2. What Am I Getting Myself Into?
CHAPTER 2
WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?
DELILAH
T he cabin is gorgeous. I look around at the spacious front yard and then back at the large home, wondering how big this place is.
My brother and Miles play pro hockey and I know they’re doing well for themselves. Andrew has a large condo in town since he’s more of a city boy, while Miles seems like he wants to keep to himself. He’s always been that way, I’ve heard, and I wonder how well it might work out if I were to be hired.
That’s a big if. Andrew told me how protective Miles is about his daughter and based on the sarcasm Andrew and I use heavily together, I probably don’t appear sweet and patient. He doesn’t even know me well since I went off to college just before Andrew began his career in Colorado.
Truthfully, I’m great with kids. I babysat often as a teenager and even worked with kids through college at an aftercare program where my friend worked. It wasn’t related to my major as a physical therapist so much, but it was a fun job. My school GPA and alternate internships will get me where I need to be.
It also doesn’t hurt having a sibling in the NHL, though I don’t plan to show that card as a way in.
“Why don’t you have something like this?” My voice is teasing as my brother rolls his eyes at me.
“I like my condo. It’s close to everything and just a short drive away from the arena. This is more geared towards kids.”
Andrew parks in the large driveway in front of a four-car garage as I run a hand through my hair. I had my stylist cut it into a short curly bob after graduation and the length still surprises me, though it’s easier for me to handle.
“It reminds me of how we grew up.”
My parents have a house a few miles away from this one and it offers land and privacy much like Miles’s house seems to. It’s perfect for a kid and I smile at the memories I have from growing up.
We get out of the car and I help bring the bags of food to the wraparound front porch. Andrew bought deli sandwiches from Miles’s favorite place in town, even though Mom offered to cook.
She’s thrilled I might get this job, since she loves Miles and Lola. Dad took her to dinner tonight, so Mom didn’t have the time to make anything without a struggle, but I promised I’d let her know what happened as soon as they arrived home.
I see the man that opens the door, overwhelmed by how good-looking he is. Miles has made himself a name in hockey as a skilled player and he’s wanted by a lot of women, much like Andrew. I’ve never picked up on his personality being warm and fuzzy, but his looks make up for that.
“Hey, Miles. I brought your favorite.” Andrew holds up the bags, but Miles’s eyes are on me, blue like the ocean and mesmerizing. “I got one of the kids’ meals for Lola to work through.”
“Thanks.” Miles opens the door wider to let us in and heat washes over me as I pass him. The inside of the house is equally nice, with a spacious sunken living room that opens up to an enormous kitchen. It’s more modern than a typical cabin.
I hear my name and blink as I look at the guys.
“As I was saying, this is my sister, Delilah. This is Miles, though you’ve met.” I look into his blue eyes and shake his offered hand, feeling the heat as he captures my entire hand in his palm.
“Nice to see you again. Your house is great,” I chirp, looking around again. This time, I see a tiny girl looking at me with Miles’s blue eyes. She’s on a small loveseat surrounded by dolls and easily one of the prettiest kids I have ever seen. “Hi. What’s your name?”
Miles looks from me to his daughter with a concerned expression on his face, but I try to keep gazing at the child. “I’m Delilah.”
“Lola,” she murmurs clearly, and I nod with a wide smile. “Lilah like Lola?”
I glance at the guys as they watch me carefully and I then walk over to her. “Are these all yours? What a lucky girl!”
Lola uses a fair number of words and I understand what she means through our conversation about the dolls, even with some guessing. Andrew and Miles sit down at the table in the kitchen and when her dad calls her name, Lola reaches out her hand to take me there.
I accept and we sit down where there’s a buffet of food on the tray in front of her seat.
Miles regards me and I just stare back at him, not believing the effect this guy has on me. I am not a boy crazy girl and never have been. There’s been too much else to focus on in life.
Not to mention, he might be my employer. Based on Lola so far, she’s the ideal child to nanny for, but I can’t decide if Miles will be a great boss.
Dinner is a series of questions from the protective father, covering all the bases. Andrew already vouched for me babysitting when I was a kid and I have a glowing recommendation letter from the daycare I worked at, complete with the certification Miles is looking for.
“Why did you work at a daycare?”
I swallow my bite and wash it down with soda before finding my words.
“A friend got me the job and I figure the experience with kids could help me in the future if I treat any juveniles. They trained me in everything I’d need, though some of it requires me to take a class again, which is no problem. It was a great job.” I’m honest in my answer and he nods, reaching for a carrot.
“You’re not looking for something in physical therapy right now? I’d hate to find someone just for them to leave.” Miles’s jaw is set in a near frown, and I admire just how chiseled his face is for a second.
“I am just here to settle after college. Be home again and see my family. This would be perfect for me so I can get some income to tackle those loans.” I keep my shrug casual, not wanting to let it show how this man affects me. “I understand you need some help.”
Miles looks at the table for a moment, his sandwich in his hand. He has to know Andrew filled me in some.
“I became a single father recently and with the season approaching quickly, I’ll need a little help around here. Someone to be home with Lola but also to teach her what she’ll need for preschool and kindergarten down the line. Activities are important to me for her. Hence this property.” I nod, meeting his stern gaze.
“Of course. She’s a sponge right now. The daycare did a fair amount of educational play to make it seem fun for the kids and I could bring some of that into the house.” I loved all those games, and my mind wanders before I remind myself I don’t have the job yet.
We talk further about the property, and I know Miles is just trying to make himself feel certain about his decision. Lola is his daughter, and I can’t imagine how protective he must feel about her. She’s like glue to paper with me and follows me everywhere all night, wanting to show me every toy she owns, and I see how his eyes soften at the exchange.
“I knew you’d get it. She loves you.” I follow Andrew to his truck, looking back at the cabin that’s going to be my temporary new home beginning tomorrow.
“She seems like a lot of fun. Not so sure about Dad.”
“This has been a lot for him to handle, but he’ll feel better knowing Lola is in safe hands when he’s on the road.”
The room they showed me is a large bedroom with a connected full-size bathroom and a king bed. It’s almost a studio apartment in size and offers beautiful views of the forest at the back of the house. I have a kitchenette for tea and coffee, but all the food will be in the kitchen just down the hall from my room.
Everything is ideal about this apart from Miles and my attraction towards him, especially since he makes me feel like I’m going to be micromanaged while he’s still home. The pay is generous at five thousand a month, including the room and all food and bills. That alone might be worth it, and I can save to get my own place.
I love my family, but Mom is a little too happy about having me home and seems to blow off stuff with the house and business over it. Dad isn’t excited about that, so this can solve everyone’s issues.
I move in the following day, just bringing some clothes and other necessities. I have my laptop and Kindle for reading at night and some proper hiking gear to use on the trails behind the cabin. My parents’ house is close enough to get to if I need anything else.
Lola greets me at the front door, twirling around in excitement to see me. It makes me smile as I carry my luggage inside, melting when she wraps her arms around my legs. When I glance up at Miles, he snatches the suitcase to bring to the room with a scowl on his face.
I watch him walk away and Lola helps me with the smaller items, but Miles won’t look at me for more than a second.
Sighing, I remind myself I’m here for Lola and, with her dad’s help, to make a rough daily schedule of activities and meals. He grudgingly approved my three-year-old Rav 4 as a safe vehicle for Lola, but gave me a seat to install in it for when we go somewhere. Miles also points out he has a spare Range Rover in the garage if I want to use it instead.
A spare Range Rover. Who has one of those sitting around beside their top-of-the-line Discovery?
An NHL player. That’s who.
By the time we finish dinner from a meal kit he’s ordered, I am so sick of his alpha male personality. Miles is clearly going to watch my every move and likely have Lola analyzed when he gets back from any trips to see if I’ve brainwashed her while he was gone.
I finally admit how sexy he is when I’m in my room after Lola is sleeping. I am an independent woman that wants to achieve my dreams through hard work. Normally, I despise men like Miles, but seeing how dominant he is on the ice mixed with his fierce protectiveness of Lola is a deadly combination.
There’s also a fleeting hint of vulnerability on his face at times.
Later that night, I wake up panting and sweating on my pillow as I find my hand between my legs. I’d dreamed about Miles coming in here to talk, but I kissed him silently and we ended up in my bed. Miles’s dominance on the ice was nothing compared to how he was in bed in my dreams, taking me every way he wanted as I begged for more. His tongue, fingers, and thick cock were my kryptonite, and I remember several orgasms that made me lose complete control.
The memories are fresh in my mind, so much so I have trouble separating the dream from reality. I find my slick pussy and stroke myself to release, using the images as something to get myself off. I’d never gotten this aroused from a dream before now and nobody would ever know I did.
Most of all, Andrew.