Unexpected

by Jenna Hartley

  “Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate it. And I’ll definitely be taking you up on that offer.”

  She slid off the barstool and ruffled Sophia’s hair. “Thanks, Soph.”

  I grabbed her empty plate and turned to stack it in the dishwasher. When I spun around, I bumped into Alexis. She wobbled on her feet, and I reached out to steady her.

  She sucked in a quick breath when my hands gripped her hips, peering up at me with surprise. This close, I could see that her eyes were a deep brown at the center and fanned out with golden rays toward the edge. They were striking.

  “Preston,” she rasped, and the sound of her voice went straight to my dick. She cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

  I nodded, and with great reluctance, I removed my hands from her hips. I spun, putting my back to her and Sophia so I could adjust myself discreetly. “You’re welcome.”

  I would never admit it to him, but Hunter was right. I was so screwed.

  Chapter Seven

  “This is really good, Mommy,” Sophia said. “You should try it.”

  “Try what?” I asked, pouring a glass of wine for myself. I took a sip and rounded the counter, taking a seat on the barstool next to her.

  It was Tuesday, which meant Preston had the night off. His car wasn’t in the driveway, and I wondered what he was doing. Who he was with. He hadn’t mentioned a girlfriend, but that didn’t mean he was single.

  “This pizza Preston made. It’s delicious.” She took a huge bite.

  I sipped my wine. “Pizza, huh? What’s in it this time?” I asked, knowing Preston’s “pancakes” and “cookies” were often much healthier than their name implied.

  He’d been watching Sophia for several weeks now, and the pull between us hadn’t lessened. If anything, it was stronger. I often escaped to the office to work just so I could avoid him—avoid this insane attraction to him. He was so sweet with my daughter, and Sophia adored him.

  But it was more than that. He was smart and handsome, caring and patient. And he made me laugh. He made me feel like I could be myself around him.

  “Take a bite. See if you can guess.” She sat up straighter, wiggling a little in her chair.

  I cut my eyes at her as I lifted a piece to my mouth. “Somehow, I think this is a trick.”

  She giggled a little, and I took a bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue—tomato, oregano, onions, and mushrooms. Salty Parmesan. It was delicious.

  “It’s made with garbanzo bean flour?” It seemed like a reasonable guess. I knew it was an ingredient Gabby often used when making things for Sophia.

  She shook her head, covering her mouth with her hands as she giggled. “It’s a sweet potato crust.”

  I glanced down at the pizza, which looked rather ordinary. “Really? Sweet potato?”

  She nodded. I took another bite just as my phone rang. Sophia groaned as I walked over to pick it up, expecting that it was another work call. I had a house closing soon, and there were a lot of balls in the air with the lenders, the client, and a few remaining issues that had come back on the inspection.

  “It’s your dad,” I said, holding up the phone so she could see his name. I connected the call and set the phone in front of her.

  “Daddy!”

  “Hey, sweetheart.” Cal’s voice rumbled through the phone.

  “Can you FaceTime?”

  “Um, sure. Give me just a second.” A moment later, Cal’s raven hair and blue eyes filled the screen. “Hey.” He smiled. “What are you up to?”

  “Eating dinner with Mom.” She turned the screen so the camera was focused on me, and I gave a little wave.

  “Hey, Cal.”

  “Hey, Lex,” he said, but he didn’t see my eye roll because Sophia had already turned the camera back on her. He knew I didn’t like it when he called me Lex.

  “I don’t have long to talk, but I wanted to call and say hi. I miss my girls.”

  I ground my teeth. I was poised with a retort, but this was Sophia’s time with her dad. I knew how precious it was to her, and I didn’t know when he’d call again. It had been over a week since the last time he’d checked in.

  “Where are you, Daddy?” Sophia asked, squinting at the screen.

  “Dallas, Texas,” he said. “It’s hot here.”

  “It’s been nice here. The pool is perfect. Will you come for my birthday party?” she asked.

  Sophia had thrown herself into planning it, and Juliana had readily agreed to help. I had a feeling the mermaid-themed pool party was going to be completely over the top. But it was what was expected, and it had given Sophia something to look forward to after Cal had bailed for the summer.

  “Of course I will.”

  Her whole face lit up.

  “Can I talk to your dad for a minute?” I held my hand out for the phone.

  “Here’s Mom,” she said. “Bye, Daddy. I love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I turned my back to Sophia and walked down the hall. “Take me off FaceTime please.” I lowered my voice, holding the phone to my ear. “Why did you tell her you’d be at her birthday party?”

  I could already see it all play out, probably because this was his pattern. This was what he did. He’d promise to come. She’d get her hopes up. And then, like always, something would come up at the last minute, and he wouldn’t be able to make it.

  “Because I will. Lex—Alexis,” he huffed. “I’ll be there. Promise.”

  I clenched my jaw. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “Mom!” Sophia called, darting past me for the front door. “I heard a car. Maybe it’s Preston.”

  “Preston?” Cal asked. “Who’s Preston?”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that Preston was Sophia’s nanny. But “our new neighbor” came out of my mouth instead.

  “Oh. That’s nice,” Cal said, not questioning it further. “I’m so glad Sophia has someone else to play with this summer.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, grateful we were no longer on FaceTime. I could’ve used the opportunity to correct him, but I didn’t want to get into a fight. Not when I’d come to rely on Preston. Not when I’d come to look forward to seeing him every day.

  “Yes. Yes, it is.” I craned my neck toward the front door, hoping maybe Sophia was right and Preston was home. “Look, I have to go.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” He sounded tired. “See you in August.”

  I didn’t respond because what was there to say? I’d believe it when I saw it.

  Sophia returned to the kitchen with her shoulders slumped. “Not Preston.”

  I let her watch TV for a while before going through her bedtime routine. When she climbed into bed, I tucked the covers around her and leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead.

  “I miss Preston,” she said as I leaned back, sitting on the edge of her bed.

  I would’ve been concerned by how attached she was to him, did I not feel it too. He’d become a fixture in our home, taking care of Sophia. But also, taking care of me. I’d lost count of the number of meals he’d prepared, the chores he’d done to make my life easier. He was incredibly nurturing and considerate, and any doubts I’d had about a male nanny had quickly vanished.

  “You’ll get to spend all day with him tomorrow.” That made her smile.

  “He tells the best stories,” she said around a yawn.

  “Better than Gabby?” I asked.

  She nodded, her eyes already closed. “Gabby just reads straight from the book, but Preston makes them up.”

  “Wow,” I said. “Sounds pretty awesome.”

  “Mm-hmm,” she hummed, but she was already half asleep.

  I sat there a minute, just watching her as she drifted off to sleep. My beautiful baby. My Sophia.

  I couldn’t believe how quickly she was growing up. Sometimes it felt like I was missing out. Like I was so busy trying to give her the life she deserved that I sacrificed spending time with her. It was something I grappled
with a lot, but more so this summer.

  Maybe it was because she was home instead of with Cal. Maybe it was because Preston was watching her instead of Gabby. Whatever it was, I’d noticed a shift in my priorities. And I found myself trying to carve out more opportunities to spend time with my daughter. To show her just how much she mattered to me.

  Finally, when her breathing evened out, I switched off the lamp and crept out of her room. I grabbed my glass of wine as I passed through the kitchen, heading toward the pool with my laptop. The lights in the pool house were off, and I hadn’t thought to check if Preston’s car was in the driveway. I reminded myself it didn’t matter; I shouldn’t care. He was my employee, and his personal life was just that.

  The moon cast shadows on the lawn through the palm trees, reflecting on the surface of the pool. I took a seat in one of the chairs and opened my laptop, only to shut it again. I had a million things to do, but with a warm breeze in the air and the water cascading gently into the pool, I didn’t want to do anything. And as I looked out over my beautiful backyard with the perfect grass and the perfect pool, I felt a deep sense of loneliness.

  With a heavy sigh, I downed the rest of my wine and stood from the chair. Sophia was tucked safely in her bed, and most of the things on my to-do list could wait. And the rest—I could handle first thing in the morning. Right now, there was a hammock calling my name. It was a fabric one that was incredibly comfortable, yet I rarely used it. Rarely made the time.

  I padded across the grass, enjoying the sensation of the smooth blades flicking across the bare skin of my feet. An airplane hummed overhead, but it seemed distant. As if part of a different world.

  I angled my head toward the sky, watching the plane as I leaned back to sit in the hammock. I realized a moment too late that it was already occupied. It swung wildly, and we were a tangle of arms and legs, the scent of cedar filling my nose. I knew it was Preston, knew it was his strong arms that caged me in, holding me close. Knew he was the one keeping me from falling.

  The hammock finally stilled, but my heart didn’t. No, my heart clamored against my ribs as Preston continued to hold me long after the threat of toppling had passed. He didn’t move and neither did I.

  I blinked up at him. “I didn’t realize you were out here.”

  He stared at me, and even in the dim light, I felt the intensity of his gaze. “I must have fallen asleep.”

  “I gave you one hell of a wake-up call.” I shot him a sheepish grin. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m not,” he rasped, lifting his hand to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

  “You’re not?” I felt a little silly for repeating him, but it was as if all rational thought had fled my brain the moment I’d found myself tangled up in the hammock with him.

  His blue eyes locked on mine. “No.”

  One hand was tucked beneath his cheek, but he used the other to caress my face. He traced my jaw with his thumb before brushing it over my lips. I felt like I was locked in a dream, an alternate reality. And I wanted so badly to embrace it, to embrace him. I wanted to believe it was real.

  “Kiss me,” I blurted.

  His eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, his breath feathering over my skin. He bypassed my lips, opting to place delicate kisses along the corners of my eyes, over my nose, on my cheeks. His touch was so light, so reverential. And I felt it all the way to the depth of my very being. I’d never felt more connected to someone.

  I relaxed into his arms, reveling in the moment. It felt so decadent—to lie in a man’s arms without a care in the world. To be kissed and worshiped as if it were his sole purpose in life to cherish me.

  Unlike any of the other men I’d been with, there was no rush. If anything, Preston seemed intent to slow down and savor the moment. And I found myself noticing more—the feel of his scruff against my skin. The way my nerve endings tingled, reaching out for him.

  I was on the verge of begging him to kiss me when he finally slanted his lips over mine. My body hummed with excitement, but he continued to keep his movements slow. We sampled each other, our bodies forced together by the fabric of the hammock, making it feel like we were in a cocoon. Even when he teased the seam of my lips with his tongue, it was a languid movement. It felt like we had all the time in the world, and he wanted to spend it with me.

  He didn’t push for more, and neither did I. Instead, we explored each other, our legs and tongues tangled together.

  I could’ve stayed there all night. But then, I heard Sophia calling for me, and I bolted upright.

  “Mommy?” Her voice was more insistent, and she sounded upset.

  I rushed to find my footing, one of my feet getting stuck in the hammock. “I’m coming!”

  Preston helped free me, only for me to fall flat on my face. I scrambled to my feet and rushed over to where Sophia was standing by the back door.

  My heart was racing as I wrapped my arm around her. “I’m here, baby. What’s wrong?”

  She sniffled. “I had a nightmare.”

  Talk about a nightmare. I’d just experienced the most amazing kiss of my life—with my daughter’s nanny. My employee. A man who was nine years younger than me.

  But overriding all of it was guilt. I hadn’t been there for my daughter when she needed me. When I should’ve been comforting her, I was making out with her nanny.

  “It’s okay.” I held her close to me. “You’re okay. Why don’t we go inside and cuddle for a little bit?”

  She nodded, allowing me to lead her toward the doors. “Mommy.” She sniffled. “Why is there grass on your shirt?”

  I glanced down, brushing it off quickly. “I, um, was doing some yoga before bed.”

  I could hear Preston’s quiet chuckle in the dark, could feel him watching me as I shut the glass door behind me. I shook my head, more at myself than him. This couldn’t happen again. But the way his low laughter threaded through my belly told me that would be easier said than done.

  Chapter Eight

  The click-clack of Alexis’s heels against the tile floor was the only warning I had. I glanced up, expecting her to look amazing as usual. But I wasn’t prepared for the way her black sheath hugged her curves and her leopard-print heels emphasized her spectacular legs.

  Fuck me.

  “Hey, Soph.” Alexis dropped a kiss on her daughter’s head before going over to the fridge. My eyes tracked her every move, lingering on her every detail.

  “Good morning, Preston.” She gave me a smile, but it was forced.

  Just like every interaction we’d had since the night of our kiss. It had been three days of stilted conversations, averted gazes, rushed goodbyes. She was never rude; she was always on the go, always busy. And if I weren’t mistaken, avoiding me.

  “Good morning,” I said, handing her a mug of coffee. I’d prepared it just the way she liked—a splash of almond milk and no sugar.

  “Thank you, but I already had some,” she said, green smoothie in hand.

  She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. I knew she was embarrassed about the kiss—maybe she even regretted asking me to kiss her. But if she’d just talk to me, maybe we could do it again. Or at least, maybe things wouldn’t be so awkward between us.

  She returned her attention to Sophia. “What are you up to today?”

  Sophia wiggled in her chair. “We’re going to see the new exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Right, Preston?”

  “Right.” I nodded.

  “Great,” Alexis said. “I won’t be home until late. I have that closing today, and then I’m sure the client will want to go out for drinks.”

  “Do you have to?” Sophia asked.

  Alexis’s expression faltered before she quickly masked it with a smile. “Yes, baby. Somebody has to pay for the big mermaid extravaganza.”

  Sophia was excited now, her earlier disappointment easily forgotten. “Can I wear a mermaid tail?”

  “You can wear whatever you want. We can go shopping next Tuesd
ay, when I’m off.”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Sophia chanted. She wrapped her arms around Alexis’s waist and squeezed. “Thank you, Mommy. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Alexis closed her eyes, breathing her daughter in. “So, so much,” she whispered. I considered looking away, feeling like I was watching an intimate moment between the two of them.

  “All right—” Alexis straightened, and I already sensed a shift. “I’ve got to get to work. Call me if you need anything.” Where was the warmth from a few days ago? The lingering glances?

  “Will do, boss.”

  She flinched as if she’d been slapped and quickly grabbed her things before bolting for the door. I stood there feeling like a jackass, until I noticed she’d left her smoothie on the counter. I grabbed it and rushed after her.

  “Alexis,” I called, but that only seemed to spur her to move faster. How she could walk so quickly in those damn heels was a mystery. “Alexis. Wait.”

  She paused at the front door with her back still to me. Her shoulders were hunched, and I hated that I’d been the one to cause her pain. That was the last thing I wanted.

  She spun around, her expression fierce. She was intimidating, and I could see how she was so successful. “What?” she snapped.

  “I… You forgot your smoothie,” I said.

  “Oh.” Her expression fell, and I watched as she deflated. “Thank you.”

  She went to grab the smoothie, but I held it just out of reach. It had the effect of bringing her closer to me. I stared down at her, thinking that if I moved just a little closer, we could be kissing.

  “And I’m sorry.” My voice was gravelly when I spoke. “My comment was uncalled for.”

  Her eyes were fixed on the floor, and what I wouldn’t give for her to look at me. She hadn’t looked at me in days, not since we’d kissed under the stars. It was slowly killing me. That and her yoga sessions on the lawn, and the way she dressed for work, and…

  Okay, everything about this woman was killing me. Especially the fact that we’d shared such an incredible moment, and she preferred to act like it had never happened.