Page 9 of Forbidden Kisses

"Yes, there’s one, but there’s also a pool in the condo complex. It's got two slides. Jeremy absolutely loves it, so I think you’re going to spend some time at the pool. Is that a problem?"

She grinned. "That I'm being paid to play with a kid in the pool? No, Mr. Sterling, it's absolutely no problem, I assure you. Does Jeremy have any food restrictions I should be aware of?"

"Please call me Duncan. And I don't expect you to cook," I said as she leaned back in her chair, running her hands through her hair, a lock of it falling over her left breast.

I took in a deep breath. She was twenty-four, and I was thirty-three. She was going to be my boy's nanny. What the hell had gotten into me?

"Still, it doesn’t hurt to know."

"No allergies. I cook a few times a week, and then the rest of it, we just order food."

She tipped her head to the side. "Listen, I'm no slouch in the kitchen. I can totally prep some early dinner so you’ll have it when you're home."

"That would be amazing," I said. “His previous nanny said she couldn’t watch him and cook at the same time, but I’d pay you extra if you had time to do it.”

“No, no extra payment needed, I really enjoy cooking.” She narrowed her eyes. "His mom isn't in the picture?"

"No, we aren't together, haven't been for years. She lives in Ireland."

My tone was final. I didn’t want to discuss the matter of his mother further.

"All right. Do you have a picture of him?" She sounded shy all of a sudden.

"Sure, I've got a million." I took out my phone and slid it to her. "And my screensaver."

She clicked the screen, "Oh, this is such a cute picture."

“I took him to Disneyland a while ago. He climbed on that boulder because he insisted that he wanted to be the same height as me in the picture."

He was still much shorter, but he’d been happy anyway.

"He looks a bit like you."

"Yeah, he does," I said. "All right, Riley, my HR person will be in touch."

"Okay."

"We won’t be able to finalize everything in time for you to start tomorrow, but how about the day after?"

"Sure, that sounds great. I can't wait. It was great meeting you, Duncan. I think this will work out just fine.”

"So do I," I said, then shook her hand. Her skin was incredibly soft. I held on, rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb. I barely tamped down the impulse of getting closer to her. "Have a great day," I said.

"You too."

CHAPTER FOUR

Riley

Thursday morning, I texted Mom, letting her know I was starting my first day. My sister and I texted her regularly, updating her on our lives.

I arrived at the condo complex at 2:30 in the afternoon and wondered if Duncan would be the one to meet me. A guard let me inside the gated community, and I found the unit quickly enough. It was beside the most luxurious pool I'd ever seen. It looked like something straight out of a movie, with stones all around it, mimicking a riverbed.

I was beyond excited that I'd gotten the job. I hadn't expected to start so quickly.

And I also had to say that I didn't expect Duncan to be that attractive.

When I’d walked into the coffee shop, I’d noticed him before he even introduced himself. The man was a work of art. But he was my boss, and I’d never mess with that, especially when there was a kid involved.