Maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have to pay for housing once I was in school. And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have to pay for long after. But Beau had a mortgage, utilities.
I nodded. “And I’m sleeping with you.” Again, pointing out the obvious.
“I’m not paying you forthat,” he growled.
I smiled a little, despite the thorny conversation. “I know, if anyone should be paying anyone here, it should be me to you.”
Beau shook his head, the corner of his own mouth turning upward.
“So we’re clear, the money you pay me is only for nannying services, and … extracurriculars are free of charge?” I was teasing. Kind of.
Beau’s partial smile wilted. “I’ll admit this is not a situation I enjoy. Part of the reason why I didn’t bend you over and take you the second I saw that heart-shaped ass.”
His hand moved down to the ass he was describing, squeezing it before slipping close to the area I’d always considered off-limits. But the rush of wetness between my legs hinted it might not be entirely off-limits anymore.
I made a mental note to explore that at a later date.
Beau removed his hand, as though he could sense my need to have a practical discussion.
“That and the age gap,” he continued, posture tensing once again, eyes darkening.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re notthatmuch older than me, Beau.” I forced my tone to be light, dismissive, because I knew this was the biggest sticking point for him.
“Give or take twenty fucking years, Hannah,” he growled. “I’ve lived half a life more than you, I’m settled here. I’m a father. I’m a grumpy bastard.”
I smiled as he listed those qualities … in a very grumpy tone. Yet he still traced impossibly delicate lines on my skin. “I know all of these things.”
“I know you do.” He stroked my jaw. “And I know that you are a spectacular young woman I greedily want here, now, with me and Clara. When you’re just truly starting your adult life.” Hesqueezed his eyes shut. “Christ, you’re only just divorced from that asshole.”
I could see Beau spiraling, feel the change in his body, the roughness in his tone. He was holding me tighter. Almost to the point of pain.
“I know all of those things about me too.” I spoke calmly, softly. “I also know I have never wanted a big life. I’ve never wanted to sow wild oats.” I grinned as I trailed my fingertip down his chest, marveling at the way it dipped into the rock-hard ridges of his abs.
Beau let out a roar when I slid my finger down the length of his cock. It stiffened under my touch, despite our earlier antics. He was almost a medical miracle.
“Plus, no oats I could sow would measure up to what you can show me, old man. With youryearsof experience.”
I waggled my brows, and Beau shook his head, pressing my body to his with a groan of pleasure.
“You, Hannah Morgan, will be the death of me.”
I lifted my cheek from his chest, gazing at him in faux concern. “Heart attacks don’t normally hit at this age, but you are old so…”
Beau chuckled, the sound low, rumbly. I’d never heard him chuckle before. It was officially one of my favorite sounds.
He yanked on me to place a rough, open-mouthed kiss on my lips.
“You’re not leaving when Clara goes to kindergarten in the spring,” he declared when he was done kissing me.
Though that made my heart soar, it almost prodded in tender spots I’d long since ignored. Men making decisions for me. Even when they were the decisions I wanted made. “And you’re the final word on that?” I asked him, my throat tight.
Beau truly was saying and doing everything I could want him to. But it was hard to trust it.
He regarded me seriously. “Do youwantto leave when Clara goes to kindergarten in the spring?”
He was really asking. He wanted my honest answer. Before speaking, I knew Beau would honor my wants. He’d made his own clear, but he would not force them on me, not guilt me. Not Beau.
“I do not,” I whispered quietly.
