Page 9 of Swooning for the Summer Manny

I smile sheepishly at Ryan. “I’m sure that was way more than you care to know.”

“No, I love hearing about it. You really know your stuff.”

“I’ve always loved houses,” I say, shrugging. “It’s basically the only thing I know a lot about.”

“That’s not true,” he says. “What about being a mom?”

“What about it?”

“You know a lot about that, too.” His eyes gleam as he looks at me. “I don’t think you give yourself enough credit sometimes, Karin. You’re an amazing woman.”

His words stun me. No one has ever said that to me. Emotion rises in my throat as I absorb the moment.

“I’m just doing what I can,” I say, my voice wavering a little.

“No. I see how much you do. I see how much you care.” The corner of his lips gently lifts. “The world needs more people like you.”

Before I can stop myself, I’m leaning in. I’m tilting up my chin. I’m pressing my lips to his. I kiss him like there’s no other option, like free will doesn’t exist. Desire and gratitude are both surging inside me, blotting out all common sense.

His lips are incredible. They’re strong and smooth and masculine. I could die happy, kissing this man.

And then I remember that he’s not just any man, and I jolt away from him, mortified at what I’ve just done.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, stepping away, giving him back his personal space.

Ryan shakes his head and steps forward, closing the space between us again. “I’m not.”

It feels like time slows down as he dips his head down to bring our lips together again. I draw in a surprised breath, a delightful shiver running up my back as we share our second kiss. This time it lasts longer. It…glows. The way Ryan is kissing me is hot and needy and—oh God, his tongue?—

A pair of approaching footsteps interrupts us, and I quickly pull away. But not quickly enough to avoid being seen.

It’s Jennifer. Shit.

She takes one look at us, raises her eyebrows, and then smiles at me. “Is the bathroom down here?”

“Yep,” I say, clearing my throat. “Right down that hallway.”

I can tell she’s trying to hide a smile as she walks past us. Why oh why did I have to tell her that Ryan is my nanny?

I look at Ryan, who isn’t paying any attention to Jennifer. He’s solely focused on me. In fact, he looks like he wants to kiss me again.

I want him to kiss me again. Desperately. Because that kiss we just shared was magical beyond belief. I want it over and over again. I want to give myself to him completely.

But I’m scared. I’m worried about the repercussions of getting involved with the man I’m paying to look after my daughter. I’m worried it will make everything complicated and confusing, especially for Amelia.

Most of all, I’m scared that Ryan will ultimately decide he doesn’t want me.

“I’m sorry,” I say, swallowing as I look Ryan in the eye. “I can’t do this. Not here—or anywhere.”

Ryan is quiet for several seconds. Then he gently shifts away from me. “Okay. I understand.”

“I’m sorry,” I say again.

“There’s nothing to apologize for.”

“No, there is. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I got caught up in the moment.”

He looks like he wants to say something else, but just nods. “We should probably go back outside.”

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