by Judy Jarvie
‘Not yet. Later.’
Lyle watched as confusion and sadness mingled in her face. He pushed on, unwilling to be delayed. ‘This won’t go away. Can’t I drive us somewhere after you’re done?’
With pursed lips, Maddie nodded. ‘Twenty minutes – wait in your car, use the fire exit and just wait.’
His heart drummed a highland warrior tattoo, an audible danger warning pounding visceral response, a bloodstream rush. All he wanted was a fair chance. No, that was a lie – he wanted to hold her close again, to kiss and taste her sweetness and hear her moan gently against his mouth, hungry, aroused, full of desire. But that wasn’t allowed. Instead he’d have to settle for building bridges and giving it his best shot to convince her he was worth more.
He vowed he would encourage her to throw off those little-girl-lost weaknesses; her doubts in herself. Why did she have such hollow self-esteem? Was it because of the parental disappointment she’d mentioned?
Impulsive Maddie wasn’t so very impulsive at all. She just needed faith in herself. A certainty grew inside him that the only way forward for this woman was proof of trust.
Lyle firmed his resolve to let her take the wheel on where they went from here. ‘I need to talk to you about our options.’
Maddie walked through the shadows to Lyle’s jeep and climbed into the passenger’s seat. Inside the car that unique, addictive scent of Lyle caused renewed longing. The gaze he turned on her was glittering.
‘I’m glad you came,’ he said. ‘I wanted to come and see you but Josh’s travel plans didn’t give me time.’
‘You got my message.’
‘I think we should talk about it.’
Lyle twisted in his seat to watch her. His presence felt even more potent in the confines of the jeep. She was frustrated to find he still fired wild reactions inside her; fast breathing, hardened nipples, a yearning to touch his skin and be touched in return. To salve the sweet ache that burned core-deep.
‘I want us to be clear that an affair isn’t going to happen,’ Maddie began, turning away from him. She took her time, considered carefully before she told him her reasoning. ‘It’s an added distraction neither of us need right now. I’m not looking for a relationship, I don’t want to risk my job or leave. But courting the sparks isn’t fair on your son.’
This was why she’d never wanted to be a nanny in the first place. Limits were vital. If her father had maintained propriety he’d have saved her family huge hurt. If her own family nanny hadn’t crossed the line she’d have been saved the heartache.
‘I won’t confuse our work boundary lines. In my teens I learned hard truths about my father. Affairs in the workplace can spell disaster.’
Lyle drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. ‘Sometimes we can’t just take the quick exit, Maddie.’
‘But we can’t all race like life’s a rally course either, Lyle. Some of us have to be careful. Especially when we’ve seen accidents before.’
‘Meaning?’ His glance grew grim.
‘I don’t make a habit of dating the boss. Tim was different. We knew each other before we worked together. My father, however, liked to demand extra duties of the staff.’
Lyle glared like a wild lion riled. ‘The kiss wasn’t an assumed perk. Maddie, you’re an attractive woman. I’m attracted to you and the chemistry’s mutual, admit it. Don’t make me sound like an opportunist.’
Maddie scrunched her hair in her hand. She was trying to be fair and honest. Sure, her hormones yelled at her to act on the attraction to Lyle. But the last thing she needed was complication.
It was just a kiss. They could get over this.
‘It was a kiss. That was all. We should leave it there.’
‘I imagined the sparks, then?’
‘Yes, there’s a spark.’ She let out a slow breath, ‘My last boyfriend was a love rat. My father hurt my mother with his string of affairs and she planned to leave him. When Dad learned Mom had cancer he backtracked. Mom’s care took priority. It didn’t rub out the hurt. Look, can we just skirt this? You’re a hot guy and I like you. It would be easy to just live in the now but I have a conscience problem with that.’
Lyle watched her. ‘Maddie.’ He blew out a sigh. ‘Why didn’t you tell me this before?’
‘The skeletons in my family attic are pretty grim. Hardly chit-chat material.’
Why did the air still have to feel so charged with him sitting beside her? Why was she so very aware of the man, the attraction that pulsed – why was her mouth instructing a back off while her body hollered unheeded for more?
‘I respect your discipline in keeping your distance. I’m sorry about your parents’ problems and about your mother.’ He shoved long fingers through that thick, midnight hair. ‘Attraction needn’t be a problem.’
Maddie kept the inner tornado tight. ‘One of Dad’s affairs was serious. The truth only emerged after Mom died. I found them together when I came home from vacation work at the kids’ camp – it freaked me out and I pulled out of college and left Boston. His favourite mistress was my childhood nanny.’
Lyle looked away when he answered. ‘I see.’
The trouble was, he didn’t see the full truth, but she wasn’t ready to admit everything. Her family’s secrets hadn’t ended with her father’s affairs.
‘He’d been cheating on Mom their whole married life and she knew the truth.’ Maddie stared ahead out of the windscreen. ‘She confided in me because she’d intended for us to move to Scotland. Finding out Truda was my Dad’s mistress was an unexpected blow for me. I’ve never talked to him since. I don’t intend to revisit that.’
‘The hardest blows come from those you trust.’
‘I don’t need an affair that mirrors past mistakes. I should never have let you kiss me in the first place.’
‘Or kissed me back like you meant it?’ Lyle reached out his hand to skim the fingers of her hand. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Dad’s a highly regarded Boston attorney. To his colleagues he walks on water. Turns out he and Truda crept under the barbed wire of the rules.’
Lyle nodded. ‘I apologise for my actions. Knowing this makes me feel out of line. But I’m a free single guy. My kissing you wasn’t premeditated. I’m not like your father, Maddie. I’ve never been unfaithful.’
He firmed his grip on the wheel, and his eyes slanted, his chin jutted in challenge. ‘I don’t do no strings affairs. When I had one with the heiress daughter of the huge corporation sponsoring my career it was a mistake. Compatibility-wise, we were doomed. We married because it was expected. I had responsibilities and I stuck by them. So yesterday wasn’t something I took lightly.’
She blinked, looked down at her hands. ‘Which leaves us where we started. Can we put it behind us? Reach an agreement for Josh’s sake?’
‘Emotions were high and we’re both human. Consenting adults.’
‘Consenting adults with a duty to your son. He doesn’t need confusion. Or us being distracted.’
‘You’ll never distract me from Josh.’
She put out a hand and touched his arm. ‘No, Lyle. I’m not changing my mind. The thing with Tim is a warning that I need time before I head into relationship terrain again.’
Lyle shook his head in frustration. ‘I pushed too fast too soon. I can back off. I respect what you’re telling me, though I think what we have is stronger than you recognise.’
She stared at him. Why was he so intent on fighting?
Lyle’s eyes were narrowed. ‘Okay. I can master the attraction. I want you. But right now I need you for Josh. He counts most.’
Something inside her felt buoyed at his practical, common sense approach – and yet something else smarted. An edge of her ego had relished his interest.
Maddie undid the top buttons of her coat. The car heater temperature had spiked and sweat stuck her uniform to her back. Plus being around Lyle sent her thermostat crazy.
Especially when those grey eyes met hers.
; ‘Give me another chance, Maddie?’
‘As long as you’re in agreement about stepping back from an affair. The kiss is history.’ She smiled hesitantly to show her willingness to try. ‘We’ll just forget it happened.’
Lyle reached over and turned the heating off. ‘I need your help on something and it may give us the distraction we need. The Grassmarket Ice Café launches in nine days and is way behind schedule – can you step in while Josh is away?’
Lyle watched her. His grey irises caused silver sparks that electrified her.
‘I’ll give you all the space you need. Take the job if you want it. I know your skills and that you can do it justice. But you have to decide what’s best for you. Your input on the Brewster thing shows me you’re capable but I won’t force you either. Especially in view of the fact I’ve upset you.’
‘I’m not upset. I’m being pragmatic, that’s all.’
Maddie was conscious of his broad shoulders, that the cut of his suit emphasised his build, how his jaw flexed in tension. ‘Don’t judge me too harshly because I acted before thinking. Give me a second chance like I did for you at the café.’
‘Nine days isn’t long,’ she added.
He slanted his head to the side. ‘I have faith you can turn it around, if you choose to accept the offer.’
Lyle’s profile was stark against the lamplight shadows cast through the window. Both of them were finding a way through the darkness. Negotiating obstacles with care.
‘I’d like to try, Lyle and I’m flattered you believe in me.’
He swooped like a hawk to coax her. ‘Say yes, then. A pay bonus will help your efforts to secure your apartment. I trusted you with my son. He’s far more precious. I know what you’re capable of and I want you to trust me back.’
‘Agreed,’ she decided. ‘I’ll help you.’
‘We both understand each other.’
She’d prove to Lyle Sutherland she was worth the bet. Solo responsibility and trust plus getting her life back on track were worth striving for.
‘Can I drive you back to the Lodge? Now that you have my word I’ll respect your wishes?’
He’d said ‘professional’ and she’d hold him to it. Nights on the sofa while she waited for the floor to be finished at Marco’s, assaulted by varnish fumes were hardly appealing. Then again, staying with Lyle was just as potentially flammable. But they had to master this for Josh’s sake.
She forced a smile that didn’t run completely true. ‘I trust you back. We’re cool. Let’s go then?’
Lyle clipped on his seat belt. ‘Good. No more mistakes.’
Next morning was Sunday and Lyle tried to ignore the internal boost he got from knowing Maddie was back on side. Perhaps not achieving the agreement he’d wished; but at least he understood her reasons.
After solo breakfast, he walked to his annex swimming pool, robe over board shorts and a towel under his arm.
As he approached the pool, the gentle sound of limbs against water grew more distinct. Maddie had beaten him to the water. Lyle peered over the frosted glass partition wall and watched her emerge, long and lithe, to climb out and shake sleek, dark hair. Seeing her step beneath the shower’s jets dealt a kick-boxer blow to his abstinence vows.
Her black all-in-one suit ensnared him. Second skin glossy and gleaming, it showcased long, tanned limbs and surged his libido to overdrive.
Lyle’s pulse revved – sliding into the water would definitely breach their new code. She might revisit her decision and his promise to her mattered.
After Becca he’d sworn off women. Yet Maddie’s allure and personal charm had him hooked. Unlike Becca, she was cautious. As much as he disagreed with her retreat, Lyle had to admire Maddie’s stoicism. No way had she deserved to be let down by a self-centred father or betrayed by a lover with a roving eye.
He could only hope she’d get past her mistrust. See the interested hormone-responsive man. Yes, he was her employer but he wanted to be more. He’d just have to persuade her to reconsider.
Seizing chutzpah, Lyle opened the swimming pool door, just as music blasted out to greet him.
Chapter Nine
Maddie had just poured a good two inches of deluxe aromatherapy bath crème into Lyle’s spa-calibre Jacuzzi. She’d cranked up the stereo too but what she hadn’t banked on was Lyle, striding in with a face like thunder’s bad hair day.
‘What are you doing?’ he demanded, approaching like a battle scene extra from Braveheart. His speed caused shock to rock Maddie backwards.
What was with him? What now?
Maddie quickly screwed the top back on the bottle and stared dumbfounded. ‘Um … I wanted a spa bath. I figured you wouldn’t mind. You said I could use the pool or gym whenever I liked.’
‘I don’t mind,’ he answered roughly, his expression still far from placated. At her feet the spa bath gurgled and vibrated. ‘What I mind is the fact you’re going to cause a foam eruption. Bubble bath’s a no-no. Haven’t you used one of these things before?’
Maddie was tempted to throw the bottle right over him. ‘No, as it happens. Play centre wages don’t run to fancy spa fees. We can’t all be privileged.’
Lyle’s eyes were dark and accusing when he pushed past her and tried but failed to stop the tub’s jets. Then he pulled out the stereo plug instead.
‘Who are you? The anti-fun squad,’ she added.
‘I should’ve shown you how it works. Especially what not to do, which includes artificial additives. It bubbles all on its own. Look!’
Lyle looked down at the pool and already the tub had a thick mound of meringue topping, conjured by the whirlpool’s blowers. Like fragrant snow it grew and spilled over the tub rim.
Maddie gulped but didn’t meet Lyle’s gaze. ‘I see what you mean. I’d no idea. Couldn’t you have put up a warning poster?’
‘In retrospect that might have been an idea. Or maybe I should have put you in handcuffs.’
Without thinking, Maddie waded into the tub amid the bubbles and tried to flatten them with her arms. In the end, she was waving wildly, swatting at clumps. The gesture just caused more suds to escape and blow around her.
She sighed, standing in the tub. ‘I’m sorry, I’d no idea. I’ve been desperate to try it. Will your pool be wrecked now? I’ll pay for damages, of course.’ She palmed her temple and only succeeded in covering herself with more puffy foam.
Lyle strode to the edge of the tub and helped her back out. When he pulled her to his side she was ludicrously covered in white foam and they were inches apart. In stark comparison he was still dry. And so was her mouth when she looked up at the vision of all man poster-perfect body, his well-muscled arms, chest and athletic legs in full view.
Maddie cursed her own impulses when she realised her robe was soaked, hanging open and dripping around her feet. There were suds balls in her hair.
‘You might have warned me you’re into foam parties,’ he said wryly. ‘There are people out there who’d pay good money to watch you.’
‘Shall I call 999?’ she asked meekly.
Lyle laughed and it proved instantly infectious, causing her to giggle along as she stood dripping and covered in slippery foam.
Nice way to impress the boss, Adams!
‘I’m sorry, Lyle,’ she said, knowing the laughter still didn’t detract from the crimson blush at her own crazy behaviour. ‘I’ve done it again, haven’t I? Like I did in the café. What is it with me and acting in haste?’
Lyle untied her robe for her. ‘You’d better take that off for starters.’ Him slipping the wet fabric from her shoulders made her gulp and shiver. She watched as he threw the sopping garment away. Became ultra aware of herself standing before him in a swimsuit like an unruly street urchin.
‘Is saying sorry enough for you to overlook this incident?’ she asked.
‘No. I want to take the moral high-ground for a bit longer. Make you squirm.’ He scooped up a large foamy wad and split it in two, then put it on her
shoulders. The hairs on her body reacted to the slight contact. She wanted more. And that would be a very bad move.
Maddie removed some foam from her hair and blew it back at him. ‘Wise guy, huh?’
Lyle’s mouth curved with the slightest grin. ‘Just figuring it matches your bubbly personality.’
‘Josh’s daddy versus his nanny in a foam fight. Now that’s what I call while the kid’s away the grown-ups will play.’
His eyes stared down, his body was close. His breath was hot against her, his lips were parted. Her breathing caught fast in her chest like thistledown in a hedgerow. It would be so, so easy to push her hands around his neck and kiss him again, and this time would be richter scale intensity given their circumstances. His eyes told her he knew that too. And just like the night in the den she felt his bewitching spell. She wanted this, badly, so badly it ached and fired her within.
All alone with a foamy tub in a big empty house hung potent. They might be stuck in here for days, writhing around in slippery bubbles totally undisturbed.
Maddie glanced downwards, then noticed his swim shorts hinted at similarly rampant thoughts and the sight took her breath away. This man was big, in lots of ways that mattered.
Covering his discomfort seamlessly Lyle moved away, then handed her a towel. She was wired at what she’d just observed as well as upended.
‘In a way, I’m glad you did this. Shades of the old you,’ Lyle commented. ‘The crazy, impulsive Maddie that drove me crazy – I miss it. I almost miss the mayhem.’
‘It’s a carefully developed technique. I use it to make people feel cleverer than they actually are.’ She bit her lip to stop her giggling again because Lyle had foam clinging to the tip of his chin now and some in his hair. He narrowed his eyes at her laughter, then put foam on hers to match. Even in the aftermath of a foam fiasco the man was still suave and sexily cool.
‘White suits you. So unfair, you’ll age beautifully,’ she commented without even thinking.
‘Will I? Maybe I should dress like this to impress you more often?’