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ChapterOne
Jax
Her voice is driving me crazy. It’s sweet and low with a slight rasp as she sings just a little off-key. I should go in there. If she knew I was home, she’d stutter to a halt and her face would blush a pretty pink.
What kind of sick motherfucker gets hard because he hears a lullaby? But it’s not the words. Not really. It’s Arya’s sweet voice. It’s much too sultry for an innocent little eighteen-year-old. It’s not like any lullaby I’ve ever heard. It sounds more like a love song.
“How long do you wanna be loved…”
I pull up the video feed for the baby’s room on my phone and watch as Arya rocks Hannah back and forth. That shouldn’t be sexy either, but she calms the baby so easily. Does every woman know that slow swaying rhythm? Is it in their DNA or is it just that Arya is so sweet she could calm any storm?
For two months, ever since my sister died and left Hannah to me, Arya’s been there. She taught me how to change a diaper, heat a bottle, and comfort an infant. She gave up a summer internship to watch Hannah.
And now, she’s offered to delay her first semester of college. As much as I want to keep her here, I can’t let her do that. So I’ve asked her to help me find her replacement.
No one seems to be good enough, no matter how highly recommended they come. I’m beginning to think Arya’s just as in love with Hannah as Hannah is with her.
The baby gives a soft little sigh as I watch Arya give her one last cuddle before gently setting her down in her crib. Not wanting her to know I’ve been watching and listening, I take a few steps back and open the door to the garage like I’ve just stepped in.
She jumps as she turns the corner from the hallway to the kitchen. “Mr. Evans. I didn’t know you were home.”
“I just got home.”
It’s not a lie. I did just get home in time to hear her singing to Hannah. Her cheeks turn pink as she moves to gather her things off the kitchen table. But I don’t want her to leave yet. I want to talk to her, but I’m sure I smell pretty ripe.
I have my own construction company. Usually I don’t do much manual labor, not anymore. Today was an exception. I’m covered in dirt and sweat.
“Do you think you could stick around a little while longer while I take a shower?”
Her cheeks bloom from pink to red and she chokes. I move closer and rub her back, trying to soothe her. But it sends her into another fit of coughing.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” The word bursts from her. “I can stay.”
I can’t hold back my smile. “Thank you.”
I hurry through my shower routine, not wanting to hold Arya up too much. And if she’s going to stick around, I’d rather be spending that time looking at her. And if I’m honest, watching her look at me.
The way her eyes seem to lose focus, then flick away with embarrassment. Young and innocent isn’t usually my type, but the draw to Arya is so strong that I can’t fight it.
Part of me is looking forward to her no longer being the babysitter. I don’t want to be her boss. I want to ask her out, but I’ll need a babysitter in order to do that.
“Thanks for staying,” I say as I step back into the kitchen.
“I’m happy to stay. Anytime.”
I smile as I picture her staying overnight — in my bed. That uptick of my lips must be a little too predatory because Arya pauses in stuffing everything into her backpack and simply looks at me.
“When do you move into the dorms?” I take a step closer to her.
“What?”
My smile grows. “Aren’t you moving into the dorms soon? When’s the deadline for hiring a new sitter for Hannah?”
“Oh. Dorms open in two weeks. But I could still delay—“
I hold up a hand to stop her from offering again. “I’m lucky as hell that you live down the street and that you have four younger brothers and so much experience with babies. But I can’t let you delay your future.”
