Dangerously His

"Can I get a latte to go?" "Two cappuccinos, extra foam!" "Cold brew—no sugar!" Annabel moved smoothly behind the counter, hands quick and practiced as she passed cups down the line. "Here you go." "Thank you." "Thanks." The rush blurred together—orders, change, polite smiles—until the lines thinned and only one customer remained. She slid his coffee across the counter. "Here you go." "Thanks," the customer said, lingering instead of leaving. His gaze drifted back to her—drawn to the soft curve of her lips, the delicate symmetry of her features, and the wide brown eyes that made her look far younger than the weight she carried. At twenty-two, Annabel Carter had a quiet, untouched beauty that didn't try to be noticed but always was. "Hey, um..." He cleared his throat, offering a hesitant smile. "Any chance I could get your number?" Annabel returned the smile politely, already shaking her head. "Sorry. I don't give out my number." It was not new to her as it had always happened. He hesitated a second longer, then gave an awkward nod and walked away, rejection written plainly on his face.Annabel let out a breath she had not realized she was holding—releived. With the counter finally cleared , she returned to the small stain she'd been wiping earlier—the one she had not finished before the rush came through. As she bent to clean it, her hair fell forward, slipping over her shoulder, getting in the way. Annabel paused, gathering the long, straight strands and sweeping them back into a quick tie. Dark as midnight, the length of it slid down her back, nearly brushing her hips. She moved on to the nearby table, wiping its surface with careful strokes—anything to keep her hands busy. "Annabel." She didn't respond. "Annabel." Still nothing. "Annabel." Annabel finally straightened at the sound of her name, blinking as she turned around. Bentley leaned against the counter behind the display case, arms folded, dark brows lifted in mild amusement. She had sharp features softened by a constant hint of mischief in her eyes, her short curls tucked beneath a cafe cap she rarely bothered to remove. At twenty-two, she looked every bit the confident owner of the place—self-assured, outspoken, and entirely in control. And yet, to Annabel, she was simply Bentley. Her best friend.Most people were surprised to learn the cafe belonged to her. Bentley ran it like a business, but she treated Annabel like family—equal parts boss, protector, and partner-in-chaos. "What?" Annabel asked, glancing down at the table she'd just wiped. Bentley's gaze sharpened. "You've been quiet. Like... thinking quietly." Annabel exhaled, setting the cloth aside. " I was thinking." Bentley smirked. "That's what worries me." Annabel shook her head with a faint smile. "It's nothing. Just stuff" Bentley stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You've been in your head all morning, Annabel. That's never 'just stuff.'" Annabel opened her mouth to brush it off—her phone buzzed in her apron pocket. She jumped—it buzzed suddenly. Bentley's eyes immediately lit up. "That look," she said slowly, excitement creeping into her voice. "Check your phone." Annabel pulled it out to check, then she saw 'New Email.' she opened it: We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the Live-in Nanny position. The residence location will be sent shortly. Please resume by noon tomorrow. —Household Administration Rollins Estate "Oh my God," she whispered Bentley, surprised, then asked out of curiosity "what is it?" "They accepted me," Annabel said, her voice barely steady. "The nanny job. I got it!." Bentley's breath caught before she smiled—wide and real. "Annabel... that's incredible." "I start tomorrow," Annabel added. "It's live-in." Bentley didn't hesitate. She pulled her into a tight hug, holding on longer than usual. "You deserve this. Truly. I know what you've been carrying." Annabel swallowed. Bentley pulled back, her expression softening. "I love having you here. You know that. But I also know what I pay you barely scratches what you need—especially with Leo." Annabel nodded quietly. "This job?" Bentley continued. "It changes things. For both of you." " I will miss you," Bentley added, voice lighter but honest. "This plan won't be the same without you." Annabel smiled through the tightening in her chest. "You'll be fine. You'll find someone better than me." Bentley scoffed. "Unlikely." Annabel smiled, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. To Leo—her younger brother. The only family she had left. Their parents had been gone for years—taken too early, leaving Annabel to grow up fast and Leo to grow up under her watchful care. She had learned how to be strong because she had no other choice. Leo was smart. Quietly ambitious. Accepted into Northbridge International college on a rare scholarship—an institution reserved for legacies, elites, and surnames that carried power. Tuition was covered, but everything else wasn't. Books. Supplies. Living expenses Leo would never complain about—but needed. No matter how many extra shifts she took. Her cafe salary wouldn't even cover a quarter of it. A month ago, exhausted and scrolling through job listings late at night, she'd seen it: PRIVATE NANNY NEEDED. LIVE-IN. EXCELLENT PAY. The salary alone had made her sit up straighter. Then she saw the name attached to it. KINGSLEY ROLLINS. She had paused. Who wouldn't? Kingsley Rollins wasn't just wealthy —he was untouchable. The youngest CEO to ever rise to the top of Blackcrest Group, a global empire whispered about in boardrooms and business pages alike. Ruthless. Brilliant. Powerful enough that his name alone could bend markets and break competitors. A man the world knew—even if it had never met him. She'd hesitated. Then she thought of Leo. And she applied. By the time her shift ended, the sky had darkened. ——— When Annabel got home, she stepped into their small apartment —a modest space with peeling paint, mismatched furniture, and her only one bedroom, which she shared with her brother because anything larger would have meant rent they simply couldn't afford. Leo's bed sat against one wall, hers against the other, separated by a narrow aisle and a thin curtain that offered the illusion of privacy. The familiar glow of a screen lit the cramped living area. "Hey," Leo said without looking away from his game. He looked up briefly, and Annabel caught a glimpse of his face—handsome in a quiet, effortless way. At nineteen, his sharp brows, clear skin, and calm expression made him the kind of boy girls in the neighborhood openly pursued, though he rarely noticed and never encouraged it. "Hey," she replied, dropping her bag. "You've been at that thing all day, haven't you?" " Only since I got back," he said casually —he'd gone out at the arcade with a friend earlier. he "Which was early." She shook her head with a small smile and headed into the tiny kitchen, barely big enough for one person to move comfortably. Soon, the comforting scent of jollof rice and fried eggs filled the apartment—simple food, but warm and familiar. They sat across from each other at the small, slightly wobbly table, steam rising from their plates as the quiet hum of the fan filled the space. "So," Leo said between bites, "how was work?" "Fine," Annabel replied, then paused. "Actually... something happened." He looked up. "Good or bad?" She took a breath. "Good. Really good." Leo frowned slightly. "You're scaring me." "I got the nanny job." His fork midair. "Wait—what nanny job?" " The live-in one. Remember?" The one I applied for a month ago." Leo's brows drew together. "I thought you said they never replied." "They didn't," Annabel admitted. "A whole month passed. I honestly thought they'd already given it to someone else. I'd kind of... given up." "And then today?" he asked "And then today," she nodded. "They emailed me ." Leo stared in disbelief. "Wow!. I didn't see that coming." "Neither did I," she said softly. "When do you start?" "Tomorrow." His eyes widened. "Tomorrow?" She laughed nervously. " I know. It's sudden." Leo leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "That's amazing,Annabel." "That means—" he started. "I can finally cover your expenses," she finished gently. "Books. Everything you need." Leo's smile faded just a little. "But you'll be moving out." "Yeah," she admitted. "I will." Silence settled between them. Then Leo shrugged lightly. "It's okay. You've done enough already." Annabel reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I'll still be here. Just... in a bigger house." He laughed softly. "With rich kids and fancy food." She smiled back. "Something like that." After a moment, she added gently, " And you won't be alone. Bentley will check in on you—she already promised. I'll call everyday and drop by whenever I can." Leo nodded, though his gaze settled on his plate. "I know." They finished the rest of their meal in quiet, the earlier excitement settling into something calmer, heavier. When they were done, Leo stood and gathered the plates. "I'll do the dishes,"he said. Annabel didn't argue. She watched him at the sink for a moment, the sound of running water filling the apartment, then turned away and headed toward their room. By the time Leo joined her later, the lights were off and the apartment was wrapped in silence. They went to bed without saying much else. The word settled between them. That night, a s the apartment fell quiet, Annabel lay awake staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, she would step into Kingsley Rollins’ world. She didn’t know yet whether it would save her— or change her in ways she could never undo.