“Now, here,” he explained, pointing to the page. His body grazed my shoulder, sending electric heat surging through me at his touch. He held there for a moment, his finger hoovering just above the page. “This is just agreements of hours, and duties. I'm assuming you will want me Monday through Friday for your normal working hours, eight to five?” He moved away and sat down in the chair next to me. I shivered, as the air cooled around me once he left.
“Yes, that would be ideal.” I cleared my throat, trying to regain my train of thought. It was amazing how easily he derailed it. “Would it also be possible to extend one day, such as Thursday? I have a standing night out with girlfriends and would like to not have to juggle you and a babysitter.”
“Sure, not a problem. Let me just make a note of that here,” Cee said, scribbling some details onto a piece of paper. “Now Saturday and Sundays, I usually like to have for myself and it will let you have time with Ben as well.”
“Yeah that is fine,” I said, nodding. As much as I would have liked it, I couldn't have him here all the time.
We continued to hash through the details, what meals he would cook, what chores he was able to do while I was away. We even broke it down to types of food Ben could have and how much TV time. I felt like I had just discussed more than I thought was humanly possible about one job, and especially a job centering on my easy-going Ben. It was more than Ben's father had ever done on the subject.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I know it's a tedious subject but it helps me do a better job,” Cee said as he started to stack all the papers together. “I'll make a copy for you and then if you think of anything please feel free to let me know.”
He stood up from the table and stretched his shoulders, raising his arms over head and causing a sliver of his abdomen to show. All I could see was tight muscles and smooth skin. I shuddered, feeling the heat of desire warm me. Why am I driving myself crazy over him? He's my nanny, I thought to myself. You can't have him.
I stood up as well and glanced over to the microwave so I would stop looking at him. It was already nine o’clock. I couldn’t believe it took us an hour to get through all of his paperwork, but somehow, I had enjoyed every minute of it.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he said quietly, putting a hand on my shoulder. I froze, not wanting him to lift it. I wanted him to touch me so much more it wasn't fair. But he was just being polite. “Most days I won’t be here this late but the first few days I understand it takes some time to work out a schedule.” He let go of my shoulder and grabbed his keys. “Have a great evening, Ms. Hochs.”
“Please call me Jes,” I insisted, my voice low.
“Alright, goodnight... Jes.”
I nearly melted at the way he smiled as he said my name.
Get over yourself, I scolded as I stood at the front door and waved Cee off into the night. You're seeing things that aren't there.
Yet, I loved the way my name sounded on his lips. The soft smile he got as he said it. The way his hand felt on my shoulder. I soon got wrapped up in thinking about how my name would sound across those lips when cried out in passion. My insides were screaming to make that fantasy come true but my head drowned it out with worry and self doubt. A sigh left my lips as I broke my gaze from the long-empty front door to head upstairs.
Ben had fallen asleep with a sports magazine lying across his chest, and his light still on. I picked up the magazine and put it on his nightstand. He mumbled something in his sleep, frowning at his dreams. I kissed his blond hair and slowly combed it through with my fingers. With a soft smile, I turned off the light and went to my own bed. After washing my face and getting in PJs, I laid in bed still thinking about the day. My thoughts slowly drifted to Cee.
I had promised myself that I wouldn't be interested in men, for Ben’s sake. I didn’t want to confuse him, and I still hurt so much from the cheating and divorce. I turned over, fluffing the pillow and trying to get comfortable but not succeeding. I was being stupid, and I didn’t like Cee. He was just paid to hang around me anyway.
Also, he was too young to even be interested in a woman my age. Especially one with a kid. I was just attracted to him because of his great cooking, his amazing personality, his wonderful arms, his captivating eyes and his cute behind. I sighed. It had been far too long since I had any alone time with a man.
I was too hot, then too cold. I threw the covers off of me, then snuggled them up tight. I knew what I needed, even though I hadn't needed it in a long time.
I no longer kept my vibrator in the drawer by my bed, not since Ben had started poking around the house. I went to my closet and reached up to the top shelf for the shoebox. I quickly turned it on to test it and nothing happened. My heart sank, until I remembered that I had taken the batteries out so that they wouldn't discharge. I quickly found them in the shoebox and put them in. A satisfying buzz came from it as I jumped back in my bed.
My mind quickly went to Cee, wrapping me up in torrid dreams and fantasies that I knew could never see the light of day.
“Jes,” he says in a husky voice. “I have been thinking about you ever sense I saw you.”
He slowly extends his hand and caresses my check, taking the back of my neck into his palm and pulling me into a passionate kiss. My hands trail up his strong arms and into his hair. I entwine my fingers in it, pulling at it slightly. He pushes further into the kiss, and spreads my lips open with his. His tongue darts in my mouth. He tastes sweet and familiar. I let out a slight moan, enjoying as his hands pulled me in tighter matching his tongue’s motions.
Suddenly, his tongue is elsewhere. He's an eager lover, energetic with youth. I can tell that he's really enjoying it, rather than just doing it for me. I can feel his muscular arms wrapped around my legs, drawing me closer to him. I want it. I want it so bad.
As my vibrator pushed me to orgasm, I made sure to keep my voice down as I whimpered Cee's name. I didn't stop at just one orgasm either. I needed release after the sexual tension that I had felt today.
As I finished, I put the vibrator back in my drawer. I'd put it away tomorrow, but right now I was exhausted. Exhausted from Cee's sexual prowess. I smiled, knowing it was just a fantasy, but for now, I didn't care.
Chapter Eight
The next few days went on without any hiccups. Cee would show up in the mornings right as I was about to head out the door. I would come home at night and Cee would tell me if anything happened that day, let me know what was in the oven, or what to do to make the dinner. He would be out the door ten minutes later and Ben and I would spend the night talking about his day or what he learned from Cee. I always stared at the door as he left, enjoying the view and wishing he would stay.
The week passed by and the first Thursday since Cee was hired arrived. To be honest, I was excited to spend a night gossiping with the girls. They were all going to be so jealous. I came home from work to find Cee and Ben on his XBox playing some sort of football game.
“Who’s winning?” I asked as I walked behind them looking at the screen.
“I am,” Ben said boastfully.
“I don’t know how he is doing it,” Cee said with a chuckle, and then winked at me. I couldn't help but grin back at him. He was so good with Ben.
“Don’t let me interrupt. I'm just going to run upstairs and change real quick.”
I shook my head as I walked upstairs and started picking out an outfit. I wanted something that would look good as I walked out the door. Something that would make Cee turn his head and maybe even let Ben win the game for real.
I put on one of my short sundresses and twirled in the mirror. The reflection in the mirror looked good, until I saw the legs. There was dark stubble on them. I rubbed my hand up my leg and felt like sand paper. The lack of shaving had finally caught up to me.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to shave, so I grabbed my go-to maxi dress, which was dark blue with a very flattering halter top, and my chunky sandals. I snatched a b
racelet to complete the outfit and was trying to work the clasp, but just couldn’t get it. Who decided that clasps on bracelets were a smart idea?
“Hey, Ben,” I called, coming down the stairs. “Can you help me with my bracelet? It's the one that always gets stuck.”
“Hold on Mom, please? I'm about to score,” Ben called back, staring straight into the T.V. I sighed, knowing it would be a while before he even remembered to blink, let alone help me.
“Here, let me help you, Jes.” Cee turned around on the couch and held out his hand expectantly. I walked toward him and dropped the bracelet into his palm. Holding out my arm to him, I tried not to look into his handsome eyes of dark violet, afraid my own eyes would betray my feelings. He gently took the bracelet and wrapped it around my wrist, being careful not to pinch the delicate skin. The warmth of his skin flooded my senses, and I knew I had to stop thinking what I was thinking.
But I couldn’t.
His finger gently caressed the inside of my wrist as he got the bracelet in place and latched the clasp. My mind imagined those fingers tracing up my leg inch by inch. He turned my wrist over in his hands to look at his work.
Oh my gosh, why is my face so hot? He just put on a bracelet. I shouldn't be reacting this way! I flushed with embarrassment, but he just looked up at me and smiled.
“Pretty,” he said. His eyes bore through me, and for a moment I wasn’t sure if he was talking about me or the bracelet. His fingers lingered against my skin, and I forgot to breathe. Tension flowed between us like electrified water, and the only sound I registered was the pounding of my own heart.
But, then, as if he thought better of it, Cee pulled his hand away from mine. The moment was gone, and he turned back around to watch Ben play the video game as if nothing had happened.
I shook myself, trying to make my body move after his touch and not quite succeeding at first. It's all in your head, I told myself. Get it together. Yes, he's hot and great with your son. But he's not interested, so stop pretending like he is. Finally, I grabbed my purse and opened the door.
“You guys have fun. I'll be back in a few hours.”
“Have a great time,” Cee replied, turning around to look at me. “You look amazing.”
I grinned, floating on his praise. Sure, he was probably just telling the person who signed his paycheck something nice so she would keep writing those checks, but I didn't care. He thought I looked “amazing.”
“Thank you, Cee,” I said, not realizing how much my voice gave away of how I felt. “Bye, Ben.”
Ben made a noncommittal noise, his attention firmly on the game. Cee shrugged, and smiled at me before slowly taking those beautiful eyes away and looking back at the TV screen.
Without his gaze, I suddenly remembered that I needed to breathe. I opened the front door, thankful for the calm breeze to cool me down. I didn’t know why his touch made me so bothered. Well, actually, I did. I just wasn’t willing to admit it yet.
I walked to my car absent-mindedly rubbing my wrist and thinking of Cee's hands on my skin, the way he looked at me. I quickly tried to dismiss it from my memory. It was clear that he wasn't interested in me anymore than a rock was.
Get a hold of yourself, I scolded myself silently and headed to the local bar us girls liked to escape to. He's so out of your league, you aren't even playing the same sport.
Chapter Nine
I was the first to the bar, so I sat down in our normal booth and asked for a glass of wine. I ordered a moscato, hoping that the sweet treat would take my mind off of Cee. Even as the waiter set down my glass, I was still rubbing my wrist and thinking of how his touch felt.
I took a sip, hoping that the wine would blur my thoughts so I didn't have to concentrate on how my nanny's touch was making my heart race. The wine was sweet and rich. Just the right thing to take the edge off.
It wasn’t long until the all the girls arrived. Melissa, her dark hair pulled back into a slick ponytail and looking like she just stepped out of a magazine arrived first. I had been hoping Cindy would be first, but I still smiled and waved her over. She was always so perfect: perfect hair, perfect clothes, perfect men. I always felt like I was falling behind around her, even though she swore up and down I wasn't.
“Margarita, a glass of red wine, and a Manhattan,” Melissa told the waiter with a smile as she slid into the booth across from me. I raised my eyebrows at the rather intense drink order. She fixed the collar on her shirt and grinned at me. “I saw Cindy and Tricia in the parking lot.”
“That's good,” I replied with a grin. “Otherwise I was going to ask if I had to drive you home.”
Melissa laughed as Cindy walked over and sat down.
“Do I have paint in my hair again?” Cindy asked, her hand going up and checking. I shook my head at her, feeling an intense kinship. I loved my three friends, but since Cindy was the only other one with kids, I felt the closest to her.
“Just a dab of purple,” Tricia teased, coming up behind her and taking her seat. “It looks great.”
Cindy rolled her eyes, knowing that we were just playing with her. The waiter carefully placed all the drinks in front of us before quickly scampering off.
“So, Jes, how is the new nanny working out?” Cindy asked, taking a sip of her red wine and relaxing back into her seat.
I sat up a little straighter, finally feeling like I was on top of the world. I’d been waiting all week to tell them just how good Cee was.
“He is AMAZING. I can’t believe how quickly Ben has taken to him. He cooks and cleans for me, as well as keeps Ben so active that each night he falls asleep almost instantly,” I gushed. I could feel my cheeks heating with a happy flush.
“Wait, your nanny is a man?” Melissa asked, choking slightly on her margarita.
“Yes, I guess I forgot to mention that.” I smiled and shrugged like it was nothing. Secretly though, I was loving it. Recently, all the discussion around me was about my divorce and struggle. This was the first time in months I was excited and happy. Cee was the cause of so much joy in my life.
“That is a pretty big detail to omit,” Melissa said. “And, follow up question: is he cute?”
I laughed and reddened slightly. “I mean, he's not bad looking, but he is younger than me, and you all know I've sworn off men. Especially after the way my last relationship ended.” I took a big gulp of wine. I needed to convince them as much as I needed to convince myself. “Besides, I have no idea what I would do with all those muscles.”
Every single one of us started to giggle.
“We may have to come over and take a look for ourselves.” Melissa said, raising her margarita up in a cheers. “You know I love a good looking man.”
“Tricia what about you, how is your job going?” I asked, quickly trying to get the attention directed off of me. The thought of Cee with Melissa made me distinctly uncomfortable. I didn't want to think about what the jealous thought meant, but I knew that I didn't want Melissa within ten feet of him.
“It's going okay...” Tricia trailed off. She smiled, but the lack of light in her eyes betrayed her. “Things have been super crazy, actually. I think I might need to hire an assistant.” She took a big gulp of her drink. We never understood how she did her job without one, but this was clearly a big deal to her.
“You should get one. Then, maybe you can finally take a vacation,” Cindy said encouragingly. She leaned forward, her eyes taking in Tricia's exhausted appearance as only a mother could. “You work too hard. You're going to stress yourself out and get sick.”
“Oh that would be nice, it’s just... it’s something I’ve always wanted to do on my own, you know? I built this company, and I just don't know if anyone can run it as well as I can.” Tricia took a big sip of her Manhattan and then turned to Cindy, changing the subject as quickly as I had. “What about you, Cindy? How is your daughter doing in school now?”
Cindy started beaming. “Fantastic, she got her grades up just in time for the beginning of
her senior year. I couldn’t believe it. She even got her scholarship back. That tutor we hired, Dane was such a good influence on her. I don’t even mind that they’re dating now.”
We all chuckled at her final statement. She had flown off the handle when she first learned of it, not wanting her daughter to be with an older man. If you could count three years as older. To hear Cindy pretend like it was no big deal after hearing her angst over it for weeks, was worth a laugh.
“That is so great to hear!” I congratulated her. “I guess that just leaves you, Melissa. How's the last week treated you?”
“Well, you all remember that lawyer that I dated for a few weeks?” We all nodded our heads yes. How could we forget him? He was tall, dark handsome and seemed to of stepped out of the pages of a magazine. All of our jaws dropped when we first saw him. Melissa usually dated good looking, wealthy men, but this one blew them all out of the water.
“Well, it really didn’t work out. He was talking about the future, and kids. I mean we had only been together for a month.” She shook her head. “I just don’t know what it is about men these days. I can never find one to keep around.” She paused taking a sip of her margarita. “Speaking of not being able to keep something around, do you guys know of any good gardeners? Mine quit again on me.”
“Why don’t you try the people we used to get our nanny and tutor? They keep supplying great referrals.” Cindy said as she pulled out a card for Melissa.
“Sure, might as well,” Melissa said as she took the card. “What's the worst that could happen? Maybe the next one will even be cute.”
“Maybe even as cute as Jes's nanny,” Tricia teased, bringing the focus back to me. “I still want more details. You blush too much for you not to have something good.”
“I do not!” I said as my face heated and I played with the spot on my wrist where he touched me.
Walking on Sunshine: A Sweet Love Story (Seasons of Love Book 1) Page 5
