Page 35 of One Hot Daddy

"James."He assembles a small plate of cheese and crackers."Fletcher Ralph Murgatroyd.Rather stuffy, isn't it?"

"I think it's damn sexy.Sounds like a proper British gentleman who becomes a maniac in the bedroom."I accept the cracker he offers, biting into it as I mumble, "What else?"

He cups his hand around his ear in a sarcastic manner."Sorry, love, what did you say?Your chomping drowned out the words."

I roll my eyes."Crackers aren't that loud."

He pops a piece of cheese into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully."All right, here's something you don't know.I wasn't always this calm and collected.Back in my twenties, I was quite the hothead.In my university days, when I played cricket, I was known as the Terminator."

"You?The Terminator?"I laugh, nearly choking on my wine."I don't believe it."

"Oh, but it's true.I got into more pub fights than I care to admit.My ex-wife used to say I had a temper like a caged animal."His expression darkens slightly at the mention of her."But later on, I realized she was egging me on because she loves a good fight between blokes."

"That makes more sense."I set down my glass and clasp his hand."What happened with Claudia?I mean, if you want to talk about it."

Fletcher traces circles on my palm."Claudia left.She said motherhood wasn't what she'd signed up for, and she needed more adventure and excitement than I could provide.She missed the brawls I used to get into."

"That's horrible."I reach out to touch his cheek."Your brawling days are over, and it's all because of your children, isn't it?They must have changed your life."

"Oh yes, they did.I wouldn't want to live without them."

Something in his voice breaks my heart a little.The fierce protectiveness, the way his whole face lights up when he mentions his children.This man transformed himself completely for those kids.I've grown to love them too, almost as much as Fletcher does.

"Tell me a bit more aboutyou, Jennifer.I know you're from Arkansas, but not much else."

His voice pulls me out of my thoughts."My life back home was pretty simple.I started out working with kids who'd been through trauma, trying to help them process their experiences.I was good at it, but work took an emotional toll on me.That's why I switched to being a nanny."I take another sip of wine and let the liquid courage loosen my tongue."I think I'm good at it, but I always feel like something's missing.Like I'm helping everyone else build their families while mine remains a distant dream."

Fletcher steps closer, positioning himself between my legs.His hands rest on my thighs, thumbs stroking lazy patterns on my skin."And now?"

"Now I'm sitting naked in a kitchen with the sexiest man I've ever met, talking about feelings."I laugh, shaking my head."If you'd told me six months ago that this would be my reality, I'd have rushed to the nearest therapist to get my head shrunk."

"Therapy might not be a bad idea," he says with that dry British humor."We're both clearly mad."

"Speak for yourself, Mr.British Hottie."

His laugh is low and husky."British Hottie?That's a new one."

"Would you prefer Sexy Brit?English Stud Muffin?"I grin, emboldened by the wine and post-orgasmic bliss."I have a whole list in my head."

"Please, no more."He feigns horror, then smiles again."I admit I'm curious about this list."

"I'm afraid it's a trade secret."Leaning forward, I drop a soft kiss on his lips.He tastes like wine and cheese."Your turn for confessions, Big Daddy."

He slides his hands higher up my thighs."What sort of confessions?"

"The deep, dark kind.Tell me something that would shock me."

Fletcher's expression grows more serious."I used to think I was broken after Claudia left.That maybe I was the kind of man who drove women away.That I'd never be enough for anyone."His voice drops to barely above a whisper."But with you, tonight...Christ, Jennifer.You make me feel like I'm worth something again."

My heart clenches at the raw vulnerability in his words.I cup his face in my hands, forcing him to meet my gaze."Fletcher, you are wortheverything.Claudia was an idiot to leave you and those beautiful children."

He leans into my touch, closing his eyes for a moment."I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone again.You've turned my world upside down, pet."

"Good."I pull him closer until our foreheads touch."I like your world better upside down."

He grins."So do I."

Chapter Seventeen