A Nanny Under the Mistletoe: A Nanny Under the Mistletoe / Single Father, Surprise Prince!

“You know what I mean.”

“I really don’t.” It wasn’t easy to remember innocence, but he put as much as possible into his voice and expression.

Jess was baiting her, plain and simple. He was deliberately agitating her because, as stupid as it sounded, she was beautiful when she was angry. More beautiful, he amended. Not in the classic, statuesque, turn-a-man’s-head way Elena was. But in a down-to-earth way that was more appealing than he would have ever believed.

“Okay.” She put her hands on her hips, drawing his attention to curves that made his palms tingle. “Let me put it like this. Morgan could have walked into a scene featuring a naked woman in your bed. It’s not something I want to explain to her. Do you?” She paused thoughtfully and tapped a finger to her lips. “Oh, wait, you’re the guy who doesn’t do kid talk at all which would make explaining sex to a five-year-old—”

“Almost six,” he pointed out.

“Right. Because a couple months would solve the problem entirely.”

Definitely beautiful, he thought. “The situation was awkward, I’ll admit that. But it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. So, I guess I’m wondering what you want me to do.”

She blew out a breath. “And I guess I’m wondering how many more keys are out there? How many more of your women are going to show up unexpectedly?”

Elena was the only flight attendant he dated. He’d given her a key because it was convenient for both of them. She’d have a place to stay when she was in Las Vegas and he enjoyed her showing up out of the blue.

He could tell Libby there were no more women, but then they’d have nothing left to talk about. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he wasn’t quite ready for this conversation to be over. Scratching his head he said, “It’s hard to put an exact figure on it.”

“Figure being the operative word.” Sarcasm surrounded every syllable.

“No pun intended.” Again he let his expression ooze innocence. “So Morgan had some questions?”

“I managed to do damage control. This time.”

“How?”

Her eyes narrowed and the expression was sexy as hell. “She’s still young and naïve enough to believe that people look past a woman’s appearance to find her inner beauty.”

Her emphasis on the word people told him she really meant men. Truthfully, the kid’s comment about growing up had freaked him out big time. “I’m glad you were able to smooth things over.”

“Is it necessary for me to point out that boobalicious babes arriving without warning is going to be a problem the older Morgan gets?”

“I will take appropriate action to avoid a repeat of the situation,” he assured her.

“How?”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you have a master list of who has access to your home?” she grilled him.

“I’ve never found it to be necessary.”

Her stubborn, pointed little chin lifted slightly. “Now it is.”

“Would you feel more secure if I had the locks changed?” Even though it’s not necessary, he added to himself.

She nodded. “It’s a start.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you.” She stared at him and caught her top lip with her teeth.

Heat shot straight through him as his mind went to a place where he kissed her until both of them were clinging to each other because neither could catch their breath. The next part of the mental picture had her naked in his bed. Before the vision went any further, he looked closer and noticed there was something else on her mind. And he would bet it had nothing whatsoever to do with his bed.

“What?” he asked.

She shook her head. “It’s none of my business.”

“Since when has that stopped you?” He shrugged. “Go ahead. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“You don’t really want to know.”

Probably not. But now he was too curious. “Yeah, I do want to know.”

“Technically you’re my boss. I’m your employee. It’s not my place to offer an opinion.”

Curiouser and curiouser. Now he really needed to hear what she had to say. “Just pretend I’m the company suggestion box. Or better yet, a comment card. The one that says we’re really interested in your feedback. Et cetera. Lay it on me.”

“Okay. If you insist.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I can’t help noticing that you don’t seem like the type of guy who embraces parenting. The sort who doesn’t do the dance of joy at being tied down.”

She was right about that. Ties gave people the power to stab you in the back. If someone was going on the offensive, he preferred to see it coming and take appropriate evasive measures in order to defend himself. Maybe that’s why he was so drawn to Libby. She had no problem with telling him what was on her mind, whether or not he wanted to hear it.

Jess met her gaze as the defensive part of him locked and loaded. “My energy has been focused on business for a very long time. I put together some cash and parlayed that stake into something of much greater value. With one enormously successful resort open on the Strip and another one in development, not to mention partnerships in properties all over the world, there’s not a lot left over for anything else.”

Which is why relationships like Elena worked for him. No demands, just rewards.

“I understand what you’re saying,” she agreed, in a tone that indicated she didn’t see at all. “The problem, as I see it, is that when you’re raising a child, being tied down comes with the territory.”

Okay. She’d nailed him. Mission accomplished. It was a direct hit on the target. What she meant was that Ben and Charity had picked the wrong guy to take care of their kid. Did she really think he wasn’t aware of that?

On the day she’d delivered Morgan, she’d accused him of not really wanting the child. He hadn’t confirmed or denied but defended himself with a question. Who says I don’t want her? Libby was dancing around it again now, but the meaning came through loud and clear. He wasn’t the go-to guy and his friend had misplaced his trust.

He was more than ready now to end this conversation.

“Okay, Libby. Point taken. I’m well aware of my shortcomings and limitations.”

“It’s not a flaw,” she backpedaled. “Some people just aren’t cut out to raise kids. Self-awareness is a good thing.”

Jess ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know why Ben chose me to be Morgan’s guardian, but he did.”

“And what you’re doing is admirable, Jess, but—”

He held up a hand to stop her. “I assured my friend that his child would be taken care of if anything happened to him. It was one of the last conversations we had. You’re here in my employ to take care of Morgan. I gave my word and I’m doing my duty.”

Disappointment was evident in her eyes again and he hated putting it there. One of the perks of living alone was not having anyone to let down. He would have to learn not to let it bother him the way it was now.

Chapter Five