Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
They followed her directions, and she nodded. “Perfect. Now the cow.”
This time I caught myself moaning out loud. But I couldn’t help it—now she was arching her back, which drew attention to her sumptuous apple-cheeked butt and curvy hips. I thought about kissing her in the dark last night, my hands in her hair, her fingers clawing my shirt like they’d claw at my sheets if I—
Don’t think about it.
She picked up her head. “Now think about your belly button lowering back down to the ground. Your back is making a sort of bowl shape. Good cows, you guys!”
“Moooooo,” said Owen.
“Daddy, come out here!” Adelaide called. “Come look at our cows!”
Shit. I wasn’t prepared to face her yet. I tried to think of a reason why I couldn’t go out there and couldn’t come up with anything except the fact that I felt an erection coming on. “Just a second!”
I took a couple deep breaths, forcing myself to think about mundane, unsexy things. When I was sure I could be seen without embarrassing myself, I ran a hand over my hair and went outside.
Veronica scrambled to her feet. “Morning.”
“Morning.” I was careful to keep my eyes where they belonged. “What’s going on out here?”
She glanced at the kids, who were still on their hands and knees. “I was just teaching them a few yoga poses.”
“This one is the cow,” said Owen.
“And this is the cat.” Adelaide rounded her back the way Veronica had shown her. “Try it, Daddy. It feels good.”
“Maybe another time. Are you guys ready for breakfast?”
“Can we go out for breakfast?” Owen asked.
“I guess we could. Where do you want to go?”
“Moe’s!” the twins shouted. That was their first choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, because they loved to play songs on the jukebox. I’d probably given them a hundred bucks’ worth of quarters for that thing over the years. But the food was good, the prices were reasonable, and Moe and his wife Judy were good people. After my mom died, Judy had stocked our freezer with enough casseroles to feed an army. Their daughter Ari was Mabel’s best friend.
“Okay,” I said. “Go get dressed.”
“Can you come too, Veronica?” Adelaide asked as she got to her feet.
Veronica smiled at my daughter. “Thanks, but I can’t.”
“Would you like to come to breakfast?” I asked her, knowing that she was probably hungry but had very little money. “Our treat.”
“Are you sure?” Her eyebrows rose.
“Consider it payment for the yoga lesson.”
She smiled, and the memory of kissing her hit me all over again. “Okay. I’ll come.”
“Yay!” Adelaide clapped her hands and jumped up and down. Even Owen looked excited as they raced each other into the house.
“Make your beds!” I yelled after them, which caused Veronica to giggle.
“What’s funny?” I asked.
“Yesterday, when you and Mabel were upstairs, and I was alone with the kids, they were giving me tips on how to get the nanny job, and one of them was to tell you I always make my bed.”
I shook my head. “And do you?”
“Pretty much never.”
“What else did they tell you?”
She shifted her weight to one hip and ticked things off on her fingers. “Let’s see. Don’t ever leave lights on, because you don’t own the electric company. Your favorite food is barbecue. And it would be good if I had some chore charts to show you, because you’re big on responsibility and organization.”
“Jesus,” I grumbled. “They didn’t make me sound like much fun, did they?”
A smile teased her lips. “Actually, you gave me that impression all on your own.”
I took another sip of coffee, glaring at her over the edge of the cup.
“But you redeemed yourself later,” she added.
Our eyes locked, and my body warmed instantly.
“And who knows?” Her pretty shoulders rose. “Maybe if I’d had a chart or two, I’d have gotten the job.”
“Veronica, I—”
“It’s okay,” she said, laughing again as she put a hand on my arm. “I’m just messing with you. You were right, Austin. I’m unqualified. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have done a good job, but I understand. I’m not what you’re looking for.”
Actually, right now I was afraid she was exactly what I was looking for.
“Could I have fifteen minutes to get ready for breakfast?” she asked. “I just want to rinse off really quick and change clothes.”
“Of course.” Don’t think about her in the shower. Don’t think about her in the shower. “Just knock on the back door when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.” She gave me one last smile before turning toward the garage.
I watched her walk away from me, imagining what my life would be like if I asked her to stay.
EIGHT
veronica
Fifteen minutes later, I stood at the back door with my bags packed. Adelaide answered my knock.
“Hi,” she said, opening the door. Her eyes widened as she looked at my outfit—a cropped halter top and maxi skirt with a thigh-high split in a tropical print, which I wore with sandals that laced up my calves. “Wow, you look fancy.”