Tempted by Her Boss: The Renaldis, Book 1

by Karen Erickson

  “Don’t lie to me, Paige.” Breathing deep, he rested his hands on his hips, glaring at her. “You used my computer. You left the browser open and I saw your inbox. I know you sent Pavilion your resume.”

  “I—”

  “Why don’t you want to stay with us?” he interrupted. God, he was an ass, but he couldn’t stop the words from coming. He felt downright betrayed by her wanting to go. “We’re leaving for Italy in a week. Matty needs you.” I need you.

  “It’s best that I go.” Her voice was quiet, cool, void of any emotion. “Being here is hard on…all of us.”

  “What will be hard is how Matty reacts when you leave him. How can you desert him, Paige? He adores you.” Matteo shook his head.

  “Please don’t say that. I’m not deserting him.” Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked them back. Damn it all to hell, his heart softened, and he refused to feel sorry for her. She wanted to leave him. “You know I can’t stay here. It’ll be too hard.”

  “Why?” he practically growled. “What will be too hard?”

  “Being near you. Knowing I—I shouldn’t be with you.” She swiped at the corners of her eyes with both hands, trying to stop the tears that slowly slid down her cheeks. “It’s too difficult, Matteo, and such torture. I’m so afraid. What if we became a couple and then eventually we break up? What if you find someone else and I have to watch you…watch you fall in love with her?”

  Swallowing hard, Matteo shook his head. He didn’t want to hear this. He didn’t want to face the harsh, cold realities. “You worry too much.”

  “Someone needs to. What would our potential relationship do to Matty? He’d see us together and then when we’d split and I would disappear…that might devastate him, especially after the loss of his mother.”

  He was floored. She was bravely laying it all on the line. Declaring her feelings for him while he’d rather hide behind his gruff exterior and claim he didn’t want to touch her for fear of a sexual harassment suit down the line. Or worse, that it was just flat out wrong, with she being his son’s nanny and he being her boss.

  But really, he was afraid. Afraid that what they shared could turn into so much more, and that scared him more than he cared to admit.

  “We could try,” he started, his voice soft, but she cut him off with a glare.

  “We shouldn’t. It’s not what you really want. And I shouldn’t want it either.” She pushed away from the table and stood, grabbing her notebook, bending over so she could snatch the pen from the floor. When she stood, her gaze met his, the beautiful blue-green depths turbulent. Full of defiance. He’d done this to her. Pushed her to the edge until she felt as if she had no choice but to leave. “I’m going to bed. Since you already know my secret, I have a nine o’clock interview tomorrow morning. I arranged it so Matty will go on a play date with his friend Nathan. His family lives in the building, you’ve met the parents. I won’t be gone long.”

  “Should I consider this you giving me notice, then?” he bit out, the words taking everything from him just to say.

  She stared at him for a long, quiet moment, her lips tight, her gaze narrowed before she nodded once and offered a quiet, “Yes.”

  And with that, she walked away, exiting the kitchen without looking back.

  Disappointment settled low in his gut. He was losing Paige. And he wasn’t trying to stop her from going.

  Chapter Six

  Paige sat on the floor of her room, methodically going through her clothes. Her suitcase lay open on her bed, two drawers she’d pulled completely out of the dresser rested on either side of her. Even though she didn’t have the new job yet and Matteo hadn’t told her otherwise, she knew deep in her heart she was unwelcome in the Renaldi household.

  She had exactly what she wished for. So why did she feel so empty inside? So lost?

  Frowning, she stood and started shoving everything into her suitcase. It didn’t matter if it was folded or not, all her clothes were going in there. Piled on top of each other, pairs of socks falling to the floor. She bent over and grabbed them, tossing them one after the other.

  There wouldn’t be a trace of her left in this place. She wouldn’t allow it. If he couldn’t so much as say more than one stupid sentence to her when she told him she wanted him, then she couldn’t stay. The man was in complete denial, stubborn beyond belief. He made her so angry she wanted to smack him.

  And then kiss him.

  Emitting a frustrated little growl, she went to the top drawer of the dresser and yanked it open, pulling out a pile of underwear and her only other bra. She’d stay tonight, go to her interview tomorrow morning and hopefully they would offer her the job on the spot. She had a good feeling about it and believed that could definitely happen.

  Then she’d hole up at a small hotel and stay until she started at her new position. She had enough money saved so it wouldn’t be a hardship, paying for a motel. Matteo not only gave her a terrific salary, but she got free room and board, which enabled her to save plenty of money over the months she’d worked for him.

  Sadness filled her and she shook her head. Only months she’d known Matteo, and look what he’d done to her. Would she ever recover? Would she encounter another man who drew her as much as he did?

  Probably not.

  A rapid-fire knock sounded on the door just before it was pushed open, startling her. She shrieked, her panties falling all over the floor, directly in front of her very sexy, very contrite-looking boss.

  Cheeks burning, she knelt down to gather them up, mortification filling her when he did the same, his big hands clutching at her lacy underwear as he grabbed them. “Give them to me,” she whispered, holding her other—very empty—hand out.

  If the floor could open up and swallow her whole, she wouldn’t protest. The day kept getting worse and worse.

  He dropped the lacy panties in her hand, his palm settling over hers, his fingers curling around her. She tried to jerk her hand out of his, keeping her head down so she wouldn’t have to look at him. Her underwear was crushed within their grip and she felt like the biggest fool.

  “Paige.” His voice was so dark, so deep, she risked glancing up, caught his espresso brown eyes scanning her face, as if memorizing it. Caressing her with his gaze. “I reject your resignation.”

  Shock coursed through her and she shook her head, her hair sliding all over her shoulders, making her aware that she wore only a tank top and thin cotton pajama bottoms, though he’d seen her in far less. “You can’t reject my resignation.” She tried to pull her hand from his but he wouldn’t let go.

  “Well, I am. You signed an agreement. A contract that specifically states you have to give at least two weeks resignation prior to your finding another job.”

  Paige rolled her eyes. “Please, Matteo. Have some consideration. You know this is the right thing, me leaving. It’s best that I go.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” he said, his gaze sliding over her, drinking her in.

  Her skin tightened at his blatant perusal. He seemed…different. Freer. “Then what do you want from me?”

  Matteo remained quiet, not giving her an answer and never loosening his grip. Slowly he tugged, pulling her closer, pulling her into him, and she acquiesced. Oh God, she let him reel her in when she knew she shouldn’t, but his force, his strength was an irresistible draw.

  “That’s an excellent question. One that’s been burning through my mind all night, so tell me—what exactly do you want from me?” he asked, his voice so low it seemed to rumble straight through her, settling between her thighs.

  “You know exactly what I want.” Her gaze dropped to his full lips. If she couldn’t have him, if he forced her to leave, then fine. But she could at least make this one last desperate grasp. It didn’t matter anymore if she humiliated herself. She’d be gone tomorrow. Never have to face him again.

  That thought alone made her heart hurt, but she ignored the pain. Focused instead on the handsome, virile man before her,
his mouth so close to hers, she could lift up the slightest bit and they’d be kissing.

  She really, really wished they were kissing.

  “You want to leave me,” he murmured, his gaze fixated on her mouth, as if he too couldn’t think of anything else but kissing her.

  Perfect. The feeling was one hundred percent mutual.

  “It’s for the best,” she reminded him, though deep down she knew it wasn’t true. She was trying to do what was best.

  “According to you.” He sounded amused, which was better than angry, so she wasn’t complaining.

  “You’re right. According to me.” If he didn’t kiss her soon, she’d scream. Or make a fool of herself, dive toward his delicious lips and attack him.

  Matteo chuckled, loosening his grip on her hand. He plucked the two pairs of panties from her palm and held them up for his inspection. “Pretty.”

  Luckily enough, she hadn’t dropped pairs of her older granny panties. This was bad enough. “Give me those.” She reached for them, but he held them above his head. And was that a smile on Matteo Renaldi’s face?

  Unbelievable. His behavior was so unusual, but she certainly didn’t want to question him or look like she was complaining.

  No, she wanted to go with it. Wanted to revel in his carefree behavior. In him.

  “Matteo,” she whispered, shocked that he was acting this way. Gone was the stoic, serious boss. This…stranger was smiling at her, laughing as he kept her underwear away from her.

  “Come and get them, Paige,” he teased, the mysterious light in his eyes taunting her.

  That did it. She lunged for him, sending them both tumbling to the floor. Matteo landed on his back, Paige sprawled on top of him, and he grabbed hold of her waist, slinging his arm around her back, keeping her in place. She squirmed against him, pressed her hands against the solid wall of his chest. “I can’t believe you,” she muttered between harsh breaths, shocked at the surge of irritation that had taken over her and sent them both toppling.

  “What? You’re the one who threw yourself at me.” He chuckled again when she fumed. “You’re very beautiful when you’re angry, bella,” he said, his voice gone devastatingly serious. And dangerously seductive.

  Her anger evaporated at his words. They lay together on the floor, their legs tangled, their faces so close she could feel his warm breath waft across her face. She licked her lips, trying to say something, anything to ease the tension between them and he exhaled heavily, his hard-as-a-rock chest pressing against her with the movement.

  Making her achingly aware of just how close they were.

  Her lacy panties were on the floor, flanking either side of Matteo’s head. A giggle escaped her at first sight of them and she clamped her lips shut, but she couldn’t contain it. Another giggle burst forth and she tilted her head down, her forehead pressed against his chest.

  “What’s so funny?” He loosened his hold on her, his large hand smoothing up her back in the gentlest of touches.

  Everything inside her went loose and warm at his caress and she lifted her head, the giggles gone, in their place nothing but hot, pulsating need flowing through her blood. “My underwear is circling your head.”

  “Forget your pretty underwear.” He reached for her with his other hand, curving his fingers around her cheek. “I don’t want you to leave us, Paige. Matty needs you.”

  Do you need me? “I don’t know if I can take this torture much longer,” she whispered. “What are we doing, Matteo?”

  He pushed his hand into her hair, his fingers tangling with the wavy strands, and she closed her eyes, pleasure coursing through her at his tender touch. The position they were in was precarious at best. Beyond intimate. But he made no move to leave so neither did she. Secretly, she reveled in it. He was built beautifully, tall with broad shoulders and chest. Slim hips, muscular legs. Her entire body sizzled as she pressed against him and she wondered what he looked like completely naked.

  “We’re doing something we shouldn’t,” he finally said just before he lifted his head and captured her lips with his own.

  She fell into the kiss, parting her lips for his questing tongue, moaning when it made contact with her own. He tightened his fingers in her hair, pulling her in closer, holding her firm so she had no chance of escape.

  Not that she’d run from this wondrous thing. Matteo Renaldi. Kissing her. Acting as if he wanted her.

  They kissed for long, languid minutes, mouths searching, tongues seeking. His unmistakable erection pressed against her and she undulated on top of him much like a cat, seeking what he so boldly seemed to offer.

  But she needed to show restraint. She couldn’t behave the wanton, as silly and old fashioned as that sounded. She wasn’t even sure of her place in his life, his household. This kiss, this moment changed nothing.

  He could still ultimately deny her by not taking this further. And she would still be devastated by such a loss. Her plans could not deviate, despite this kiss, the sweet way he talked to her, treated her. She would go to the interview tomorrow morning and she would leave him. Forever.

  She had to.

  He could drown in her taste, in the silky feel of her tongue gliding against his. Christ, he could kiss this woman for hours, until their jaws ached and their lips hurt, the sort of endless kissing that he hadn’t experienced since he’d been a teenager. She tasted like perfection. Her slender body molded to his as he mapped her curves with his wandering hands, wishing he could have her naked again.

  Knowing against all hope it would be a mistake.

  But that didn’t stop him from kissing her. Touching her, slipping his hands beneath her shirt to caress warm, soft skin. She moaned against his mouth, a little needy sound, one that went straight to his cock, and he was hard as steel in an instant, throbbing for her. Needing to get inside her so he could lose himself in her soft, welcoming body at least once…

  “Damn it.” He tore his mouth from hers and wrapped his hands around her waist, lifting her off him so she had no choice but to slide off to the side and land on the floor. Pushing to a sitting position, he ran his hands through his hair in pure frustration, almost afraid to look at her for fear of how angry she might be.

  Risking it, he turned to her and found her staring at him. Her eyes were wide and full of shock, her hair a mess—from his fingers. Her cheeks were flushed a gorgeous pink shade and she thrust a trembling hand in her hair, pushing it out of her eyes.

  “I hate how you do this to me,” she whispered. “You want me, you kiss me, then you discard me as if I were some sort of afterthought. I can’t take it anymore.”

  He hated it too, didn’t know what the hell was wrong with him. Why she compelled him to risk it all when he knew he shouldn’t. She was a baby. His employee. And he was a man set in his ways, jaded as hell and in no way looking for a loving relationship. He’d gone through a hellish marriage. Another one was not in the cards for him, and Paige had weddings, babies and happily-ever-after written all over her.

  “All I ask is for Italy, Paige,” he said, afraid he might beg if he had to. Anything to convince her. “Come to Italy with us, help me with Matty while I work and spend time with my mother. I know you two are so fond of each other. It’ll be like a vacation, I promise. You won’t have to take care of Matty the entire time and you could go sightseeing if you wanted. Then when we return, you can go find another job.”

  Her eyes narrowed, shooting fire at him. She looked furious and gorgeous with it. “You make it all sound so easy when really, it’s not. Though I’m sure you have no idea what it’s like, your life has been perfect.” She cleared her throat and lifted her chin, beautifully regal despite her looking like a ravished mess sitting on the floor in her pajamas. “I have an opportunity for a new job now. I can’t just let it go. What if there’s not another one when I come back? Then what’ll I do?”

  “I’ll help you find a job.” He stood, offered her his hand, which she took, albeit reluctantly. The sulky expression o
n her face was adorable, though he knew he shouldn’t think like that. She was angry and she had every right to be. Hell, he was angry at himself for doing this to her. Toying with her. He was a sick, twisted bastard. “I know plenty of people. Someone should have use for a nanny. Or I could always hire you at Renaldi.”

  “No,” she said vehemently as he pulled her up. She shook her head, her expression determined, and she stepped away from him, gaining distance. He missed her immediately. “Absolutely not. I won’t go from your house to your business, Matteo. I can’t.”

  That hurt. Why, he wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t examine it now. “Regardless, I can help you, Paige. Let me do that for you. All I ask is you give me a little bit more of your time.”

  She backed away farther, nibbling on her lower lip. Lips that were swollen from his kisses, and the urge to kiss her again was so strong, he had to fight it off with everything inside of him. “What you ask for isn’t as easy as you make it out to be.”

  He breathed deep, unsure how to approach her. He’d made a mess of it. Wanting her, pushing her away. Needing her for Matty, because there was no doubt, Matty was madly in love with his nanny, and his boy needed her sweet yet firm guidance. “I’ve not handled this—you—correctly. And I’m sorry for that. But Matty needs you, Paige. I need you.”

  She stood there, full of indecision. He could sense it, feel her emotions coming at him in strong, pulsating waves. “I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice small.

  Well. That wasn’t the answer he expected. “Scared of what?”

  “Scared of you, scared of this, us. Scared of leaving you and Matty. Scared of staying. I’m so confused.” Tears shone in her eyes and within seconds her face crumpled as she started to cry.

  Making him feel like the biggest asshole in the world. All those tears, her shoulders shaking, her chest heaving, all because of him. And how he toyed with her, led her to believe he wanted more from her than he was willing to give.

  How he wished he could give it all to her. Everything she could ever want. She was young and vulnerable and a believer in fairytales and he absolutely was not.