Page 10 of Finding Gwen

“Anthony, go home and straighten all of this out. I’ll handle the paperwork tonight. Just promise to call me if you need a real release.” Jason clasped a hand on my shoulder as he finished, waiting for me to respond. Opening my eyes, I nodded my head, turning away from him and heading toward my truck.

Opening up the door from the garage to the house, I fully expected to hear the sounds of play from my child, seeing as Gwendalyn wasn’t asked to put him to bed. Instead, all I heard was silence. Walking to the kitchen, I found her sitting at the kitchen island with a book and the baby monitor. Her body was relaxed, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had come home to a woman in my home. I cleared my throat, making my presence known, and Gwendalyn snapped her head toward me, jumping in her seat.

“Hi,” she exclaimed, a little louder than she probably intended. I was distracted by her hand on her chest, the loose flowy shirt she was wearing doing very little to hide her curves. She grabbed a bookmark from the counter, sticking it in her book before she closed it. “So sorry. I guess I didn’t hear the garage door. Let me put these last few things away for you.” I shrugged off my jacket, laying it on the back of one of the island chairs while I continued watching her, letting my mind wonder.

She slid from the stool, putting her things into a bag that I hadn’t noticed earlier. My eyes drifted further down her body as she moved around the kitchen, putting away what few things were still out on the counters. The pants she had on clung to her legs like a second skin, the round globes of her ass begging to be cupped and kneaded by my hands. She looked at home in my kitchen, her movements natural as she put things away.

Her hair was down, falling in soft waves down her shoulders. I wanted to run my fingers through the strands, imagining the softness. She stepped in front of me, her closeness stirring some primal instinct from deep within as she offered me the monitor from the island. The smell of citrus invaded my nose and the urge to pull her against me and bury my face into her was overwhelming. Forcing my eyes off her body, I shook the thoughts from my head, mentally scolding myself for, once again, not being able to control myself.

I accepted the monitor, seeing Oliver curled up in his crib fast asleep with his favorite stuffed animal. “Anthony, is everything okay?” Gwendalyn asked quietly, pulling my attention away from the monitor, and it only just hit me that I hadn’t said a word since getting home.

“Oliver is asleep?” The intended statement came out as a question as I blinked down at her.

“Oh, yeah. He started getting sleepy, so I asked if he wanted to put on comfy clothes and snuggle in bed with books. He fell asleep pretty quickly after that.” My eyes slipped back to the monitor, unable to fathom that she had gotten Oliver to bed without a fight. “I’m sorry, Mr. Marino. If I did something—”

“You’re hired,” I cut her off, making my decision final.

“I’m sorry?” She froze, confusion covering her face, and it hit me that I must sound like a crazy person right now.

“The job, being Oliver’s nanny. If you want the job, you’re hired.” That was not coherent, either.

“I’m… We’ve… Are you sure?” She was surprised, her wide blue eyes staring up at me as she picked at the skin around her nails.

“I was prepared to offer you the job when I walked into the house this afternoon and heard Oliver laughing. He’s a sweet boy…” my voice trailed off, as the sound of his giggling danced once more through my mind. Her face softened, and I tore my gaze away, spinning around. She had not just caught me like that. Marching to the fridge, I pulled out a beer from the top shelf and opened it, keeping my back to Gwendalyn as I continued. “Also, he has never gone to bed without a fight. He’s a master negotiator. You seriously got him to bed with books?”

I chanced a glance over my shoulder. Gwendalyn gave me a soft smile and nodded her head. Her cheeks turned a little red, warmth rising in her that was mirrored in the brightness coming from her eyes. So gentle, so kind. “So, do you want the job?” I turned fully and took a swig of beer, waiting for her answer.

“Yes. When can I start?” Her eyes brightened as she answered, the swirls of blue shifting like the waves of an ocean. Any residual anger that had been coursing through my veins was washed away as I stared into them. I could get lost in them for hours.

“Anthony?” Her soft voice pierced through the thread that was weaving a dangerous web between us. It sounded as if she was scared, and I realized I had stepped toward her. Not just a single step. I was less than a foot from her now, close enough that I could feel her breath as she exhaled. It washed warm against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine in the same way my name sounded leaving her lips. Swallowing stiffly, my eyes scanned her body; her shoulders lifted a little toward her ears and her muscles tensed as I did. “Mr. Marino?”

I stepped back and her shoulders relaxed as I put the counter between us. “Monday. I’m off and can help you move your stuff in,” I rushed, barely getting the words out. This was going to be an issue, my attraction to her, and I knew it was something that I would have to keep in check if I wanted her to be here for Oliver. With her bag on her shoulder, she froze, registering my words. “Is everything okay?”

“Why would I need to move my stuff in?” Avoiding my gaze, she began picking at the skin of her nails, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m sorry. I had assumed Carol shared with you the details of what I needed. Because of my occupation, sometimes I get called at weird hours, and I need someone who can be on call whenever I am. Carol informed me I would benefit the most from a live-in nanny and helped me write up a contract. You’d have your own space in the basement, since it is basically an in-law suite. It even has a separate entrance, if you prefer it.” Now I was the nervous one. Setting down my beer and taking a breather, I stopped myself from continuing to ramble.

“I know I just accepted, but could I have some time to think about this? The live-in aspect changes things for me a little…” She winced, a bead of blood gathering on the nail she had just been picking at. Making a fist, she did her best to hide the evidence, gripping onto her bag before lifting her gaze to mine. The lightness in her eyes had shifted, the sadness washing over them darkening her irises.

“Of course,” I answered. “I’ll get your email from Carol and send you the contract. Take tomorrow and think about it. If you have any questions, just let me know.” Hesitantly, she nodded her head.

“Thank you. I will definitely keep in touch. If there isn’t anything else?”

“Let me walk you out,” I offered, answering that she was free to go without explicit words. Following her to the front door, I opened it for her. Turning to me, she offered me a small smile before walking out, and I watched as she got in her car. It didn’t take long for her to start it and drive away. I wasn’t sure what had Gwendalyn closing down so quickly and feeling the need to run. Tonight, I would give her the space she needed to accept us and get comfortable, but whether she realized it or not, she was just going to have to come to terms with it. One way or another, I was going to make sure she accepted the job.

Chapter Seven

Gwen

Sitting in the quiet car outside of the AirBnB, I shuffled through everything in my mind that had happened in the last couple hours. Oliver was the sweetest boy, genuinely happy and so clever. It would be a dream to take care of him. But his father? My heart was still racing from my interactions with Anthony. I could feel his gaze on me even now, his eyes darkening as he stalked toward me. Something about that man pulled me in and I wanted to let it. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting my head fall back onto the headrest. Could I do this? Live with another man? There was no way I could rely on my own thoughts and feelings to make this decision. I needed Ivy’s guidance.

When I walked inside, I found Carol and Ivy sitting on the floor of the living room with wine glasses in their hands and an open bottle on the coffee table. They were laughing like I imagined old friends do when reunited after a time. Sensing my presence, Ivy looked over her shoulder and smiled as I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass, dropping my bag and Carol’s car key on the counter before heading back to the living room. Plopping down on the floor next to Ivy, I poured myself a large glass before taking a long drink.

“I’m not sure if that means things went good or bad,” Carol whispered to Ivy over her wine, avoiding my gaze. Ivy chuckled at her words, and I felt myself relaxing, the wine helping to ease the anxiety. I looked between Ivy and Carol, deciding to just spit it out.

“He offered me the job,” I whispered, looking down at my glass of wine as if it was the most interesting thing in the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the excitement that spread across both of their faces. Ivy set down her empty glass before clapping her hands excitedly like a child on their birthday. This probably wasn’t the first bottle of wine they had tonight.

“Gwen, that’s amazing! You really won him over, didn’t you?” Looking up at my best friend, her happiness was contagious, and I couldn’t help feeling a bit excited for the opportunity.

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