“No.” A single, barked single syllable, and yet she flinched.
Fuck me.
I softened my tone. “What I mean is, you don’t need to call a taxi, because you can borrow the car to get to town.”
“Really? Thank you. But how will I return it to you?”
“Easily. You’ll drive it back here when you’re done.” Then before I could lose my nerve, I did the unthinkable. “You’ll stay here while you figure out the whole job and housing situation.”
Her jaw dropped. “I couldn’t.”
“You will,” I insisted. “It’s not like I need that extra bedroom. You and Zaza are free to stay here as long as you need.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her head dipped. “This is so generous of you.”
“Don’t you mean of me?” Percy interjected. “After all, he is my servant doing my bidding.”
Nicky’s lips curved and I wanted nothing more than to drag her close.
What had I done? Rather than ridding myself of the forbidden temptation, I’d given her an invitation to keep torturing me.
“The only issue I see is Zaza. What will we do with her while you’re at work?” I glanced at the little girl currently bent over and peeking through her legs with a grin.
“Mind her, of course.” Percy snorted as if it were that easy.
“I don’t know the first thing about small children,” I muttered.
Nicky quickly interjected. “I wouldn’t expect you to babysit her. One of the reasons I chose this town is because the local church offers a drop-in program for single parents.”
“You plan to leave Zaza with strangers?” The idea didn’t sit well with me.
“It’s no different than a daycare, only this one is run by retirees. I kind of like the idea of Zaza being looked after by a bunch of nonnas.”
That slightly mollified. “And they have room for Zaza?”
She nodded. “I checked in with them the day I arrived.”
“Then I guess it’s settled. Zaza will stay with the church grandmas while you work and you’ll both reside at the chalet until you’ve got a few paychecks under your belt.”
I had no time to brace. Nicky flung herself at me, her slight frame plastered to my much larger one. She hugged me tight as she whispered, “Thank you. I appreciate this so much.”
My arms went around her, returning the squeeze, gently of course. I sounded raspy as I replied, “No problem.”
“Guess I should get going on the job search.” Nicky moved away from me, her cheeks bright with color, embarrassed by something. Holy fuck, did she notice she gave me a boner? I’d done my best to keep my hips tilted away from her during the hug.
“You know what, let me drive you.”
“Don’t trust me not to crash your car?” she teased.
“Partially. The roads will be slippery, but I also want to run a few errands. Get more food and whatnot. You know, in case of another storm.”
“I’ll give you some money,” Nicky offered.
“No.” Again, I snapped, but this time she smiled and shook her head.
“I insist. Having two extra mouths to feed is expensive.”
“I can handle it,” I growled. “Think of it as payment for the cooking. If it were up to me, Percy and I would have been eating mostly from a can.”
