Kitabı oku: «Marrying The Virgin Nanny / The Nanny And Me», sayfa 6

Chapter Seven

Practically from the first moment Maggie had walked into his life Jason was aware of her in all the wrong ways. Tonight was no exception, unless you counted him wanting her more. That probably had something to do with feeling her absence. Not because flying solo with his son was an inconvenience. Just the opposite. He cleared his schedule without hesitation to make time for Brady. The more time he spent with him, the more confident he felt. But the penthouse had seemed so empty while she’d been gone doing her duty at the home.

That’s the thing. He couldn’t find a shred of a clue that she considered what she did a duty. Instead she only talked about what she got out of helping and felt selfish for getting anything at all. That purity of spirit was a big part of why he couldn’t get her off his mind. He’d never known a woman like her.

With an almost soundly sleeping Brady pressed to his chest, Jason walked the floor in the living room as he looked at the bright lights of Las Vegas below him. Maggie had returned this afternoon. Normally she was perky and chatty and full of stories about the children and activities at Good Shepherd. Today she seemed troubled.

And how long had it been since he’d actually been aware of a woman’s mood?

“Never.” When Brady squirmed in his arms, Jason gently patted his back and made the shushing noise Maggie had taught him. “Sorry, pal,” he said softly.

He continued to move until the baby completely relaxed, a sign that he was sound asleep. After walking down the hall into the nursery, he settled Brady on his back and gently brushed the dark hair from his forehead as tiny lips pursed and sucked in sleep.

A tenderness unlike any emotion he’d ever known welled up inside Jason as he pulled the blanket up to his child’s waist. He wouldn’t stay covered long because he was really moving around a lot, getting bigger every day. Maggie had informed him that soon Brady would be rolling from his back to his stomach. Amazing how much had changed since Maggie had come into their lives.

Including the fact that she was his wife, Jason thought.

His body went tight with need. Wasn’t life ironic? He’d never been without a woman when he was a single man. Now that he had a baby and a wife, regular sex was a distant memory.

After sliding the baby monitor in the back pocket of his jeans, he walked out of the nursery. In the hallway, he heard sounds of the treadmill coming from his home gym. He’d bought an elliptical trainer, free weights and treadmill for the convenience of a home workout and not taking time away from his son. In the evening, while he and Brady hung out, it had become her habit to use the equipment.

Work waited in his study but he was too restless and distracted for spreadsheets and reports. Knowing it was probably a stupid move, he headed in the other direction.

The door was open and Maggie was walking briskly on the treadmill, her back to him. She was wearing a tank top and knit pants, both of which clung to the curves he’d been dreaming about, shifting his body into high gear. Instantly he had a mental picture of those shapely legs wrapped around his waist while he was buried deep inside her.

She was the one exerting herself, but sweat popped out on his forehead. He’d swear he hadn’t made a sound, but only moments after he’d stopped in the doorway she looked over her shoulder and surprise registered in her expression.

“Jason?” She placed her feet on either side of the moving tread, then slid the speed lever to off so the machine slowed and finally stopped. “Is Brady all right?”

“Fine. He’s asleep.”

She grabbed the small towel draped over the handrail and wiped the moisture from her face.

The view from the front was just as good as the back, maybe better. The brief tank was moist and clung to her small, firm breasts. His skin felt too tight and his nerve endings were tingling. He was probably giving off some kind of electrical humming sound, which could explain how she’d known he was there. Or it could have been a moan, something he wouldn’t have heard because of the blood rushing from his head to points south.

She blew out a breath and brushed the dark hair off her forehead. “This is early for him to go down. Maybe I better check to see if he’s really settled.”

“Take five. I’ve got the baby monitor. We’ll know if sleep is a false alarm. My son isn’t shy about letting his needs be known.”

“I’ve noticed.” The words were light and teasing, but her normal smile was missing in action.

“Is something wrong, Maggie?”

“No.” Her gaze jumped to his. “Why?”

“You’ve been uncharacteristically quiet since you got back from Good Shepherd today. Did something happen?”

Turning away, she walked over to the elliptical machine and grabbed the sweatshirt hanging there. After pulling it over her head, she slid her arms in and pulled it down. The bulky garment hid even more of her skin and the curves that made his body tighten with need and ache to touch her. He very nearly reached out to tug the damn thing off, but resisted the urge, just barely, by sliding his fingers into the pockets of his jeans.

Maggie met his gaze. “There are lots of things happening at the home.”

That didn’t answer his question. “Define lots of things.”

“Workmen were there ripping off the roof. Out with the old, in with the new.”

“Good.”

“Sister Margaret tells me when that job is finished, there’s a plumbing crew waiting to make the necessary repairs and upgrades.”

“Excellent.”

“Yes, it is.” She draped the towel around her neck.

“And yet you look as if there’s something not right.”

“Do I? Everything feels fine.”

Not in his skin. But he wasn’t about to share that. His household was in place and rocking the boat would be an incredibly dumb thing to do.

He reached out and brushed a dark strand of hair from her forehead, much as he’d done with Brady just a few minutes ago. “Really?”

She nodded, then swallowed hard. “It was very nice of you to get bids and line up building contractors for Sister Margaret.”

Very nice. She thought his lawyer was nice. It wouldn’t surprise him if she could find redeeming qualities in Attila the Hun. As far as adjectives, he’d have much preferred studly. Athletic. Long lasting. And just like that his mind was right back in the sack.

He swallowed the need as best he could. “I know people. It wasn’t a problem.”

“Still, you’re a busy man. Taking the time to help was very gracious of you.”

Very gracious? More bland adjectives that made him feel sexless.

“The very least I could do to make sure no one took advantage.”

“Sister Margaret wanted me to be sure and thank you. It’s much appreciated. The kids and the nuns are incredibly grateful.”

“What about you, Maggie?”

“Me?” She looked surprised, confused, doubtful. And incredibly beautiful. The pulse at the base of her throat fluttered wildly.

“Yes, you. Do the renovations meet with your approval?”

“If it means that the home will stay open, I absolutely approve of everything.” Her chin lifted a notch as she met his gaze.

“I’m glad. Because truthfully, I’ve never met anyone at the home. When I made those phone calls to line up contractors, it was all about you.”

“Me?”

“It’s my way of thanking you for everything you’ve done.”

“You put a million dollars in trust for something I care deeply about. We both got what we wanted. I don’t understand why you went above and beyond to help.”

That made two of them. He wasn’t the only selfish bastard in the world, but definitely somewhere near the top. Having a child had shown him, for the first time in his life, what it was like to care about someone other than himself. And Maggie was important to his son. That’s all it was about. That’s all he’d let it be about. This was not a good time to have doubts about their business arrangement.

“Call it a bonus,” he said. “To put the smile back on your face.”

The corners of her mouth curved up and suddenly all the effort was worth it. “That wasn’t necessary. But thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She stared up at him, then blinked and moved toward the door. “I—I better go check on Brady. See if he needs me.”

Jason needed her. Just to talk. To laugh. To fill up the emptiness inside him. Just a little longer.

He curved his fingers around her arm to stop her. “Wait, Maggie—”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide pools of innocence that drowned his willpower. He drew her against him, cupping her cheek in his hand.

“Maggie,” he whispered again.

She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could he touched his mouth to hers. The soft sweetness of her lips was more intoxicating than the pricey liquor he kept in his office down the hall. Desire ground through him and knotted in his gut. He slid his hand beneath the bulky sweatshirt and settled it on her lower back, just above the curve of her butt, and pressed her more firmly against him.

Some vague instinct warned him to go slow and he fought the need to kiss her hard and possessively. He nibbled the corners of her mouth and felt her heart pounding against his own. Dropping small kisses on her cheek, then her chin and finally her neck, made her shiver and moan. When he stopped at a sensitive place just beneath her ear, she shuddered. Then he licked the responsive spot and blew softly until her groan echoed inside him. The sound sent arrows of need through him and his body tightened in response. Blood pounded in his veins and his chest felt like it would explode. The sound of Maggie’s ragged breathing turned him on like he’d never been turned on before. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. For God’s sake, she was his wife.

“I need you, Maggie,” he whispered, his breath stirring her hair. His voice was ragged with desire.

He was about to scoop her into his arms when she pulled her mouth from his and stared at him, breathing hard. Something dark pushed the innocence from her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t want to be a novelty.”

“Excuse me?” He was struggling to draw air into his lungs and that kiss blew his mind. There wasn’t much left to take in and decipher a remark from out of left field.

“Your father said I was a novelty. ‘Almost a nun’ was different for you.”

“Don’t pay any attention to my father—”

“You mean the part where he was proud of you for protecting yourself financially? The part where he was pleased that you were thinking with your head as well as—other parts of your body? You planned ahead for a plaything. Offered marriage so stock prices wouldn’t go down because of a scandal with the nanny.”

“You know that’s not how it was,” he said, anger burning as hot as desire had only moments before.

“It’s all about Brady, I know. But he’s asleep now. Technically I’m off duty, or at least on a break. But you just kissed me.”

“That’s not breaking news.” He couldn’t deny it. Her lips were still moist from the touch of his own. But when a Garrett was backed into a corner he came out fighting. “I started it. And you kissed me back.”

“It was a knee-jerk reaction.” She stared at him for several moments, still breathing hard. “I’m not asking for love.”

“You heard that, too?”

“Oh, yeah.” Her frown pushed out any hint of sunshine, and it was his fault. “Just so we’re clear, that’s the last thing I’m looking for. But I will not be disrespected.”

“That was never my intention,” he assured her.

When he’d kissed her, he’d been thinking with his hormones, which were in perfect working order. Before she could argue that point, a sound came from his back pocket where he’d put the monitor.

“It’s Brady. Break’s over,” she said. “I have to go to him.”

“Right.”

She hurried out of the room, and when she was gone, Jason felt her absence again. But this time it was all about the ache shooting through him.

He knew when it subsided he would be relieved that he hadn’t taken Maggie to his bed. But right now he couldn’t feel the blessing and struggled for logic.

Sleeping with her would have been a huge mistake. Sex was a complication that would destroy everything he’d so carefully put in place.

But he had to wonder what sin he’d committed. What transgression was so wicked that he was being punished by this gut-twisting desire for the one woman he didn’t dare touch?

Masculine and sexy sat on Jason Garrett like a cloak and crown. Maggie had been enveloped in it last night and wanted more. She’d barely managed to break away before willingly becoming another one of his playthings. It made her wonder again about Brady’s mother, but no matter how Jason had treated her, there was no way to reconcile abandoning her baby. If Brady was hers, Maggie knew there would be no walking away. He wasn’t her biological child and she couldn’t walk away. But there was also the small matter of the marriage to his father.

Although being driven around was a darn nice perk of the marriage, she thought, watching palm trees and buildings go by. Jason’s driver had picked Maggie and Brady up from the penthouse. She sat in the back with the baby in his car seat, sound asleep beside her. The movement always did that to him. Jason had forgotten his briefcase and she’d needed the car for errands. She’d told his secretary she would swing by the office and drop it off while they were out. And, of course, the woman had said she was dying to see the baby.

Her heart seemed to expand in her chest when she smiled at the infant, probably the only person on the planet who could make her smile this morning. After what happened the night before, specifically THE KISS—all capital letters.

She wasn’t so innocent that she didn’t know he’d wanted her. If only the feeling wasn’t mutual, but she’d be lying if she said that. Sleeping with Jason would complicate her already complicated life, but every part of her had tingled and begged to finally know what it felt like to be with a man. And not just any man.

Jason Garrett was the man she wanted. It couldn’t be explained away by the fact that she hadn’t been kissed in a very long time—before she’d entered the convent—by her disastrous first love. She hadn’t slept with him and there’d been no one since. Technically that meant she’d saved herself for the man she married.

Silly her. When he’d dangled a million dollars in front of her, she hadn’t inquired what he expected of her as his wife. Jason had been gone when she got up with Brady this morning. Now she had to face him for the first time after that kiss. In front of other people. Just goes to show that God had a sense of humor.

After exiting the 215 Beltway onto Green Valley Parkway, the car pulled into a business complex, then stopped in front of a multistoried building. As soon as the movement ceased, Brady’s eyes popped open.

“This is it, Mrs. Garrett.”

For a nanosecond, she thought the driver was talking to someone else. “Thanks, Martin. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Want to leave the little guy with me while you run the briefcase up to Mr. G?”

“I appreciate that, but his father wants to show him off.”

Maggie had the baby in one hand and the briefcase in the other when she walked into the Garrett Industries building. Her sneakers squeaked on the lobby’s marble floor as she headed for the elevator. After entering, she set both her burdens down and pushed the button for the eighth floor where Jason’s office was located.

The elevator opened right into the reception area and a half-circle cherrywood desk that sat in the center of the room. Behind it was a redhead in her twenties wearing a headset for answering the phone.

When a muted ring sounded, she pushed a button and said, “Garrett Industries, Mr. Garrett’s office. This is Chloe. How can I help you?” She listened for a moment and said, “Let me transfer you to customer service. Hold on, please.”

Chloe De Witt. Jason’s secretary. They’d talked just a little while ago.

Maggie stopped in front of the desk. “Hi. I’m—” She was going to say Margaret Mary Shepherd. But she wasn’t anymore. She was Maggie Garrett, although she had no idea who Maggie Garrett was. With the very efficient secretary staring at her this was no time for an identity crisis. “I’m Maggie.”

“Hi.” Chloe flashed a professional smile, then disconnected her headset from the phone and came around the desk. She was wearing a snug gray pinstriped skirt and long-sleeved white blouse tucked into the waistband. The four-inch black spiked heels made her slender legs look a mile long. Her thick auburn hair was stylishly cut and brushed her silky collar. She was pretty enough to be a model. Or a show girl. Either or both of which were probably Jason’s type.

After a quick glance at her own dark denim pants and red pullover sweater, Maggie felt like the peasant from Plain-ville, a drab and uninteresting dweeb.

Chloe saw the briefcase on the floor beside Brady’s car seat. “You brought it. And this must be Jason’s little guy.”

“Brady.”

When he heard his name, he flashed a wide smile and Chloe did a big “aww.” “He is absolutely adorable.”

“Yes, he is,” Maggie agreed, smiling down at the incredibly cute little guy.

Could she be any more proud if he’d been her biological child? she wondered. That didn’t seem possible. She was married to his father, but didn’t have the right to claim him as her son. She was just the nanny.

Male voices drifted to them from down the hall. Before she saw him, Maggie heard Jason’s voice.

“Chloe, do you have that paperwork yet?” The man who belonged to that familiar voice strode into the reception area with another man and spotted her. “That would be a yes. Hi, Maggie.”

“Hi. I had some errands in The District, so I offered to drop off your briefcase.” His cool, confident expression gave no clue how he felt about seeing her there.

“You met my secretary,” he said, glancing between the two of them.

Chloe looked at him and it was clear from the adoring expression on her face that she had a serious crush on her boss. Maggie felt a tug of something unpleasant right in her midsection.

“Your son is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Chloe said.

Jason smiled down at the baby. “You’ll get no argument from me.”

“That’s a first.” It was the man with Jason. He was tall, about the same height, with dark hair and incredibly blue eyes. In a dark charcoal-gray suit, black shirt and geometric tie in shades of silver, he looked like a pirate, a modern-day corporate one—handsome and dashing, a scoundrel and a rogue. “But I haven’t met the lady.”

“Imagine that.” Jason’s words were laced with sarcasm and the tone squeezed out any hint of friendly banter. His eyes darkened to almost black as he frowned. “A woman in Las Vegas that you haven’t met.”

“What can I say?” The man’s grin was unapologetic. “I’m a people person.”

“Is that what you call it?” This semi-hostile Jason was a side he’d kept hidden.

“Women are people, too.” He glanced at her. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

“This is Maggie,” Jason said grudgingly.

The stranger held out his hand. “I’m Nathaniel Gordon. Jason and I are working on a business deal together.”

Maggie would bet Jason wasn’t offering him a large sum of money to take care of his child. That was the only business deal she knew anything about. Of the four of them, five if you included Brady, she was the only one clueless about the business world. Taking that even further, she didn’t have a whole lot of world experience in general. But one could never go wrong being polite.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, putting her fingers in his. Brushing a strand of hair off her face, she saw that his gaze zeroed in on the plain gold band on her left ring finger. Jason noticed, too, if the muscle jerking in his taut jaw was anything to go by.

“The papers I needed are in here.” He picked up the briefcase. “Let’s go back to my office, Nate. I’m not finished getting the best of you yet.”

“In your dreams, pal.” He leveled an appreciative gaze in Maggie’s direction. “It was a pleasure, Maggie.”

Jason turned away. “Chloe, hold my calls for the next hour.”

“An hour?” Nate followed him. “It won’t take that long for me to get the upper hand in this negotiation.”

Then the phone rang, and Chloe rounded the desk to plug herself back in. “Thanks for bringing the papers, Maggie. And the baby.” She answered the call and waggled her fingers in a goodbye gesture.

Maggie stood by herself. This office and the professional atmosphere with its high-powered and attractive business players made her feel like she’d stepped into an alternate universe. This Jason was a man she’d seen before, driven and focused. He’d tried to be that way the first time they met, but concern for his infant son had stripped away the edges.

Here the edges were even sharper. He was cool, calm, in control. The boss. Last night, for the heart-stopping moments when his mouth had greedily taken hers, he’d been her husband.

Maggie took the elevator down, then walked to the car where Martin opened the door. She strapped the baby’s car seat in and slid in beside him.

In the two months she’d known him, Jason had never forgotten the work he’d invariably brought home with him. Not ever. She wanted to believe today’s anomaly happened because he’d been as bewildered by that kiss as she was. And although she desperately wanted to believe in miracles, she couldn’t quite get herself to buy that one. It was easier to believe that his father was right and she was a novelty, a plaything.

The whole time she’d been in his office he’d only introduced her as Maggie and left out what she was to him. He’d never once called her his wife. She’d saved herself for the man she married, but up until that kiss she’d figured the man she married didn’t want her as anything but the nanny.

Seeing him in his world, it was clear that she wouldn’t fit in as anything but the nanny. He’d said part of the reason he insisted on marriage was to prevent another man from swooping in and marrying her.

She hadn’t really bought into that, but he wasn’t joking.

He didn’t want her, but he didn’t want anyone else to have her, either. This wasn’t purgatory.

It was a deal with the devil.