Page 4 of Tempt Me-

This is one of those times where I wonder if he is thinking about me, because I am definitely lost in thought about him.Specifically about kissing those full lips, wondering if his kiss would be hard and demanding or whisper soft.Either would work for me.

“I need to get to work,” he says gruffly, breaking into my naughty thoughts.

My cheeks burn as I dig for my keys in her purse.

“See you when you get home,” I murmur without looking his way.

I head to the driver’s-side door, away from Austin, just as a group of women walk by, their voices carrying.“She’s not the only nanny here, but she’s the youngest,” one of the women says in an indiscreet loud voice.

“And he’s pretty hot himself,” another says.“And single.”

“Think they’re having an affair?”

I cringe at their insinuation, especially given where my mind was seconds before.Still, women can be nasty, and this group is pretty gossipy and rude.Can’t I just have a job without being accused of screwing my boss?

Ignoring them, I climb into the seat and slam the door shut, closing myself inside before I can hear the conclusion the women draw.Especially since it probably matches my deepest, darkest hidden desire for Austin Rhodes.

***

Austin

I wait forMia to pull the SUV out of the parking spot in the school parking lot and head home before doing the same, turning my car toward the highway.I drive to the Alpha Security office, my mind on my daughter’s first full day of elementary school.Kindergarten was half a day, and I hope she is up to a complete seven hours in first grade, but I reassure myself that Bailey is my Energizer Bunny.She will rise to the challenge and even dance her way through it.I grin at the thought.She always makes me smile.

Yesterday’s assignment and my daughter’s need to have me around cements the fact that I want to change up what I do for Alpha Security, and I have an appointment to talk to Dan this morning.

Before I can continue along that train of thought, my cell rings and my mother’s name pops up on the dashboard screen.

I answer the call on speaker as I drive.“Hey, Mom.”

“How did my baby do going into school today?”my mother asks.

“Went in like a champ.”I smile, proud of his kid.“Of course, it helped that Mia joined us,” I say, giving credit where it is due.“Unfortunately, Bailey had a little breakdown over the fact that her friends had their mothers bringing them into school, too.”

My mom sighs.“We knew you’d have to deal with that one day.”

“I did.But it was amazing how agreeing to let Mia join us changed her whole mood.She really likes her and Mia is amazing with Bailey.She’s patient and loving.It’s not just a job for her,” I say, basically repeating what I said to Mia a few minutes earlier.

Mia, who stared at me with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, and put dirty thoughts in my head just by looking at me for a few seconds too long.I used those seconds to stare at her luscious mouth and wonder whether she tastes sweet like the sugar she puts in her tea at night and coffee in the morning.Yes, I fucking study her personal habits and memorize what she likes.

“Not to mention she’s young and pretty?”Mom asks as if reading my mind about Mia.

“Mom!”I say, horrified she even went there.I feel guilty enough for my inappropriate thoughts.Now I have to worry about whether I sent out inadvertent signals about my interest in Mia that my mother picked up on.

“What?I’m just pointing out that you’re a healthy man with… appetites and she’s a sweet, good-looking woman,” my mother says, not backing down.

Jesus.I pull behind a car driving below the speed limit, glance in the mirror, and swerve into the left lane to drive around it.

“She’s my daughter’s nanny,” I remind my mother as well as myself, because I clearly need a good talking to.“And I just said Mia was fantastic.I’m not going to mess up a good situation for Bailey.”

Not to mention, I know better than to get involved with a woman right now.I was screwed by my ex, and I have no desire to deal with the opposite sex on any level but professional.

Liar.

“Shut the fuck up,” I mutter aloud to my inner voice.

“What did you say?”my mother asks.“I couldn’t hear you.”

I shake my head, grateful she missed those words, and swallow hard.“I said this wasn’t a conversation I want to have.”