Really, really gorgeous.
And he was my new boss.
"I can, um, take her if you want?" Ugh, was I really going to be that woman right now, the one who got all nervous and tongue-tied around a gorgeous man?Apparently.
His gray gaze raked over my body, and it burned with unmistakable heat for a long moment, long enough to light every inch of my skin on fire, before he banked the heat and his gaze met my own. "I'll get you some clothes, first."
I looked down at my bare legs and feet and back up at him with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, okay. That would be good."
He nodded and brushed past me, still carrying the baby in his strong arms, leaving me a glorious view of his sculpted back. His deep voice hummed a melody that left me hypnotized and burning with inconvenient arousal.Snap out of it.
I went back down the hall and slipped into the bathroom, rinsing my face and giving my teeth a quick finger brush before I ran wet hands through my hair. I looked like a hot mess, which wouldn't be so bad if he werejusta hot guy, but he's also my potential future employer. "Get it together, Rosalee." I inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly before I turned and opened the door. "Oh. Hi."
"Here are your clothes." He held out a familiar stack of fabric while the baby nestled against his—still bare—chest.
"Oh, perfect. Thank you." I took the clothes and closed the door, dressing quickly. I felt, not good, but better. More like me. When I opened the door the second time, I slapped on a smile and peeked at the baby. "You're a pretty girl," I cooed to her, and she gave me her full attention.
With big blue eyes, rosebud lips, and thick wisps of black hair, she was absolutely adorable.
"Can I take her?"
Xavier held her out to me quickly, as if he couldn't get rid of her fast enough. "She likes to be held."
"All babies like to be held."
He froze and looked at me so intensely I felt it all over and worked hard to suppress the shiver that started at the base of my spine. "Good thing you're here then."
I tried not to smile. Xavier Holloway was a man of few words, but I had a feeling that he meant every syllable he dared to speak. "I guess we should get to the interview, then?"
He gave one short nod.
"Great! Maybe we can pretend that you didn't undress me and I spent four days passed out in your bed? I'm Rosalee Samuels, and I'm here to interview for the nanny position." I held out my hand, silently pleading with him to go along with me.
Xavier stared before his arm shot out and his big hand engulfed mine. He gave it a firm squeeze and a shake. "Nice to meet you, Rosalee. Let's go sit in the living room."
I followed him down and stared at the fine curve of his ass for half of the way. Okay, the whole entire way down the stairs, and I only looked away to find a spot to sit in the sparsely furnished living room. There was one long sofa and two chairs on either side of it. I took the right end of the sofa, still holding the little girl in my arms. "What's her name?"
"Don't know." He shrugged and took a seat in the chair on the left side of the sofa, sighing and rubbing both hands down his face. "Somebody left her on my doorstep."
My eyes widened at the information.
"I know, right?" He smiled, and though it was more of a grimace, it transformed his face into something even more beautiful than before.
"I didn't think things like that happened in real life."
"Me either," he snorted.
"Okay. You've obviously been feeding and changing her, so she came with a few things?"
"Yeah," he nodded and stood, ambling to a spot behind the sofa where he picked up a pink-and-green-striped bag. "This bag. I've turned it inside out, and there's nothing in there. And worse, it's almost out of supplies." He dropped the bag at my feet and dropped down on the other end of the sofa.
"That's the easy part," I assured him with confidence. "We're operating on the assumption that she's yours?"
"Possession is nine-tenths of the law, as they say." His tone was mirthless despite his smile. "I don't know anything about babies."
"I wouldn't say that. You've taken care of her for at least five days, and she looks happy and healthy. And," I inhaled deeply, "she doesn't smell like poop."
"Now you see why I need your services."
