“I’m not a control freak.”
“Whatever you say.” He totally is, and there’s secretly a part of me that enjoys it. I like a man who knows what he wants… andhowhe wants it.
But then he has to go and ruin it with the way he looks at me, like how he is now.
Grumpy bastard.
Evan looks fucking good today, wearing a backwards cap that I’m almost certain he has in every colour under the sun. Today’s choice, though: Forest green. His legs are wrapped in denim fabric, the jeans loose enough to look comfortable, but tight enough to show off the impressive size of his thighs.
Seeing them up close feels like something out of a fever dream, because I know more than a few people who would pay good money to get a good view of Evan West’s legs.
We settle into what seems to be, for him, an awkward silence, but I spend the few seconds admiring the stitchwork on the couch cushion beside me—a chain stitch. It’s intricately done, and the pattern is delicate and pretty.
This place looks perfect for relaxing in the sun and sewing, and I find myself giddy with thoughts of spending my evenings sitting on the porch with a thread and needle in hand after a long day getting into trouble with Leo.
My old apartment was next to a busy highway, and relaxation was rare, so if I play my cards right, this cabin could be mine for the next two months.
“Your job before this at Starbound, what was it?” Evan braces himself against the wooden doorframe above, arms raised, fingers digging in. It stretches the T-shirt over his chest ever so slightly, outlining his impressive pectoral muscles.
But he peers down at me nonchalantly, as if this pose isn’t a woman’s kryptonite, like he doesn’t even realise that what he’s doing right now is incredibly fucking distracting. He has this whole mysterious, hot, single daddy thing going for him, and if I didn’t think he was such a grumpy ass, I might find it hot.
“I was a talent agent. Had a few clients I was in charge of.”
His brows raise, and I can see he’s grinding his teeth together by the way his sharp jawline pops. “Youwere a talent agent?”
“Yep.”
“Right… well, this isn’t going—”
I stand, disliking the judgmental tone he uses. I had a feeling he would act this way. He was probably hoping I was just an intern who did the coffee run every day and who wasn’t allowed anywhere near the important, top-secret stuff, but just because I was, doesn’t mean I’m the same as the story-hungry hyenas out there. “Okay, let's just get this out of the way while we’re here. No, I’m not interested in digging into your personal life. No, I’m not using this job as a means to get a killer story to get my old job at Starbound back. I quit because I hated it there, and no, I have no plan on sharing anything that goes on here with anyone in that industry. I’ve left for good. I’m here because I need a job, you need a nanny, and I like Leo.”
I’m met with silence.
God, it’s so quiet, I want the ground to swallow me whole. Maybe I shouldn’t have come out with all that, but I wanted to prevent Evan from jumping to conclusions before he had the chance. I could tell by the glint in his eyes that he was questioning my intentions and was worried about what I’ve already seen and heard.
For someone who used to work in an industry that survived on drama, it’s ironic that I hate it. It stresses me out, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I watched a reality TV show or read a sleazy magazine for any reason other than research purposes for Starbound.
“You’re a little defensive, huh?”
I glare. “You’re a little judgmental, huh?”
He releases a dry huff of humour out of his nose before patting the top of the wooden doorway twice and pushing himself off it. “I can’t argue with that.” His eyes remain on my form, dropping down to my clavicle and tracing the bone before he snaps them back up, eyebrows pulled together. “I’ll let you get settled in. Message me if you need anything. See you first thing tomorrow.”
“So you’re not firing me?”
“Not yet.”
I feel the smirk appear on my lips, and I stare at Evan’s tense back as he makes his way down the cabin steps, all chiselled and powerful. “See you then, boss.”
He doesn’t turn around, but shakes his head, making me chuckle to myself. I can tell that if he doesn’t pull the plug on this, these two months here are going to be fun.
My fist rattles against the wood of Evan’s front door the next morning, and within a second, he pulls it open, dressed in a tight workout top and shorts. My blues have a mind of their own for a second as they drift down his body to his tanned thighs, but I snap them back up before things get too weird.
Checking out my boss isn’t exactly appropriate, especially considering I’m trying to make a good impression, but I can’t help but notice the tiny tattoo peeking out from the sleeve of his T-shirt. But without my contact lenses, I can’t see the small, intricate ink too well.
“You’re early. Leo’s just finishing his breakfast in the kitchen,” he says, morning voice all husky.
I waltz in, ready to let Leo know about all the fun I have planned for him today, but the sound of Evan clearing his throat catches my attention and stops me.
