Page 17 of Chasing the Sun

There was nothing suggestive in her eyes or voice, but he still felt uncomfortable, and it was his own fault. He’d become paranoid ever since the episode with the last nanny.

“I think I’ve had enough.”

“I guess I’ll go up to bed too, then,” she said and stood up.

Great! Now they were in closer proximity than before, and they were both talking about bed…

“But first, is there anything else I should know about Molly’s routine? I want to make sure our first day together goes smoothly.”

She was standing so close he could smell her perfume, something soft and sensual. She looked up at him with those expressive brown eyes, her auburn hair flowing in waves down her back. He noticed she wore a letter C on a gold chain, and it sparkled against her creamy skin. Back up. Back up. He didn’t really want to leave, though, and besides, she’d asked him a question.

“She usually wakes up between seven thirty and eight, and she’ll want breakfast right away.”

“I’m the same way.” She lifted the glass to her lips and took another drink.

He watched her lips curl around the rim—lucky glass! “After breakfast, she might watch television or play in her room for a while, which is helpful if you need to take a shower…” Don’t think about her in the shower. DO NOT.

Chloe wiped the corner of her lips with her index finger. “Then what?”

“Then she might want to play outside or go for a swim.” Chloe in a bathing suit. Suddenly he was burning up.

“Let me guess. After that, she’ll want lunch,” Chloe said with a light laugh.

If she felt the heat between them, she was doing a great job of hiding it, or maybe it was just him.

“There’s plenty of food in the house, or you can take her out for lunch.”

She took another sip, and that time, he refused to look at her lips, which were wet from the wine. Not that he’d been looking.

“Does she have a favorite restaurant?”

“You mean other than McDonald's?”

She laughed again, the sound of it lighting him up inside. “I’m not averse to french fries.”

“Just don’t let her talk you into it every day.”

“I promise,” she said, placing a hand over her chest.

Her chest. “Anyway, I’m sure she’ll keep you busy, but if you need some downtime, don’t be afraid to tell her. She’ll be perfectly content looking at books for a while.”

“Sounds pretty easy.”

“You can always call me if you have any questions.”

She nodded and then leaned over and picked up his glass from the table. “There’s one more sip if you want it.”

He felt parched, but he didn’t want to risk their fingers touching again. “I’m good.”

“I’ll put these in the dishwasher, then,” she said and moved around him.

He followed her into the kitchen, his eyes drifting down her back, mesmerized by the sound of her dress swishing between her legs.

Thankfully, tomorrow was Monday, and he’d be at work all day. He always missed Molly, but she’d be in good hands. Good hands. Chloe’s hands. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a woman’s hands on me.

Since she was taking care of their glasses, he had no reason to linger.

“Good night,” he said as he went around the island one way while she went the other.