“I’m sure I could find a nanny job here. But I have an idea I’ve been mulling over for a while, and maybe this is the time to take a leap and see if it could work,” Rowyn said.
The nervousness was radiating from Rowyn, and Eliza suspected this was an idea Rowyn had never vocalized before.
“Tell me about it,” Eliza said.
“The thing is, I love being the person who comes in to help when all else fails and both parents and kids are struggling to make it work. That sounds like a saviour complex thing, I know, but I love being able to bring my personal and professional expertise and turn things around. It’s thrilling being able to show kids how to help their brains work with them, and parents how to work with their children, and often themselves.”
Eliza quirked her lips at that, because it was exactly what Rowyn had done for them. “You had your work cut out for youhere. I thought it was my kids being difficult. Turns out it was me all along,” Eliza chuckled.
“I had plenty of unique ways to help you, though, so that was a bonus.” Rowyn winked.
“Back to what you’re saying, though, it sounds to me like you love your job. Why would you be thinking of changing?” Eliza asked.
She needed to be sure this wasn’t a decision based on finding a way to stay here for Eliza. There was nothing more that she wanted than Rowyn close, always, but it couldn’t come at the expense of her career. She was too important to the lives of so many kids just like Elliot and Amelia.
“I am one person, and there are so many kids being let down. I want to start training nannies and childcare professionals to better understand and care for neurodivergent children. Most services out there focus on working with the children, tofixthem, or in other words, make them behave neurotypically to fit in. No child needs fixing, and most of the time the people who need to learn are the adults. By focusing on working directly with childcare providers to enable them to help more children in a positive way, I could change things for so many more children.”
Eliza’s heart swelled to double its size, an impressive feat considering it had already been bursting with love for this woman.
“You’re incredible. I want to help, any way I can. I can help fund it to set you up or—”
“No. I really appreciate the immediate support, but we’re not going to bring money back into our relationship right as we take that barrier away. I have some time to figure things out while we organize something else for the kids. I will however absolutely take your marketing expertise once I have a solid plan in place. But for now, saying it out loud is step number one.”
“I’m proud of you. And I want to be there for every step after this one too. So, with you moving out and with the kids gone this week, do I get to see you at all? When you say we have to take things slow, how slow are we talking?” Eliza asked.
Her eyes fell to Rowyn’s lips, and she recalled in vivid detail how much she missed them on her body. Rowyn’s fingers trailed up her arm, and the desire that had been masked beneath fear uncoiled in full force once more.
“You can ask me on a date. A real one, with real food and conversation, and maybe even a kiss at the end of the night when you drop me off at my door.”
Rowyn’s eyes were twinkling, and Eliza hoped it was a sign that she didn’t meanallof that.
“Can I take you on a real date with real food and conversation and then drop you off in my bed afterward instead for that kiss?”
The lust in Rowyn’s eyes was so palpable, Eliza could almost taste it.
“Hmm, you’re not very good at taking things slow, are you?”
Eliza leaned in and trailed soft kisses up the column of Rowyn’s neck as Rowyn’s breath hitched. She pulled Rowyn’s earlobe into her mouth and sucked softly before whispering in her ear.
“I’m good at doing what you tell me to do, so if that’s what you want, I will oblige. But I’d much rather take things slow with you naked in my bed as I watch you slowly unravel beneath me. Or on top. That part is your choice.”
Rowyn was gripping Eliza’s forearm so tight there would likely be a bruise to show for it, but that made Eliza even more needy.
“You’re not going to make it easy for me to walk out that door, are you?” Rowyn asked with an unsteady voice.
“I will. After we have breakfast together tomorrow morning. I’ll even drop you to your new place, carry up your bags, andmake sure it’s acceptable. I’ll make it extremely easy,” Eliza said as she slid a leg forward to part Rowyn’s legs.
Rowyn was wearing a flowing linen skirt, and the material rode up right over her thigh. Eliza’s hands followed the material along the creamy, soft skin of her bare thighs.
“Tomorrow morning, eh? Not tonight?”
Rowyn’s breath hitched as Eliza pressed forward, pushing her knee up against the heat between Rowyn’s legs.
“No. Tonight, we’re going to celebrate your last night here, and your first step toward your brilliant new idea. Tomorrow morning, we can start with taking it slow.”
Eliza moved her hands to each side of Rowyn’s hips. She pulled Rowyn more tightly against her knee as the damp panties became more evident.
“Fuck, Elle. I need you,” Rowyn whined.
