As she slid off the stool and headed up a flight of stairs that led from the kitchen to the second floor, Michelle knew one thing: she would not let Dwight Carter take this job away from her. He had taken enough already.
As to the other matter about Dwight not being her real father, well that was just preposterous.
CHAPTER FOUR
Erik poured himself a mug of coffee and sipped at it as he stared out the kitchen window at the Monadnock Mountains in the distance. Usually after his daily seven-mile run, he’d enjoy his coffee over his edition of The New York Times while the house was as quiet as his thoughts. His thoughts were anything but quiet today. Images of a very beautiful young woman had been running about in his head since yesterday afternoon and he couldn’t make them stop.
He hadn’t even been able to enjoy the play with Precious last night. They had gotten home after midnight—not because the play had run late, but because he’d been too shaken up over that passionate kiss between him and his daughter’s new nanny to come back to the house.
He’d gone to visit his mother, who was always happy to see her only child and grandchild. She was up late, packing for her annual three-week cruise to the Caribbean with her friends, and since she was leaving in two days, she’d assumed he’d come to say goodbye, and didn’t question his late and impromptu visit.
His mother had put her life on hold to help out with Precious while he was searching for Holly’s replacement, so it was no surprise that she’d thrown her hands in the air and exclaimed, “It’s about time, Erik!” when he told her he’d hired a new nanny.
If she only knew the new nanny wasn’t old, but an attractive, irresistible temptress, who’d already managed to wiggle her way under his thick skin, his mother would have brought out the champagne. After all, she’d been badgering him about remarrying and giving her more grandchildren before she was too old to spoil them.
He could tell her that since he had no intentions of marrying again, Precious was the only grandchild she’d ever have and that she should enjoy her all she could. But that would be cruel, so he indulged her and told her she would have all the grandchildren she wanted when he found the right woman, to which she always responded, “Fastidious as you are, that’ll probably never happen. It’s a miracle that Cassie managed to land you.” The woman just could not be pleased, he thought, an affectionate smile spreading across his face.
Erik tensed as he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. It was too early for either Mrs. Hayes or Precious to be up, so he knew it was Michelle. She was an early riser, he thought, a bit disconcerted that he’d have to adjust his morning routine just when he’d finally gotten used to it.
He turned when the footsteps halted and a soft gasp echoed behind him. Michelle was standing under the arch separating the kitchen from the dining room. Thank goodness she was fully dressed in jeans and a far less revealing shirt than the one she showed up in yesterday. They looked clean, but a bit rumpled and faded. He hadn’t suggested it, but he hoped she’d go shopping today for the new wardrobe she needed so badly. He’d given her quite a bit more than a month’s salary, and he hoped her pride didn’t get in the way of making herself presentable.
“Hi. Good morning,” she said, her eyes darting around the room as if to confirm they were alone. “Um... I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll go back upstairs until you’re gone.” Her gaze flittered apprehensively over his damp shorts and T-shirt clad body.
What a picture he must make, he thought half amused, even as he marveled at the impeccable smoothness of her bare skin, and the black long lashes flanking those dark sensual eyes. She was one of those lucky women who didn’t need makeup.#p#分页标题#e#
He set his empty mug on the table. “Michelle, it’s okay. I was just having coffee. Besides, we need to talk about Precious’ schedule and other things. What better time than when there’s no one else around?”
“You run?”
“Seven to ten miles every day. And I lift weights three days a week at the country club.” He chuckled. “Have to, or else I’ll be as big as your pet bull Calvin. Mrs. Hayes is a wonderful cook, and I love to eat.”
“I noticed that last night.” A faint smile played at the corners of her voluptuous lips, but her eyes remained wary.
She was guarded, Erik thought with a frown. She wasn’t the feisty spitfire that had burst into his study yesterday. Was it their kiss that was coming between them? Damn his blasted libido. “What about you, how do you stay in shape?”