Lory stirred emotions and sensations he couldn’t remember feeling with Renee. Or any woman.
“Um, Jacob? Is everything all right?”
The concern on her face had him snapping back to attention. “Yes. Sorry.” He blew out a breath, waving his hand at the laptop behind him. “It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be.”
“Oh?”
“Picking a nanny.”
“Oh! Right.” She smiled. “That’s to be expected, don’t you think? You’re entrusting the person with Maddox. I would expect you to take your time and double check everything before making your choice.”
“You’re right. I need to be sure.”
“You do. Are there many candidates?”
“Twenty-four in total but I’ve narrowed it down to five.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I think.”
“That’s a good start.”
“It is. I guess.”
She shifted on her feet and he realized he’d left her standing outside in the hot afternoon sun. “Shit. Shoot. Where are my manners? Come in. Come in.”
“Thank you, but I didn’t want to bother you. I just thought I would check to see how the search was going.”
“Slowly. I’ve had all the information for a week and even though I’ve read through each applicant’s profile every day, I still can’t make a decision.” He walked toward her. Tried to keep his stride measured for fear of spooking her. “Would you go over the five I’ve culled out with me? Just give them a once-over and see what you think? I’d really appreciate your advice and I know I’ve already taken advantage of your kindness—”
“Oh no, no advantage taken. It was my pleasure to help. If you think my opinion would be helpful, I would be happy to have a look.”
Jake smiled. “Then you better come in and have a seat. Would you like a drink? Some sweet tea? Coffee?”
“Some cold water would be nice if you have it.”
“Coming right up.” He walked her to the island and grabbed the stool he’d been on a few minutes ago, moving it back in front of his computer. “Take a seat. The files are all open.”
“Thank you.”
She slid onto the stool, her spine brushing against his knuckles where his hand curled over the top of the backrest. He couldn’t remember ever having such a strong physical reaction to a woman before Lory. But just that little touch, the material of her dress between her skin and his, was enough to send hot blood rushing south. The urge to drag his fingers along the length of her back, to skim over every bump of her straight spine had him visibly shivering.
He still didn’t understand the connection between them but there was no denying it. His whole body vibrated when she was near and even when she wasn’t, all it took was a thought, a memory, for his blood to fizz, his groin to ache.
Maybe he needed to get laid? Find some willing woman to slake the lust he couldn’t seem to control.
He’d tried to suppress the urges he felt for her. Tried to wipe her from his mind every time she popped into it. And it wasn’t like she was in his face every day so he couldn’t blame proximity for his lack of control.
“This first one won’t work,” she said.
Her words snapped him out of his thoughts. “What? Why?” He leaned over her shoulder to see what she was pointing at.
“Her availability is Monday to Friday.”
“Oh.” Dammit. How’d he miss that? He could have sworn he’d checked to be sure each nanny was available seven days a week. “Well, that takes her out of the equation then.”
Lory nodded. “It does. Although, it’s probably worth putting her in a pile of backup choices because if she wants two definite days a week off she might be interested in working every third day.”
“Hmm…” Jake rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin as he walked around the island to the fridge for the cold water Lory wanted. His manners and hospitality were definitely lacking today. Grandma would be ashamed of him. She’d probably bop him upside the head too.
The thought of his grandmother had a smile stretching his lips. While the sadness about her passing had eased and he was finally able to think of her with a smile again, he still felt her loss keenly. She’d have loved Maddox. Would have made sure he never felt unwanted or unloved.
