Page 40 of Just One More Temptation

“What do you want?” he asked, sounding pre-resigned to not liking the answer.

Dakota jumped up from her theatrics on the floor. “Can Fallon give us mani-pedis, Daddy? Please?”

“Please?” Dylan chimed in, hands still clasped in prayer.

He immediately shook his head. “Girls, Fallon’s had a rough—I mean busy morning. We don’t need to bother her.”

“It’s no bother. They’re an amazing distraction. Besides, I said I’d paint something special on Dakota’s nails.”

“Not poop!” Dylan shrieked.

He wrinkled his nose. “I really don’t want to know.” Glancing at Fallon, he mouthed,Are you sure?She nodded, suddenly looking forward to a spa day with Noah’s girls.

He shot her a grateful look. “Then I will disappear into my office and get some work done. Girls, make sure you help Fallon clean up afterward,” he said in his stern dad voice.

One she wasn’t ashamed to admit turned her on despite their young audience.

***

Even secluded inhis office, Noah heard the girlish shrieks and laughter from the kitchen. He’d stopped by the room for a glass of water and had been shocked to see the twins soaking their toes in plastic containers filled with soapy water.

They barely noticed him, lost in their excitement and chatter. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen the girls so animated and happy. In fact, he’d never seen Fallon so engrossed in something to the exclusion of all else, including him. And he couldn’t express the warmth that filled him, knowing this young woman—and she was young—truly loved spending time with his girls. Not to impress him, not as a means to get closer to him, but because the twins made her as happy as they made him.

He snuck out of the kitchen, happy to be invisible, and returned to his office where he worked to the sound of joy and fun filling both his apartment and his heart.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when a knock sounded on his office door. He glanced up to see Fallon hovering in the doorway, seemingly unsure if she should enter.

He gestured for her to come in and she strode across the hardwood floor, coming to a stop across from him.

“Closer,” he said, indicating she should walk around the large desk.

She did as instructed, coming around to his side.

“Where are the girls?” he asked.

She laughed. “I took the mini fans from their rooms and told them to sit in front of the fans to let their nails dry.”

“Brilliant,” he said, as he pulled her onto his lap.

“We shouldn’t!”

“I’ll hear them coming. Trust me.”

She bit down on her enticing lower lip and nodded. “I do.”

Why did those little words do such crazy things to his heart rate? “It sounded like you were having fun.”

“They’re amazing girls. I love getting to learn their different personalities.” She waved a hand through the air and he caught her wrist in his hand.

Her fingers were different colors, one hand hot pink and blue, the other purple and orange, none of which were within the shape of her nails. The polish extended onto her fingers.

“You let them paint your nails,” he said, staring at the mess in disbelief.

“Of course. It’s just polish.”

“This hand is Dakota and this is Dylan’s handiwork.” She held up each hand for him to see.

Releasing her hand, he pressed a palm to her cheeks. “You, Fallon Sterling, are a true treasure.” He leaned forward and captured her lips with his.

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