Page 42 of Whisper Sweet Nothings

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Her chest was rising and falling rapidly. Her lips parted when I pulled my thumb back.

I was going to kiss her.

I wanted it.

She wanted it.

That was all that mattered.

I tipped my head down as her hand moved to the back of my head and tangled in my hair, tugging me closer.

Our lips just a breath apart.

“Daddy!” Melody’s voice startled me, and I jumped back, just as she came around the corner.

“Hey, what’s going on, angel face?” I asked as I hurried toward her and scooped her up, settling her on my hip.

“I had a bad dream, and I went to find you in your room, and you weren’t in there?” she whimpered.

Winnie was already off the counter and on her feet, slipping the ice cream back into the freezer and filling my daughter’s cup with water. “Are you thirsty, sweet pea?”

Melody nodded, and Winnie reached for a paper towel and ran it under water before cleaning up her tear-streaked face. “I used to have bad dreams, too.”

“You did, Winnie?”

She nodded. “Yep. But then I would remind myself that they aren’t real, and usually when I’d go back to sleep, they were gone.”

“I hope this one goes away. I don’t remember what it was, but I was running from a bear, I think,” Melody said, her eyes wide as her bottom lip trembled.

Winnie reached behind her head and untied her bow, placing it in my little girl’s hand. “Here. Keep this with you. I’m giving you my superpower.”

“I love your bows, Winnie. I’m going to keep this with me and scare away all the bad bears.” Melody smiled.

“Sleep well, sweet pea.” Winnie kissed her cheek, and then quickly headed for her bedroom.

She glanced over her shoulder, and my gaze locked with hers before she turned away.

I almost kissed my fucking nanny.

The woman my daughter had grown attached to.

What kind of selfish prick was I?

I would have crossed a line that I shouldn’t have crossed.

And I would not make that mistake again.

twelve

. . .

Winnie

I’d tossedand turned the rest of the night after almost kissing my boss.

My mind was reeling.

I was painfully attracted to the man—but he was my boss.

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