Page 68 of Double Fault

“Where do I sleep?”

Straightening, I nod toward the stairs. “I’ll show you.”

I motion for her to go first, because it’s the gentlemanly thing to do, but instantly curse myself because now the perfect, full curves of her ass are at eye-level.

It’s like I’m subconsciously trying to sabotage myself.

Keeping my hands off the nanny should beeasy.But there’s nothing easy about my feelings for Sabrina. They’re fucking confusing, especially since I haven’t so much as given another woman a second look since Annie, let alone found myself consumed by one. Only Annie has ever made me feel that way.

Until now.

And I can’t help but think it’s a betrayal to her memory to want another woman the way I wanted my wife.

I force my gaze away from Sabrina’s ass, instead focusing on my feet.

At the landing, she pauses and waits for me to lead her down the hall. We pass Maddie’s room, where she’s already playing with her dollhouse. I may do a lot of things wrong, but I take pride in her willingness to play with toys rather than stay glued to electronics like so many kids. It’s only a matter of time, though, before she cares more about boys and texting and social media than she does these things.

“It’s down here,” I say, avoiding eye contact.

In my periphery, she frowns. She must think I have some sort of mood disorder, and I can’t really blame her. The hot and cold routine I’ve got going on annoys the shit out of me. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for her.

Gently, I open a door on the left. Because I’m an asshole and I clearly love torturing myself, I’ve put her in the room closest to the master. Though I tell myself this room is the best choice because it gives her the most privacy from Maddie.

I step aside to let her in, watching as the same awe she wore downstairs paints itself across her face.

Annie designed the guest room. It’s light pink and beige. Feminine but elegant. She lovingly picked out every piece of furniture and the bedcovers. And now, the woman I shouldn’t have feelings for will be sleeping here.

Annie would want me to move on.

She made me promise I would keep my heart open for a second chance at love.

That does nothing to ease the guilt that threatens to choke me like the ghost of her hand around my throat.

Sabrina turns to me with a soft smile. “It’s beautiful.”

“Annie designed it.”

The smile remains, but sadness swims in her eyes. “She had excellent taste.”

“Thanks.” I stand awkwardly in the doorway, not sure what I should do or say. I haven’t felt this way since I was a teenager. When I’m in Sabrina’s presence, every ounce of confidence in my body dissipates. Her presence alone strips me bare.

We stare at each other for a moment before she breaks the spell and moves past me out of the room.

“Where are you going?” I blurt, spinning on my heel.

She stops in the doorway and glances back. “To get my bags.”

“No.” I take one big step toward her. “I’ll get them.”

Scoffing, she crosses her arms. “I’m capable of carrying my stuff up a set of stairs, Noah.”

“Just let me do it.” I hurry past her and down the stairs before she can stop me.

I throw her duffel bag over my shoulder and grab her suitcase, then roll it over to the stairway. At the top landing, she peers down at me, her lips turned down and her hands on her full hips.

“Do you feel better now? More masculine?”

“Yep.” I hustle up the stairs without breaking a sweat and carry her stuff straight to her room. Once I’ve set it all down, I brush my hands together and survey the space.

---