First, hed lost more than a few brain cells when hed pulled her against his chest, but the embrace had been driven by a real fear that shed burned herself. Instead, he felt scorched. The sweet scent of her, the softness of her skinthe catch of her breath.
It all reminded him of how hed felt when theyd kissed. Whole. Hed felt whole.
But then hed watched her luscious lips form the words every morning to his question of how often she cooked, and hed heard the lie. Hed heard it, hed seen it, hed felt it.
And hed lost it. That simple.
Tina again, of course. Still torturing him with memories. Well, dammit, he was over her. Over and moved on.
But damn if hed trust anyone in the near future or let a woman ever hurt him again.
He finally got into his work, but for the first time in his life, he had to force himself. All he could think about was how the house was faring. He hoped it wasnt on fire or destroyed. He hoped everyone was in one piece.
He hopedah, hell. He was full of it. He wanted to see Melissa. He wanted to see Carly.
But by the time he got home, it was yet again very late. Too late. The house was still standing, thank God, but quiet. No Melissa. No Carly. They were both asleep.
Well, good. This was what hed wanted. Peace and quiet. Yep. Perfect.
To prove it to himself, he worked like a fiend for several more days, without taking a breather, with no more than a quick check on Melissa, who was apparently thriving. As promised, he made sure to leave an easy breakfast waiting for them and something for dinner, as well, or money for take-out.
While he was doing all that, he couldnt shake the new and entirely unwelcome feeling that work was keeping him from something important.
From something likehis life.
CARLYNE COULDNT believe it. Sean managed to avoid her for days. This was a new experience, being avoided, ignored, and she didnt like it.
But this was his world. He could defy her, ignore her, fire her. Anything. He was in charge, which was yet another new and unwelcome realization for a woman who had been wrapping people around her pinky finger since before she could even walk.
I wanna swim, Melissa said to her one afternoon in the second week.
Carlyne looked at the little girl, whod stripped out of her clothes and was standing there naked as the day she was born, an angelic smile on her face. How about a bath?
No bath, Melissa said firmly. Pool.
No pool. Bath.
No.
Yes.
No, Melissa said in a whine.
No, Carly repeated after the petulant girl.
Yes. Melissa stopped short, then frowned. Hey!
Carlyne had no intention of getting in the water. Too dangerous. Sean had been gone every day, all day, in fact, but she couldnt bank on it. With Sean, she could bank on nothing.
But I swim good! Melissa insisted, her chin jutting stubbornly into the air.
Well, actually, that made two of them. At home Carlyne had a case of gold medals and trophies. Big whoop-de-do. Go get clean clothes, Ill start the tub.
Melissa just sent her that same angelic smile, which upon reflection should have been Carlynes warning. But happily clueless, she went into the bathroom to start the water.
The little girl didnt appear. Melissa? She wasnt in her bedroom. Or the kitchen. Or the living room.
Oh, my God! At a full run, Carlyne hit the back yard, and sure enough, there was that little blond head bobbing in the pool. Without another thought, Carlyne dove in.
By the time she reached Melissa, her heart was pumping so loud she couldnt hear a thing over the roar of her blood. Scooping the little girl up, she clutched her close to her chest and swam for the side.
Melissa grinned. See? Told you I could swim. Struggling out of Carlynes arms, she slipped out of the pool and danced excitedly on the concrete. I could have stayed under longer, but you swim fast.
Carlyne, champion swimmer, could hardly pull herself out of the water because her knees were shaking so violently.
Why is your hair crooked? Melissa asked, staring at her with fascination. And your faceits melting. She tipped her head to the side. How come?
Because she had on thick foundation, which felt like papier-mâché on her skin. She dragged herself up, held her wig on her head with one hand and pointed toward the house. Go.
But-
Go. Dry. Off.
At the unaccustomed sharpness of Carlys voice, Melissa blinked in stunned surprise. Then, predictably, her bottom lip started the quiver. You mad at me?
Carlyne sighed. Shed lost her glasses in the pool. Shed have to go after them. Her clothes were clinging to her body, and if she wasnt mistaken, one contact lens had slipped. But none of this was Melissas fault. She certainly hadnt asked for her mother to leave the country or to be left with a commitment-challenged uncle. Or stuck in the care of a runaway princess pretending to be a nanny.
Melissas eyes filled. Sorry.
Oh, honey. Carlyne sagged with exhaustion. Im sorry. Its just that you scared me. Now we need to get all dried and changed because your uncle Sean might be home soon.
Not that hed been home before ten oclock at night all week, but that wasnt Melissas fault, either.
Turning to usher Melissa in the house, she stopped short.
Over the fence appeared Mrs. Trykowskis face. She was clearly standing on something, clinging to the wood, watching them. Spying. When she saw Carlynes horrified expression, the woman smiled and waved. Hellooo!
Carlyne held her wig and tried not to think about the makeup running in rivulets down her face. Had that been an I-know-who-you-are hello? Or a hey-I-just-love-to-spy-on-my-neighbor wave?
God only knew.
Heart in her throat, Carlyne managed a weak wave and vanished into the house, certain her cover was blown.
No matter. Her two weeks were nearly up, anyway. Shed known it would have to end.
She just hadnt known how very much she wouldnt want it to.
NOBODY WAS MORE surprised than Sean when Mrs. Trykowski called him at the office. He transferred the woman to the speakerphone because he and Nikki were hands deep in the piles behind his desk, looking for a missing blueprint.
Just wanted to tell you everything is going great at the house, Mrs. Trykowski said, as if she called him every day to check in.
Sean exchanged a puzzled look with Nikki and let out a little laugh. Good. Okay. Wellthank you.
Arent you going to ask me details?
Details?
Sure, as in what Melissa is up to.
Well
And lets not forget your live-in.
The nanny, Sean corrected.
Whatever you kids call it these days, she said with a secret smile in her voice.
Nikki looked at Sean speculatively.
Sean shook his head. Listen, Mrs. Trykowski, Im really busy here, and-
Theyre having a ball, you know. Laughing, giggling, playing So, when are you going to marry her?
Marry- He nearly choked. Now just back the truck up.
Nikki, familiar with Seans past and his lack of inclination to go for another relationship, grinned widely.
Shes really just the nanny, Sean said weakly.
Uh-huh, Mrs. Trykowski said kindly. And I just had mind-blowing, head-banging, screaming sex last night.
Mrs. Trykowski!
Well, honestly, Sean OMara. That woman you have in your house, shes the one to make it shine for you, she could fill it with love and laughter-
And fire, Sean thought darkly. Lets not forget the fire.
That woman could really turn your place into a home. Shes no simple nanny, and you know it. Now what I want to know is, what are you going to do about it?
Well, I-
Oh for heavens sake. A disgusted sigh came over the line. Dont tell me youre going to be a male about this. Figures. Another loud huff of breath. Then dont ask me to tell you what theyre up to again, you big, silly fool. And she hung up on him.
I didnt ask you in the first place, he muttered.
Interesting. Nikki was looking at him in a new light. You and the nanny, huh?
Stop it. But he had to admit, Mrs. T had spiked his curiosity. What were they doing? Look, Im going, he said, picking up his keys.
Nikkis mouth fell open. As ingoing to your house?
Where else?
But its the middle of the day.
Yep. He grabbed his briefcase, then stopped, looking at it. No work tonight, he decided, tossing it onto his desk.
Youve never left in the middle of the day before. She watched him walk to the door. Dont forget to invite me to the wedding.
WHEN HE ARRIVED, the house was silent. His heart started a funny, heavy pounding as he moved through the living room toward the definitely empty kitchen.
Where were they?
Granted, he hadnt been around much. Okay, not at all, but they had to be here. Panicked, he ran. Melissa! Carly!
Then, in the hallway, he suddenly heard it. Laughter. They were outside, in the back yard, sitting under the shade of a large elm tree, both looking happy and content.
The sun hit Carlys dark hair and her thick glasses, which nearly blinded him with the glare. Her heavy makeup was firmly in place. And those clothesshe wore a ton of them. A long, shapeless, flowery sundress, a sweater, her usual boots. No skin showed beneath her chin.
It didnt matter.
The feel of her warm, lush curves, the taste of her sweet, sexy mouth were permanently imprinted on his brain.
He couldnt take his eyes off her. He didnt understand that. She wasnt beautiful, not by a long shot. But when she smiled at Melissa, her entire face lit up.
And Seans heart took a tumble.
Melissa had something smeared across her face, and even as he watched, she shoved what looked like a cookie in her mouth, leaving even more of a mess on her face. Yum, she said around a mouthful.
Well, you can thank yourself, Carly told her with a smile. You did all the mixing.
No fire, Melissa said with obvious glee.
No fire, Carly agreed dryly. Ive stayed clear of the toaster, thank you very much.
Uncle Sean! Melissa cried, catching sight of him.
The little pixie rose to her feet, shoved the last of her cookie in her mouth and sprinted for him.
By now, Sean knew what was coming. He spared a thought for the shirt he wore. His favorite. He thought of the chocolate that was going to hit it and probably stain it, and with a resigned sigh, he opened his arms.
She leaped right into them with such faith he found his arms tightening around her in a hug he hadnt known he needed to give.