Marrying the Virgin Nanny / The Nanny and Me: Marrying the Virgin Nanny / The Nanny and Me. Teresa Southwick
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And that was cause for alarm. She didn’t do the heart melty thing. That wasn’t to say she didn’t love babies, all babies. She did. But her thing was not to get attached. On her first day, this little guy had easily hurdled her defenses, then grabbed on to her emotions with both of his tiny hands and the sweetest disposition in the world. He was already starting to feel special and she had enough time left on her commitment for him to do a lot of damage.
Rubbing her thumbs across his tiny knuckles, she smiled. “You are too cute for words, Mr. Garrett.”
“Thank you.”
The familiar deep voice came from behind her and slid over her senses like warm chocolate and whiskey. Maggie had lost count, but this was the fourth or fifth time today Jason Garrett had dropped in unexpectedly. All that practice should have helped her get used to him. Unfortunately, she wasn’t even close to comfortable with Sin City’s most eligible bachelor and overachieving tycoon.
“Actually, I wasn’t talking to you,” she said. “I didn’t know you were there. Just like a couple hours ago when you stealthily sneaked up behind me. And the time before that. And the time before—”
“Yeah.” He came closer and set his suit jacket on the sofa back, then rested a hip beside it. He leaned forward and smiled at his son. “Hi, buddy,” he said, then looked at her. “I get your drift.”
“And I get yours.”
“I’m not subtle?” he asked.
“Not even a little bit.” From the moment they’d met, she’d figured out that he wasn’t the most trusting of men. His behavior today was further confirmation. “You’re checking up on me.”
“Does it bother you?” he asked, not taking the trouble to deny it.
“No. Quite the opposite. I respect you for protecting your son. If every child in the world was cared for so well, it would be a much better place.”
What she didn’t say was that his defensive actions not only made her respect him, she liked him, too. That was a good thing, right? How come it didn’t feel that way? All she felt was uneasy. The last time she’d liked a man this much the feelings had grown into love. He came with a family who liked her back and she’d felt as if she was getting everything she’d always wanted. Then it didn’t work out, a major blow that had hurt a lot.
She chanced a glance up at Jason, and her stomach dropped like an airplane hitting turbulence. The sight of him in his rumpled white dress shirt and loosened red tie made it hard to breathe. It was much safer to look at the baby.
“Your daddy’s home, Brady. For good this time? Or can we expect ongoing guerrilla warfare tactics this evening?”
“I’m in for the night. You can stand down.”
“Good to know.”
Jason leaned over again and stirred up the scent of him, something spicy and sexy and all male. Something that made it impossible for her senses to stand down. She felt tingly all over.
He reached out and loosely caught hold of a tiny foot. “Hey, buddy. How are you? Did you have a good day?”
The baby waved his arms and smiled. Jason laughed and the sound warmed her clear through. She was exceptionally good at resisting warm and fuzzy, but there it was again. As if she needed more proof, that double whammy convinced her the combined effect of the Garrett men was pretty potent and highly dangerous stuff. She scooped the baby into her arms, then stood and walked around the sofa.
“He’s fed, bathed and in his jammies. All ready to spend some time with his daddy.” She settled Brady in his arms and backed away.
This felt weird. After a year at The Nanny Network, Maggie had lots of assignments under her belt. When the man of the house returned from his day at work, Maggie faded discreetly away to give mom and dad couple- and family-bonding time. She waited in the background, ready to jump in and help if needed. The only couple here was father and son. She’d never been in this situation before and didn’t quite know what to do with herself.
Jason smiled down at his child. “He smells good.”
“Yeah. I don’t think anything smells better than a freshly bathed baby.”
He looked at her and something dark and dangerous glittered in his eyes for a split second before disappearing. “And he seems pretty happy.”
“He’s been an angel all day.”
“I may be a new father, but I know this mood can disappear in a nanosecond. Before that happens, would you mind taking him while I get out of this suit?”
“Of course.”
She took the handoff and tried not to think about him changing. The situation already felt too intimate. She walked around the living room, then into the kitchen. Never in her life had she seen such a beautiful, functional kitchen. Maple cupboards were topped by black granite and in the center was an island big enough for its own zip code. The appliances were stainless steel, including the Sub-Zero refrigerator and two ovens. A glass French door closed off the walk-in pantry that was tidy and organized. In her assignments, Maggie had seen lots of different houses and condos, but never anything as gorgeous as this.
It was past dinnertime and she’d already eaten, but the cook had left a plate for Jason. She felt the need to keep busy and settled Brady in the infant seat on the floor beside the glass-topped dinette. After spinning the toy strung in front of him, she watched him watch it until his interest kicked in. Then she took the plate of lasagna from the fridge, removed the plastic covering and stuck it in the microwave. There was also a salad that she tossed vigorously with Italian dressing.
When Jason returned in his worn jeans and powder-blue pullover sweater, her insides got a vigorous tossing of their own. He looked as good in casual clothes as he did in slacks and tie. Maybe better, if possible.
She realized she’d been staring and to fill the awkward silence said the first thing that came to mind. “I’m warming up your dinner. You’re probably hungry.”
“I am.” He had a funny sort of intense expression on his face. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll have a quick bite to eat before hanging out with Brady. Could you stick around?”
“Of course.”
He glanced into the microwave. “Something smells good.”
“Yeah.” And she wasn’t at all sure she meant the food. “Linda is a good cook. But you already know that.”
“She’s been with me for several years.”
Stability. Since she never stayed more than six weeks, that was a foreign concept to her. She leaned over the infant carrier and nudged it with a finger, partly to keep nervous hands busy. Partly to rock the baby and stretch out this unpredictable contentment as long as possible.
“I can’t help wondering what Linda’s job interview was like,” she said.
Jason glanced at her over one broad shoulder. “She had terrific references.”
“Was there a test? Did she have to prepare pheasant under glass out of corn flakes and tofu?”
He laughed. “Are you implying I’m a demanding boss?”
“Heaven forbid.”
“You’d be right. And I won’t apologize for it.” When the microwave beeped, he retrieved his plate and brought it to the table where his salad waited. “I don’t demand more of anyone else than I’m willing to give. That said, working with food is relatively easy. Babies, not so much. Because I’m willing to give everything I’ve got.”
“You’re his father. That’s the way it should be.” She didn’t have the right to give everything and had to hold part of herself back. Otherwise, leaving hurt too much.
Brady’s snorts and grunts changed tone indicating that the grumpy portion of the evening was about