Page 25 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

The scent of her shampoo hits me as I get within inches of her, and it’s so familiar. She’s still using the same stuff.

My mouth is fucking salivating at the thought of claiming Hazel’s, and I’m hard as a rock beneath my sweats.

This is not where I saw this night going.

I risk another inch, and Hazel’s eyes drop to my mouth once more. She chews on her lips, a look of worry mixed with one of intrigue on her face.

She’s still not telling me to fuck off or even just bolting. She’s still here.

“Hazel, I…”

I can’t bring myself to say it, to say that I want to kiss her, to fuck her, to go right back into the past with her, even though I know that’s impossible.

“Easton?”

Our lips are nearly touching, her breath tickling my skin. I begin to shut my eyes, unable to keep myself from doing what I know is a stupid idea.

Fuck, I’m going to kiss her. Hazel fucking Dowd.

“Uncle Easton!”

Jade’s voice rings out from the stairs, and I snap myself away from Hazel faster than either of us can blink.

Oh, shit. What did I just do?

Shaking myself, I refocus, turning away from Hazel and calling out. “Yeah, hun. What’s up?”

“I can’t sleep. My dreams are all scary. Can you be with me?”

My heart sinks, and the guilt comes pouring in. I was going to make out with my niece’s babysitter while she was upstairs with a fever.

Shoot me.

“Oh, umm…” I turn toward Hazel, and she just smiles, gesturing up toward where Jade is calling for me. “Yeah, honey. I’ll be right there!”

There’s a pause, and I start to grab my wine glass, realizing it’s empty.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll clean up and see myself out. You go be with Jade. She needs you.”

I don’t know what I hear in her tone, but something is just a hair off. It could be the fact that I was just about to kiss her.

I’m trying not to think about that, if I’m honest, and I have to imagine Hazel is in the same boat. I sigh, hanging my head before looking back up at her with a smile.

“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Hazel nods. “Yup, bright and early. Hope she’s feeling better.”

I nod—way too many times. “Me too.”

And with that, I leave the kitchen, going upstairs to lie with my niece becauseshe’ssupposed to be my focus.

Still, I can’t lie and say that I want Hazel to leave, that I wouldn’t want to kiss her if the opportunity presented itself again.

Because I do. I want to kiss Hazel so fucking badly.

EIGHT

Hazel