by Judy Jarvie
Perhaps he just didn’t see? He certainly didn’t interact or encourage it.
Once in the jeep they headed home. At the first set of lights they came to, Lyle turned to confide, ‘Josh’s best friend there is called Lewis. His child minder tells me Brigitta had planned a play date for Friday at our house but I’ve explained it’s only your first week so I’ve cancelled.’
Maddie turned to watch his strong profile. ‘If it’s a standing arrangement, I’m happy to fit in.’
‘I don’t expect you to jump into the breach. It’s only a play date.’
His grey gaze flinted against hers. Awareness skittered through her. Alone together felt potent, pronounced. Josh’s presence definitely proved a useful foil.
She ignored the hyped vibey state of her nerves and took the lead. ‘Doesn’t Josh deserve a little fun after all the personnel changes? C’mon Lyle, it’ll be good for him.’
She knew the importance of peer playtime; as a child her father’s aspirations for her were violin lessons, homework excellence, fluency in French, Italian, Spanish. Funny how her own life had had to be so rule-led yet he’d been able to flout strict codes when it suited. But then she’d only found out about Clark Adams’s other life and other women once her parents had come clean – when it came crashing down like the fake background set in a movie. No substance.
She’d far rather have had the play date fun with school friends over the academic treadmill.
Lyle’s eyes searched her face briefly. ‘Okay?’
‘Sure.’ Yeah right. Something about those bedroom eyes managed to make her fluster, react, feel light-headed, breathless.
‘I’ll confirm the play date since you’re so keen,’ he answered.
The light turned to green and he accelerated. Maddie found her attention straying to a strictly forbidden zone – that worked-out forearm as it shifted the gearstick. The tendons were strong, defined, and it made her gulp back a tremor of desire. As did the way his soft shirt hugged his body and revealed glimpses of chest hair at his throat.
Ack. The man was her boss – not eye candy, or a threat, or a love interest. He had a young son and had only recently lost his wife.
‘Remember, it’s not like I expect you to say yes all the time,’ he concluded. ‘But since you feel so strongly, we’ll go with the plans.’
Saying yes? Don’t even go there – I might say yes to dangerous things.
Maddie pushed on in an effort to convince herself more than anyone. ‘I’m here to enable you to get on with your day job. I know how important it is to you, Lyle, and I want to do my best for Josh.’
‘My son ranks first on my priority list. Even though right now the business tasks are stacking up, Josh is number one.’ She focused on her own hands to calm her pulse down but that didn’t help. Not when everything about Lyle smacked of raw, vital man and her body reacted so strongly. ‘He’s a great kid. He’s had a rough start. We have to make things work out now.’
‘You’ve both had a rough time.’
‘Becca, Josh’s mother, died in a car accident. It was a shock to us all.’ Lyle kept his eyes on the road. His fingers were flexed hard on the steering though. ‘Stuff happens. You deal with it. You don’t really have a choice.’
‘I’m so sorry.’ With a big effort at calm ease, Maddie shrugged. ‘You have a wonderful son. Josh is a prize to be treasured.’
‘I know. I’m lucky. Especially lucky that Josh wasn’t with Becca in the car when it happened. It could so easily have been the case.’
Seconds passed in silence at the serious implications of his words.
‘So,’ Maddie tried to lighten the conversation, ‘the play date is a welcome distraction. Then you can go to work tomorrow knowing normality has resumed.’
The more bodies – even little ones – around the better. Especially if they stopped her looking, noticing, glancing. Staring at his arms, or other parts of Lyle Sutherland. Scottish single daddy with notable assets.
Lyle stared hard. His thoughts ran deep.
His new temp nanny had a magic touch. She’d proved it today: amazing delicious, healthy supper with a high hidden vegetable content and Josh had even cleared the plate. A miracle.
She’d coped with his son with consummate proficiency, encouraged him to be creative with a pre-dinner art activity too. Right now she was in her room, sorting out her things, claiming she wanted organisation time and was making calls. She’d spent earlier hours scanning the closets of Acorn Lodge under the pretext of planning and working out Josh’s schedule.
Subtext – avoidance strategy. Oh yeah, he’d guessed as much.
Was he really that scary?
Or was she that intent on not blending in? Maybe he was long past blending in with? Maybe that’s what losing a wild, reckless wife, who’d caused him a truckload of sleepless nights and childcare battles, did for a man? In the doorway of the darkened bedroom, he watched his son, dreaming peacefully in bed. The space rocket nightlight cast a golden glow. His dark curls were a soft halo on the pillow. There was a warm fuzzy feeling in Lyle’s chest in response. He was so very lucky to have him, and Maddie was right. He should quash the doubts and enjoy the now. He might feel tested as a father, but he was entitled to novice jitters – he’d get there.
Home was what it was all about and maybe he’d overreacted the week before when he’d told Josh’s Aunt Lizzie that a solo trip with Josh was out of the question. Lizzie didn’t mean any harm, she just needed contact with her nephew. She had been, after all, Becca’s only sister. It needn’t threaten him or jeopardise things. Lizzie had never seen eye to eye with Becca, she’d often supported Lyle in the past.
Perhaps he’d call her soon to explain he’d arrange something in the future, when things had calmed down and a regular routine was established.
When he went downstairs he stared inside the refrigerator; Maddie’s amazing lasagne glistened temptingly under cling wrap. Plus an assortment of other containers with tempting mini-meals she’d cooked up, stacked like neat rations for a small army. Another of her achievements. She’d helped them have a constructive, pleasant day. Organisation was clearly her forte.
Was Maddie an enchantress as well as a woman with knockout looks and the kind of smile that made him want to stride over and kiss those lips? A domestic goddess who managed to disprove his assumptions?
One thing was for certain, a faint feeling of guilt lingered at how much he’d resented her presence before.
Lyle felt his brows rise as he regarded the paper effigy of Maddie, as painted by his son before supper. It hung resplendent on the hallway wall and it did nothing to flatter Maddie’s assets – bug eyes, crazy stripy hair. Yet there was something there – tangible energy. Vital, alive, exciting.
Sexy, even in 2D format.
His temporary nanny had made a mark. One he liked. She fought her corner, but she also soothed, energised. As Marco had told him, she was special. She’d suffered in the past too.
There was a noise above and when Lyle looked to the head of the stairs, Maddie was descending. She’d seen him standing staring at the pictures Josh had painted of the three of them.
‘Just admiring Van Gogh’s masterpieces,’ he lied.
‘Better hang onto those. One day they could be worth a fortune.’ She smiled but it wasn’t the full blast Maddie he knew and rejoiced in. ‘I’m going to make a drink of bedtime milk. It’s my big weakness. Want one?’
‘No thanks. Help yourself to whatever you need. I’ve got a date with the accounts in my office.’
‘Don’t stay up all night, calculators are fickle creatures,’ she quipped.
He tried not to notice the hands’ width of bare midriff that flirted with his good sense as she passed by in casual yoga pants and a tight tiny T-shirt. It knocked his sense flat on its back and pummelled it for good measure.
As he watched in her wake the only figure he’d be struggling with was Maddie’s.
Lyle sighed and headed to his office. First
day over without major incident: other than the ones he only admitted to himself.
The next day passed on super-fast speed. Maddie and Josh went to the local play park in the morning followed by craft in the playroom. Before she knew it, it was time for lunch then the nursery run. Then pick up, tea prep and without any further watch glancing the day had morphed into evening. She’d only started clearing away the dinner things when she heard Lyle’s keys in the front door.
The sound of his shoes on the tiles made her look up. Then she cursed herself as blood seemed to pump hard in both her heart and her brain simultaneously. Like fast-forwarding to the action scene in a gripping film without any preparation for the adrenaline rush.
‘Hi,’ Lyle said looking sexier than ever before.
His tie was loosened, collar undone. His crisp, expensive business suit did everything to make her tongue seize up, redundant. The slightly weary look and tired lines only added to his appeal. It gave her an urge to soothe him. To allow him to relax and unwind.
‘Everything okay?’ Lyle asked, throwing his keys on the dresser.
‘Fine. We’ve had great fun. Casserole ready when you are. You look tired.’ She ventured, ‘You do like casserole? I didn’t think to check.’
Lyle smiled and deposited his jacket on the chair back. ‘Love it. Though I need a very long appointment with the shower first.’ He rubbed behind his neck.
Argh. Not good to watch and notice these things so intently.
She itched to sway over and help loosen the muscle cord knots. To pull that discreetly striped silk tie and tug. To feel his firm chest flush against her breasts and give in to the longings that thrummed like a battery fresh from a charge.
Her voice was husky when it came and her eyes darted away. ‘Go, shower.’
Her brain immediately jumped to a Technicolor vision of Lyle with hair wet, flesh outlined through cubicle glass, smiling in welcome, immersed in hot sprays. Inviting her to freshen up too.
Lyle removed his tie then stretched wide and sighed. ‘Thanks. You’re amazing, my guardian angel and Mary Poppins combined. How do you do it?’
‘Years of preparation and dedicated study.’
Did Mary Poppins feel hot under the corset, imagining shared showers?
Lyle disappeared. Yet the marimba pulse jumping inside Maddie lingered. Perhaps she needed her head examining? Or her renegade hormones demanded solitary confinement.
‘Come and play in my room, read me a story,’ Josh beckoned, appearing with a bunch of toys in his arms.
Maddie shook her head. ‘Not yet, sweetie. Let me tidy the dinner things, then we’ll read a favourite story.’ Lyle was taking a shower and she had tasks to complete. Her brain cells to frogmarch into order. ‘Come and play in here at the table while I finish up. Maybe we could sing some songs?’
Maddie filled up the machine and flipped on the switch, heard the low hum as it kicked in. Then she flicked on the oven to reheat.
‘I’ve got a bed in my room the same shape as a racing car. It’s got a rally car bedspread. Come see? Then we can do a story about Ritchie The Rally Car. I can show you all dad’s trophies too if you like? We could play racing?’
Josh whirled around on the spot. Boy, this kid had turbo energy and enthusiasm.
Maddie skilfully deflected. ‘You’re one lucky boy to have such a special room. And a clever dad.’
‘Come now,’ Josh urged, grabbing her fingers and pulling hard on her arm. ‘Dad loves to get into bed with me, he says my bed’s better than his.’
An image of the pair sprinted through her brain. Both with hair soft and dark, snuggled and warm and adorable together by soft lamp light.
Just as a real father should be.
‘Come on, Maddie.’ Josh pulled her ever closer to the door.
The insider insights on Lyle caused her resolve to wither the nearer Josh dragged her to the hallway. Would giving in hurt so very much? She was here, after all, to forge a link. Not deflect and back off as her father had.
She raised her hands in surrender. ‘Okay. Okay. Show me this super bed.’
Josh raced up the sweeping staircase ahead of her. She’d noted over the past few days that Lyle clearly didn’t do things by halves. The whole house was completed in bespoke luxury all the way.
Josh ran off down the grand hallway towards his bedroom. She followed – then paused as movement caught her eye passing a doorway.
Whoosh – the oxygen in her lungs expelled on instinct in one fell swoop just from glancing on autopilot. Six feet three of semi-clad gorgeous male arrested her interest and handcuffed it to the wall.
Lyle stopped drying his hair with his towel, inquiry in his gaze.
Then smiled and her heart bungeed.
Bare-chested, bronzed defined torso. A towel around his waist, inquiry in his eyes. Super-hot daddy alert.
‘Okay?’ he asked, tossing the wet towel aside and finger combing. She gulped. His voice was soft but rough too. Just like the image before her. The dips and planes of his body made her mouth go dry. Her fingers itched to touch it. Smooth skin, rugged lines, velvet voice, edgy promise.
Moisture clung to skin. Droplets glistened on pristine pecs. An intriguing sweep of dark hair led her eye downwards to the towel’s bunched knot – Maddie skirted it all with a mental skid.
Awareness twirled as Maddie cursed her own impropriety. She should’ve stayed in the kitchen, out of harm’s reach. What had she been thinking? The unintentional yet unmasked voyeuse inside blushed crimson. The sensible ethical woman inside knew she’d crossed a very tricky line. But this time her tongue was glued. Her voice sounded croaky, as her body battled with the dizzy heat.
‘Just seeing Josh’s room. He insisted.’ Perspiring inside her clothes now, she felt his full force heat consume her.
‘You’re allowed to explore. It’s me who’s inappropriately dressed, I promise to do better in future.’
No involvements, no regrets. Remember that.
Maddie tried to push herself on. But somehow she couldn’t move, even though she knew that’s exactly what she should do. Fast. Their gazes fused. That look put some kind of optical zoom into action. Slow motion pulsing attraction. Tiny sparks of awareness made her hot and flustered as her nipples peaked against the cotton of her top in a physical betrayal.
These feelings would have embarrassed her had it not been such a surprising, full force reaction. Like turning around and finding you’d come up against a high seas wave assault. When all you had was a swim-float.
‘Sorry for intruding.’
Is this how a hot, too intimate to weather fling with the boss started? Inappropriate glimpses that led in unwise directions? Was this how her father had worked his magic?
‘I can hear Josh calling you,’ Lyle nodded.
Her heart thudded hard, her skin tingled and her body screamed positive response. Her brain yelled abuse for not staying in the kitchen. For not succeeding in making her pulse behave.
‘Come on Maddie, slow coach!’ Josh shouted from the room ahead.
‘Coming.’
‘You may take the stern route with me,’ Lyle smiled, ‘but clearly my son has you around his little finger. Maybe I should be taking lessons?’
Lyle flexed to reach for a fresh towel and the glimpse of taut muscles was gasp-worthy. He looked up and caught her watching.
‘Lessons in closing the door properly. The workouts you don’t need help from anyone with. You’ve been pulling trucks after all,’ she bluffed.
She saw him smile but Maddie knew her beetroot red blush wouldn’t fade with mere bravado. He’d seen the naked lustful nanny unveiled. He’d caused her to get flustered.
Where was sassy Maddie, the woman never without a quip?
She rubbed her brow with a trembling finger. For the foreseeable future she had to back off. If she didn’t, it would be the nail in the coffin of yet another job. Ethical suicide.
She’d just have to tread with care and keep her mouth zipped tigh
t shut.
Lyle pounded the drive’s gravel. But solace was in short supply; midnight jogging was hardly a pursuit of the sane. Losing the brain in physical exertion via running, even at midnight, was far preferable to duvet-wrestling with a pillow that had lost all comfort spots.
Was he crazy? Overworked? Stressing? Or was the stalling look in Maddie’s eyes during their shower encounter the cause? Bringing on this new keep fit impetus?
She’d frozen like an Arctic snowflake at the sight of him in a towel. He guessed she probably figured he had exhibitionist tendencies. She’d no concerns, but how to tell her that?
Lyle upped his pace. Pounded, felt his heart pump, his veins throb with the effort. He was on his third circuit of the drive, gravel spraying at his heels, battering flesh.
It wasn’t just her shower shock that had him vibed.
Her absence from the café had left a gap. The flood of enquiries and fond regards to be passed to his fleeting but memorable waitress made her absence more marked. In a short space of time he had missed her sparky irreverence and energy too. He’d seen the odd raised brow when he explained her circumstances caring for Josh … oh yeah, he’d noticed those.
Two and two equals ten. With a lascivious undertone that irked him.
Whose business was it anyway? And why did the judgements bother him so?
Lyle stalled the running, wiped his brow and returned to the house. He removed his sports shoes at the back door, then noticed the pair of female hiking shoes that had been added to the shoe rack, the hot pink, daisy patterned wellington boots alongside.
He stifled further thoughts on Maddie or her footwear. He had to stop, stop, stop thinking about the woman who’d come here to make his life easier. Not jinx his ability to focus completely.
Chapter Six
With her attention firmly focused on Josh, Friday came quickly and with it Josh’s playdate. When Maddie picked Josh up from nursery, he and his friend Lewis were kite-high with excitement, thrilled at the prospect of playtime fun.