Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

She was such a sucker for babies, which surprised her considering how adamant she was about not wanting kids of her own. And then there was Austin.

Last week, he’d been her boss. A man she’d kissed once and put it out of her mind. Or at least, she’d tried to forget that sensual meeting of their lips and his deeply masculine taste.

There had been so many reasons she couldn’t get involved with him then, from not risking her job to not wanting to get involved with a man who didn’t do relationships. In the year she’d been working for him, she’d never seen him with any one woman twice. Same for his past, if the internet was to be believed. And the fact was, Quinn did want a man in her life. A partner who understood her needs, her drive, and her desire to work.

Now suddenly she was living with her boss and his possible baby, she’d come apart in his arms, she was caring for said infant, and her life had been turned upside down. She consoled herself with the fact that by Friday his mother would return, Quinn could go home, and everything would return to normal.

But for some reason, even knowing that, the pit in her stomach remained, anxiety a sudden part of her she didn’t understand.

* * *

Austin heard a door slam shut, and since he hadn’t seen Quinn walk by, he assumed she’d gone out back to the pool. If anyone had been stressed and needed a break, it’d been Quinn and for that he felt bad.

He walked to the window in his bedroom that overlooked the yard and saw her on the pool deck wearing a formfitting racing suit that showed off that gorgeous body he’d only had glimpses of in a short camisole. His dick immediately responded, and when she dove into the water, all slick grace, he groaned, wanting nothing more than to be there with her.

She was a special woman. From the moment he’d called her in a panic, she’d been there for him. She’d stepped up and taken care of Jenny like she was a born mother, despite the fact that she’d since admitted she didn’t want children. But with every minute that passed, he came to appreciate her more and more. He watched her as she swam to the end of the pool, drew a breath, turned, and headed toward the front end.

His thoughts went to their tag-teaming of nannies today. He’d rejected candidates because none were good enough for Jenny. Quinn had done the same, as if she had a say in the decision. As far as Austin was concerned, she did. In his mind, no one else could supply the baby with the love, attention, and complete understanding that Quinn seemed to give her. Though it had only been a couple of days, he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it.

Ian was right.

His uncle had a valid point.

Austin desired his assistant.

He scrubbed a hand over his face, wondering what to do, and then he decided. Fuck it. He was going down to join her.

He shucked his shirt and swapped his pants for a pair of swim trunks, grabbed the baby monitor, and headed downstairs.

He strode through the house and opened the sliding glass doors leading outside, stepping into the hot, humid air. Quinn was still swimming laps, gliding through the water with fluid movements. He placed the monitor on a small table and turned up the volume so he’d hear the baby if she woke up.

Then he walked into the shallow end, taking the two steps down to the pool, and waited until Quinn swam toward him, stopping when she reached him. She stood, brushing the water off her face and out of her eyes. Her dark hair hung to her shoulders. Her breasts were full in the suit, her nipples hardened into tight peaks. His own body responded, and if she looked, there was no way she’d miss his erection.

But those her green eyes narrowed on his. “What brings you out here?”

“The pool looked inviting.” And so had she.

“I thought so, too. I needed to get rid of my frustrations. Today drove me insane. I can’t believe we couldn’t find a nanny,” she said.

“Are there more people coming tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “Since we need someone so quickly, they sent out their best people today. The woman who runs the agency is going to put out the word she’s looking for the right type of nanny. But I had an idea. It came to me just now while I was swimming.”

“I’m all ears.” He walked to the side of the pool and sat on the edge.

She joined him, hopping up next to him. “Remember I told you I have a huge family? Well, those cousins I used to babysit for are grown up now. I have one who is going to college in September, but she didn’t find a job for the summer. I could see if she wants to babysit while we’re at work. It wouldn’t cover the nights, but at least Jenny would have someone capable at home during the day.”