Page 54 of Skate the Line

I’m balancing on a wobbly stack of books, but I’m as steady as can be because two large hands fall to my waist and keep me still.

By the olive-colored skin tone and veins bursting with strength, I know it’s not Marco who is behind me.

Instead, it’s Rhodes.

My boss.

Twenty

RHODES

It’s official.

I’m a fucking creep, and now she’s going to know it.

Listening to Sunny talk to my daughter without realizing I was listening was wrong. But can you blame a guy with trust issues? I mean, hell, the last nanny locked Ellie in her room.

Of course I’m going to eavesdrop.

Though, it proved that I have nothing to worry about.

In all honesty, it sort of made me jealous.

I’ve been begging Ellie to open up and tell me things about her classmates, the playground,anything, but she just shrugs and walks away, unwilling to act anything but bored when it comes to school.

Two weeks with her new nanny and she’s suddenly spilling secrets about some little punk who told her that blue is a boy color?

Sunny isgood with her.

She isn’t good with being innovative as I rush to catch her, though.

“Rhodes.” Her warm breath fans down to my hands on her waist, and I tighten my grip.

She catches my disappointed look and quickly glances away, like she’s in trouble.

God, she has a perfect body. I can tell, even in these paint-splattered overalls she’s wearing. My thumbs brush against the skin below her cropped white tee, and thank god the rest of my grip is positioned over the denim.

There’s a slash of white paint on her face that I want to wipe away in the worst way.

“Good thing you were there, Daddy!” Ellie’s voice pulls me to reality.

I peer back at her and bring Sunny with me. I place her on the ground and hastily remove my hands from her body as if they’re going to catch on fire at any second.

“I’m quick,” I admit, in hopes that Sunny doesn’t learn I was hovering outside the door, listening to them.

Sunny rocks back onto her heels with her cheeks sucked in slightly. She doesn’t meet my eye.

“What exactly were you doing…” I glance at the books on the floor. “Using your books as a ladder?”

Her cheeks puff with air before letting it all out in one big huff. “Well, I didn't want to stand on the brand-new furniture…”

“Or ask me for help?” I raise my eyebrows. Maybe she’s a littletooindependent. “I have an actual ladder, you know. One that you’re welcome to climb anytime.”

I internally wince.That came out wrong.

Touching her flipped a switch in my head, because since when does the word ladder have a double meaning?She’s welcome to climb it anytime?Fucking Christ.

“It’s fine.” The soft angle of her chin catches my attention as she looks to the corner of the room. “I got it in the midst of my near tumble.” She laughs quietly.

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