Page 56 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“What?” I asked.

“I knew I’d hired the right person to watch my children from day one, but it wasn’t until this situation with Anya happened that I realized the lengths you’re willing to go to in order to protect my children. I want you to know that you’re remarkable for it and that your efforts don’t go unnoticed.”

“That’s my job, Jace. Your children always need to be safe with me,” I said.

“And you need to be safe in the process.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Maybe I’m not being clear,” he said as he stood up.

I watched him come around to me as I took a bite of my salad. He sat down in a chair next to me and placed his hand on my knee. My eyes fell to the connection and I watched him squeeze my skin, shooting electricity up my thigh.

I swallowed the bite of salad I’d taken at the wrong time before putting it back on his desk.

“Catherine.”

“Yes Jace?”

“I…”

I dropped my hand to his and curled my fingers around his skin, trying to comfort him. I knew what he was going to say, and I knew he felt he was going out on a limb to say it. But he wasn’t.

He wasn’t alone in his declaration.

“I care about you. More than just a father would care about the nanny to his children. You’ve brought a light back into my house that had been extinguished for years, and I owe you everything for that.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Jace. I’m happy to be here,” I said.

“You’ve been so wonderful with the kids. So wonderful to me. So when I tell you I want to protect my family at all costs, what I need you to understand is that you are included in that statement.”

I felt my heart thunder in my ears.

“You’r

e part of this family, Catherine. My family. I care about you more than I care to admit to myself right now, and I know that’s juvenile. I know it’s high school-ish. But it is what it is. And I want to keep you safe as well as my children. I need you to know that I’m going to do that. No matter what it takes.”

I reached my free hand up and smoothed my knuckles lightly over his skin.

“I care about you too, Jace,” I said.

I watched a sparkle dance in his eyes as a grin crossed his cheeks.

“So I should probably tell you I’m carrying a taser now,” I said with a sigh.

“You’re what?” he asked, chuckling.

“I know it’s overkill. Sort of. It makes me feel safer when I’m out in public with the children.”

“Then by all means, carry it,” he said. “But I wanted to look you in the eye and tell you that when I talk about protecting my family and doing whatever it takes to make sure their well-being is assured, it means you as well.”

“I appreciate that. I really do,” I said.

Then, my stomach let out a resounding growl that caused me to blush.

“Should we go ahead and eat lunch?” he asked.

“I think my stomach is overtly rebelling at this point because of it,” I said.

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