Page 8

Sure enough, my eyes bounced up from the lock pad to find Beck Bennet in front of me. Leather jacket, tight pants that molded to an ass that looked like it belonged to a baseball player, and a mouth like a sailor. That filthy, dirty mouth that made me come harder than I ever had in my entire life.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed quietly.
It was bad enough that the best one-night stand of my life disappeared eight years ago without a word. Then he popped up a few months ago while spending time with one of my good friends, Sebastian Steele. And now this?
This had officially gone too far.
Beck’s gaze lifted to mine, a cell phone glued to his ear. “I understand. Focus on getting healthy and don’t think about coming back until you’re one hundred percent. I’ve got it handled.”
While he spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line, he kept his eyes firmly on mine. “I'll check on you later.”
My hand landed firmly on my hip.
“You're pretty,” said a young voice.
That's when I noticed big bad Beck was not alone. There was an adorable little girl with outrageous curls at his side.
I softened. “Thanks, sweetheart. I'm Luna, and you are?”
“Alice!” she shouted with enthusiasm.
My gaze reluctantly returned to her father. Somehow, having a kid made this man even more attractive than any man had any right to be. Besides, he didn’t look surprised to see me. If anything, that little smirk on his face made me think heexpectedto see me.
Wait…did they just come out of the house next door?
I glanced from the door to Beck to the door again, realization sinking in.
“You moved in next door?!” I sputtered.
I lied before; it hadn’t been too far. This, this now,thiswas too far.
Beck seemed to take pleasure in this observation. A wide grin split across his face, almost as if he’d been anticipating my reaction. Then the smile fell, his attention turning back to his phone. He glanced between me and his daughter as if forming a plan.
Beck’s attention darted between me and Alice. The line of his brow furrowed.
I didn’t like this thinking face. Not one bit.
“Listen, I need you to watch Alice for a few hours. My nanny is out sick, and I have a work emergency I need to take care of.”
I glanced at his daughter like she was an alien with two heads. Had I ever babysat a child? No, no I hadn't. I didn't know the first thing about kids.
“I don't know anything about kids. You need to find a grown-up to do this. Besides, I have work.”
He held up his phone. “My nanny is severely ill. And if there was anyone else who could handle the work issue, I would send them. I wouldn't ask you otherwise.”
“But youdidn’task!” I wagged my finger at him. “No. Bad, Beck.”
Beck dragged a hand down his face. “I don't have a lot of options and if I know Sebastian, he's decked out your house. It's safe. You're a trusted adult. You can handle this. Youhaveto handle this.”
He was saying it to me, but part of me wondered if it was more to convince himself.
“Uh, but,” I stuttered. “It's not baby proof.”
We both glanced at his daughter who was now looking at me likeIwas the alien with two heads.
I gestured to my mouth. “As I was saying it, I realized how ridiculous it sounded.” I shook my head. “But that doesn't matter because I don't know about babies or kids. And she definitely falls into the latter category.”
Beck stepped forward, and I shifted back, fresh pine invading my senses. He shook my shoulders. “You’re the grown up. You’re a grown-ass woman with a growing business empire. You can watch my seven-year-old for two hours while I handle an emergency.”