder why he’d even given her the job in the first place, though. “And when you get to know this place and me?”
“Then we’ll revisit. In the meantime, if you want shells to make a necklace, Neil will get them for you.”
Neil snorted. “I’m not picking up shells. Give me a break.”
“You’ll do what I ask you to do,” Chris said sharply. The fact he was pissed with his longstanding PA too made her feel slightly better. Maybe he was just in a bad mood.
But she still hated that somehow she’d gotten off to a bad start, even if it wasn’t her fault. “I’m sorry if I upset you,” she told him. “I was just trying to make a bond with Luna. It’s important.”
“I know.” His eyes caught hers again. Looking at him was like staring at the sun. He was so beautiful it was almost painful to look at. She wondered if he enjoyed the effect he had on people or if he hated it.
She’d hate it for sure. She’d want people to see her for more than a pretty face.
“I’d really like us to be able to leave the house soon,” Chelsea said. “I know this town well. Luna will be safe here. I guarantee it.”
“We’ll talk about it in a couple of days. I need to get out of here now.” He glanced at Neil. “You ready?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Okay.” He turned without saying goodbye to Chelsea. She glanced at Neil who shrugged. Maybe he was used to his boss see-sawing between charm and assholery. Ugh, maybe she’d have to get used to it, too.
“Luna?” he called out.
“Yes?” The little girl skipped back into the kitchen holding a Junie B. Jones book.
“I’m leaving now. Chelsea will take care of you.”
Luna nodded. “Will you be back soon?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully before bedtime.”
The little girl tried to hide her disappointment, and it touched Chelsea’s heart. “Okay, Daddy.”
He glanced at Chelsea again. “There are cameras in every room.”
She got it. Big Brother was watching. “Even in my bedroom?” She regretted saying it as soon as the words left her mouth. He was silent for a moment. His eyes dipped to her chest then back to her face.
“I’ll make sure that one’s turned off.”
Her cheeks flamed. “Thank you.”
“Take care of her.”
“I will,” she promised. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
But she could tell that he did from his narrow eyes, and the thin line of his mouth. He kissed Luna and left the kitchen, followed closely by Neil who flashed her a smile. “I’ll call you to check in,” he promised. “And to let you know when we’ll be back.”
“That would be good.” She nodded, still feeling weirded out. “Thank you.”
When she heard the door slam, she turned back to Luna who was still clutching her book. “Can you read that by yourself?” she asked her.
Luna nodded. “Some of it. I have problems with big words.”
Chelsea smiled. “Well I can help you with them. Why don’t we grab a snack and go read it on the terrace outside? It’s a beautiful day. We don’t want to be cooped up in here.”