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I glanced back up, and Jax was still watching me, the same warm smile on his face. His forearms flexed slightly, causing my mouth to run dry. In a sudden hot flash, my mind filled with the thought of those arms gripping me tight, throwing me down on the desk, and ravishing me to the point that there was nothing left of this dress to return to that store. That sudden fantasy sent heat flushing through my entire body, and I slowly licked my lips.
“We’re looking for someone to take on the care of three children, as I said, my own and my business partners while we holiday in the Alps for most of Christmas and the New Year at our own private chalet within a resort.” Jax inhaled deeply, and his shoulders lifted, enhancing the curve of muscle I glimpsed peeking through his open collar. “I know what it must look like, three rich guys unwilling to watch their kids over Christmas, but I assure you, this is new for us too.”
“I wasn’t!” I blurted out quickly, shifting forward in my seat an inch. “Sorry, I mean, I wasn’t thinking… anything. I don’t judge.” I flashed him a quick smile and Jax laughed.
“Sure. We usually don’t require outside help, but this year Helix is celebrating an important anniversary, and we have to throw a bunch of parties to celebrate and reassure shareholders—” Jax throws his hands up with a grin. “It’s a whole host of nonsense at a bad time, so we just need the extra help this year.”
“Oh, it’s completely understandable,” I reassured him quickly, finding an urge to soothe his concerns. “Everyone needs a little help occasionally, especially when an important goal coincides with a holiday.”
“Indeed.” Jax’s intense gaze flicked down me—or was that my imagination?—and my heart skipped a beat.
“Do you and your wife visit there every year?” I asked before I could stop myself. There was no way I was going to fantasize about a married man.
“There’s no Mrs. Hayworth,” Jax replied with a sudden tightness in his voice. Guilt bloomed through my chest immediately, despite my instant relief, and I clutched my glass tighter.
“I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s a fair question considering. There are mothers but no Mrs. to speak of for any of us,” Jax explained. “So you could say the children are a little lacking in the maternal area other than their grandmother. We would prefer a female nanny. Are you medically trained?”
“Oh yes.” I nodded quickly. “I’m medically certified in injury management, CPR, the works.” Thank goodness for Belancio’s health and safety department being a stickler for those sorts of things.
“Do you have experience with children outside of your previous employment?”
“Uh…” I hesitated, wracking my brain for anything else I could offer to show I was good for this job, but my silence dragged on for too long. Jax tutted softly with his tongue and smiled.
“Don’t worry, it’s not important. I was just curious. The more I know about your childcare experience, the more informed my decision can be.”
The moment he smiled, an urge swelled in my heart to find a way to constantly make him smile at me like that.
“At the hotel, I cared for children of all ages morning, noon, and night,” I said hurriedly, quickly padding out my experience in the best way I could with some fudged details. “I came up with so many games to play and ensured all the children had access to the best—and the safest toys. Meals! Meals were also catered to all children’s dietary requirements and safety needs, and I really enjoyed doing that. And I’m… I’m medically certified…” I trailed off, realizing I was repeating myself.
“Nervous?” Jax asked with that warm smile.
I sighed regretfully and nodded. “Very.”
“I’d tell you to relax, but I know how hard that can be,” he chuckled, and my heart did an entire flip. “When I had my interview from here, I was sure I would pass out from how terrified I was.”
“Are they scary?” I asked with a soft chuckle, his words gently calming my nerves. “The other bosses?”
“No, not to me at least. We’re more like brothers now. Life has a funny way of doing that to you I find.” Jax pushed up from the desk and leaned over me, filling my air with the gentle scent of sandalwood and vanilla. He took my glass, and I stared up at him, mapping out his face in case this was the one and only time I would see him.
“That’s…” I swallowed hard. “That’s good to know.”
“Yes. Well,ifyou make it, the next stage of the interview will involve spending time with the children to see how they react to you. It’s all good and well for me to pick someone, but if my daughter doesn’t like who I picked… well, she gets the final word, you understand.”
“Of course,” I said hoarsely, then I kicked myself internally.Keep it together, girl!
Jax leaned away and set the glass on the desk behind him, then he clasped his hands and offered me a final dazzling smile.
“Well, thank you, Miss Bradley, I think I have all I need.”
“Really?” Already? Oh no, if he cut the interview short, did that mean he could already tell I was unfit for the job?
“As the head of security, I can get a good view of people within thirty seconds of meeting them,” he smiled warmly. “Thank you so much for coming in, and whatever the decision, you’ll hear from me within a day or two. Plus, I have to go pick my daughter up.”
“Oh! Right, of course!” I stood quickly, smoothed my hands down my dress, then turned on the spot, and headed for the door. Jax followed me, and suddenly the tingling warmth of his palm pressed lightly against my back, guiding me out. The touch seared right through my dress, imprinting in my skin, and it took all my focus not to lean into the touch.
“It was reallyverylovely to meet you,” Jax repeated, his voice a tad lower when we reached the door.
