by Kris Bryant
Cassie Miller is broke. Her parents cut off all funding when she dropped out of medical school, and graduate school is expensive. A full-time nanny job at the Wellington estate is the answer to her problems, except working for beautiful, successful Brook Wellington wasn’t in the job description.
Brook has always had a head for business. Born into a global shipping empire, she sits at the helm running it with skill and savvy. But success comes at a cost. Her priority is her six-year-old son, but she can’t be in two places at once. Hiring a nanny isn’t the perfect solution, but it would certainly help, and Cassie came highly recommended. If only she wasn’t so damn attractive.
Can Cassie and Brook deny their growing attraction and keep things professional? Or will they sidestep propriety and give in to temptation?
Praise for Kris Bryant
Falling
“This is a story you don’t want to pass on. A fabulous read that you will have a hard time putting down. Maybe don’t read it as you board your plane though. This is an easy 5 stars!”—Romantic Reader Blog
“Bryant delivers a story that is equal parts touching, compassionate, and uplifting.”—Lesbian Review
“This was a nice, romantic read. There is enough romantic tension to keep the plot moving, and I enjoyed the supporting characters’ and their romance as much as the main plot.”—Kissing Backwards
Listen
“Ms. Bryant describes this soundscape with some exquisite metaphors, it’s true what they say that music is everywhere. The whole book is beautifully written and makes the reader’s heart to go out with people suffering from anxiety or any sort of mental health issue.”—Lez Review Books
“I was absolutely captivated by this book from start to finish. The two leads were adorable and I really connected with them and rooted for them…This is one of the best books I’ve read recently—I cannot praise it enough!”—Melina Bickard, Librarian, Waterloo Library (UK)
“The main character’s anxiety issues were well written and the romance is sweet and leaves you with a warm feeling at the end. Highly recommended reading.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller (QBD Books, Australia)
“This book floored me. I’ve read it three times since the book appeared on my Kindle…I just love it so much. I’m actually sitting here wondering how I’m going to convey my sheer awe factor but I will try my best. Kris Bryant won Les Rêveur book of the year 2018 and seriously this is a contender for 2019.”—Les Rêveur
Against All Odds
“This story tugged at my heartstrings, and it hit all the right notes for me because these wonderful authors allowed me to peep into the hearts and minds of the characters. The vivid descriptions of Peyton, Tory, and the perpetrator’s personalities allowed me to have a deeper understanding of what makes them tick, and I was able to form a clear picture of them in my mind.”—The Lesbian Review
“Against All Odds is equal parts thriller and romance; the balance between action and love, fast and slow pace makes this novel a very entertaining read.”—Lez Review Books
Lammy Finalist Jolt
Jolt “is a magnificent love story. Two women hurt by their previous lovers and each in their own way trying to make sense out of life and times. When they meet at a gay- and lesbian-friendly summer camp, they both feel as if lightning has struck. This is so beautifully involving, I have already reread it twice. Amazing!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
Goldie Winner Breakthrough
“Looking for a fun and funny light read with hella cute animal antics and a smoking hot butch ranger? Look no further…In this well-written first-person narrative, Kris Bryant’s characters are well developed, and their push/pull romance hits all the right beats, making it a delightful read just in time for beach reading.”— Writing While Distracted
“It’s hilariously funny, romantic, and oh so sexy…But it is the romance between Kennedy and Brynn that stole my heart. The passion and emotion in the love scenes surpassed anything Kris Bryant has written before. I loved it.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog
“Kris Bryant has written several enjoyable contemporary romances, and Breakthrough is no exception. It’s interesting and clearly well-researched, giving us information about Alaska and issues like poaching and conservation in a way that’s engaging and never comes across as an info dump. She also delivers her best character work to date, going deeper with Kennedy and Brynn than we’ve seen in previous stories. If you’re a fan of Kris Bryant, you won’t want to miss this book, and if you’re a fan of romance in general, you’ll want to pick it up, too.”—Lambda Literary
Forget Me Not
“Told in the first person, from Grace’s point of view, we are privy to Grace’s inner musings and her vulnerabilities…Bryant crafts clever wording to infuse Grace with a sharp-witted personality, which clearly covers her insecurities…This story is filled with loving familial interactions, caring friends, romantic interludes, and tantalizing sex scenes. The dialogue, both among the characters and within Grace’s head, is refreshing, original, and sometimes comical. Forget Me Not is a fresh perspective on a romantic theme, and an entertaining read.”—Lambda Literary Review
Whirlwind Romance
“Ms. Bryant’s descriptions were written with such passion and colorful detail that you could feel the tension and the excitement along with the characters.”—Inked Rainbow Reviews
Taste
“Taste is a student/teacher romance set in a culinary school. If the premise makes you wonder whether this book will make you want to eat something tasty, the answer is: yes.”—The Lesbian Review
Touch
“The sexual chemistry in this book is off the hook. Kris Bryant writes my favorite sex scenes in lesbian romantic fiction.”—Les Rêveur
Temptation
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Temptation
© 2020 By Kris Bryant. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-509-7
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: January 2020
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editors: Ashley Tillman and Shelley Thrasher
Production Design: Stacia Seaman
Cover Design by Deb B.
By the Author
Jolt
Whirlwind Romance
Just Say Yes: The Proposal
Taste
Forget Me Not
Touch
Breakthrough
Shameless
(writing as Brit Ryder)
Against All Odds
(with Maggie Cummings and M. Ullrich)
Listen
Falling
Tinsel
Temptation
Acknowledgments
After writing some pretty heavy books, I decided it was time to write something a little more playful. When you’re writing a book, you are in that book for a long time, on and off the page. You are thinking about it when you wake up, when you fall asleep, driving to work, even when you’re with your friends. After writing about a mass shooting, a person struggling with anxiety
, and a survivor of a plane crash, I decided to write something flirty and fun.
Thank you, Rad, Sandy, and the BSB team for continuing to publish my books. I love our family and I appreciate all the effort that goes into making all of our books top shelf.
Ashley deserves all the credit. She points out things that I miss and hands me tissue when she cuts 15,000 words and tells me to buck up because it was for the betterment of the story. She’s the best content editor, and I’ll fight anyone who disputes that. Shelley Thrasher did a drive-by jump-in as copy editor and did a fantastic job. A fresh pair of eyes on a story really helps, so I love the guest appearance and look forward to working with her in the future.
A shout out to KB Draper for our writing dates to keep me on track. Where would I be without Saturday-morning coffee and pastries? Thank you, Fiona and Jenn, for your support and love. It’s great to be able to talk to you both about anything and everything I need to get off my chest—book related or not. Melissa Brayden is my go-to wine connoisseur and consultant on all important things, and Georgia Beers keeps me and my ego in check. Nikki, Elle (Sugar), and Paula—I count down the days until the next book event where we can get together and do what we do best. I love you all and I thank you for always being there for me.
And Deb. Not only is she an amazing artist and designs my book covers, she catches my many, many mistakes before the book goes to print. Thank you for taking care of Molly and me when I’m deep in a story and I forget about the little things.
Thank you, readers, for picking up my books and giving them a chance. I love receiving emails, reviews, and am so happy when you tweet or post about my books. It makes the fairy tale real.
You know who you are
Chapter One
I noticed her before we even got out of the car. She was standing away from the other parents with her arms crossed and her weight shifted to one hip. Unlike the rest of the soccer moms in their jeans or shorts, she was wearing a designer suit that showed off her curves and demanded attention. She looked bothered to be there, and I immediately thought all the things I shouldn’t have—she’s a horrible mother who doesn’t support her kid, and her kid knows she doesn’t want to be there. And wow, she’s got great legs.
“I’m going to need some help.” Emma’s tone was duly noted. She’d gotten comfortable with me after two days, and by the third, she was bossing me around. It was only for two more days, so I let her get away with being a jerk. I didn’t care. I needed the money, and Robin and Henry Minks needed a babysitter for the week.
“Hang on. I’ll be right there.” I pushed open the door and hustled to the back seat, where she regally sat on her booster seat.
“It’s about time.”
“Don’t be rude. It’s not nice,” I said.
“You work for us. I can tell you what I want.”
I ignored her and helped unclasp her booster seat. She refused help after I unbuckled her, and I had to stifle a giggle when she tripped getting out of the car.
“You did that on purpose.” She glared at me and plopped on the grass to put on her cleats.
Pissed that I wouldn’t let her put on her cleats at home, she’d made a great effort to kick the passenger seat a lot during our short drive to the soccer fields. I didn’t care. My car, given to me by my Nana the week before, was a piece of crap, and tiny six-year-old feet weren’t going to damage it more. “I did not. Pick up your stuff and head to your team.” She grabbed her ball and marched to the coach. I watched her go and shook my head the entire time. Just when I thought I wanted kids, Emma reminded me why it was a good idea to wait.
“She’s a handful. So angelic, yet a tiny demon hides inside,” a woman said. I turned to find a pleasant-looking woman with short-brown, stylish hair standing a few feet away. She brushed her hair back and smiled at me. “Hi, I’m Alex. My kid plays on the team with Emma and about fifteen other entitled children.”
I laughed. I wasn’t expecting such an honest introduction. “Hi, I’m Cassie. Caregiver to Emma this week.”
“I was wondering who they were going to rope into watching her while Robin was in DC. Henry wasn’t about to take time off. Where did they find you?” Alex seemed genuinely interested, even though the way she phrased her question seemed condescending.
“Care and Companions. This is my first job with them. Emma was so quiet when we first met.”
“It’s the quiet ones you have to worry about.”
I liked Alex immediately. She was laid-back but quick.
“She’s just a kid. She’ll learn soon enough that being bossy isn’t always the best idea. You know, more flies with honey,” I said.
We stood there in slightly awkward silence until practice began. Alex pointed out the bleachers for us to sit down, but I wanted to head back to the car. I needed to read a few chapters of my environmental-technologies textbook before my next class, yet I didn’t want to be rude, so I followed her to the third row. The woman in the suit was sitting on the bottom bleacher on the edge, as if she needed a quick escape. Her white-blond hair was loose, stylish, and fell just below her shoulders. Even though I hadn’t seen her face, I knew she was beautiful. She sat confidently, alone, yet seemingly unfazed. When a boy dribbled the ball successfully in front of her, she sat up straighter and softly clapped. The white-blond hair was a dead giveaway that he was her son. I was intrigued by her standoffish behavior and wondered why she wasn’t sitting with the other soccer moms.
“Noah really is a sweet kid.” Alex bumped my elbow and pointed to the kid who held the suit’s attention. “But he’s probably the only one. What kind of snacks did you bring the kids?”
Panic burned throughout me. I was supposed to bring snacks? What the fuck? What snacks? Henry didn’t say a thing to me. “Uh, none. I didn’t know we were supposed to. Nobody told me anything.”
Alex looked at her watch. “Well, we don’t have a lot of time left, so let’s see what we can round up. I’ll text the moms.”
I watched several heads shake as they read Alex’s text. When the suit looked at me, I froze. She was more beautiful than I expected. Her light blue eyes were expressive, her lips red and full. I was nervous not just because she was beautiful, but she was confident and her gaze never wavered once her eyes met mine. I held my breath for no other reason than I simply forgot how to breathe. She stood and motioned for me to follow. Without hesitation, I stood, wove my way around the other moms sitting on the bleachers, and met her near a very nice, very clean Mercedes SUV.
“Hi. I’m Cassie and apparently have committed the heinous crime of not bringing snacks today.” I was nervous and had absolutely no game.
She stared at me for a few moments, then opened the back of her SUV to reveal canvas bags filled with goodies. “I understand you are filling in for Robin. I have juice boxes and oranges that you can pass out after practice. I always have spares on hand for the parents who forget.” Her voice held a slight note of judgment.
“In all fairness, I didn’t forget. I was never told. Plus, I’m not a parent.” I shrugged, trying to convey that I didn’t care what she thought about me, but I did. I was always self-conscious around pretty women, especially today with my hair pulled back in a ponytail and very little makeup on. I was babysitting. Who knew I would run into a hot mom? “But thank you. I can repay you Friday.”
She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.” She handed me the two bags and walked away to claim her seat on the first row, away from everyone else.
I wanted to know her story. I wanted to know why she didn’t sit with the other moms, why she was dressed like she was closing multi-million-dollar deals, and why she wasn’t wearing a ring on her left hand. I heaved the bags up to Alex and plopped down. Shit. I forgot to ask the suit’s name.
“Wow. Good for you. Brook Wellington doesn’t talk to a lot of people here.”
Wellington. It was a well-known high-society name. “She seems nice. And she helped me out of a bind.”
“I’ve never
spoken to her, and our kids have been on this soccer team for two years now,” Alex said.
“You’re kidding. That doesn’t even make sense.”
“I mean, I’ve heard her talk to the group as a whole, but we’ve never actually had a one-on-one conversation.”
I stared at Brook. Her eyes never left her son. When he scored during their practice scrimmage, he turned to find her in the crowd, his face beaming with pride. She pumped her fist in the air, and it looked like they did a distant high five. I smiled. Brook Wellington might be an ice queen with this crowd, but I saw her unguarded, softer side with her son.
“I’m just thankful she had snacks. She just saved me from breaking a dozen hearts.”
“She’s saved us quite a few times. Always prepared.”
When practice ended, the kids circled me like vultures, hungrily picking at the bags. Alex reminded the children of the manners they had abandoned and lined them up like soldiers. I handed each one a juice box and an orange and received more eye rolls than thank yous, but I didn’t blame them. Where were the fruit roll-ups? What about chocolate-chip cookies or tiny bags of Doritos? It was bad enough that Emma ate only organic and had zero processed sugar in her diet, but every single kid in this neighborhood, too? That seemed unfair. When snacks were divvied up, I found Brook at her car and handed her the empty canvas bags.
