“And what if they wouldn’t have to force me?” Oh, shit. She didn’t just say that.
He smiled then leaned down to kiss her. Just a light brush of his lips against hers, but it was enough to stir her, to have her leaning against him, a low whimper escaping as he drew back.
“When you’re ready for that night, you let me know. I’ll look forward to it.”
Oh, she was so fucked.
6
She was going to vomit.
Her first day of work. She wasn’t certain what to expect. She grabbed the diaper bag she’d packed the night before then picked up each of the boys. Her arms ached, and she wondered how the hell she was going to manage this each morning. She fumbled as she opened the door and nearly tripped over something as she walked outside. Instead, she caught herself and stared down in confusion at the double stroller sitting on her doorstep.
What on Earth?
She spotted a note tied to the handle and she quickly set both boys into the stroller then grabbed the note.
A present for your first day. Good luck. Tell me if you need anything.
Joel.
The stroller looked brand new. And expensive. She couldn’t accept it, even if it would make her life so much easier.
“Hello!”
She glanced up in surprise as an older woman approached. She was dressed in brown slacks and a floral top, her gray hair set in tight curls. She had a warm smile, putting Aspen instantly at ease.
“Hi,” she called back.
“Good, I see you found the stroller. Joel asked me to choose one out for you, I hope I got a good one.”
“It-it’s wonderful. Um . . .”
“Oh goodness.” The woman laughed. “I’m Gwen, Thomas’s wife. I help Thomas keep the house and club in order. I’m just so excited to meet you. When Joel told me you were moving in with two little boys, I nearly jumped for joy. I don’t have any grandchildren, you see.”
This lovely woman was married to stiff, austere Thomas?
“I was hoping I could come along with you today. Help you with the boys and get to know them a bit better?”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking, dear, I want to.”
Something eased inside her and she realized she’d been stressing about how she’d take care of the boys while learning everything she had to on the first day.
“Thank you, I’d like that.”
She wondered if she would see Saxon today then told herself off for that thought. Distance. She needed distance between them.
She’d just returned back to the guest house when there was a knock on the door. She left the boys in the stroller as she went to open it. Her first day had been full on and she just wanted to get the boys fed and to bed so she could sleep.
Working with Renard was going to be a huge test of her patience. But she wasn’t going to let him get the best of her. She desperately needed this job so no matter what he threw at her, she would just have to handle it. At least the boys seemed to like Gwen. That was a huge relief.
She opened the door. Saxon stood on the other side. He held a bottle of wine in one hand and a white, plastic bag in the other.
“Thought I’d come over and see how your first day went. I’ve brought dinner and wine.”
She should probably give him some excuse. Tell him that she needed to get the boys to bed. But the truth was, she was starving and she wouldn’t mind some company.