No matter how sexy the new nanny was.
Besides, he thought, it couldn’t get more clichéd than that—the movie star and the nanny. How many of those stories had he read in the tabloids of late?
No, there was no way he was going to make a move on the woman who was saving his sanity and calming his baby. Besides, he respected women; his mother had raised Southern gentlemen, after all. The media liked to report that he rolled out of one woman’s bed and right into another, but he wasn’t quite that popular. Not to mention, any woman he’d ever been with had known he wasn’t looking for long-term—and agreed with it.
Beau had a feeling Scarlett would be a long-term type of girl. She likely had a family—or maybe she didn’t. If this was her full-time job, she probably didn’t have time to take care of a family.
Honestly, he shouldn’t be letting his mind wander into the territory of Scarlett’s personal life. She was his nanny, nothing more.
But damn it, did she have to look so good in her little pink capris and white sleeveless button-up? Didn’t she have a uniform? Something up to her neck, down to her ankles and with sleeves? Even if she was completely covered up, she still had those expressive, doe-like eyes, a perfectly shaped mouth and adorable dimples.
Damn it. He should not be noticing each little detail of his new nanny.
“Why don’t you go rest?” Scarlett suggested, breaking into his erotic thoughts. “I can take care of her. You look like hell.”
Beau stared across the narrow space for a half second before he found his voice. Nobody talked to him like that except his brothers, and even that had been years ago.
“Are you always that blunt with your clients?”
“I try to be honest at all times,” she replied sweetly. “I can’t be much help to you if you just want me here to boost your ego and lie to your face.”
Well, that was a rarity...if she was even telling the truth now. Beau hadn’t met a woman who was honest and genuine. Nearly everyone he’d met was out for herself and to hell with anyone around them. And money. They always wanted money.
Another reason he needed the simplicity of Pebblebrook. He just wanted to come back to his roots, to decompress and figure out what the hell to do with his life now. He wanted the open spaces, wanted to see the blue skies without buildings blocking the view. And he needed to mend the relationships he’d left behind. What better time than Christmas?
“I’m Beau.” When she drew her brows in, he went on. “I didn’t introduce myself before.”
“I’m aware of who you are.”
He waited for her to say something else, but clearly she’d formed an opinion of him and didn’t want to share. Fine. So long as she kept his daughter comfortable and helped him until Maggie returned, he could care less what she thought.
But she’d have to get in line because his brothers had already dubbed him the prodigal son and were eager to put him in his place. Nothing less than he deserved, he reasoned.
As he watched Scarlett take over the care of Madelyn, Beau knew this was what he deserved, too. A sexy-as-hell woman as his nanny. This was his penance for the bastard he’d been over the past several years.
He’d do well to remember he was a new man now. He’d do well to remember she was here for his daughter, not for his personal pleasure. He’d also do well to remember he had more important things to do than drop Scarlett Patterson into each and every one of his fantasies...even if she would make the perfect lead.
Copyright © 2018 by Jules Bennett
ISBN-13: 9781488092350
The Second Chance
Copyright © 2018 by Catherine Mann
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