Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
She smiles and does the same.
“So I’m curious. How did you end up being a nanny? What was your path?” I ask.
She glances at me over the top of her cup. “I was in foster care from the age of seven until I aged out at eighteen,” she says.
I think of my little girl, and the idea of her being left alone, to the clutches of the state and whatever person took her in, makes my stomach turn. “I’m sorry,” I say, suddenly envisioning her as a little thing like Bailey, only a few years older, going to live with strangers.
“Don’t be. I mean, I had it better than most. Good families, decent people took me in. As I got older, I loved taking care of the younger kids and the babies in the houses I was in. I didn’t make trouble, so I didn’t get switched around too often.” She shrugs, seemingly having made peace with her past.
“So you always liked kids.”
She nods. “I put myself through a local college. I majored in early child development and minored in psychology, and I could have gone on, gotten my master’s in education, been a teacher…”
“I hear a but there,” I say, enjoying the story and her attitude toward life.
She smiles. “But I’d been working as a nanny while I was in school, and it suited me.” She shrugs. “Not a very exciting story.”
“It is to me.” I meet her gaze, hoping to convey that I really do appreciate her life and admire her. “You’re strong, Mia. And you made the best of the hand you were dealt.”
She blushes. “Well, thank you for saying that.”
“No thanks necessary. Just telling the truth. So what’s your end game?”
She pauses, lowering the cup from her lips. “You’ll laugh. Or at the very least, you won’t think it’s overly ambitious.”
I ignore my coffee, more interested in the fascinating woman sitting across from me. “Try me.”
“Someday I’d like a family of my own. A lot of kids, not all mine. Kids who’ve been in foster care too long and never adopted because everyone wants babies.” She rubs her cup between her palms, not meeting my gaze. “See? Nothing all that enterprising, like becoming a teacher or succeeding in business.”
I can’t stop staring, enthralled not just by her beauty but by her heart. “I think it’s inspiring, what you want to do.” And the man by her side when she fulfills her dreams will be one lucky SOB. “Not for me, because been there, done that… the family and marriage thing, but I’m sure it can work for the right couple.” I shrug, realizing I admitted way too much. “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” I say, meaning it.
She glances down, her gaze sweeping over her watch on her wrist. “Oh! It’s time to pick up Bailey.” She crumples the napkin beside her and picks up her cup as she rises to her feet.
I stand, joining her as we toss our half-finished drinks in the trash. We head to the car and I beat her there, opening the passenger door before she can grab the handle herself.
I turn back, and she stops short. I catch her before she bumps into me, grasping her around the waist and pulling her close. She sucks in a surprised breath but doesn’t back away, her face inches from mine. Her mouth so damned close.
I know better, I really do, but I am tired of denying myself what I want and my body is definitely on board. I wait for a sign she isn’t right there with me. If she pulls back or jerks away, I’ll apologize, and we’ll move forward from there. Instead, she sways toward me, sealing her fate.
I grasp her waist, anchoring myself by touching her, the soft sweater doing little to hide her slender body or delicate curves. I tip my head, sliding my tongue across her lips, and with a soft moan, she parts her mouth and lets me inside. She tastes of vanilla and coffee, a sweet flavor that is all Mia.
Our tongues touch, tangle, and my body comes alive with a hunger I haven’t known before.
She raises her arms, hands coming to my biceps, holding on for a brief second before she gives in and wraps her arms around me, pulling me close, giving me all the excuse I need to deepen the kiss. I tilt my head and consume her, swirling my tongue around the farther recesses of her mouth.
I have no wall, no car door to push her against, which is a good thing because I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I crushed my body against hers. The kiss will have to do, and it goes on, me lost in the scent of her, the way her breasts crush against my chest, and the feel of her silken tongue rubbing against my own. I bite down gently on her lower lip, and she moans into my mouth, the sound going straight to my dick.