Page 14 of Unexpected

I glanced down at the connection, loving the way her long, delicate fingers were splayed over my muscles. I swallowed. Hard. If my thoughts had been hot, my skin singed from that simple touch.

Off-limits. Off-limits. Off-limits, I chanted in my head like a mantra.

Focus on the job. The money. Focus on your goals and your future.

She retracted her hand, brows furrowed. “I’m sorry. I, um…are you okay?”

I met her eyes, the sun making them seem more golden than brown. “Yes. I’m fine.” I smiled. “And yes, that will be fine.”

“Great. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” She seemed so relieved, it made me even more glad I’d agreed. Though I couldn’t deny, part of me was disappointed. I’d secured the placement, but that meant she was now my boss.

Fuck.

She glanced to the open doors where she could see Sophia playing in the living room, then lowered her voice. “Sophia’s father bailed on her for the summer, and she was devastated.”

I nodded. “She said he travels a lot for work.”

She smiled, but I could tell it was forced. I hadn’t been around Alexis that long, and already I could read her. “He does, but—” She closed her eyes briefly before reopening them. “He knew how important this was to Sophia. I should’ve known better than to believe he’d actually follow through.”

“Hey,” I said, resisting the urge to touch her. “Don’t beat yourself up. It says a lot about you that you were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

She puffed out a breath, ruffling some of her hair. “Yeah. It tells me I should’ve had a backup plan.”

“Well…” I smiled. “I’m here now, and I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

Her shoulders relaxed, a genuine smile playing at her lips. “Thank you. Seriously, Preston,” she said, placing her hand on my shoulder. “You’re a life-saver.”

We stared at each other, and I could feel the connection between us as if it were a tangible thing. It was more than the weight of her hand on my shoulder; it was a pull—deep and unexplored. My body thrummed with excitement, and I sensed Alexis felt it too.

Sophia ran outside, ending the moment all too soon. She chattered on, all excited about her latest creation. Alexis smiled at her and stood, and I followed suit.

“I’ll have Renata send over the contract. Once it’s signed, you can move in.”

“Great.”

I watched Alexis a moment longer, captivated by the way her honey-colored strands blew about her face. I’d just agreed to spend the summer with the woman of my dreams—as her daughter’s nanny. But, like she said, she worked a lot. I’d been hired to do a job, and I consoled myself with the thought that, in all likelihood, I’d barely even see Alexis.

Chapter Five

Icupped my coffee mug in my hands, warmth spreading through me. I stared at the designs without truly seeing them.

“Well,” Lauren said. “What do you think?”

“Hmm?”

“The drawings?” she asked, tapping her finger on the design plans scattered across the surface of the table. “Girl, you sure are distracted today.”

“Sorry,” I said, taking a sip of my coffee. “I stayed up too late answering emails because I’d promised Soph we’d watch movies together.” Which was partially true.

“You’re such a good mom,” she said, and I knew she meant it.

“Hah.” I barked out a laugh. Somehow, no matter how much I did, it never felt like enough. “Thanks.”

“So, did my girl at the Hartwell Agency hook you up?”

I coughed a little, thinking of the word hookup and Preston in the same sentence. “Yes. Thank you again for recommending them. Sophia’s new nanny will be moving in today.” I glanced at the clock on my phone. “Soon, actually.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang, and Sophia bounded down the stairs. “I’ll get it!”