PROLOGUE
I stretch my fingers out to knock, hesitating for a moment before snatching my hand back in. I’m not sure I should be taking this job. I thought it was a great idea until I arrived at the house for my first day. The house, which is so much bigger than I was anticipating. Hugh told me during our interview that he’d have a new place where I’d come to live with them, but I didn’t think it would be like this.
I’m not rich. Hell, I don’t even know the meaning of the word.
Last night I ate three packets of Ramen for dinner because I couldn’t afford anything else. I did put some vegetables with the last one, so that counts as something, right?
Either way, I’ve never eaten anything fancier than a steak and my clothes could use a serious upgrade. Still, Hugh told me that he wanted someone down to Earth and, considering this was the one choice he had, he was going to make it count. So here I am, ready to start a job that I’m not sure is the best one I’ve ever taken, but I need the money and, oh boy, it’s good money.
Not to mention I get to live in this house.
You can’t go wrong.
“You goin’ to stand at the door all day, or are you goin’ to knock?”
I spin around to see Hugh standing behind me, baby Starla on his hip, his eyes narrowed as he stands there. God, how long was he there watching me extend my hand out and then snatch it back like a god damned idiot? I mean, come on.
“Ah, Hugh, hey,” I squeak. “I was just ...”
“Shittin’ your pants,” he murmurs, walking up to me. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite. Starla, on the other hand.”
I stare at the cutest little baby in this world, hands down. I’ve met her, of course, that was part of taking the job, but man this one is cute. She looks exactly like Hugh, and even though they ran a DNA test, there is no missing it. You’d have to be blind to not see who her father is. She has the same dark blond hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. The same olive skin as her dad. The only difference is, well, she’s a girl.
Hugh, man, he’s something else entirely. He looks like the biker version of a Ken doll. Clean shaven and, though I’m more often than not a fan of beards, this suits him because he has the most chiseled jaw I’ve ever seen. He’s got this thick hair that always falls over his face and his eyes are so gorgeous you could easily spend a good portion of your day getting lost in them.
“Hi, cutie,” I say to the gorgeous bub, who gives me a big toothless grin. “You and I are going to be great friends.”
“She’s three months old, Maggie,” Hugh informs me.
I roll my eyes. “I don’t know why you think that matters.”
“All she does is shit, eat, and sleep.”
I laugh. “Well, same.”
He gives me a look that has me bursting out laughing. His mouth doesn’t twitch, not even a little, but his eyes light up, and I figure that’s worth something.
I bite my lip as we walk inside the massive house. Looking around, I can’t say I’ve ever seen something this nice. “Holy wow, you rented this place?”
He grumbles low. “Fuck, had no choice. It’s the smallest she’d go.”
The smallest?
I want to wheeze, but that would be rude, so I hold it in.
God, this is the biggest damn house I’ve ever been in and it’s the smallest she’d go?
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Delilah yet, not officially, anyway. Apparently, Hugh got to choose the nanny, that was part of the deal, and so here I am.
“Damn, I’ve never been in something this size in my life.”
Hugh grunts. “You and me both. Come on I’ll show you to your quarters.”
“Quarters?” I croak. “What is this, Beauty and the Beast?”
He grunts again. “Might as well be.”
He walks me down some long halls and out the back. Joined to the house is a gorgeous little cottage, kind of connected by a small porch. I stare at it, and immediately fall in love. It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever seen and when we walk inside, it takes all my power not to squeal with delight. Oh, it’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.
“I get to stay here?” I ask, staring at the quaint little home.
“If it’s not big enough—” Hugh begins, but I cut him off.
“Not big enough? It’s incredible. I love it so much.”
He stares at me blankly. “You and Delilah won’t get along just fine.”
I laugh. “Care to share why?”
I walk over to the bed, running my fingers over the small quilt and smiling at its beautiful pattern. So cozy. So warm. This is everything.
“She hates this place. Said she could never live in something so small and was certain you’d hate it.”
I spin around. “Hate it? You can’t be serious. It’s perfect.”
He shrugs. “Her words. Anyway, I’ll show you through the house and get Starla settled. I have to go to the club and Delilah is working until five.”
“Straight in the deep end, hey?” I say, putting my things down. “Lucky for you I’m good at my job.”
“How hard can it be?” he mutters, walking out.
Wow. Rude.
“Have you taken care of a baby for a night?”
“I was here last night, she woke up, I didn’t even fuckin’ hear her. She’s always happy, smilin’ and shit, I don’t see the problem.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You just wait until those teeth come in. I’ll ask you again then.”
“Well, that’s what you’re here for.”
“You’re also her dad ...”
He gives me a look as we enter the door back into the main house.
“And?”
“And what?” I say, shaking my head. “That means you have to take on some of it.”
“I didn’t ask for this.”
I gasp and point to Starla. “She’s right there. Maybe watch what you say.”
“She’s a baby, she doesn’t know what I’m saying.”
“Wow, I’m starting to think I might just get along with Delilah because surely she is as shocked by you as I am.”
He stares at me, face tight. “She was the one who insisted I come in this fuckin’ house and play happy family. I didn’t ask for a kid, never wanted one.”
I take Starla from him, pressing her little cheek to mine. “Then you should wrap it up next time, buddy. I don’t know if you learned much in school about the birds and the bees, but if you do the naughty without a condom, then you get this ...”
I point to Starla.
“Did you just say do the naughty?”
“I’m holding a baby.”
“She can’t understand you.”
“Watch yourself, she can.”
He sighs. “Fuck. I have to get going. She has a nap at lunchtime, I think. I don’t know. Call Delilah.”
I frown as he walks away, not even saying goodbye to this gorgeous little angel. I sit on the couch with her facing me, bouncing her on my knee. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart, he’s going to love you so hard that you won’t ever remember a time when he didn’t. I promise.”