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Mason had a runner’s build. He wore a pressed polo shirt, meant for work, and slacks that were creased as though they were newly ironed.
He was assessing me already with his eyes, trying to get a good read on me. I teetered in my gym shoes and tried to rein in my nerves. Patty had briefed me on each of their personalities. Before he even introduced himself, I would have guessed he was Mason.
Another Brisken brother stepped forward, this one with a mischievous, boyish grin, as though he had a secret, and he had buckets of charm oozing out of him, simply standing there. “And I’m—”
“Brad,” I said, smiling, finishing his sentence.
He laughed, taking my hand. “How did you know? Patty has been talking about me,” he guessed. “Is it my stunning good looks? My award-winning smile?” He rubbed at his jaw in an overly exaggerated way, and I laughed.
“She talks about you guys all the time when she comes home.” I motioned to everyone.
He nodded and then leaned in, getting eye-level with me. “Just know, I’m not into dating nannies, so don’t get any ideas.” Despite his words, he gave me a flirtatious once-over. “Though I do think you’re quite a looker.” He nudged Patty’s shoulder. “You were right, Pats.”
I tipped my chin, my eyes light. “But if you aren’t into nannies, is all the talk about what’s happening between you and Patty just gossip, then?”
He smirked. “I already got down on one knee. Ask her.”
Patty simply shook her head, as though she was used to Brad’s jokes.
My eyes took in the only man left that I hadn’t been introduced to—the father of the girls, the one who most likely had the final say. He was built like a football player, broad shoulders, arms as big as boulders. His face was ruggedly handsome, and his profile was sharp and confident and spoke of power.
My nerves spiked again, and I took a calming breath before stepping toward him. “And you must be Charles.”
When I placed my hand in his, I had a strong awareness of my heart beating too loudly in my ears. I blamed it on the fact that he was the girls’ father, so I had to impress him the most.
His eyes were a stunning brown, reminding me of molten chocolate. The other brothers had dark chocolate eyes, too, but something in Charles’s irises stilled me.
Where Brad oozed charm, Charles exuded strength. It wasn’t in the broadness of his shoulders or his over-six-foot height. It was the depth behind his eyes, a strength that I was familiar with—living through a life that hadn’t been so kind.
“I am. Becky, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
My heart stutter-stopped in my chest, and when he spoke, it felt as though I’d been pumped with a hundred shots of adrenaline.
I didn’t know if it was anxiety for the interview that had my palms sweating or because Charles was insanely attractive.
Charles
When she placed her hand in mine, I noticed how soft her fingers were, how fragile, how gentle her hand was, but that was nothing compared to her stunning green eyes, the color of emeralds. Her delicate outward appearance was contradictory to what I read behind her eyes—a strength and power behind her stare.
I cleared my throat, noting we were standing there a few seconds too long, our hands locked, and I hadn’t said more than two words.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, dropping my hand from hers. “Patty has told us a lot about you.”
One thing Patty had said spot-on was that Becky was attractive, not in an over-the-top way, but in the lightness in her features—her dirty-blonde hair, the shape of her face and her button nose.
She had this shiny, shimmery stuff on her lips, almost the color of a warm peach.
I swallowed.
Hard.
I tore my gaze back up to meet her eyes and blew out a steady breath. Something about her beauty struck me stupid and speechless. I was shocked at my instant attraction to her. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the beauty of the women around me, in the office or walking downtown for lunch, but I was never one to take a second glance.
Her face was delicately carved, her mouth small, her lips full. It was in the simplicity of her beauty that I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
Mason placed her bags by the stairs. “Patty can show you to your room, but do you want to get started with the interview first?”
Brad groaned and rolled his eyes. “Can you let the girl sit or relax or even take a piss after her long bus ride?”
