Back in the kitchen, I put away all the fruit.

Lucky strides in, wearing a pair of jeans that show off his fit butt and a light gray thermal that clings to every bit of his chest muscles. His hair is still damp, hanging in messy waves.

I grab a wet paper towel and attempt to get all his spilled protein powder.

“So, tell me,” I clip. “Are you paying me for three children?”

His eyes narrow, and I wonder if I’ve crossed the line.

“Explain,” is all he says.

“This.” I gesture to the mess he left behind.

His eyes flick to the counter.

“I was going to clean that up.” He reaches forward and begins wrapping the cord around the blender. Then lifts it into the cabinet. “Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just was exhausted from my workout and wanted to take a minute to sit and drink my shake. Then I needed a shower and completely forgot about it.”

“Guess it’s that one track mind men have.” I throw the paper towel in the trash.

He quirks an eyebrow at me. “One track?”

“Yeah, that’s why you guys suck at multitasking.”

I can tell he’s not sure if he should be insulted, so I try to soften my words. “At least, that’s what they say.”

“Do they?”

“Yeah, you know men are like a waffle or a bagel or something, and women are like noodles. Our thoughts go all over the place.”

“Well, that’s not a lie.” The corner of his lips twitch just a bit, and I almost think I might see him smile for the first time. But then it’s gone just as quickly as it came. “I’ll take the girls to school today; I’ve got some errands to run, anyway.”

“Okay. Let me finish getting them ready.” I move off to do just that.

As soon as the girls are loaded into the car, I head straight to the sunroom to get a bit of yoga in.

I pull my sweater over my head, revealing my black sports bra, and set it on one of the wicker chairs.

I stretch my hands above my head and bend forward into downward dog, stretching out my back and legs. Then I pull one leg forward and reach one arm to the ceiling. After a few seconds, I repeat the pose with the other arm. I then move into warrior pose. When I bend forward again, I glimpse a dark figure behind me.

I jump, turning to see it's just Lucky.

His eyes rise to mine from where they were clearly zeroed in on my butt.

He clears his throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Is everything okay?” I look past him for the girls. There’s no way he has already dropped them off.

“Poppy forgot her backpack.” He holds up the striped rainbow-colored bag.

“Oh.” My eyes drop to it. “You’re going to be late if you don’t leave soon.”

His eyes trace over my body as if he’s trying to remember every detail. Maybe my plan to give him a taste of his own medicine has done its job a little too well.

“I’ll see you this afternoon.” It looks like it takes every ounce of will in his body to turn and walk away.

Maybe this man is as tempted as I am. This could be trouble.

CHAPTER SIX