Page 1 of Sinful Santa
1
Tahlia stared up at the Tudor-style mansion with a sense of hope and good cheer that had not a little to do with the bustling groups of people in coveralls putting Christmas decorations and lights on and around the house. It was a new day and a new opportunity. Nannying was definitelynother career of choice, but sometimes life threw a curveball, as Derek said, and adaptation was required.
The curveball in Tahlia’s case was a doozy.
She had life all figured out; everything was balanced.
A Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, a dream job with the best engineering firm out there, and a decent relationship. She was living the dream.
Until the job fell through, given instead to a relative of the firm’s CEO. Then her boyfriend cheated on her with her neighbor. Of course, she lived with him so come the breakup she ended up homeless.
No job, no boyfriend, no plan.
If her best friend and graduate school buddy, Violet Parker, hadn’t come to her rescue, Tahlia was pretty sure she would have applied to a third-degree program if only for the housing. Violet graciously allowed Tahlia to stay in the spare room of the two-bedroom apartment Violet shared with her fiancée and Tahlia’s other good friend, Derek. She also gave Tahlia a much needed direction when Tahlia lost her life compass.
Tahlia had a soft spot for kids so when Violet told her a professor at the university was in need of a nanny stat and suggested Tahlia try it out, she thought why not? It wasn’t like her chosen career was panning out.
Tahlia spent the whole summer with the Martin family, caring for the three kids while their parents struggled through a rough divorce. By the end of the season, Tahlia was sad to leave - Professor Martin received custody and moved away from the area - but came away fulfilled in a way she hadn’t expected to be. She loved working with the kids and helping them cope with a situation no kid should have to go through.
And the paycheck was a big bonus. As it turned out, being a nanny for the Marsdenian upper crust could be quite lucrative.
This holiday season she’d be able to affordmuchbetter gifts for her friends. At least, that was the thought when she drove up the horseshoe asphalt driveway of her next potential employer. Tahlia leaned against her restored (by her, thank you very much) vintage truck and considered the giant house. It wasdefinitelyTudor. Dark timbers stood out against white walls, the windows had iron frames, and a grand oak double-door that would have put Henry VIII to shame was set as the imperious entrance. The lawn around the house was fairly plain, decorated only with a few trees and some well-coiffed rose bushes. There was also an army of people in coveralls putting Christmas lights on the house itself. A week before Thanksgiving and they were already putting up the Christmas lights. Tahlia had to step around them to reach the front door. Most ignored her, intent on their work. She supposed that it would take hours, if not another day, to get the classic multi-colored bulbs hung.
Mr. Matt Nelson certainly didnotspare any expense when it came to decoration, which was even more evident when Tahlia entered the house, let in by a serious-faced young man who introduced himself as Eric Warner, Mr. Nelson’s house manager. Everywhere she looked there was holly being draped and various seasonal baubles and decorations placed on tables. The main staircase - she supposed it was the main staircase - had real fir wrapped around the banisters all the way up and down. There were just as many people inside as there were outside, bustling around, being barked at by someone with a clipboard. A person who put this much effort into Christmas decor was surely a nice human being and Tahlia instantly relaxed as she was led through the house.
Warner showed her into a dark room lined with bookshelves and a massive mahogany desk set into the center. At that desk sat who she assumed was the man she’d come to interview with, studiously examining some papers.
“Tahlia Jameson is here to interview for the open position, sir,” the assistant announced crisply.
“Thank you, Warner.” He didn’t look up from his work, but an almost imperceptible shiver went down Tahlia’s spine, Nelson’s voice deeper than she expected. “You can leave us.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Warner disappeared, Nelson scribbled something on the bottom of the page he was reading, set it aside, and stood from his burgundy leather-back chair. When he lifted his gaze and finally set eyes on Tahlia, he seemed to freeze for a few seconds, the only movement in his eyes, which looked her quickly up and down. Tahlia shifted, thinking that maybe he was observing her ratty flats, skinny jeans that had seen better days, and a blouse she’d definitely already worn three times that week and deciding they weren’t up to his standards. Nonetheless, she smiled, determined to be confident.
“Hello, Mr. Nelson,” she approached the desk with her hand held out. He clasped it with his and Tahlia tried very hard not to think about how easily its large expanse enveloped her own or how he towered over her. “I’m Tahlia Jameson. Which you already knew…”
Nice going,Tahlia State-the-Obvious Jameson.
“Please take a seat.”
That voice speaking directly to her was an experience. Tahlia lowered herself into one of the less elaborate chairs which stood on her side of the desk, growing increasingly aware that she was in a room with maybe the most physically attractive man she’d ever met. Yes, he was tall, but also wide, the fabric of his poor black henley deliciously stretched across his shoulders and chest. His hair looked ridiculously soft, falling in gentle waves just below his ears, which were mostly hidden from view but Tahlia could still see one peek out from beneath his locks. She had an urge to push his hair back and see what he was hiding.
Stars, Jameson! Stop being inappropriate. Tahlia gave a little shake of her head and shoved all those thoughts deep down into her psyche, attributing them to her recent breakup. No lusting after her potential new boss. She was a professional. When Nelson returned to his own seat, she drew back her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“Here are my references and my resume,” she said, drawing a folder from the messenger bag at her side and sliding it to him across the desk. “I admit I don’t have a lot of nannying experience but my references-”
“You have a Master’s degree in Engineering?” He lifted a quizzical brow as he looked up from the now open folder.
While Tahlia didn’t appreciate being interrupted, she smiled. “Yes. But I assure you-”
“I’ve heard enough, Miss Jameson.”
Tahlia’s mouth snapped shut in surprise but she quickly recovered. “I don’t understand-”
“My children need stability,” Nelson continued, pointedly shutting her folder and shoving it back across his desk. “And I’m looking for someone with more experience. You’ve only had one previous nannying position and you’re clearly confused on what you want to do with your life. I don’t believe you would be a good influence. Frankly, Miss Jameson, I don’t know how or why my assistant allowed this appointment. I’m sorry, but you’ve wasted your time. Warner will escort you out.”
He immediately turned to the screen of the computer which sat to his right on the desk, pointedly ignoring her.
