She had a mortgage in a beautiful neighborhood, a pool, and a steady job. No complaints from her. All she needed to do was economize. Again, no big deal. She loved being thrifty.
Stepping around Eli, she headed back out to the pool. There was no way they would be able to continue their conversation with Katie close by to hear it.
There was no boyfriend or party life for her. During college, she’d learned her lesson. Working on a scholarship, she had nearly been kicked out for her failing grades. Yep, one too many parties, bad scores, and she nearly threw her entire life away. No more. Waking up one day with a tattoo across the base of her back and a killer headache, she’d decided no more.
Parties were fun and great but for her, they didn’t make friends.
Katie ran after her, chasing her and taking her hand.
At first, she was going to pull her hand away but that kind of rejection could hurt for a child. She was so freaking torn, wanting to do the right thing.
Biting her lip, she looked toward Eli, who shrugged.
Taking that as a yes, she walked out with Katie, and they were back in the pool. One of the rules she’d made with Katie was under no circumstances was she to swim alone. Whenever she was in her yard alone, no pool. So far, the kid had done as she’d asked.
Eli entered her backyard and took a seat in one of the chairs.
Summer was ending and she knew she’d have to pack everything away in her little garden shed until spring. She loved the winter though, and had no problem with the storms or snow about to descend on them.
“Daddy, look, look, I’m a butterfly.” Katie floated on her back and moved her arms up and down.
He chuckled, the sound deep and throaty. She loved it but tried not to think of how sexy it really was.
She floated up on her back, keeping Katie close to her. They held hands for a short time.
When her stomach started to growl, she knew it was time to get out of the water.
“Hungry?” she asked, smiling at Katie.
“Starved.”
“Unless your dad wants to join you in the pool, go wash up, and I will get some food ready.” She turned to Eli and if she wasn’t mistaken, he’d been watching her.
“She’s been in the pool long enough. She knows the rules. Go on, Katie. Go and get cleaned up. Your food will go cold otherwise.”
Without arguing, Katie joined her as they walked out of the pool.
After drying her body and hair again on the towel, she walked over to the grill and fired it up. All this time, she was aware of his gaze on her. She had to be mistaken because no guy had ever paid careful attention to her.
When she stared at his reflection in the door, his gaze was on her, on her ass, and she nearly stumbled.
Eli, her sexy neighbor, was checking out her ass.
She hadn’t pulled on her shorts, so he saw every inch of her. She wasn’t slender. Her body was full, curvy, and many considered her overweight. Was she mistaking his look for disgust? No way.
There was heat in his eyes.
Did he want her?
Was he angry at her?
She didn’t really care because her arousal had already gone up a notch. There was no way for her to cover up now, not without him knowing what she knew.
Damn it, no wonder she was still a freaking virgin after all this time. She had no idea what to do with a man’s attention.
She’d be doomed to live her life alone.
****
Eli knew he shouldn’t be looking at his neighbor’s curvy ass, but it was right there in front of him. There was simply no way not to look.
Ann Adams had become the bane of his existence. His daughter seemed adamant in her search for friendship as she was always around her house.
He didn’t move to this small, quiet little town for nothing. Katie needed structure, security, and he knew the big city would suck up most of his time.
Being the owner of a large software company, he’d turned into a workaholic while many nannies had helped to raise Katie. He’d didn’t think there was anything wrong with a nanny taking care of a kid, but when said nanny wanted to fuck the father, or move on with her life, he dealt with the cleanup.
Katie was an emotional child. She got attached too easily, and when people left, she always took it hard.
Her feelings for Ann were growing. He saw it.
Ann was a beautiful young woman. Single. Her whole life ahead of her. His little girl didn’t need to get attached to this woman. He’d kept his distance for a reason.
She came back carrying two baking dishes with marinated food.