Erik poured himself a mug of coffee and sipped at it as he stared out the kitchen window at the Monadnock Mountains in the distance. Usually after his daily seven-mile run, he’d enjoy his coffee over his edition of The New York Times while the house was as quiet as his thoughts. His thoughts were anything but quiet today. Images of a very beautiful young woman had been running about in his head since yesterday afternoon and he couldn’t make them stop.
He hadn’t even been able to enjoy the play with Precious last night. They had gotten home after midnight—not because the play had run late, but because he’d been too shaken up over that passionate kiss between him and his daughter’s new nanny to come back to the house.
He’d gone to visit his mother, who was always happy to see her only child and grandchild. She was up late, packing for her annual three-week cruise to the Caribbean with her friends, and since she was leaving in two days, she’d assumed he’d come to say goodbye, and didn’t question his late and impromptu visit.
His mother had put her life on hold to help out with Precious while he was searching for Holly’s replacement, so it was no surprise that she’d thrown her hands in the air and exclaimed, “It’s about time, Erik!” when he told her he’d hired a new nanny.
If she only knew the new nanny wasn’t old, but an attractive, irresistible temptress, who’d already managed to wiggle her way under his thick skin, his mother would have brought out the champagne. After all, she’d been badgering him about remarrying and giving her more grandchildren before she was too old to spoil them.
He could tell her that since he had no intentions of marrying again, Precious was the only grandchild she’d ever have and that she should enjoy her all she could. But that would be cruel, so he indulged her and told her she would have all the grandchildren she wanted when he found the right woman, to which she always responded, “Fastidious as you are, that’ll probably never happen. It’s a miracle that Cassie managed to land you.” The woman just could not be pleased, he thought, an affectionate smile spreading across his face.
Erik tensed as he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. It was too early for either Mrs. Hayes or Precious to be up, so he knew it was Michelle. She was an early riser, he thought, a bit disconcerted that he’d have to adjust his morning routine just when he’d finally gotten used to it.
He turned when the footsteps halted and a soft gasp echoed behind him. Michelle was standing under the arch separating the kitchen from the dining room. Thank goodness she was fully dressed in jeans and a far less revealing shirt than the one she showed up in yesterday. They looked clean, but a bit rumpled and faded. He hadn’t suggested it, but he hoped she’d go shopping today for the new wardrobe she needed so badly. He’d given her quite a bit more than a month’s salary, and he hoped her pride didn’t get in the way of making herself presentable.
“Hi. Good morning,” she said, her eyes darting around the room as if to confirm they were alone. “Um… I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll go back upstairs until you’re gone.” Her gaze flittered apprehensively over his damp shorts and T-shirt clad body.
What a picture he must make, he thought half amused, even as he marveled at the impeccable smoothness of her bare skin, and the black long lashes flanking those dark sensual eyes. She was one of those lucky women who didn’t need makeup.
He set his empty mug on the table. “Michelle, it’s okay. I was just having coffee. Besides, we need to talk about Precious’ schedule and other things. What better time than when there’s no one else around?”
“You run?”
“Seven to ten miles every day. And I lift weights three days a week at the country club.” He chuckled. “Have to, or else I’ll be as big as your pet bull Calvin. Mrs. Hayes is a wonderful cook, and I love to eat.”
“I noticed that last night.” A faint smile played at the corners of her voluptuous lips, but her eyes remained wary.
She was guarded, Erik thought with a frown. She wasn’t the feisty spitfire that had burst into his study yesterday. Was it their kiss that was coming between them? Damn his blasted libido. “What about you, how do you stay in shape?”
She shrugged. “I walk. When I lost my job and had to give up my car, I learned to use the legs God gave me. But now—”
“Now you have a new job that comes with full medical and dental benefits and a membership to the Amherst Country Club. I take care of my employees, Michelle,” he said with a smile.
“I noticed that. I visited Mrs. Hayes in the guesthouse last night. It’s really nice.”
“Well, she deserves it. Come, sit.” He gestured toward the table. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Please.”
He took his empty mug to the coffee cart that Mrs. Hayes had been preparing every night for eight years. When Cassie was alive, after he returned from running, they would sit at the kitchen table and have coffee and read the newspaper together before he headed out to the hospital. Even after his wife’s death, Mrs. Hayes continued to put out two mugs. This was the first time in two years that Erik would share his early morning cup of coffee with another person. Holly was a late riser—something he’d been thankful for.
Erik poured a mug for Michelle and refilled his. He opened the drawer of the cart, took out a spoon and set them on a tray. “How do you like your coffee?” he asked.
“Just cream, thanks.”
He got the cream from the fridge, added it to the tray, and took it to the table.
She gazed up with a half smile. “You sure I’m not disturbing you? ‘Cause it looks to me like you had a private thing going here.” She pointed to the unfolded copy of The New York Times on the table. “Some people need their solitude to get them going in the morning. Me, I just jump right into the day and tackle whatever it throws my way.”
Erik grinned at her insightfulness. “It’s a welcome change,” he assured her, easing into the chair across from her. He watched as she picked up the jug and poured the cream into the coffee. He loved the way her slender brown fingers with the red painted nails enfolded the long white jug. Sexy fingers. He could just imagine them wrapped around his hard shaft.
“Did you sleep okay on your first night here?” He took a sip from his mug, grateful for the hot bitter sting to keep his thoughts from traveling down a salacious path. Everything about the woman made him think of sexual acts. He never realized he was this sexually deprived.
She shrugged. “I have to get used to sleeping in a strange house and bed, I suppose. You were out late,” she added. “I turned in around midnight, and you still weren’t home yet. That must be the longest running play in history.” She took a careful sip of coffee, closing her eyes briefly as she swallowed the hot liquid.
“Actually, the play ended around nine then we went for ice cream, and finally ended up at my mother’s.”
“Does she live around here?”
“About fifteen minutes away. You’ll probably meet her soon,” he added with a hint of dread at that meeting. His mother wasn’t one to hold her tongue. She spoke her mind, and if she thought he and Michelle were perfect for each other, she’d come right out and say it. Come to think of it, Michelle was a lot like her. She’d probably make Michelle her new best friend, just to annoy him.
“Precious will probably sleep late,” he said. “You should wake her soon after I leave, or it would put a strain on her schedule today.”
“Is she in boot camp? Will she be court-marshaled for skipping duty? Lighten up, Erik. She’s only seven years old. It’s summertime. She really shouldn’t have a schedule. She’ll survive sleeping in one day. I was a kid once. Trust me.”
Trust her. He couldn’t even trust himself. “You know, I know nothing about you,” he said lightly. “Yesterday, I hired you to look after my daughter then I came on to you, for which, again, I deeply apologize. All I know is that you are good for my daughter.” And a damn good kisser.
“Isn’t the fact that I’m good for Precious enough?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“What else do you want to know?”
“Just the necessary facts.” Erik leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. His eyes assessed her softly. He wondered if she had a man in her life, and if she had sex with him on a regular basis, and in what positions she took him. Judging from the sexy sounds she made while he kissed her last night, he knew she could make a man forget everything but the softness of her delicate yielding body. Erik’s jaws tightened at the image of Michelle’s long legs wrapped around the waist of a nameless faceless man. Jealousy cruised through him.
“I am twenty-four,” Michelle said. “You already know from my resume that I have a bachelor’s degree, and you’re aware of my past employment record. I’ve never been arrested. I love music, dancing, aerobics, and of course, children I adore.
“Any family besides your older brother?” He already knew her mother had passed away, but she didn’t know that he knew.
“My mother died minutes after I was born. I never knew her. All I know about her is what Robert told me.”
“I’m sorry about your losing your mother, but it does give you something in common with Precious. At least she had a chance to know hers, even if it was only for a very short time. I’m afraid that as she gets older, those memories will fade.”
“Only if you let them. Even though I never knew my mother, I feel very close to her because of what Robert told me about her.”
“What about your father?”
“He’s dead, too.” Michelle coughed, choking on the mouthful of coffee she’d taken before he popped the question. She reached for a napkin and pressed it to her mouth. She couldn’t believe she’d just told the man a blatant lie. Up until this moment, she’d been an honest, truthful person. Of course, she’d told little harmless lies in jest before, but she’d never lied about anything so important.
She set the mug on the table and starred at Erik. She couldn’t very well take it back now. Dwight Carter had been dead to her for years. But from this moment forward, he was also dead to the rest of the world.
“When did he die?” Erik asked.
“Some years ago,” she answered simply, trying to avoid a specific date she would have to remember. God, what had she done? “And if you don’t mind, I prefer not to talk about him.”
Erik frowned at the bitterness in her voice and the hostility in her eyes. Yesterday, when Mrs. Hayes told him that Michelle’s mother died when she was born, and how she used to look out for a little Michelle and Robert, he’d sensed that there was something else the old lady wasn’t telling him. Did it have something to do with her father? Had the man abused her? What on earth could a father have done to his daughter to make her hate him so much, even beyond the grave?
He’d had a sheltered and happy childhood, and although his parents weren’t married, they had both loved and cared for him. Something in Michelle’s eyes told him she hadn’t been that lucky.
“Is there anyone special in your life, Michelle?” He just had to know if there was someone out there she turned to when the sad memories of the past made her blue. Well, in all fairness these were the type of questions he would have asked yesterday before he hired her if he hadn’t been sidetracked by her beauty, sassy mouth, and provocative attire.
She gave him a sidelong glance and asked rather cheekily, “You mean like a man?”
“Yes, like a man.” You wanted somebody older, someone unattached. That’s why you’re asking, he told himself.
She folded her arms across the tabletop and looked him squarely in the eye. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know what to think. That’s why I’m asking.” Boy, his curiosity had gone way past the need-to-know interview stage. When had this line of questioning become so individual, so personal?
“Why is it important?” She licked her lips slowly as she boldly held his gaze.
Erik rested his elbows on the table and laced his fingers under his chin as he studied her face. This cat and mouse game they were playing sent a hot tide of wanting through him. He’d never had to dance to this catch and release beat before. He’d known Cassie since they were teenagers. There had never been anyone else for either of them. This was all new to him.
Just who was the cat and who was the mouse here?
“It is important because the last nanny got married and resigned,” he said with a patronizing edge to his voice. “That’s the reason I wanted someone older. I don’t care to put Precious through another loss anytime soon. I’m sorry if you think my question is too personal, but I’m just looking out for my daughter’s best interest.” And the thought of another man kissing you, holding you the way I did last night is driving me out of my mind.
Michelle let out a long slow breath and lowered her gaze to the coffee in her mug. Erik’s grilling was getting a little too uncomfortable for her, especially the questions about her father. At least that boat had come to shore without capsizing.
After her talk with Yasmine, she’d gone down to the guesthouse to catch up on old times with Mrs. Hayes. During the conversation, Michelle had discovered that Cassandra Elizabeth LaCrosse had been killed months after Michelle’s father had ruined her own life and disappeared from Manchester.
Since he was hundreds of miles away at the time, it wasn’t even remotely possible that he could have committed the crime. Mrs. Hayes had also told her that the doctor and his wife were very much in love and that Cassie’s death had changed Erik drastically from a happy, sociable family man to a grim workaholic who hardly spent any time at home. No wonder he’d been so aloof when she first met him, yesterday. Yet, she had to admit that something had changed in him by the end of the evening when he unexpectedly and passionately kissed the breath out of her. The man definitely had a volatile temperament, a trait she should pay careful attention to.
She’d heard him come in last night or more precisely, early this morning. As he’d put Precious to bed in the room next door, she’d fought the desire to get up and help since that was her job. But the memories of their hot kiss had kept her in bed. She wondered if it were the memories that had kept him from returning home last night.
It was a pretty embarrassing situation for both of them.
She wasn’t ready to face him last night, nor this morning for that matter. She’d come downstairs to make a cup of coffee, hoping to escape back to her room without running into him. Yet, here they were in his kitchen—she in jeans and a T-shirt, mussed hair, and sleepy eyes, and he in a sleeveless jersey and running shorts, showing off his long strong limbs and muscular torso, and armed with a litany of questions about her personal life.
He had the right to probe her about her family background since he’d hired her to take care of his daughter. He had the right to know if she were psychologically and emotionally fit. And the one about her personal relationship with the opposite sex was quite legit, now that he’d explained his reason for asking.
She brought her gaze back to his. “If there was a man in my life, Erik LaCrosse, I would not have kissed you last night. I don’t mess around. When I’m with a man, I’m with him only. I hope that answers your questions.”
“Well, that’s good to know since one of the requirements of this job is that you sign a five-year contract.”
Michelle balked. “A five-year contract?”
“If that’s a problem let me know now. As I said earlier, I can’t take the chance of another nanny walking out on my daughter. In five years, she’ll be twelve and probably won’t need a nanny anymore.”
Michelle stared into her coffee mug again. She really had nothing else planned for the next five years. So what the heck? “Okay, I’m yours for five years.” By that time, she should have her own life back on track and ready to move on. It was a win-win situation.
Erik surveyed her quietly for a moment. The fact that she was unattached and available didn’t make him feel any better. It just sealed his fate. He could have her if he wanted her. And he did want her, more than he cared to admit. He pushed back his chair and stood up. “Very well, then, if you’ll come with me to the study, I’ll give you Precious’ itinerary. She’s a busy little girl. I hope you can keep up with her.”
“I better.”
A slow smile crawled across his face. “You won your bet. The Jaguar is yours. Just be gentle with it, and make sure Precious is buckled up in the back seat at all times.”
“Yes, sir,” she said with a big grin and a soldier’s salute.
Erik’s heart did a somersault in his chest. That smile, those dark magnetic eyes, and those luscious lips were going to do him in.
***
“Can I have some Gummy Bears, Michelle?” Precious asked as the two walked down an aisle in the grocery store where Michelle had stopped to pick up her favorite treats.
“And some Oreos. They are my favorite.”
“Anything you want.” Michelle smiled down at the little girl’s wind-blown hair and soiled clothes, evidence that she’d enjoyed her day.
Precious’ schedule was filled with activities—ballet, music, swimming, theater, and horseback riding, not to mention two hours of reading every day. They were all noteworthy activities, mind you, but it was summertime, and a child ought to be able to relax and enjoy life for a couple months out of the year. And beside, Precious was scared of horses. But her father was too wrapped up in himself to notice.
Michelle believed Erik loved his daughter and wanted the best for her, but knowing that some of the best things in life were free and spontaneous, she’d ignored the itinerary. Since she had to go to Manchester to get the rest of her stuff from Yasmine’s apartment, she saw no harm in canceling Precious’ classes and taking the little girl to her old neighborhood playground where she spent a couple hours playing with Yasmine’s nephew, Peter, and some other kids.
Michelle knew she might catch hell from Erik for her impetuous behavior, but what was done was done. The important thing was that Precious had a great time, and she’d found a new friend in Peter.
“Grandma! Grandma!”
“Wait, Precious!” Michelle raced after the vanishing figure and turned a corner to see Precious enveloped in the arms of a woman who looked young enough to be her mother.
“How’s my favorite granddaughter?” she said, grinning at Precious.
So this was Erik’s mother?
“I’m your only granddaughter, Grandma.” Precious giggled.
“Yes, you are. But you’d still be my favorite even if I had a hundred.”
“Oh, Grandma.”
The woman stared at Michelle. “Is this your new nanny?”
“Uh-huh. Her name is Michelle.”
A subtle smile lit her face as she lowered Precious to the floor. She held a hand out to Michelle. “I’m Felicia, Erik’s mother.”
“Hello, Mrs. LaCrosse.”
She chuckled. “No dear, I’m not Mrs. LaCrosse. It’s Felicia Ryce, but you can call me Felicia.”
Erik’s mother was tall, with bouncy, black shoulder-length hair. She didn’t look anything like a grandmother at all. She was classy and beautiful with a face that reminded Michelle of Diahann Carroll. Her smile was warm and genuine, as was her handshake. But why was her name Ryce and not LaCrosse like Erik’s? Precious had told her about her two grandmas, Felicia and Danielle. She knew Erik’s father was married to Danielle and living in the resort mountain town of Granite Falls. She’d assumed that Felicia had kept her married name after divorcing Erik’s father—lots of women did that. Perhaps she’d remarried to somebody named Ryce… No, there was no ring on her finger, so…
“How do you like the job so far?” Felicia asked.
“I just started yesterday and I’m tired already,” Michelle said, giving the woman a wide smile. “Your granddaughter has more energy that a fully grown thoroughbred.”
Felicia grinned. “I know what you mean. You definitely have to take your vitamins to keep up with Precious.” She frowned as she inspected her granddaughter. “Why is she so dirty? She looks like she needs a good scrubbing.”
“I went to the park, Grandma. And it was so much fun, and I met Yasmine and Peter. He taught me how to spit, real far. You want me to show you?”
“Not in the store, baby. You only spit outdoors. Aren’t you supposed to be at piano right now?” She directed her question to Precious, but her eyes were centered on Michelle.
“I canceled her lessons,” Michelle said with quiet emphasis. “She was out late last night and I thought she needed a day off from her rigid schedule. Erik said they stopped by to visit you.”
Felicia started laughing, almost doubling over with the humor.
Michelle frowned, wondering what on earth could be amusing the woman so.
“They did, and now I understand why he didn’t want to go home,” she said, sobering up a little. “Precious, baby, why don’t you go to the end of this aisle and get your grandma two cans of tomato soup, and a can of lentils? Take your time.”
She gave Michelle a whimsical grin when Precious was out of earshot. “I like you already. It’s about time a woman stood up to that boy of mine. My son is a wonderful man; he was a great husband, but Lord he could be so bloody demanding, has been since the day he was born.”
Michelle recalled the feel of Erik’s firm lips on hers last night, and his strong arms pinning her to his hard lean body as he kissed her into submission. He was indeed demanding. A shiver ran up her spine as she pictured herself lying beneath him, naked and submissive, as he took her, hard and fast. God, she didn’t even know she liked it that…
“When Cassie died, Erik didn’t have a clue what to do with Precious.”
She startled as Felicia’s voice pulled her out of her licentious daydream.
“So he signed her up for every extracurricular activity that came across his path. I’ve spoken to him, but he thinks because he’s her father, he knows what’s best for Precious. He couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“I know,” Michelle agreed, wondering what the woman would think of her if she knew what she’d been thinking about her son a moment ago. “Precious doesn’t even like horses.”
“Cassie loved them. She rode almost every day until she got pregnant with Precious, and never after she was born. She had a new second love.”
Michelle guessed Erik must have been her first.
“I loved Cassie. She was a sweet soul, but too submissive. She never stood up to Erik. She wouldn’t even give him a good argument.”
Michelle’s mind wandered back to the previous night and the story Erik had told her about the night his wife died. If Felicia was right, then the late Mrs. LaCrosse must have felt awfully trapped in that car with her husband pelting her with questions. No wonder she wanted to escape. Michelle felt a bit of sympathy for the dead woman.
“I’m afraid Precious is very much like Cassie,” Felicia said. “She loves her daddy, and would do anything he asks. Holly used to complain about his high demands and expectations from her, but she was too scared to say anything to Erik, or do anything this drastic.”
Michelle stiffened her back as the enormity of her actions finally hit her. “You think he’ll fire me?”
Felicia gave her that once over again. “Fire you? I don’t think so. Precious is the most important thing in the world to my son. He would cut off his right arm to see her smile. She’s smiling again, thanks to you. He wouldn’t mess with that.”
“It’s good to know I have an ace up my sleeve then.”
Felicia patted her arm as Precious headed back down the aisle toward them. “He isn’t going to like it, not one bit. He’ll holler and beat his chest like the dominant male in an ape colony, but you stand up to him, you hear?” She smiled lovingly at her granddaughter then crouched down to kiss her forehead. “Grandma has to go, baby. But I’ll be seeing you when I get back from my trip.” She turned to Michelle. “Remember what I told you,” she said and took off.
“Your soup, Grandma,” Precious called, running after her.
“Take them home to your daddy. He might need something warm to settle his stomach tonight.”
