My hand moves. Reaches for her face. Her breath hitches.
Do it.
Fuck the contract.
A cough. Sharp. Deliberate.
We both jerk back so hard it’s almost funny. Except nothing about this is funny.
Niamh is in the doorway. Her expression is neutral but her eyes are knowing. “Apologies. Just doing final rounds. Everything locked down for the night?”
“Yes.” My voice comes out rougher than it should. “All set.”
“Excellent.” She doesn’t move. Just stands there like a human chaperone. “Jess, do you need Jag to drive you home?”
Translation: time to leave before you do something stupid.
Jess stands. Closes her notebook. “That would be great. Thanks.”
She’s not looking at me. Good. Because I’m not sure what my face is doing right now. Probably something that would violate about six clauses in that contract we just signed. And then there’s my pants...
I shift, trying to hide my bulging erection from the two of them.
God, why did I have to pick the tight pants today?
“Tomorrow,” I manage. “Same time?”
“Same time.” She finally glances at me. Something flickers in her expression. I think it’s relief. “Goodnight, Marco.”
“Goodnight.”
She leaves. Niamh follows. I hear the front door open and close. Hear the Range Rover start up outside.
Then I’m alone in my kitchen with a hard-on and a guilty conscience and Isotta’s mixing bowl still sitting on that shelf like an accusation.
What the fuck am I doing?
I need to move. Burn off this energy before I do something catastrophically stupid like follow Jess home and violate that fraternization clause seventeen different ways.
On herfirstfucking day.
I remind myself that she worked wonders with Ben.
I can’t mess this up.
Can’t afford to lose her.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Open mat tonight. Ethan will be there.
Perfect.
I can roll hard and pretend I’m not thinking about his sister. Pretend I’m not countingthe hours until she’s back here tomorrow. Pretend this whole thing isn’t a disaster waiting to detonate.
But first...
I pull out my phone and text Niamh.
Starting next week: I want Jess as primary pickup after school. I’ll do Thursdays and Fridays. Need to transition Ben gradually.
