Page 36 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

“Where’s Isa?” I ask, reaching for the garment bag.

“I’ve got it,” he says, pulling the bag away. “Did you need shoes or anything to go with it?”

I shake my head. Isa has some which will work with the red and we’re fortunately the same size. I’m not asking him to spend even more money on me.

“I told Isa I’d like to go with you to pick up the kids and offered to give you a ride. She said she’d call you later.”

“Oh.” Seems odd that Isa wouldn’t have told me that in person. ButOH! “The kids will be thrilled to see you so much earlier than usual!”

I couldn’t help my enthusiasm – he has been working late quite a bit - but I feel bad when I see the guilty expression. I know he doesn’t like missing so much time with them.

Outside, he passes Dan the garment bag and we climb into the Town Car together. There’s a fresh bouquet of flowers here.Whoa. They’re beautiful but why does he have them? What’s going on? And, we’re going to be alone together.With Dan.

No, the divider is up. We’re essentially alone. Are we going to talk about the other night now? I should’ve had some champagne. I think I need some alcohol for this conversation.

“We’ve still got an hour until the kids will be out. What did you want to do?” I squeak, suddenly overcome with a crazy mix of hysteria and lust. Which will win out? Whatdoeshe want to do?

“I was out this direction for a reason actually.” He loosens his tie and sounds somber. But when Theo glances at me, he gives me that gorgeous crooked grin like he can read my mind. “Don’t be nervous, Quinn.” He lowers the divider. “Hey, Dan. Go ahead and take us by the gardens now, okay?”

“Sure thing, boss.”

The divider goes back up but not before I catch Dan’s eyes on me in the rearview. He gives me a soft smile, asadsmile. Theo picks up the bouquet and holds it across his lap. He already has flowers but we’re going to gardens?

His free hand edges towards mine on the leather seat as he continues to stare out the window. His pinky finger brushes mine. I brush his back, looping mine over it. Just a tiny bit of contact and my heart’s racing. Does he know he does that to me? He drives me wild and tethers me in a single touch.

“Theo?”

“I’m sorry to be mysterious. I was just hoping to introduce you to someone… if you don’t mind.”

I nod and tell him, “Of course not.” I’m not sure what’s going on but I feel like it’s important that I’m here and that maybe being patient and quiet is best right now.

The car makes a turn a few minutes later through an arched stone entry with green meadows and statues ahead and I realize where we’re going.

Not just a garden.

A memorial garden.

17- Theo

Ididn’t plan on leaving work early and not returning today. But Claire’s an angel who can work miracles when needed and even Dad understands about today.

I didn’t plan on crashing Quinn’s dress-shopping outing with her sister either. But as soon as I knew she was close, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see her. Ineededto be close to her.

God, she was stunning in that red dress. If any of those randy, old journalists make a move on her Saturday, we might have violence at the awards banquet. I know, I need to hold it together. Might be hard to do with a woman as beautiful as Quinn by my side.

Seeing the fading proof of Friday night on her skin… these past few days of carefully stepping around one another at home in front of the kids and staff after what happened the other night have been difficult. I don’t want to push her or rush headlong into anything but it doesn’t stop me from wanting her with every fiber of my being.

What does Quinn want? I don’t know. Maybe a relationship, something I don’t know that I could give her. I’m so scared of wrecking things. I know my kids need her. Their needs come before mine.

Her sister is not sure what to make of me or my intentions. She made that clear enough in the few minutes we had alone together before Quinn stepped out of the dressing room looking hotter than the sun and obliterated every rational thought in my head.

I appreciate Isa’s protectiveness, the same as I would appreciate it from my brothers, but whatever’s going to happen between Quinn and me will be for Quinn and me to decide.

At least, Isa gave me opinions on which dresses Quinn loved most without the saleswoman’s avarice influencing her. Yeah, I bought Quinn more than the red dress. If, where or when she wears the others someday will be up to her. I liked being able to buy a beautiful woman something today that she could enjoy. I’ve not got to do that in a long while.

“Happy Birthday, Kathy. I’m sorry we never met but you have the most beautiful children and I know you must be very proud of them,” Quinn says softly as I lay the bouquet on my wife’s grave.

I’m a selfish, thoughtless bastard dragging the object of my desire along to visit the grave of the woman I’d sworn to love, honor and cherish for all our days, aren’t I? But I knew Quinn would get it. She’s lost loved ones, too. And I know Kathy wouldn’t mind.

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