Page 105 of Bang

It had been something else entirely – for me, anyway.

And this was definitely a problem, because now that I'd seen Mason's other side – meaning his tender side, not his naked backside, even though thathadbeen pretty spectacular – I was having a hard time remembering that the nanny gig was only a job.

And Mason?He was my boss.

Whatever we'd shared that night, it couldn't happen again – not because of Mason's threat, but because it was slowly dawning on me that I just might be falling for him, although heaven knows why.

I mean, it's not like he'd ever fall forme.

Probably, he'd never fall for anyone.

I still hadn't replied to his compliment, mostly because I didn't know what to say. In the end, I settled on, "Well, you're pretty amazing yourself. I mean, look at everything you've accomplished. It reallyissomething to be proud of."

The compliment landed with a thud.

Instead of smiling, Mason frowned as he said, "Thanks."

"I mean it," I assured him.

"I know." And yet, he didn't look any happier.

I cleared my throat. "Anyway…I should probably get to sleep. See you tomorrow?"

Mason shook his head. "I'm leaving for Kentucky, remember?"

At the sudden recollection, I almost winced. "Oh, that's right."

Even though Mason's youngest brother, Brody, handled most of the construction stuff for their remodeling show, every once in a while Mason and Chase needed to show up on-site and make an appearance.

This was one of those times. "And you'll be gone five days, right?"

When he answered in the affirmative, I should've been relieved, but mostly, I was stupidly sorry to see him go.

Still, I'd be a fool to let him see it. So with a friendly smile, I wished him goodnight and headed up to my bedroom alone, where I slept fitfully and woke at the crack of dawn – just in time to see Mason's car ease out of the driveway while I watched from my upstairs window.

As I watched, I whispered, "See you next week."

Chapter 38

Cami

I was sitting at the kitchen table, doing homework with Willow, when a light knocking sound made me pause.

I glanced toward the sound. Unless I was mistaken, it had comenotfrom the front of the house, but from the rear. I asked Willow, "Did you hear that?"

She looked up from her homework. "Oh yeah. Twice."

"Sorry, what?"

"They knocked a minute ago, too…only a lot quieter."

Funny, I hadn't heard.It was nearly dinner time, and I wasn't expecting anyone. With a perplexed smile, I said, "Oh. Why didn't you say something?"

She made a face. "Because I know who it is."

"Really? Who?"

"It's the kids across the street."