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M aggie Wilcox is beautiful . That’s the first thought I had when the cherry-red farmhouse door swung open this morning.

My father’s threat loomed over me with every mile I drove north from New York City, souring my already shitty mood. Give up my career and join him, or be cut off from my trust fund—and my family.

Losing his financial support would hinder my current lifestyle, yes. But I’d manage on the meager salary I make as a nanny. It would mean giving up my luxurious clothes and my apartment in a prime part of the city…

However, the thought of losing my mother and sister is like a knife being plunged into my heart .

I love what I do, shaping and nurturing young minds. And I’m fucking good at it.

But he’s blind to anything other than his bigwig investment clients, so I’m caught in an impossible situation. According to him, this is my last nanny contract. We’ll see about that.

Usually, the agency places me with wealthy families on New York City’s Upper East Side, but the fresh air and endless blue sky of Maple Ridge Hollow are a welcome change.

The city, a place I’ve called home my entire life, is suffocating as of late, and I’m eager for the change of environment. Most importantly, somewhere I can avoid my father for a little while.

All the harsh emotions melted away, like snow under the warm spring sun, the minute I laid eyes on her —the beautiful angel with golden hair and stunning sea-glass green eyes.

Being a vampire, my skin is usually icy to the touch, but her lingering gaze had it heating beyond belief.

As she saunters to the kitchen table, I can’t peel my eyes off the sway of her wide hips, and her thick thighs have my cock taking notice, too. She’s sexy, with an innocence I wouldn’t mind sinking my fangs into.

“Do you really turn into a bat? Can you fly?” Lily’s voice draws my attention back to her before my thoughts can run rampant with what her mother’s skin would look like when she…

Clearing my throat, I run a hand over my mouth and turn toward the vivacious little girl sitting next to me. Eyes wide and glittering with hope, the same striking pale green as her mother’s, she tilts her chin and smiles up at me .

“No, little one.” I tap a finger on the tip of her button nose, and she scrunches it. “Unfortunately, I’m stuck with this ugly mug for eternity. Such a shame.”

Her tiny eyebrows furrow over narrowed eyes as they linger on my face. “I don’t know. You’re not that ugly.”

Hopefully, her mother agrees.

Maggie joins us at the table, three plastic unicorn cups filled with water in her hands.

“So what can you do?”

“Lily bug, remember? It’s rude to pry. Eat your lunch.” Maggie slides the plate in front of her daughter, who scowls, but picks up the grilled cheese sandwich and takes a big bite.

Maggie’s gaze turns to me. “Sorry. She’s very curious about monsters. She does the same thing to Cyrus’s mate.”

“She’s a dragon!” Lily proclaims around a mouthful of gooey cheese and bread. “It’s so awesome!”

I stifle a laugh and take a bite of my own sandwich.

The cheese slides down my throat as I contemplate what to say next.

Reaching into the pocket of my trousers, I grab what I need.

“I may not be as cool as a dragon, but—” Quicker than she can blink, I lift my hand to Lily’s ear and pull it back, revealing a shiny foil wrapped chocolate coin. “I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Lily’s mouth drops open on a soft “whoa,” eyes nearly doubling in size. “You’re really fast!”

“Indeed.” When I lift my gaze to Maggie, I find her eyes already on me. The pink flush to her cheeks is giving me all kinds of inappropriate thoughts .

The last thing I need is to explain why my cock is hard to a five-year-old… and her mother.

Taking another bite of my sandwich, I focus on the warm, melted cheese and perfectly crispy buttered bread.

Cooking is another passion of mine that my father despises. Feminine hobbies aren’t fit for vampire males of our caliber , he used to tell me any time he caught me in the kitchen with Mother.

Instead of arousal, irritation fills my veins, instantly wilting my inappropriate boner.

Shaking my head, I lock his hurtful comments in the box where they belong, tucking it away in the far corner of my mind to collect cobwebs.

Once the runaway train of my mind is back on its tracks, I turn to Lily. “I’m not only fast. I can see really, really well in the dark, and I can hear and smell things that are far away. And I’ll live forever.”

Clutching the chocolate coin in her hand, she brings it to her chest. Voice filled with awe, she whispers, “You might be cooler than Annie.”

Maggie’s laughter bubbles from her throat, and I wish I could bottle the sound for later. When I’m alone. It’s crisp and lyrical, filling my empty soul like nothing else ever has. “No one is cooler than Annie. Coming from Lily, you should consider that a huge compliment.”

Her smile is radiant, and for the first time, I notice a slight gap between her top front teeth.

Fuck, it makes her even more gorgeous .

In all my years on this planet, I’ve never been so instantly enamored by a creature before—human, monster, or otherwise. This could pose a problem since she’s a client.

“I’m honored,” I say, placing a hand over my chest, my smile growing until my fangs are on display.

I don’t miss how Maggie’s eyes dip to the sharp teeth. Chest growing flush, she quickly snaps her gaze to her plate and takes another bite of her sandwich.

Interesting .

“Momma, can I eat this now?” Lily holds up the chocolate coin.

Swallowing a mouthful of food, Maggie shakes her head. “Eat your lunch first. You didn’t eat very much for breakfast.”

Grumbling, Lily sets the coin on her plate and takes another bite of her grilled cheese.

Since Lily is occupied, I work on getting more information out of Maggie. “So did I pass your test?”

Maggie’s lips twist to the side, and silence stretches between us. “It was refreshing to be able to focus on my work in a quiet, uninterrupted environment. And I really appreciate you cooking lunch. You didn’t have to do that.”

My brow dips. “Isn’t feeding Lily part of taking care of her?”

“Yes. Of course. I just didn’t expect to lose track of time like I did.”

I reach my hand across the table, but stop myself from grabbing hers at the last second. Is it appropriate for me to touch her? Even though I’m fucking dying to find out if her skin is as soft as it appears. My fingers itch to trace the freckles dotting her tan flesh .

There goes my cock again, threatening to tear a hole in my slacks, when a wave of her sweet apple scent crashes over me.

Closing my eyes, I hold my breath until the urge passes.

I’ve never had such a visceral reaction to anyone. Granted, I’ve been celibate for decades—in more ways than one.

“Lily is an easy child. It was really no bother cooking with her around. That is part of the job description, after all.”

More of that ethereal laughter fills the air, making me smile.

“I suppose you’re right. And to answer your question… Lily seems to like you, and there weren’t any tears. I guess you’ll do, city boy.” She flashes me a cheeky wink. The gesture has my heart ramping up its rhythm, pounding harder.

Why does she have to be so adorably sexy? And why do I want to find out how dirty I can make her?

“There’s a guest house at the edge of the property. You’re welcome to stay there for the remainder of your contract.”

“That would be greatly appreciated.” I give her a lopsided smile that, once again, has pink creeping up from the neckline of her shirt. I want to play with her more and see how far down this beautiful shade paints her skin.

Later. Much later.

It would be entirely inappropriate to cross that boundary with a client…

Unless she makes the first move.

“Great. After lunch, we’ll give you a tour. Lily and I can take the four-wheeler—

“Four-wheeler ride!” Lily’s scream has my eardrums ringing. I’d been so caught up in every little reaction from Maggie, I almost completely forgot about her daughter.

S omehow, I managed to keep my dick under control for the rest of lunch. Lily chattered away about starting kindergarten in a few weeks, while Maggie asked questions that prompted Lily to open up more.

It’s clear as day how much Maggie loves her daughter, simply based on the way her eyes shine when she watches an animated Lily explain why the middle swing is the best on their backyard playground.

Once the dishes from lunch are cleaned up, I trail behind Maggie and Lily to the garage.

“Got your helmet, Lily bug?” Maggie grabs a set of keys from a hook on the wall.

Tucked under Lily’s arm is a bright pink helmet. “Got it, Momma!” She turns toward me, extending her little hand in a thumbs-up. “Safety first!”

I laugh. But when Maggie swings one luscious leg over the seat of a red four-wheeler, my laughter cuts off on a choked groan, all the saliva pooling in my mouth and my blood pumping south.

Down, boy. Not the time. She’s your boss.

I’ve been a city dweller all my life, but the sight of this woman on a dirt-crusted motorized vehicle is doing strange things to my insides.

Am I jealous of a damn four-wheeler? Wishing Maggie would ride me instead ?

I can’t let my thoughts go there with a woman I’ve known for mere hours and know nothing about.

“You catching flies over there, city boy? Or are you ready for a tour?”

Maggie’s humored voice has my jaw snapping shut and my thumb skimming under my bottom lip to make sure there isn’t any drool. “I’m ready,” I croak, tugging my car keys from my pocket and jingling them in the air.

We’d agreed earlier that I’d follow behind in my car so I'll know how to get to the guest house. “Lead the way.” I sweep a hand toward the open garage door, where my black SUV sits in the large cement driveway.

Once Lily has her helmet on and is safely tucked in front of her, Maggie fires up the ATV and rolls out of the garage at a slow speed. Safety first.