Page 33 of Worth the Try
I let my gaze roam over him appreciatively. “And thank God for it.”
He gives a surprised laugh in answer, his lips stretched wide and his eyes alight behind the glasses. I drink him in. The deep rumble and sharp bark of sound, the way he holds his hand against his stomach, the way his head angles up for the briefest of moments.
Have mercy.
He stands and reaches out. “Come on.”
I take his hand, my stomach fluttering. I will literally follow him anywhere, but this admittedly seems…fast.
His eyes crinkle again. “Not to worry—I’m walking you to the guesthouse, Elodie.”
“I knew that,” I say as I join him.
He smirks. “You are a terrible liar.”
Heat stings my cheeks as I mumble, “Am not.”
He threads our hands together, the move as natural as if we’d done it a thousand times, and turns me so that we’re face-to-face. “Look at me.”
I tilt my head to meet his warm gaze.
“I like you, Elodie. But this…” He trails off.
I nod and look away, my stomach sinking.
Well, at least I had a great make-out sesh with him.
“Hey.” His voice is soft.
I drag my attention upward, stumbling a bit when he pulls me so close our chests touch.
“I was going to say that this is hard for me. Letting someone in. Rosalie?—”
“It’s okay,” I hurry to say, the words coming out in a rush. “It’s fine. Really. We’ll forget all about it.”
He frowns. “No.”
“No?” I blink, confused. “Then what?—”
“Will you let me finish?” he asks, a hint of amusement playing across his features.
“Sorry.” I bite my lower lip.
His eyes darken again as they flick to my lips, then he clears his throat and shakes his head. “My first priority is Rosalie.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“And you’re…Shit, Elle, you’re the nanny.” He runs a hand over his face. “A nanny who has consumed every spare moment of my thoughts.”
“Then I quit.”
He barks another laugh. “Please don’t. Just…be patient with me?”
I stare up at him. At this man who, mere moments ago, had his hands all over me. Who is hands down the best kisser I have ever known. Who has unknowingly set me loose into the world. And he wants patience?
“You can have anything you want, Ansel,” I tell him truthfully. “You want me to be your side piece? I’ll do it.”
He balks. “No,Jesus, that’s not?—”
