"That depends on what you want to do and on what he wants to do."
"That is not an answer, Toni! There is nothing to be done. He's my grumpy boss, and this is my first job."
"Yeah, yeah," she said dismissively. "And no one tells you how difficult it can be when there's an attraction. You get close to single parents, you become a unit, and maybe even friends. Or more. It just depends on the twosome."
That made sense, but it didn't answer my question. "Okay, so what do I do?"
"Whatever feels right. If it happens again, figure out if that's what you want. If it doesn't, can you go back to your normal relationship?"
"He's usually grumpy and gruff, so that shouldn't be a problem." I might not be able to stop thinking about the sight of him in nothing but a towel, but I wasn't a bold woman, so there was no chance of me attacking him when he realized it was all a big mistake. "Thank you, Toni."
"No problem. And hey, let me know how it all turns out."
I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to sound so happy about it."
"I don't have to, yet here I am, sounding all happy about it. Good luck, Rosalee." Her laughter sounded as the call ended.
My smile faded as I changed into something cozier, and then I sat for five minutes and thought about what to do next. The answer came immediately, and once I knew what I wanted to say, I ventured out of my room and found Xavier in the living room wearing nothing but a pair of loose-fitting pants and wool socks, nursing a beer. "Hey."
He looked up and his gaze raked over me, making my nipples harden to stiff peaks in my thin white T-shirt. I clenched my thighs together inside my flannel pants and waited for his gaze to reach my face. "What do you want?"
I will not let that attitude get to me right now,I reminded myself. "I just wanted to apologize to you for what happened earlier outside the bathroom. Not about snapping at you, because you totally deserved that, but for kissing you. I've never, um, attacked a man like that before, and I truly am sorry. Itwas completely unprofessional, and I understand if you need to replace me." I waited for Xavier to say something, hell, anything, but he just stared at me, or maybe he stared through me—I couldn't be sure. When it became clear he wasn't going to respond, I turned and went into the kitchen.
I might not have a job tomorrow, so I sat at the kitchen table and ate my weight in soup and biscuits.
Chapter 13
Xavier
She apologized. I attacked her like a fucking horny teenager, and Rosalee had apologized to me. Calledherbehavior unprofessional and inappropriate, and then said she would understand if I wanted her gone. She'd skimmed over the truth of the matter, which was that I'd attacked her because, dammit, I couldn't help it. Seeing her with that fire burning in those honey-brown eyes after she clapped back at me for my surly behavior had done something to me, or maybe it was the naked lust in her gaze when it ate me up.
In that moment, I didn't just want her; I had to have her. And that kiss? It knocked me right on my ass. It took me by surprise, both by how intense it had gotten and her response. Rosalee was as passionate when it came to kissing as she was when it came to everything else she did.
Even apologizing.
The sincere look of regret on her face slammed me in the chest because I knew she didn't regret the kiss; she regretted the inappropriateness of it. Most women would have pushed the kiss further, taken it all the way to mutual satisfaction, and then made me pay out the ass for being their wealthy boss.
That apology shocked me more than anything. I stared at the space she vacated as she disappeared into the kitchen, shuffling around without saying a word while I couldn't stop seeing the way her tits hung without the hindrance of a bra in that thin t-shirt, her nipples fighting to breach the cotton. My mouth watered at the sight she made, slightly ruffled and uncomfortable as she apologized—but only for the kiss, not for putting me in my place.
She's one of a kind.
The longer she sat quietly in the kitchen eating, the harder it became to ignore her and the effect she was having on the painful erection pressing against my pants. I wanted her more than I'd wanted a woman in too long to think about, and she was fucking sorry.
Instead of pressing the issue, which I was sure I could have, I retreated to my bedroom and took my cock in hand, squeezing tight to relieve the pressure and failing miserably. I closed my eyes and there she was, blissfully naked and tempting, crawling up my body and settling over my cock, riding me until I exploded all over my stomach. I would've rather spilled into her wet heat, hands gripping her hips, but that quick relief allowed me to get a few peaceful hours of sleep.
I woke up feeling renewed and ready to approach Rosalee like an adult, since Chase was working the next forty-eight hours, which allowed me to sleep later than usual. I was clear-headed, but it all fled when I stepped into the kitchen and found Rosalee with her hair swinging around as she twirled a giggling Violet in circles.
My heart stuttered to a stop. And my mouth watered both at the sight of her looking like she was exactly where she belonged and at the scent of bacon and maple syrup on the air. "Morning," I growled. So much for being clear-headed and adult.
Rosalee froze and turned slowly until her gaze collided with mine and her smile faded. "Good morning," she answered stiffly, offering up a smile that was both forced and awkward.
Violet, completely unaware of the tension, babbled happily, drawing another smile from Rosalee.
"You just want pancakes," she cooed to my daughter, laughing when it appeared that Violet was trying to respond. "That's right, Vi. Pancakes can cure a lot of things, but hopefully, you'll never have to learn that." She nuzzled Violet before setting her on the floor, watching with a sweet smile as she took a few steps, fell, got up, and did it again. And again.
"She's walking."
Rosalee froze and looked at me, a sad smile on her face. "Yeah, she's been doing that a lot lately. I tried to tell you, but…" she didn't have to say the rest. I'd been a gruff asshole, not interested in anything that would disturb my peace. "Anyway, yes, she's practicing walking."
