Page 11 of The Forbidden Sitter
“You’re really great with him,” Gannon said, taking a seat on the floor, but not before I caught his eyes roaming over my body. A pop of warmth burst inside me, along with a nudge ofworry.
Uhoh…
Leaving the two to play with Braiden’s new toy, Gannon making vrooming sounds while Braiden, who was oddly not verbal yet, tried to imitate him and mostly blew raspberries, I rose and went back to unpacking my bags. An uneasy feeling was washing over me—one that told me I had to be careful with the charismatic playboy who I now not only worked for but also livedwith.
I was sure women who had even less to do with the man had a hard time keeping their heads straight where he was concerned. My work was really cut out forme.
Picking up a handful of panties and bras out of my suitcase, I held them close to my body, discreetly covering them with my hands as I took them to the dresser. Dropping them inside the top drawer, I folded them, making sure to keep them out ofsight.
When I turned back around, I found Gannon sitting back, watching Braiden zoom his new toy all over the walls and carpet. “Can you believe his own mother could turn her back on him the way she has?” He had a dazed, kind of sad look on his face that made me want to go over and put my armsaround—
Uh, no! Hello? Bad, bad idea! What’s the matter with you? Self-control has always been Brad’s problem, notyours!
I shook my head and returned for more clothes. “No, I can’t believe that. Brad told me about all of it. I just can’t imagine what sort of person does a thing like that. He doesn’t seem like he’s a problem at all. And certainly not a piece of trash to discard so easily.” Picking up several pairs of shorts, I turned to walk back to the dresser, but Gannon’s hand on my arm stoppedme.
Oh, the spark that shot through me wasn’t good at all. My eyes were wide as I looked at his large hand, wrapped around my wrist. My eyes traveled up my arm until they found his. His thick lashes fell as he blinked, then I saw those blue eyes once more. “The truth is that haunts me. I don’t understand how anyone could do such a terrible thing. And I’m glad he has you now. I mean, I can try my best to be what he needs as a father, but a kid needs a mom more than anything, I think. I don’t know how I would’ve turned out if I hadn’t had a lovingmother.”
But I wasn’t the boy’s mother. I was merely his babysitter. “Mr. Forester …” His eyebrow arched. Oh. Right. “Gannon. While I will do my very best to be what your son needs, please understand that a babysitter is no replacement for a mother. You’ll have to be both mom and dad for the poor littleguy.”
He let me go and looked down, the powerful image briefly slipping as the weight of this new burden obviously settled home. “I don’t know if I have that in me,Brooke.”
Putting my clothes down on the bed, I ran my hand through his dark hair, before I could stop myself. I was honestly just trying to convey my compassion for him and his desperate situation,but…
He raised his head, locking eyes with me, and I realized I had to pull myself together for all of our sakes. “Gannon, I’m here to help you get through this hard part. You’ll be great at being a father, just like you’re great at everything else you’ve ever done in your life. My brother has told me all about you. You may have been born wealthy, but you’ve done plenty on your own as well. You should be proud of your accomplishments and sure in your ability to raise yourson.”
I was much too close to the man, our faces only inches away from each other.What the hell am Idoing?
Taking a step back, I broke our eye contact. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him shaking his head slowly. “Thanks, Brooke. I needed to hear that,badly.”
Gathering my shorts once more, I headed to the dresser, knowing I needed to get some space between us. My body wasn’t acting right. It had some kind of electric current fizzing through it, leaving megiddy.
Turning back around, I found his eyes sparkling at me. There was no more lost, young father in them.Oh, no. Here we go …I had to set things straight right from the start or I’d lose myself to the man. Thewomanizingman, I had to remindmyself.
“You know, Gannon, Brad told me about your success, your driven personality, and your problem with finding help with your new-found son.” I stopped as he leaned back on my bed, resting his muscular body on bent elbows and gazing at me as if I was the most interesting person in theworld.
I swallowed hard, watching him sink onto my new bed, and tried not to imagine being beside him. Beneathhim…
“Brad also told me about your escapades with numerouswomen.”
That seemed to get to him, and he sat up, looking appropriately sheepish. “About that. You should know guys kind of exaggerate about matters of that nature. I’m not quite as bad as some make me out tobe.”
With a light laugh, I grabbed my clothes and went across the large room to put them away. “I’m sure you’re not. But I’m also sure you’re very adept at seducing the female gender. I’d like to warn you, though. I won’t pull punches. I’m … inexperienced, Gannon. Deliberatelyso.”
While I hoped he would infer the message in my words—I don’t know what I’m doing, so cool it—the heated look that suddenly filled his eyes suddenly told me my words had had the oppositeeffect.
“So, you’ve never …” His dark brows raised as he looked directly into myeyes.
“That is none of your business,” I replied as calmly as I could, even though I was the one who had broached the subject in the first place. “Let’s just say we’re both new at certainthings.”
“But I’m willing to learn,” he drawled softly, his own implication crystalclear.
Oh, the man is danger wrapped in a gorgeouspackage.
Done with my unpacking, I took a seat on the floor next to where Braiden was busily pushing the firetruck around. I took a turn, marching it over his head and belly and loving how he doubled over,laughing.
I found my eyes going to Gannon’s once more and decided the best policy would be honesty and bluntness. Surely he’d respect that. “I’m a virgin, Gannon. Try to keep that in mind when you find your flirtatious tongue taking you over,please.”
I saw his cheeks flush. I had no idea what that meant, but at least I’d gotten everything out in the open between us. Now to see if he could pull his bad boy ways in a bit, for the sake of both oursanities.
