Chapter 6
Noah
This isn't a good start. In fact, this is a disastrous start.
My eyes stray to the door and I wonder if I could just bolt out of here. Then I see Belinda lingering in the doorway, like the damned pixie can read my mind.
She tricked me. I should have known better and asked for a confirmation that Rika actually wanted to interview me for a nanny position, but like the chump that I am, I trusted my employer.
The meddling pixie.
Well, too late now since Belinda is blocking my way out.
Rika turns on her heel and starts walking toward the kitchen and I join in a second later, followed by the instigator of this disaster.
That gets shut down fast by Rika, who raises her arm and points to the living room, giving her mother the kind of look that would have a schoolyard bully shrivel in place.
"Not you, Mom. Just Noah."
Belinda backs off with a dramatic little sigh, then she winks at me like we're co-conspirators. I absolutely notice. And I absolutely hate it.
Matchmaking isn't cute on the best of days. It's even less so when I'm facing a potential employer who now looks at me like I'm some foolish boy who isn't to be taken seriously.
Rika doesn't wait to see if I'll follow. She turns and walks into the kitchen. I trail after her anyway, trying very hard not to stare at her amazing figure as she walks in front of me. I know I'm not helping my case, but I'm unable to not stare at her ass.
She has curves that would make the best man falter. Round ass, small waist, and breasts for days. And those wings? Those wings flap behind her, enhancing the view like she's sin itself.
The kitchen is warm and lived-in, with white cabinets, ceramic countertops, and a large farmhouse table by the window.
The refrigerator hums quietly, its surface covered in a collage of school notices, crayon drawings, and a calendar marked with color-coded appointments in Rika's precise handwriting.
Rika turns around and crosses her arms, her sharp, sapphire-blue eyes on me.
Her full, round lips are bright red and pursed into the sexiest pout I've ever seen.
For a moment, I forget where I am or why.
Then my gaze trails lower to her chest where her black blouse has a button unfastened, showing just the barest hint of a red lace bra.
For. Fuck’s. Sake. Look. Away.
I try, but it's like I'm in a trance or something. Rika frowns, then her eyes follow mine, and her cheeks turn the same shade as her full red lips.
"Oh, shit," Rika mutters, quickly buttoning the unfastened traitor.
As the spell dissipates, my embarrassment shoots through the roof. Not only am I in this incredibly sexy woman's house uninvited, but I've just shown myself to her as a creep who can't keep my eyes where they belong.
"So sorry," I mutter, looking so stubbornly into her eyes that I refrain from blinking.
"Never mind." Rika's voice is a bit high-pitched and her cheeks are still red, but she gestures at the table with the kind of authority that comes from someone who's used to telling other people what to do. "Sit."
Her beautiful, perfect, pouty-princess face is set in hard lines, which does nothing good for my sanity as my cock stirs to life in my jeans. I'm grateful to do as she says and I sit, folding my hands in front of me on the table.
"You're a man," she deadpans.
I inhale deeply, kind of grateful for this. I'm used to having to justify my choice of career to prospective employers. It's not unreasonable of them, after all.
"Good observation," I say with what I hope is an ice-breaking smile. "I am."
Rika lifts her brows, and I almost hear her think 'Oh, a smart-ass. Wonderful.'
Well, so much for my charm. I clear my throat, then add, "Yeah, it's unusual for a man to be a nanny, but I'm not the only one, I can assure you."
That seems to work better on her as she slowly nods, her mesmerizing blue gaze still pinning me in place from across the table. It's pretty impressive for a woman who can't be much taller than five feet. I can totally see why she's a successful business owner.
I cannot see how a man would ever look at another woman when she's in his life, though. Her ex-husband must be all kinds of stupid to ever mess things up with a woman like that.
"So, tell me why I should hire you." She tilts her head to the side and narrows her eyes at me. Her voice is steady, but her pulse is right there in her throat, fast. "I'm assuming you know what happened to my last nannies, since you've been working for my mom."
There it is. The wall. The test.
I lean back a little, not casual, not cocky. Just enough to give her space. I open my hands in a surrender gesture I've used a thousand times with anxious parents and guarded kids.
"I'm aware that Zoe's been acting out, yes. It's not easy when kids go through a divorce," I say truthfully. "But I'm not worried about it. She wouldn't be the first kid I worked with who would rather have their parent at home than a nanny. Don't worry about it, I know how to handle it."
The smallest tremor of something crosses her expression before she locks it down again.
Fuck. Me.
She's beautiful. And she's tired. And she's trying so hard not to show either.
This is my kryptonite, if I ever had one. A damsel in distress who is dead set on refusing help.
"Well, first of all, I'm plenty qualified since I have a degree in early education and a master's in English Literature." I continue, gaining confidence as I speak. This part is easy, selling myself. What's not so easy is keeping my gaze from traveling to her still-pursed lips.
"I've already sent you my references, my background check, and my resume." She's visibly surprised at this, and it encourages me. "It should be in your inbox."
Without a word, Rika leans over and grabs her laptop from the edge of the table, then flicks it open. I see her expression change as she opens her email and her eyes skim over what I sent her.
"Okay, I see it's all there. Thank you." This time, it's her turn to inhale deeply. "Mind if I read it now?"
"Be my guest."
As she reads, I see some of the tension wash away from her shoulders. Her amazing blue wings, which were kept rigidly at her back before, start moving slowly in that way pixies have when they're relaxed.
I must admit, I've always had the hots for pixies. Maybe it's the wings, but they're sexy as hell to me.
When she looks back up at me, she doesn't seem so hostile anymore. Just tired and maybe curious? Or maybe I'm just a hopeful fool.
I inhale hard, smack my hands together, and force a cheerful smile on my face.
"So, am I hired?"
"Well, I still have a few questions." Rika's eyes wander to her laptop again, and a frown of concentration scrunches her adorable face. "It says here that your last family moved overseas?"
"They did. I was supposed to go with them, but Sharnia decided to stay home with the kids full-time and they didn't need me."
It still stings to talk about it, but I understand. I miss them, though. But I don't say this to Rika.
"And you would have moved to Singapore with them?" This time, Rika looks genuinely puzzled.
"I would have. I love those kids, and I wanted to be there for them."
Rika chuckles and there's a little dip in her chin I find way too cute. "That's very loyal of you."
I shrug. "Guess I'm a loyal guy."
"You worked full-time for them?"
I nod.
"Did my mother tell you it wouldn't be full-time here?" She continues. "I mean, the kids go to school during the day."
The way she says it, and the look in her eyes, makes it feel like she's hoping I'll turn her down.
"That's okay," I hear myself say. "I can keep working for your mom during the daytime. This should round things up nicely."
Rika nods as I speak, and I find myself relaxing. Well, as much as I can relax when she's watching me like a jewel-colored hawk.
"There's a small apartment in the basement," Rika says.
"I was thinking you could use it during the week.
Stay there on weekday nights so you're here for early mornings and late evenings.
That way you wouldn't have to drive back and forth every day.
" She pauses, studying my face. "But it wouldn't have to be a full live-in situation if you have your own place.
Just available when I need you for the kids. "
The arrangement actually sounds perfect. I can keep my independence at Gramps' house on weekends and whenever Rika doesn't need me, yet be on-site during the hectic weekday schedule.
"That would work great, actually," I say. "I inherited my grandfather's house when he passed a few years back, so I have my own place. But having somewhere to stay during the week would make the early mornings and late nights a lot easier."
Rika's expression flickers either surprise or relief that I'm not some drifter without roots.
"You own a house here in town?"
"I do. Over on Maple Street." I smile. "So I'm not going anywhere. Saltford Bay is home."
She seems to relax a fraction more at this. "Good. That's… good."
Her eyes stay fixed on mine, and when her tongue slides across her bottom lip, I swallow hard.
"And how long do you think you can commit to this job?"
She's smart, and there's no way I'll pretend that this job is a forever thing. I don't want to lie to her, anyway.
"If you take me on, I'll stay until the end of school year, that's a promise," I tell her. "But I've had an interview at Saltford Bay Middle School. Mrs. Harriman is retiring next fall and if I’m offered a position, I’ll take it."
There's a pause and Rika seems to be absorbing this information. I wish I could promise her that I'll stay with her family forever, but it's simply not the truth.
"Okay, this could work," she says, almost in a whisper. "I assume you're familiar with the town and where the schools are?"
"I was raised right here in town," I say. "My grandfather worked for the police department until about ten years ago. I know this town like the back of my hand."
"Perfect."
Her lashes sweep down over her cheeks as she inhales, her chest rising with the breath. She looks away, but I can't. I'm captivated. It's been a while since I've wanted a woman this completely, and man, do I want Rika.
Which is wrong. So damn wrong.
"I get home around seven most days," she continues.
"So you'll need to give the kids dinner.
I try my best to come to Matthew's soccer practice and Zoe's dance classes, but I can't always make it, and after that, I have to get back to work.
In the morning, I leave around six thirty, meaning you'd have to give the kids breakfast and get them ready for school. "
"That works for me."
"Well, if you're okay with those hours, and you still want to work for me, I'd really like to hire you right now." She clears her throat and stands. "You can bring some things over Sunday night and I’ll show you the apartment downstairs. You can start on Monday morning, if that's okay with you."
"Great!"
Rika lifts a hand like she wants to temper my enthusiasm.
"It won't be easy. Zoe is hell-bent on torturing anyone I hire."
I scoff. "Don't worry about Zoe. She's a great kid."
I smile at her, but she doesn't smile back. She looks pained as her gaze meets mine again.
"I really appreciate your willingness to take us on," she says.
"The pleasure is all mine."
Rika blinks at me, and I wince.
Yeah, that came out lower and rougher than I meant it to, but it's too late now.
I'm not usually unprofessional. I take my work seriously, and I intend to take this job seriously too. But I've never been attracted to my boss before.
I probably shouldn't take this job. It doesn't offer the hours I need, and I'm way too attracted to Rika.
But these kids need me. And I feel like their mom does too.
And boy, do I want to be needed by Rika Everdeen.