She motioned for him to take his son, who was completely out--the expensive scent of floral perfume wafted toward him. “I see.”
“What kind of trouble?” He settled Carter against his chest and his son continued to sleep.
This was a miracle and he owed her at least the chance to explain.
She crossed her arms. “You won’t let that idea go, will you?”
He gave her his ‘I’m the boss’ stare that normally made the workers go faster as he said, “I won’t when I think I’m right.”
Shrugging, she let her hands fall to her sides. “Fine. An ex-boyfriend.”
If she was anything like Alicia, his ex-girlfriend, then the car outside had been bought with the ex-boyfriend’s money.
Maverick wasn’t ready for another gold digger, though maybe he should reconsider--she had skills.
It had been five minutes, and Carter was still asleep. Maverick motioned for her to follow him into his office where he had a bassinet set next to the desk.
His men had returned to their outside duties, and he counted on Bob to handle any other problems. If his son stayed asleep, Maverick would finish his paperwork.
But Carter’s sleeping face was peaceful. Something he hadn’t been since he’d arrived. He laid his son down and turned to the woman with no name. Her nose twitched as she glanced around his office. He gestured toward the well-worn leather couch--it wasn't old, but men on the farm weren’t always gentle which was why he replaced it every year. It was clean and good enough. What would cause a woman to run? Once she was settled, he asked, “Did he beat you?”
She puffed at the air like his words were crazy and stated plainly, “No one beats me and lives.”
A laugh escaped his lips and he clapped his knee. He liked her spirit. “That’s good to hear.”
She glanced across the office and nodded at Carter. “Your son is adorable.”
“I agree. So, let’s talk.” No more laughter, as this was a serious discussion.
If she could work her magic on his son, then he had the manpower to keep her safe from harm. Bob had cleared her but there was no way any man would drive onto his property because of some online ad.
He noticed that she wore a gold infinity pendant with diamonds around her neck and feared Carter grabbing it. She touched the swoop of gold. “You’re not dismissing me?”
Not if she worked miracles. He’d keep his hands off though she was just his type, blonde and gorgeous, and took a deep breath, prepared for the hardest negotiation of his life. “Look, my laundry lady, May, was doubling as Carter’s nanny, who just didn't show up a few days ago, and well, May quit today.” His shoulders bowed beneath the pressure of running everything himself. “She couldn’t take the constant crying.”
The same day he had Bob take down that silly ad he’d posted.
She reached for his hand, sending a spark through his exhausted frame. “I’m sorry.”
He squeezed her fingers and nodded. It was time to lay his cards on the table and find out what she wanted. “Carter wasn’t crying in your arms, like he's done for the past week solid. I’m willing to make a deal with you.”
Her face went white and her gaze narrowed. “What deal?”
The wife position wasn’t on the table, but there had to be something he could offer that she wanted, like protection. And he needed a good night's sleep--he had no choice but to trust her since his son had just sprawled in her arms and passed out. “You see, I’m not a marrying man.”
This time she looked him up and down. The desire to puff out his muscles for her perusal hit him, but he let it pass. “But why the ad?”
Bob had a wicked sense of humor. And now he had thousands of unread emails from all over the globe. He folded his hands between his legs and said, “My foreman put it out there. I’ve been getting offers and tons of emails that I’m not responding to.”
She sucked in her lips like she tasted lemons with his answer. “I see.”
How to turn this around? She’d made the offer first so he said, “You just showed up when Bob gave no address, from what I saw of the ad.”
A faint blush appeared on her face. “My roommate is a computer expert and likes to solve mysteries. Apparently your ad generated discussion in her psychology class and the news articles about a baby being dropped off last week caused my other roommate’s law class discussion on child abandonment.”
“That doesn’t explain how you got my address.”
“The website your ad posted on was secure and the IP address is registered here.”
Heat rose in his own cheeks. He’d never been mortified until now. He'd been the subject of debate in college classes? He hated be part of gossip--it wasn't good for his business. Maverick stared at his hands he'd pressed together. “That’s not good. I don’t want that kind of press.”
Her face went white for a moment, but then she licked her lips and caught his attention to her soft, pliable mouth that probably tasted like heaven itself as she said, “It’s how I found out.”
Kisses were a bad idea for the pair of them. He ignored the impulse and focused his attention on Carter’s bassinet. Quietness filled the room. Once he was sure of his words, he said, “I see. Well, I want to make a deal.”
Her eyes narrowed like she was the one calling all the shots here. Maybe she was… “What’s the deal?”
He held her gaze and didn’t blink. “I need someone immediately to watch after Carter and handle some laundry.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
His heart beat faster. This didn’t seem possible. Not with whoever she was. He swallowed and said, “I can pay you, but judging from your Louboutin shoes you don’t need the cash.”
Her eyes widened as she asked, “How do you know designers?”
Until a year ago, he hadn't, and since then he'd learned that women who wanted those shoes needed to be avoided. He shifted on his office chair. “I mentioned that I date the wrong type of women--your entire outfit is one my ex would expect me to buy for her.”
Her lips pinched together like she judged him as she said, “I see.”
Those words mimicked his dearly departed mother.
He'd developed a reputation among his neighbors from Alicia and clearly this woman fit the profile to a T. “In a way you’re perfect as a distraction in case anyone else shows up and you can pretend to be my fiancée.”
She stood from the couch and glanced down her nose at him. “You don’t even know my name.”
He jumped up and offered his hand to shake. “I’m Maverick Appleton. You are?”
“Jessica Taylor.” She shook his hand.
The spark came again and he noticed how soft her skin was before he pulled his hand away. He ignored the spark that caused his hair to stand on end. “Fancy Jessy.”
She frowned at him. “Jess is fine. I hate Jessy.”
Another laugh bubbled in his throat--the second time today. He nodded and widened his stance. “Okay, Jess. If you pretend to be my fiancée, handle some wash, and mostly watch out for Carter for a few weeks, I’ll give you a place to stay and protect you from any ex-boyfriend of yours that might show up.”
Her voice rose higher as she just blinked at him with wide blue eyes that made him think of the ocean. “That’s all you want? And I can stay here, out of sight and rent free?”
So, she wanted to hide. He’d guessed right. If some man was stupid enough to show up on his property, and threaten his guest, then he had every right to shoot and ask questions later. “I think I'm getting the better end of the bargain. I’ll need someone for two weeks or so while I find the right nanny for Carter.”
Once again, she held out her hand to shake his. Their palms touched for the third time causing a shockwave through his veins, but she just smiled coolly. “Deal. But I don’t want to leave the farm much. Staying here and watching your cutie will be a pleasure.”
Perhaps her magic touch earlier would disappear now that he'd hired her on. He braced against the poss
ible return of earth-shattering cries and gritted his teeth. At least he had an ally. “Carter can be a handful.”
“I won’t let you down.” She bounced from heel to toe and back.
He’d have Bob run a background check on Jessica Taylor, but for tonight, he’d have help. He’d pay a fortune for a good night's sleep again. “Done.”
She then said, “I’ll go get my bag out of my car.”
Without another word she sashayed out of the office. He followed into the hall and watched her hips sway as he said, “I’ll get your bags to your room.”
It was probably wiser to stick Jess clear on the other side of the farm where he wouldn't see her sweet backside, but then he’d have no help when Carter screamed.
So for better or worse, he would torture himself with her proximity. Luckily their deal would be temporary and she’d disappear back to wherever she came from sooner rather than later.
Jess woke up to the screech of animal and then her alarm clock beeped like the alarm and the rooster were in cahoots. So much for dreams of naked muscles. As she turned off the machine, she still heard the crow of the rooster as it passed the window. The sun already shone.
This wasn’t anything like the beach.
As she tossed her blankets back, she laughed. At least no one had woken her like they did in the movies where farm life started before dawn and they expected her to be cooking.
Maverick said he had a cook.
She rubbed her eyes and imagined what he’d look like without a shirt on. He was all muscles, and that slightly long hair would work out well if he was in a band, like her half-brother, Axel.
Not that she should ever think about Maverick as anything other than a job.
She stretched in her blue button-down cotton pajamas before getting out of bed, then smoothed the comforter and fluffed the pillow. The room had a floral comforter that was yellow and blue with white sheets. The furniture was new and painted white. Simplicity ruled here. Maverick wasn’t hiring an interior decorator to have the room match a Monet anytime soon.
Jess opted for a pair of tailored black slacks and a white button-down shirt, straightening the brush and phone on top of her dresser.
At home, servants put away whatever she left on the floor, like magic, but before she’d gone to college, Catherine Morgan had lived for years as Jess Taylor.
Jess Taylor never had anyone to clean up after her. Unpacking her suitcase and tucking her clothes in empty drawers felt like herself again.
Her phone beeped and she realized that she’d left it on vibrate all night. She ignored most of the missed calls because for once she was going to figure out what she wanted, without well meaning opinionated brothers or her two mothers views, but she saw that Brock had sent another text. I expect my money in twenty-four hours or I go public.
And that was why she forwarded the message to security and almost turned off her phone but quickly read Camila’s text. So you’re okay?
I’m fine. She texted back, wishing her friend was close as she looked out of her window.
A trio of men in jeans and plaid shirts stretched by wide muscles the size of Texas walked away from the house, each in a cowboy hat.
Clearly this was another world. Her phone beeped and she stepped away from the glass as she read, Your brother Axel came to ask about you.
Her brothers would send Axel. Maybe he wasn’t half a world away like she’d assumed as she stopped checking his tour calendar, not that it mattered. Valentina had mentioned a few weeks ago that she listened to his records. They might have thought her rock star brother would get the young woman to spill. She trusted Camila, their more normal cousin from LA, who'd spent her life near movie and rock stars and wouldn't be impressed. You didn’t say anything?
Camila quickly typed. Nope and neither did Valentina.
I made sure she kept quiet and I promised Peter I’d lay low. I just want to do this on my own terms, without their help.
I won’t say a word.
Good. Catherine breathed easier and typed, Perfect. I don’t want them to worry.
She heard a baby crying in the distance.
Disappearing doesn’t help that but they know you’ll be back for the wedding. Your silence though is making your brothers come up with reasons you are gone and draw their own conclusions.
Drat, she was right. Catherine’s heart beat faster. She needed her life to be led on her terms which meant she needed to figure herself out, now. Maybe this hadn't been the most thought-out plan she’d ever had, but the sound sleep she'd gotten had been wonderful, her dreams filled with Maverick and his hard thigh muscles in his jeans. I hope my leaving didn’t cause you too much trouble.
The paparazzi is camped outside our doors.
Oh no. She let out a sigh. I’m sorry the vultures are stalking you.
Three dots appeared, signaling that Camila was typing and Catherine waited, though she felt the need to go find Carter. She read the words and breathed easier. They don’t care about me but I’m mentioning my new screenplay. Hopefully that will help the right director notice it.
Footsteps echoed outside her door. Got to go.
Someone knocked at her door. She read the last text from Camila. Have fun.
Catherine stuffed her phone in her back pocket and answered the door.
Maverick Appleton’s shoulders were the breadth of the doorframe and she wished she had the right to grab the baby and kiss Maverick’s lips like they were a real family. The image hit her fast but she shook it off.
He obviously wasn’t having illicit thoughts about ripping her clothes off her body as he looked at her with dismay, a red-faced Carter in one arm. “Good morning, Jess.”
She hoped she hadn't been late, but he hadn't given her a time to start. Carter flailed his arms and she cooed at the baby and reached for him. “You look awful. Here. Let me.”
He handed over the baby and then stared at her as she bounced again--the up and down, back and forth, came naturally. “Did you ever have children of your own, Jess?”
“No.” She thought of her slim hips and all the work she'd put in with her personal trainer. Did she seem like she had her own? Seriously? No matter how hard any of her sisters-in-law worked out they were never in the exact same shape they’d been before her lovely nieces and nephews.
Maverick had circles under his eyes. This baby was so new in his life that she’d give him a pass. She cuddled him close. “I would never leave anyone half as cute as this guy.”
He eyed her figure and her body hummed though she pretended to ignore him. The baby’s little hands gripped her finger and he smiled. Maverick said, “Hmm. I think Carter is a natural flirt.” Her phoned signaled a text. “What’s that beep?”
She pouted, which normally worked to get a guy to stop asking questions. Baby Carter stared at her face like he was studying her. Sweet. She met Maverick’s gaze as she said, “My phone. I’m sorry. I’ll turn it off while on the job.”
He shrugged but then said, “Your phone probably has a tracking app which means that you might be found within hours, if not already.”
Her family’s security was run by her brother-in-law Rafe, which meant they likely knew where she was, but they’d respect her privacy as she told them she’d be back for the wedding.
The press kept tabs on all the Morgan family and might realize that she wasn’t in her Miami condo. She reached behind her, held the button down, and then swiped the phone off. “I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll keep it off permanently.”
He reached into his back pocket as he said, “Okay, come to my office later for a temporary phone where no one knows your number.”
Her hands wrapped the side of his waist to say thanks, but a thrill raced through her as she said with her adrenaline coursing through her. “Thanks.”
He pointed to it and said, “You can call me Maverick. Once you get the phone, you can call me if anything happens to Carter, but I should get to the field.”
She was grateful that
he hadn’t mentioned sleeping late and she made a promise to wake up earlier tomorrow. She smoothed her palm over Carter's bald head and said, “We’ll be fine.”
He winked and her heart skipped. “Come with me.”
His dark hair was thick and those muscles of his would have any woman’s pulse spiking. It wasn’t just her. Right? Her forehead was hot as he walked to his office and handed over a phone. Her lips tingled as she met his brown eyes that made her melt as she just said, “Thanks.”
He grabbed his cowboy hat from his desk and put it on his head to cover his eyes as he said, “Then I’m off to work.”
Seriously? Electricity shocked less, but if he looked at her like that again, she’d forget she was here temporarily and let her fantasies she had near Maverick dictate her actions.
He had a swagger in his step as he walked down the hall and she followed him, then ripped her gaze off his muscular backside. “When will you be home for dinner?”
He turned, his voice low. “We eat early, at five. The chef will have burgers on the table. We’ll be last as he feeds the farm hands first.”
She froze. After she became Catherine Morgan, the only burgers she ate were organic, kosher, grain-fed only, meat. Maybe twice. “Burgers?”
He rocked back on the heels of his boots as if she’d offended him. “If you want a tofu or vegetarian option, just let the cook know so when he goes to the store, he can get you whatever you want.”
This wasn’t good. She didn’t want to come off as Catherine. Catherine had the world at her feet. But the truth was, she wasn’t Jess anymore either. “I’m not a vegetarian. I just haven’t had a burger in a long time.”
He swiped the air like she'd said the absolute wrong thing. “We don’t do fancy around here.”
She used to not be so picky. Born into wealth, she'd lived her life as a castaway until her brother Mitch had showed up, wanting to marry Tess. She needed to bury Catherine, the snob, for a few days--but it wouldn't hurt to add some variety. “I’m sure your cook is great, though it would be nice to have the option to make a few things of my own in the kitchen.”
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