Tempted by Her Boss

He interrupted her. “I already said I wanted you there. You’re going with us, and that’s final.”

His voice had taken on a commanding edge that sent a flood of arousal washing over her. She was so incredibly weak when it came to this man.

“Please, Paige. I would love it if you were there. Otherwise, it’s me, Matt and Gavin. I need another female who’ll sympathize with me,” Stasia said.

“All right.” Paige smiled tremulously, trying her best to keep her emotions in check. “Let me go wake up Matty now and get him ready so he’ll hopefully be less of a bear when we leave.”

Stasia laughed and nudged Matteo. “Sounds like your son is taking after you, big brother. I remember you as surly as anything in the morning, growing up.”

“I was not,” he said, sounding one hundred percent surly.

And he sounded incredibly sexy, as reluctant as Paige was to admit it.

She had it bad for her boss, and she believed he had a thing for her as well. But how could she make him confess her suspicions? Then again, she still hadn’t recovered since the day she’d let him put his hands all over her. She secretly wished he wanted her more than anyone else in the world. But her wishes were futile. She clutched nothing but air.

How she wished she could get over him, once and for all.

Matteo watched Paige walk away, his gaze fixated on the swing of her hips, the delectable curve of her backside. She wore jeans that fit her so closely, they showed off her every curve. He loved it when she wore jeans, though it wasn’t very often.

Ah, and then there were the yoga pants she wore, black and clingy and simple enough to drive him absolutely wild with lust. Whenever he was around her, he felt wild with lust. Swirling, hot emotions urging him on to just…take her.

But he couldn’t. They’d crossed the line once and it had ended in an absolute disaster. He refused to push himself upon her again. No matter how badly he wanted her, Matty needed her—and his son’s needs came before everything. Even the lusty needs of the man.

“Why are you always so rude toward her?” Stasia asked the second Paige was out of earshot.

“What? Who?” He glanced at his sister, studying her radiant face. Now that he knew the cause for all that radiance, it didn’t surprise him in the least. Her cheeks were a little round, her skin glowing. She had the look of a young woman about her, fertile and ready to grow plump with child.

Stasia rolled her eyes. “Your nanny. Paige. You know, the pretty redhead who takes care of your only son all day long?”

“I’m never rude to Paige.” Maybe a bit short, but damn it, he had to be. Otherwise, he might say something ridiculous like, “Come to bed with me now,” and then he’d have her naked and pinned beneath him within minutes. And who would take care of Matty?

He’d have to hire another nanny if that happened.

“You’re sort of cold toward her,” his sister pointed out.

Matteo shot her an icy glare. “I’m cold to everyone,” he stressed because it was the truth.

“You’re not cold to me,” Stasia said in her too chipper voice.

“That’s because you’re my sister. You get a free pass,” he answered, his voice droll, making her laugh. Just the reaction he was looking for.

A change of subject. The last thing he wanted to talk about with Stasia was Paige.

“I’m going to call Gavin. Shall we meet in an hour or so?”

When he nodded, she rattled off the name of a favorite restaurant where they could go.

“That sounds perfect.” He grabbed hold of his sister’s arm and pulled her in close, offering her another hug. “I’m very happy for you and your husband, Anastasia. I know you both want a baby so very badly.”

A little sniff escaped her as she tightened her arms around him and he felt like an ass. He hadn’t meant to make her cry. “Thank you, Matteo. It means the world to me, your approval.”

“And have you told Mama yet?” he asked once they withdrew from each other.

Stasia laughed, her eyes still watery. “She screamed so loud in my ear I think I might be permanently deaf.”

Matteo chuckled in amusement. After everything she’d endured the last few years, finding out the father she’d always known wasn’t her birth father at all and the fight for her legacies afterward, she’d persevered, determination leading her the entire way. “She’ll want to come out here and be with you when the baby arrives.”

“She’s already looking into flight arrangements. It will be good, though, having her with me. I’ll want her there. I haven’t a clue what to do with a baby.” Stasia shook her head, her expression full of worry.