Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Stop ogling your boss! I admonished myself and shook the fog of lust away with a shrug. “I felt like a sandwich.” I took another bite and that punch of red wine vinegar was so good my eyes rolled back in my head. “Problem?”
Dante’s gaze was like a lover’s caress as it slid from my face down my neck to the swell of my ample breasts. Too late, I realized that it was the tank top I slept in—without a bra—and my nipples beaded under the heat of his intense gaze.
“No,” he grunted. “No problem,” he said a little firmer and less grumpy as he turned away from me. “Put some damn clothes on.”
Instantly my hackles rose at his tone. “These are pajamas, thank you very much. And if you can’t handle it, then maybe you should go away,” I growled. “At least I’m wearing a shirt,” I mumbled under my breath.
Dante turned slowly, and I wish he hadn’t, because I was still staring at the broad planes of his back. “This is my home.”
“Mine too as long as I’m the nanny.” I flashed a smile that was guaranteed to piss him off. “Lena’s asleep, and I’m hardly dressed inappropriately, so I don’t see what the problem is. If you can’t stand the sight of a regular woman close your eyes, or better yet, go to your room.” I held my smile in place and ignored the sting of humiliation that though he’d kissed me—more than once—Dante did not find me attractive.
Stupid, Lucy.
Instead of another, darker scowl, Dante hit me with a smile and a huff of laughter. “Did you just tell me to go to my room?”
I jutted my chin out defiantly. “I did. I didn’t ask you to come down here, you came on your own and then judged me because you don’t like what you see. Correct the problem by leaving.” I stared at Dante and waited for him to respond, my heart slammed against my chest in anticipation.
His green gaze darkened, heated with desire, and the moment was so hot I swore the kitchen smoldered in anticipation of the fire. Dante’s mouth parted ever so slightly and I knew that look, I’d seen it enough times now to know what came next.
I stifled an unintentional gasp and took a step back, one finger aimed right at his shirtless chest. “Nope. Not happening again!” I took a step backwards and then leapt forward, grabbed my sandwich and darted across the kitchen before I paused. Dante stood in the doorway, but there was enough room to slip through if I sucked in my belly and turned sideways, without touching him. That’s exactly what I did and when I was free, I darted up the stairs, the sound of Dante’s deep laughter trailed behind me.
Chapter 18
Dante
Another week was over, but here I was, allegedly one of Texas’s most eligible bachelors, and I was working in my home office late on a Friday night. Lena was in bed after a long dinner of burgers and fries that she and Lucy had made together, which meant I could put in a few extra hours to make up for the fact that I left work at six every day this week to make sure I was home for dinner each night.
One point to Lucy.
I couldn’t deny that her unasked for push was just the reminder I needed as to why I worked so hard. Lena’s language skills improved by the day, not that she needed any help in that department, and her vocabulary grew as well, which meant she would start school ahead of most of her peers. She’d spent so much time walking me through the steps of seasoning the burgers and making the patties that I had to stop her just to get her to taste some of her hard work. She’d been so proud of herself, and I couldn’t stop smiling as she watched my first bite and held her breath until I told her it was perfect.
I opened my phone to look at the photo I’d snapped of her with a wide grin on her face, proud of her, yet sad that my ex had decided that these little milestones were of no interest to her. The next photo was of her and Lucy at the counter laughing together before either of them realized I was watching. Lucy had told a horrible joke, but they both laughed and laughed until they were doubled over.
Lucy was great with Lena, and I was man enough to admit that she was the perfect nanny. Sure she had a smart mouth and tempting curves, but her work with my little girl was transformative. Not that Lena was sullen or behind academically, but under Lucy’s particular brand of attention and affection, she was blossoming into a kind, smart and empathetic little girl.