by Reese Ryan
“Since I was sleeping, they must’ve been given the supplemental formula.” Sloane didn’t look up at the girl. Instead, she smiled at her son, who studied her face with wide eyes. “When were they last fed?”
“I arrived a little before eight o’clock, and I was here for about two hours before Bailey got fussy. Benji fed her, and I fed Beau. I’d say that was around ten thirtyish.” Livvie shrugged.
“Not very precise.” Sloane met her gaze momentarily before returning it to Beau’s. Maybe she couldn’t remember whether she was coming or going, let alone exactly when the babies had eaten last, but this woman was purporting to be a nanny. Shouldn’t she have a system for tracking such things?
“Actually, there’s an app designed to help multiple caregivers keep track of feedings. I planned to download it to my phone as soon as I got a free moment.” Livvie grabbed cheese from the fridge and sprinkled a generous amount into the pot on the stove before returning it.
The woman seemed a little too comfortable in the space. As if she already lived there.
“Are you hungry? Benji said savory cheese grits are your favorite breakfast.” She spooned some in a dish. “So I made plenty.”
“I’m not hungry right now, but thanks,” Sloane said. Her belly grumbled loudly in protest. She pretended not to notice Livvie’s smirk.
“Well, I’m gonna have a bowl. If you need me for anything, I’ll be right here.” Livvie dropped into a seat at the breakfast bar, took a bite and made an exaggerated “mmm” sound.
Sloane’s belly grumbled again, and little Beau gave her another smirk.
Okay, so she was a liar, and both her belly and her baby were calling her out on it.
“Maybe I will have a little before it’s time to feed them again,” she murmured, strapping Beau back in his chair beside his sister.
“Sit down, I’ll fix you a bowl,” Livvie said with a broad smile.
When Livvie placed a serving of grits in front of her, she tasted it and nodded. “Not bad for a Chicago girl.”
Livvie winked. “My mama’s from the South, too, don’t forget.”
Sloane didn’t respond, not wanting to get too friendly with the girl, whom she planned to send packing as soon as Benji returned.
When she’d finished eating, the twins were fast asleep. She didn’t want to rely on an expensive nanny or a private chef or a housekeeper. After all, she wouldn’t have any of those luxuries once her year with Benji was up. It was better that she didn’t get too dependent. But since Livvie was here, and the babies were asleep...
Sloane rinsed her plate and put it in the dishwasher. “They’ll probably sleep for twenty minutes or so. Would you mind watching them while I take a quick shower?”
“Keep an eye on these two little angels?” Livvie smiled as if Sloane had asked her to be her new best friend. “I’d be glad to. You go on and take your shower. I’ll clean up in here.”
Sloane took a shower and washed her hair. When she emerged from the bathroom, she recognized Benji’s distinctive knock on her bedroom door.
She opened the door and glared at him.
“You’re upset. Let me explain.” Benji frowned.
“I’m listening.” She tightened her grip on the towel wrapped around her. “But I can’t, for the life of me, understand why you’d leave our newborns with a complete stranger.”
“Liv isn’t a stranger. She’s Mrs. H’s niece. We became good friends when I worked summers at the general store.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “But I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you awoke. I hope it wasn’t too upsetting.”
“I thought she was some crazy stalker who’d killed you and was here to take the babies.” Sloane pulled out of his embrace and rifled through the dresser drawers for something to wear. “But, hey, other than that, no big deal.”
“That wasn’t a good look, and you have reason to be upset. I scheduled time for us to meet with Liv this morning, but you were so exhausted you slept in. Then I had an emergency work call, but I needed a document I’d left at the office. I tried to wake you before I left, but you were dead to the world.”
“Why didn’t you leave a note?”
He retrieved a piece of paper from beneath the glass of water on her nightstand and waved it before handing it to her.
“Oh.” Sloane quickly scanned the note, which explained everything he’d just said. She raised her eyes to his, clutching her clothing in one arm. “Why didn’t you tell me about the meeting in advance?”
“Honestly?” Benji sat on the edge of the bed. “Because I knew you’d say no if I asked.”
“So you simply chose to ignore my wishes.” She crumpled the note and tossed it onto the nightstand.
“You didn’t want a housekeeper or a personal chef, but I doubt you’d want to live without either of them now.” He sighed when she didn’t respond. “Look, it’s not as if I’ve already hired her. I just wanted you to get to know Liv. I figured that would make the prospect of a live-in nanny less intimidating.”
“I’m not intimidated by your little friend in there. I simply don’t need her. There are two of them and there are two of us. I think we can handle a couple of infants on our own.” She gathered her clothing and slipped inside the bathroom, shutting the door.
“You were exhausted when we arrived home from the hospital yesterday.” The exasperation was evident in his voice, despite the door between them. “And today you were practically in a coma.”
“But you clearly didn’t just contact what’s-her-face this morning.” She realized she was being childish and petty by pretending not to know Livvie’s name, but she didn’t care. This was the second instance in as many days of him making decisions where the twins were concerned without consulting her.
It took him so long to respond Sloane wondered if he’d walked away.
“You’re right. Livvie and I keep in touch. She graduated a couple of years ago with a degree in early-childhood education. She’d been working at a premier day care in Chicago, but she wanted a change.”
“So you just hired her? How do you know they didn’t fire her for losing someone’s kid or pushing a toddler down the stairs?”
“Again, I haven’t hired her, and I won’t if you don’t give the okay. And I had her background pulled the moment we discussed the possibility.”
“Yet, you still didn’t think to tell me you were considering hiring her.” Sloane gave up struggling into a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans. She opened the door and strode past Benji. She grabbed a pair of leggings from the dresser drawer and put them on instead.
“It was a surprise,” he said, as if that made everything better.
“So are ambushes.” She turned around to face him, pulling her top down over her still-rotund belly. She folded her arms. “Don’t think just because you’re handsome and rich and you smell incredible...” For a moment, the point she was trying to make completely escaped her. “Don’t think I won’t call you out when you’re full of shit. You didn’t consult me on this because you knew I’d never agree to it.”
“Yes, I was pretty damn sure you wouldn’t go for the nanny. But I also knew that we needed the help. Just like we needed Caitlin and Marcellus.” He sank onto the edge of the bed. “My job has always been to get results. I identify deficiencies and find solutions.”
“I’ve been a mother for all of a week and already you think I’m deficient?” She planted her hands on her hips, her voice wavering slightly. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“I’m not saying you aren’t doing a good job, Sloane. But neither of us has ever done this. We have not one but two infants to care for, and we’re learning on the fly here. Is it so bad if we have a little help? It’s not as if we can’t afford it.”
He’d mentioned the money again.
A little of the air deflated from her lungs. She remembered her father sc
reaming at her mother that he made the money so he called the shots.
She clenched her fists at her sides. “I didn’t have Beau and Bailey so someone else could raise them.”
“And what would you have done if you’d been on your own and had to return to work at the end of maternity leave?” Benji didn’t wait for her response. “You would’ve dropped them off at day care every day or hired a sitter. How is this different?”
She hated him a little for being so goddamned smart.
“I would’ve been doing it out of necessity.” She folded her arms, not looking in his direction. “Not because I preferred to sleep in.”
“This isn’t a judgment of your ability as a mother.” He lifted her chin and forced her eyes to meet his. “You’ve been so stressed. I just wanted to take the pressure off so we’ll have time to enjoy Beau and Bailey. That’s all.”
“Then why do I feel like you’ve just subcontracted my duties as a mother to someone else?”
He sucked in an audible breath and released it.
“You know that isn’t true. You’re a great mother.”
“Then have a little faith in me. I’ll learn to manage on my own. Millions of women do it every day. Our parents didn’t have a chef, a housekeeper and a nanny, and we both turned out fine.”
Okay, maybe she was only relatively fine, but now wasn’t the time to split hairs. Especially when she was finally making a few valid points of her own.
“I know this isn’t the way you or I grew up, sweetheart. But I won’t apologize for having the means to give our kids a better life than we had.”
That she understood.
Sloane hated that Benji’s money had become a factor in the conversation again, but the truth was, she wanted a better life for Beau and Bailey, too.
“It would’ve been nice if you’d consulted with me rather than ambushing me with Goldilocks out there.”
“It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Something else I’ve learned in business. I anticipate the needs of my clients and employees. When I see a need, I fill it. Even though my team might not be on board yet.”
“I’m not your client or your employee.”
He furrowed his brows. “It was just a comparison.”
“I’ve barely gotten used to living with you and having Marcellus and Caitlin here part-time. Livvie being here takes things to a whole nother level.” Sloane felt claustrophobic just thinking about it. “What if I don’t like her? What if Beau and Bailey don’t like her?”
“Livvie’s sweet, and she was great with Beau and Bailey this morning. Give her a chance, like you did with Marcellus. If you don’t like her, she goes. No questions asked.” When she reluctantly agreed, he kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
“Benji...” She grabbed his arm and sighed. “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful, and I appreciate everything you’ve done. But I’m not used to this...being so dependent on someone else. It feels like I’m constantly adding to my tab.”
She hated saying those words. Hated admitting that she’d become like an extra appendage. He wanted the twins in his life and she got thrown into the bargain.
“I’m not keeping a tab, Sloane.” He frowned, seemingly perturbed by the implication that he was. “I don’t care about the money, and I don’t want you to think about it, either. You, Beau and Bailey are all that matter. Got it?”
She genuinely believed that he meant it in the here and now. But would he eventually come to resent her for all the ways she was indebted to him?
“Got it.”
Sloane pushed the unnerving thought from her head and followed Benji out to interview Livvie Henderson about becoming their nanny.
Nine
Benji pulled his Range Rover into the driveway of the cabin and parked. His five-day business trip to Japan had been far more successful than he’d hoped and had resulted in an incredible offer, one he’d be crazy to pass up. It was also the longest period he’d been away from Beau and Bailey. Though they’d video chatted nearly every day of his trip, he’d missed Sloane and the twins like crazy.
He hauled his luggage and laptop inside and inhaled the savory scent of a delicious home-cooked meal. If the heavenly aroma was any indication of how the meal would taste, Marcellus had outdone himself.
“I thought I heard you come in.” A broad smile spread across Sloane’s face when her eyes met his. “I just put the twins down after feeding them, but they’re awake, and I know they’ll be glad to see you.”
He met her in the middle of the room and kissed her softly on the lips, something he hadn’t done in a long time.
The twins had turned three months old the day before he’d left for Japan. Those months had been a blur of feedings, diaper changes, doctor’s appointments and incredible firsts. And despite that first rough week after the birth of the twins, he and Sloane had grown closer through it all.
“God, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” He grazed her cheek with the back of his fingers and inhaled her scent, as fresh as sunshine and summer flowers. Her mop of dark curls was still damp from the shower. She wore a short, belted, button-down dress. It was casual. Nothing fancy, but it hugged her ample curves in all the right places.
“I’ll bet you say that to all the mothers of your children.” She grinned, adding, “Just kidding,” before he could object. Sloane took his hand and led him toward the bedrooms. “Come on. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
His heart thumped a little faster in anticipation. She’d welcomed his kiss and embrace for the first time in months, so clearly she’d missed him. Did that mean she was ready to resume their physical relationship?
Sloane stopped at the twins’ room instead, easing inside quietly in case they were asleep.
They weren’t. Beau saw him first. He smiled and made a little gurgling noise, slobber rolling down his chin and cheek.
“There’s my boy.” Benji picked him up, remembering when he’d thought any slobbering child was too gross to touch. Now he leaned in and kissed his son’s sloppy cheek without reservation. He gave the boy his finger and let him squeeze it.
“He’s gotten stronger.” Benji was endlessly amazed by the twins’ rapid advancement. It seemed as though they hit some new milestone every day, which was why he’d hated to miss an entire week with them.
“I discovered that when he caught a strand of my hair a couple of days ago.” She picked Bailey up, kissed her forehead and handed her to Benji, too.
He sat down in the wide half rocker with both the babies in his arms, talking to them in soft, cooing tones. Though, at Sloane’s insistence, he avoided gibberish baby talk.
“What is it?” He couldn’t help smiling when he caught a glimpse of Sloane standing in the corner staring at them.
Her eyes shone. She swiped a finger beneath the corners of her damp eyes. “Nothing’s wrong. They missed you. I could tell. And they seem so happy to see you. Even at this age, it’s obvious how much they love you. I can’t believe I ever considered not telling you about them.” She shook her head, suddenly choked up with emotion. Her cheeks were wet with tears.
“Don’t beat yourself up over something neither of us can change.” It was a thought that often plagued him. One he’d rather not explore.
She wiped at her face angrily. “I need to get started on the fried pork chops and check on my macaroni and cheese.”
“Wait, you cooked?”
He didn’t mean to sound so shocked. But the truth was, despite her early objections, she’d become quite fond of Marcellus and had fallen in love with his cooking. Even on the weekends when Marcellus wasn’t there, they barely ever cooked. He usually ordered something.
“Still don’t trust my cooking?” she teased, one hand on her hip.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that I know how much
you love Marcellus’s cooking. He usually makes us something for Friday night.”
“I know, but today I didn’t want him to cook. I asked him to walk me through cooking dinner. We’ve been doing that a lot lately, since I have more time on my hands with Livvie being here and everything.”
A smile curled the edge of his mouth and she wagged a finger at him. “Don’t you dare gloat. It’s still way too soon for that.”
“I don’t know. I’m starting to get a little jealous of Marcellus. I’m beginning to think that aside from Beau here, he’s your favorite man in this house.”
Her eyes twinkled, and she tugged her lower lip between her teeth as the edge of her mouth turned up in a sensual smile. “We’ll see how things go tonight.”
She winked at him and laughed as she sashayed from the room.
* * *
Benji finally forced himself to push back from the table once his stomach was so full the top button of his khakis was in danger of shooting across the room. Sloane had made juicy, tender fried pork chops, mouthwatering macaroni and cheese, moist, delicious corn bread and spicy collard greens. She served it with chilled sweet tea spiked with King’s Finest Bourbon and served Tennessee Jam Cake.
“You put your foot in that meal, girl.” He patted his gut, barely able to move. All he wanted to do now was sit on the sofa and catch up on his favorite TV show until he faded into a food coma.
“Thank you?” She laughed, injecting a singsong inflection at the end of the phrase. “That’s one of those uniquely Southern phrases I completely understand, but I always think to myself... God, that sounds incredibly gross.”
Benji chuckled, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. “Well, it was a damn fine meal, babe. And I’ll say it any way you’d like.”
“How about like this?” She leaned in, a mischievous smile on her face, and pressed her lips softly to his.
He splayed one hand against her back, desperate to erase the space between him and those lush curves.
She parted her lips to him and he licked the inside of her mouth, savored the taste of Tennessee Jam Cake and sweet tea—hers without bourbon.
