Page 9 of One Hot Daddy

But as Fletcher turns to face me, running a hand through his already tousled hair, my resolve weakens.

"Are you all right?"he asks, noticing my flushed face."Is it too hot in here?The thermostat has been temperamental since Joshua tried to 'upgrade' it."

"I'm fine," I manage, though my voice sounds strained even to my own ears.

He's standing so close now that I can smell his cologne---something woody and subtle.Close enough that I could count each of his eyelashes if I wanted.Close enough that if I leaned forward just a few inches...

Without thinking, without planning, I rise slightly on my toes and press my lips to his.The kiss is brief but electric, a spark that ignites every nerve ending in my body.His lips are warm and surprisingly soft, and for a split second, they yield to mine before I pull back abruptly.Horror floods through me as I register what I've just done.Fletcher's eyes are wide with shock, his mouth slightly open.The silence between us stretches, charged and dangerous.

"I'm---I'm sorry," I stammer, my cheeks burning so hot I'm sure they must be as red as Rudolph's nose."That was completely inappropriate.I don't know what I was thinking."

Fletcher blinks rapidly, one hand rising to touch his lips as if confirming what just happened."I, um..."

"Please forget I did that," I say quickly, mortification making my heart pound painfully against my ribs."It won't happen again.I promise, I'm normally much more professional."

He clears his throat, a flush creeping up his neck."It's, ah...it's been a long time since anyone...I mean, I wasn't expecting..."

We stand here in awkward silence, neither knowing quite what to say.The thought that I might have just wrecked the best job I've been offered in years with one impulsive, unprofessional act.What was I thinking?

The truth is, I wasn't thinking at all.And now I might have ruined everything before it's even begun.

Chapter Five

Fletcher

Jennifer kissed me.The nanny slipped her tongue between my lips andkissedme.She seemed horrified by what she'd done, though she paid no attention to my growing erection.The last thing I want is to become a stereotype of a single father who shags the nanny.What would the children think?What would my parents think?Or my in-laws?My stomach twists as I realize this could turn into a complete disaster.

"Jennifer," I begin, then stop.I have no bloody idea what to say.

She backs away, her eyes wide, and bites down on her bottom lip."I'm so sorry, Fletcher.That was completely out of line.I have no idea what came over me."

As I shove a hand through my hair, I struggle to process what just happened."It was...unexpected, for sure."

"I understand if you want to rescind the job offer."

Something about her embarrassment makes me feel protective.It's been ages since I've felt that way toward a woman who wasn't a friend or relative."No, the job offer stands.We're both adults.We can acknowledge this was a singular moment of madness and move past it."

Jennifer blows out a breath, her shoulders flagging."Thank you, Fletcher.I swear that won't happen again."

I struggle to ignore the way my pulse is still hammering."No worries.Moving past it seems like the most prudent option."

But as I watch her smoothing down her skirt and straightening her shoulders, I realize that moving past it might not be as easy as it sounds.The taste of her lips lingers on mine, and I wonder what might have happened if I hadn't been quite so shocked.If I'd kissed her back instead of standing there like a bloody statue.

Christ, man.Get it together.

"Should we head to the backyard?"I suggest, needing distance from this small, intimate space."Let me show you the aboveground pool and the treehouse, then we can go over the children's routines."

"That all sounds perfect."Jennifer's voice is steadier now, more professional.She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture that I find oddly endearing."Let's go."

I lead the way through the kitchen and out the back door.The yard is larger than it appears from the window, with a lawn that isn't enormous but is well kept and vegetable garden that's been overtaken by weeds.I point toward the covered pool.

"We usually open it in May," I explain, grateful for the neutral topic."The kids practically live in it during summer holidays."

"But it's June, and you haven't removed the pool cover yet."

"Ah, yes."I grimace."My job at the hotel has taken up a large part of my summer so far.One disaster after another.That's part of why I need a nanny."

"I'd be happy to get the pool set up for you."Jennifer smiles politely, keeping a professional distance between us now."Do the children all know how to swim?"