Page 2 of Tempt Me-

“Thanks.”

I busy myself with Bailey’s nails and not with thinking about a sweaty Austin working out in his downstairs gym, the muscles flexing as he moves, or his hot body in the shower afterwards.I am the nanny, and that’s all I’ll ever be.

***

Austin

I had along day.I wouldn’t call the situation I was in a hostage crisis, but it was damned close.Too close for a man with a child at home, that is for sure.

The woman I was guarding snuck out to meet with her ex while I was busy with her little girl.I usually receive the kid-friendly jobs because, according to my boss, Dan Wilson, I am good with children.As if having my own makes me an expert on other people’s kids.Being around other kids only makes me long for my daughter because at least I understand her… until the teenage years hit.I shudder at the thought.

After a long, hard workout, weights and cardio included, I step into a hot shower and let the steam relax my muscles.As I wash up and shampoo my hair, my stomach growls, reminding me it is time for dinner.Which, of course, reminds me of my daughter’s nanny, whose blonde hair is usually in a messy bun looking sexy when she isn’t intending it to be.At the thought of her, my body comes to life, and it takes all my willpower not to jerk off to the thought of her.

I am beyond lucky I found my Mia through a reputable service and she has amazing cooking skills.Add in that Bailey seems to adore her and I can’t mess up a good thing by coming on to the nanny.

Before Mia, my parents were Bailey’s caregivers, and although my mom and dad are young and spry, it wasn’t fair to expect them to give up their lives to take care of my child.No matter that they love their granddaughter, they’ve already raised their kids, my sister Sharon and me.

Head on straight, I dry myself off and pull on a pair of black track pants and a light blue tee shirt, then head downstairs to find my daughter.

As I approach the kitchen, Bailey’s chatter reaches my ears.

“Mia, would you come with Daddy to bring me to school?”

The sound of stir-fry sizzling in the wok acts as stereo to Mia’s reply.“Your daddy is excited to take you tomorrow.He even took off from work so he could be there.You don’t want to disappoint him, do you?”

“No, but…” Bailey hesitates.“Everyone’s going to have their mommies, and I won’t and I’ll be sad.So can you come, please?I know you’re not my mommy but you’re a girl.So pretty please, come take me?”

My daughter’s words are like a punch in the gut.I didn’t leave Kayla; she walked out on our daughter and me, not once but twice.True, I married her because she was pregnant, on purpose, she admitted, but I was determined to make the marriage work.Unfortunately, not only was she a shitty wife, she was a worse mother, and that was where I drew the line.Anything that hurts my daughter is unacceptable.

I shake my head, determined to stay in the present with the one person who matters.“Hey, guys, something smells good!”I join Bailey and Mia in the kitchen, where Mia is placing servings of delicious-looking stir-fried chicken and vegetables on our respective places.

Although when she first started her job, Mia planned to eat alone after Bailey and I finished, it seemed natural to ask her to join us and not treat her like hired help.

We settle into our chairs and begin to eat.Before her, my mom cooked for the family.Left to my own devices, Bailey and I would live on tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, which I enjoy, but it isn’t exactly staple food to raise my daughter on every meal.

“Daddy?”Bailey asks, scooting her legs beneath her so she can reach the table better.

“Yes?”

“Can Mia come with you to take me to school?”she asks, her determination when she wants something rivaling mine.

“I thought we talked about this,” Mia says.“Your dad is going to drive you, and I’ll pick you up,” she says brightly, trying to convince Bailey she has the best of both worlds with the planned arrangement.

Bailey pouts, pushing out her bottom lip.“But… but…”

“But what?”I place my fork down and meet my daughter’s gaze.It is that quivering of her bottom lip that does me in even before she replies.

“But Lisa’s mom and dad are taking her.And I don’t want to be the one without a mommy.”

I curse my ex with everything I have in me but keep my expression warm for my daughter.

“C’mere.”

She scrambles to her feet, and I pull her into me with one arm.Mia, I notice, discreetly rises from the table and makes herself busy by the sink.

“I know it’s hard for you, not having your mom around, but you know how much I love you, right?”I ask.

Bailey sniffs and nods, those big brown, damp eyes my undoing.“You and me ’gainst the world.”