Page 12 of Under One Roof

Griffin

When the résumé from Andrea Halton showed up in my email, I was hesitant to read it because it didn’t come from an online service. But then I remembered the last few hires came from “professional” agencies and not one of them could hack it, so this one couldn’t be worse. Her accompanying references from Clara and Marianne—my sister’s best friend—let me know I could trust her.

Besides that, I liked her answer to my question about being locked out of the house. Because my kids had done that…twice. To separate nannies. I need someone who won’t lose their cool, and this Andrea seems to be someone who can think on her feet, which I appreciate.

I have a couple days off work to get my home situation sorted, even if Logan and Grace begged me not to hire anyone and promised I could trust them.

I don’t believe them.

Because they’ve repeatedly shown me they are not to be trusted.

So, here I am again, opening the door to yet another possible nanny.

But what I don’t expect is to find Andi on the other side of the stoop. We both jolt back.

“Andi?”

“Captain?”

“What are you doing here?” I ask as her eyes dart around.

“I think I might be at the wrong place. I’m looking for 1035 Marshall Drive.”

“This is 1035 Marshall Drive,” I tell her, and those lips of hers—the ones I thought about being wrapped around my cock as I stroked it last night—open wide.

“You’re Griffin?”

I nod. “You’re Andrea?”

She bites into her plump lower lip. “Andi…short for Andrea.”

And for a moment, both of us are quiet, gazes frozen on each other, the crackling tension we’d found in the cab of my truck simmering between us once again.

I’m stunned, to say the least, but I finally grab hold of two brain cells to rub together. “So, you’re not leaving?”

She lifts one shoulder. “I thought I’d stick around for a bit.”

“And work for me?” Images ofworking herflood my mind, and I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head to rid them.

“I didn’t know…”

When I lift my lids again, she’s staring at me with a mixture of wonder and curiosity. She’s barely as tall as my shoulders, and she’s close enough that I could reach out and wrap my arm around her waist, pull her to me, press her face to the middle of my chest.

I don’t touch her, but I do clear my throat, drawing her attention briefly below my chin before she blinks a few times. Then her eyes meet mine, and she winces. “I didn’t know it would be you. If it’s weird, I can…”

She vaguely motions behind her, and there is no way I’m letting her escape again. Not when I wasn’t sure I’d see her again. “No, come in.”

She does, and when I close the door behind her, I see she’s wearing my sweatshirt. I’d been too stunned to notice before, but I do now. Which makes her realize too, and she begins to unzip it.

“Keep it. Looks better on you.” What I mean to say is,I like my name on you, but I keep that sewn up tight. I motion for her to follow me. “I’ll show you around.”

When I understood I’d need full-time help after the babies were born, my siblings helped me remodel the basement to make it a little apartment. It has a small bathroom, even smaller kitchenette, but there’s also a bed and enough room for other furniture if she wanted.

Andi helps herself to looking around, dragging her fingertips along the counter, and I help myself to taking in the shape of her legs. Thankfully, she’d swapped out her cotton shorts for more suitable jeans, but they’re just as tempting with the way they hug the curve of her ass. She still wears her cowboy boots, and with her hair pulled up, showing off a few necklaces, there’s something about her that makes me think of country music, sticky floors, and neon lights.

“Where are you from?” I ask, and she turns to me, her pretty pink lips tipped up.

“A little town in West Texas.”

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