Page 22 of The Maxwell Brothers

LEXI

The next morning,I woke with a start, pushing myself up in bed. I looked around groggily, and then my heart jolted.

Oh my God.

Then I remembered I wasn't at my place.

Looking at the nightstand, I grabbed my phone to check the time. It was eight o'clock. I sprang from the bed, heading directly to the en suite bathroom. I was smiling as I got in the shower. Starting the warm spray, I soaped up quickly, and I also rinsed my mouth. When I stepped out of the shower, I was surprised to find toothpaste and a toothbrush in the medicine cabinet above the sink. I brushed my teeth until I had a minty flavor in my mouth.

My mind raced as I remembered our kiss last night. I wasn't sure what to do. Should I pretend it didn't happen? That kiss was still making me swoon. But that didn’t mean I didn’t feel guilty for breaking my own rule. I had it in place for a reason. I took pride in my job as a teacher, and boundaries were important to me. And I felt like, even though Paisley wasn’t at my school, Tate was my boss, and I needed to remember that.

Oh, who was I kidding? Not only had we kissed, but I’d flirted with him. Part of me wanted to talk to him and ask him tolook for another nanny, but I felt even guiltier at the thought of leaving Paisley and Tate in the lurch. I could imagine her eyes filled with disappointment, and my stomach turned into a tight knot.

I mulled this over some more as I dressed in yesterday's clothes, but I didn't reach any conclusions. I was far too sleepy for that.

When I left the room, I heard Paisley’s and Tate's voices coming from the kitchen. They were early birds, both of them, even on the weekend. I didn't want to disturb their time together, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye, so I poked my head in the kitchen.

My heart gave a mighty sigh. Tate was cooking again, but there was something different about him this morning. For one, he wasn't wearing a dress shirt. He was wearing a T-shirt like the one he’d given me for last night—and he looked glorious. The contours of his muscles were visible, and I couldn't help remembering last night.

Heat coursed through me, and I shook my head as if that could do anything to dispel the memory.

"Knock, knock," I said in a cheery voice, tapping against the doorframe.

To my surprise, there was someone else inside the kitchen too. A woman. She had dark brown hair styled in loose curls and deep green eyes, like Paisley’s. She was wearing a beach dress with a pattern of yellow daisies and a pendant with an infinity knot hanging on a black thread. I loved her style.

“Good morning,” she said. “I’m Reese, Paisley’s aunt and Tate’s favorite cousin.”

“Hi! Nice to meet you.”

I shook her hand briefly before glancing at Tate behind her. The second we made eye contact, the heat in my body magnified. Sweet Lord, I’d thought I could forget our kiss? Well, I wascompletely wrong. I was on edge just because we were in the same room.

The sound of a phone vibrating filled the air. Reese groaned.

“Sorry. I’ll step in the other room to answer this.”

Tate looked after her with a troubled expression as she left the kitchen.

"When did you two get up?" I asked.

"An hour ago," said Paisley.

"She always wakes up early." Tate's tone indicated that he'd like to sleep in on the weekends, but here he was making breakfast for his daughter. It was adorable.

"I'm making waffles," he said. I couldn't help but laugh again.

He shrugged. "Saturday's waffle day, but sometimes Paisley convinces me to also make them during the week. We have more time on weekends, so that's why I prefer to do elaborate breakfasts either Saturday or Sunday."

I realized what seemed different about him today. He was more relaxed because he didn't have to go to work.

"Look, I don't want to disturb you two. Thanks for letting me sleep here. I texted someone from my building, and the elevator is working, so…"

"You're not disturbing us, Lexi," Tate said. "We'd love to have you, but I understand if you'd prefer to leave."

He looked straight at me. His gaze was hard and intense with a silent question.

I licked my lower lip, drawing in a sharp breath when I realized he'd dropped his glance to my mouth. I did want waffles, and to spend time with Tate and Paisley, even though I knew it wasn’t smart to linger outside my work hours. But I couldn’t help myself.

“Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase,” Paisley said.