The Lost Love: A Single Dad & Virgin Nanny Romance (The Hudson Brothers Series - Book 1)

by Emma Vikes

  When I arrived back in the kitchen, Milo and Violet were already eating. We didn’t really use the dining room that much and there was a much smaller dining table in the kitchen that we often used and fitted the three of us perfectly. I sat next to Violet, smiling at her and was surprised when I noticed that there was already food on my plate. “I already told Violet about the picnic at the park with her teammates. Do you need help with preparing the basket?”

  I shook my head. “I thought that maybe we should just bring sandwiches and fruits and some chips.”

  Violet turned to her Dad and I couldn’t help but admire how easily it was for a child’s heart to forgive because there wasn’t any trace of indifference with her now when it came to Milo. “We can squeeze in one game, Dad!”

  Milo chuckled and nodded and the two of them offered to do the dishes before they played and I started making the sandwiches and slicing the fruits and putting them in a box. Once I was done, I changed into a pair of pants and called on Milo and Violet that everything was ready. Milo offered to drive the truck- since we couldn’t really fit in his car- and I was about to get in the backseat when Violet dashed inside when I opened the door and pointed on the passenger seat that was empty. By now, Milo was in the driver’s seat, waiting for me to get in expectantly.

  I got in and the entire drive to the park was filled with Violet signing Disney songs off-key with her Dad, and me laughing at the two of them. We reached the park and Milo took the picnic basket, while we searched for where Vi’s team were. Coach Austin waved us over and Coach Vanessa gave Violet and me a hug when we reached them while Milo shook Austin’s hand.

  “Glad you could come, Mr. Hudson,” Coach Vanessa said, flashing him a smile and ‘heart’ eyes. Clearly, someone was developing a crush on Violet’s Dad even if this was the second time they’d seen each other. My eyes narrowed and I made my way to the other parents while Violet went off to play with her teammates. Milo stayed and chatted with the two coaches.

  “Seems like Coach Vanessa is smitten with Violet’s Dad,” one of the mother’s stated the moment I sat down next to them. I glanced briefly at Milo and Vanessa, at the exact time that Vanessa slightly slapped him on the shoulder, giggling at whatever Milo said, “I thought Violet mentioned he was always busy.”

  “He’s trying not to be now for her,” I answered, unpacking the picnic basket I had when I heard a whistle and Austin informing the dads that were present that they should have a game with each other. Milo was the first one in the line, dragged by Violet, of course. “He’s been really good recently.”

  I didn’t want to be specific on how recent. It was only recently since I was aware that parents’ talked and the last thing I wanted was for Violet to feel self-conscious if the other kids found out that her Dad was being talked about behind her back. “Oh wow, he’s actually really good.”

  I hadn’t realized that they were already playing and Milo’s team was in the lead. I wasn’t also surprised that he was in the skins. A part of me knew that Vanessa had something to do with this and I glanced at her and her eyes were soaking in how finely built Milo was which made my blood boil.

  Woah, okay. Hold up, Megan. He’s your boss! If he dates Vi’s coach, that’s his call.

  But Vanessa wasn’t the only one enjoying the view that Milo was giving because everyone else was swooning at him too. And I was also one of them. My eyes followed him on the field and watched as he dodged the rival team, passed the ball to a teammate, caught it whenever it was passed on to him and scored every time he kicked the ball to the goal. It was easy to see who taught Violet how to play because it was clear that Milo loved the game too.

  “Oh Megan, I hadn’t noticed your hair! Did the salon agree for you to do it by yourself?”

  I nodded and smiled, touching my hair. “Yes. But in exchange that I need to cut for them on my free time which I still need to check with Milo on. I was planning on doing it today but they insisted I come.”

  Well, technically they didn’t insist that I go with them but after the whole encounter with Milo in the kitchen, I wasn’t sure what I was meant to do so I just went with them anyway. I was too busy discussing with one of the moms that I didn’t see the soccer ball flying in my direction and it took everyone screaming at me to register what was going on until the ball hit straight on the face.

  It bounced against my head and I cussed out in pain, my hand automatically flying to my head until I felt someone taking my hand off of the area and then placing something cold on it. When I looked up, worried gray eyes stared back at me. “How bad does it hurt?”

  I blinked, unsure if it was concern I heard laced in his voice. “Just a little bit.”

  But when Milo moved his hand, I cringe, the pain shooting up all around my head. Milo sighed. “I think we should head home.”

  “But the picnic’s not done yet!” I protested and then noticed that Violet was beside Milo, looking at me with the same worry that filled her father’s eyes. In that moment, they both looked eerily alike. “Violet hasn’t even eaten lunch.”

  “I can eat at home,” Violet said softly and then reached to touch my hand. “Let’s go home, Megan. I want you to rest.”

  Both of them were looking at me with such concern and it dawned on me that no matter how much I protested against them, we were going home. Violet told us she was just going to say goodbye to her friends and Milo walked me back to the car. I sighed, the cold beer still pressed firmly against my head. “You and Vi could stay back, Milo. I can just call a cab or Uber...”

  Milo shook his head and was about to reply when we both heard a distant shout, “Look out!”

  But I was slow to register what was going on because of the pain reverberating around my head and I suddenly felt a hand on my waist, pulling me to the side and felt someone brush by me on a really fast skateboard. When I looked up, Milo and mine’s face were inches apart and if someone could push the two of us, our lips would collide.

  Someone did.

  It was a kid trying to catch a Frisbee, bumping on my back and pushing me against Milo even more, my lips pressing lightly against his in the process. There was a moment where neither of us moved and then I felt his tongue lightly grazed my bottom lip, his hand pulling me closer against him and I gasped at the sudden bloom of desire that blossomed from within me, my mouth opening and his tongue delving inside of me, exploring my mouth. His hand was caressing my back gently, his thumb drawing swirls on my back while my hand went to his natural black locks, the other curling on his neck and I moaned in his mouth.

  It was my moan that brought me back to reality, to the realization of where we were and what was going on.

  Abruptly, I pulled away from him, hastily scanning the area to see if anyone saw us kissing. But Violet was still with her friends and the parents were too engrossed with their own conversations. I looked at Milo who stared at me intently. I blinked, realizing that this was the second time we kissed and neither of us could blame it on alcohol.

  I wanted to say something but my brain couldn’t think of anything to say after that kiss. But Milo cleared his throat and then nodded his head to the direction where Violet was. “I’ll unlock the truck for you and then get Violet and then we’ll head back home.”

  He turned around after unlocking the car and just like that, whatever moment we had was gone.

  Chapter 10

  Milo

  I couldn’t get the feel of Megan’s lips off my head and it had been four days since I kissed her in the park, a public place where Violet was also present and people that knew Megan was just her nanny. I wasn’t sure what I was thinking but it was as if the events of the morning, the desire that had been stacking up within me since the night before, ultimately led me to be unable to control the urge to kiss her.

  I always had the urge to kiss her since the first time I did. I wasn’t sure what it was about Megan. Maybe it was how passionately she wanted me to be there for my daughter, or how she cared about Violet and not
just because it was her job to do so. Or maybe it was because she was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and I couldn’t resist wanting her. There was something about a girl who was capable. Or maybe it was just because there was an underlying attraction I had for Megan in the beginning, when she was simply the girl who told me that things had the possibility of turning better.

  Maybe it was because I always saw her positivity. Whatever it was, she was constantly plaguing my mind and the more I thought about her, the more I knew that I needed to put a fine line between the two of us.

  If I could just remind myself of that line.

  “Mr. Hudson, I want to see you.” My eyebrows furrowed and I stared at the intercom that connected me with Verna. I looked up and saw my brother, Leo, grinning outside the glass doors. His hair was a mop of curly mess and he looked like he hadn’t shaved for months. He was decked in casual clothes; ripped jeans and a gray flannel and if it wasn’t for the same shade of hair and eyes, no one would think we were brothers.

  I motioned for Leo to come in, he bustled inside my office with the same rowdy and mischievous energy that only Leo had. I stood up and gave him a hug and despite the fact that he looked like a hobo, he smelled freshly out of the shower and his hair felt a little bit damp when it brushed against my hand. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you call? How’d they let you in looking like that?”

  Leo rolled his eyes. “I wanted to surprise you when you go home but Everett wouldn’t answer my calls and never gave me your address. That guy is so invested with his work that he’s so much worse than you.”

  He pushed past me and then plopped on my swivel chair, moving it around and getting himself comfortable while staring at my office. “This is better than your office back in Irving. How much do you get paid?”

  I scoffed and didn’t answer his question, taking a seat on another chair. “What are you doing here in Chicago, Leo?”

  Leo pouted and then pushed himself towards my desk. He placed his head on both his arms, tilted his head to the side and looked at me with big gray eyes. “Don’t you miss your baby brother?”

  “Seriously, Leo. When did you leave Africa?” I deadpanned.

  Leo sighed dramatically, pushed the seat a bit back so he could put his long legs on the table. “Two days ago. I booked my flight directly here in Chicago. I intended to go home to Irving but realized that Everett’s the only one left there. Obviously, he was too busy to pick me up or have fun. My fun brother, Julian, is in China so that leaves you and I missed my favorite niece.”

  “Violet’s your only niece.”

  “That doesn’t mean she can’t be my favorite,” Leo replied, grinning at me. “Anyway, you mentioned you enrolled her in a summer soccer program? Maybe I can pick her up.”

  I glance at the clock in my office. It was 3:45 PM and Violet’s practice ended at 4. “We’ll go pick her up together. I mean, you don’t have a car, right?”

  Leo chuckled and pouted. “I was hoping I could borrow yours. Everett said your ride is still to die for and he had the time of his life driving from Irving to Chicago.”

  I rolled my eyes and grabbed my jacket. I stopped over at Verna’s and told her that we were done for the day. Since my promotion, I had the option that I didn’t have to follow through with the working hours and at first, I had every intention of working my ass off every working day that I had until Megan made me realize that by being great at my job made me a very bad Dad.

  Every girl in the office who saw Leo clearly did a double-take and there were whispers that followed us. Leo casually slung an arm around me. “It feels like high school, eh?”

  I nudged him off of me and shook my head. “Those days are over, Leo.”

  He scoffed when we reached my car. I unlocked it and we buckled ourselves in. “So, I’m guessing you still haven’t scored with the hot nanny if you’re still this uptight.”

  By now, I’d lost count on how many times I’d rolled my eyes on Leo since he had arrived. “I’m not sure if I ever made this clear with you, Leo, but ‘scoring’ with Megan is the last thing on my mind.”

  Leo made a sound that was a cross between a scoff and a ‘tsk’ and was silent for most of the ride until we got to the soccer field. I spotted the truck that Megan and Violet have been using since we got here. Leo whistled lowly. “She can drive a stick? I like her already.” He bumped his shoulder with mine lightly and grinned- a familiar smile that told me he was calling dibs-, “and if you’re not going to do anything about that attraction you have on your hot nanny, I will.”

  “You haven’t even seen her,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant but my blood was beginning to simmer and I wasn’t really sure why the idea of Leo flirting and evidently dating Megan annoyed me to the core.

  Leo winked. “Everett might be worst of a workaholic than you but when that bastard says hot, he usually says the truth.”

  The two of us made our way to the field, some of the parents greeted me and I could feel some of the mothers eyeing Leo. My brother was basking in the attention. The idiot loved it when people’s eyes were glued to him. I spotted Megan waving us over and I made my way to her, Leo following behind me.

  When I was nearing Megan, I saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She must’ve thought that I wouldn’t sit beside her since I was basically avoiding the two of us being near or being in one room with no one else. But we were surrounded by parents and Leo was here.

  Violet was at the park. There were so many people at the park but that doesn’t stop you from kissing her.

  Damn it, Milo.

  “Vi’s team is winning. She’s been chosen as captain. Oh! And Coach Austin said he wanted to talk to you about the upcoming game on Saturday,” Megan told me the moment I sat down beside her. Any hint of doubt I saw earlier was gone and Megan was cheering on Violet with such confidence, “they’ve got it in the bag. The other team doesn’t stand a chance.”

  I nodded my head and was about to reply when I heard someone whistling lowly beside me and suddenly Leo was leaning too close to me so he could be near her. “Hi. I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced, I’m Leo, this idiot’s best-looking brother.”

  A part of me wanted to retort at Leo’s statement but I waited for Megan’s response. I watched as one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose and she looked at Leo with amusement dancing in her bright green eyes. “Hmm, I think Everett’s the best looking one. I’ve seen some pictures of the four of you and the other one is eye-candy material too but Everett just shines above all four. He has a winning personality too and I’m sure he’s not keen on breaking hearts.”

  Megan wasn’t watching my reaction when she said that and she was staring intently at Leo. She was waiting for his reaction and Leo recoiled, his eyebrows furrowed and then he looked at me. “It’s the beard, right? Or maybe you need to get her eyes checked, Miles. Everett over me? That’s never been heard in the history of our lives.”

  Beside me, Megan burst out laughing and then she shook her head and she smiled at Leo in a way that made my stomach flip. “They talk about you a lot in Nora’s Salon back in Irving. I was never familiar with how Milo looked but I was aware of how you did. You’ve broken a lot of hearts, Leo Hudson, and you have no idea how many hairs I had to cut because of that.”

  Leo looked absolutely flabbergasted and I chuckled. “I never mentioned she used to be a hairdresser in Irving and I’m sure you’re aware of this but never gave it much thought but Leo, girls’ talk.”

  My brother pushed his hair out of his face as he stared at Megan, shaking his head. “Hey, I’m sure that all the stories you’ve heard about me are complimentary.”

  Megan scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Eh, I’m not sure if burning your pictures would be complimentary in your book.”

  I patted Leo’s shoulder and chuckled. “Ah, dumb player love, Leo.”

  A few distances away, we heard Violet screaming Leo’s name and my brother looked at me, smirking. “At least someone’s
thrilled to see me.”

  He stood up, waiting for Violet to launch herself on him and she did, running full speed and jumping when she was a short distance away from her uncle and Leo easily caught her. This was always the way that Violet was with my brothers, launching herself into their arms. Rebecca always hated it because she was scared that they might not catch her. Beside me, I heard Megan suck in her breath and held it until Violet was in Leo’s arms.

  “Holy shit, I thought I was going to pass out,” Megan murmured as the two of us stood up and made my way over to the two. On our way, Coach Austin called me and while he was discussing with me the out of town game that Violet was tapped to play in on Saturday, my eyes were glued on Leo, Megan, and Violet, watching how Megan fussed over Violet and how Leo was continually trying to test his charms on her while answering all of Violet’s questions.

  Fortunately, Megan didn’t even seem fazed by his charisma.

  “So are you okay with letting Violet ride with us Friday morning to get to the location, Milo?”

  I turned my attention to Coach Austin. I’d barely heard what he had told me but I think he was asking permission if I could let Violet go with the team early Friday morning without my supervision. He informed me that I could head to the location Friday night or Saturday morning before the game started. “Is Megan allowed to come?”

  Coach Austin shook his head. “No. That’s why I need to discuss it with you. The bus will only allow the kids and coaches. Parents and guardians are allowed to follow the bus if they’d like.”

  I glanced at Megan. I had a big meeting on Friday and I really didn’t want her to head to the next town on her own even when she was just as good as I was at driving the truck. “Megan and I will get to the other town probably at nearly midnight. Can I get the name of the hotel that you all will be staying at?”