Page 2 of Temptation at His Door

“That’s a distinct possibility,” Joa agreed.

Keely’s phone rang and she dug in her tote bag to pull it out. She swiped the screen and Joa caught the indistinct outline of a handsome face, a flash of white teeth as the man smiled.

“Hey, where are you?”

Joa started to step away but Keely’s hand on her arm kept her in place. Who was this man with the amazing, growly, gorgeous voice? Keely’s new boyfriend?

Curious, Joa angled her head and, making sure to keep out of the eye of the camera, took a quick peek at Keely’s screen.

Holy crap, cupcake.

Joa looked past the frustration dancing in those mostly green eyes—a light green touched with flecks of blue, gold and jade, the colors of a mother-of-pearl shell—and the annoyance tightening his mouth. Stubble covered a strong jaw and stubborn chin, and his open-collar chambray shirt skimmed broad shoulders, revealing a chest lightly covered with nut-brown hair, the same color as his collar-length, wavy hair. He looked like a fallen angel, someone who could be pretty but wasn’t, and was better looking for it.

He rocked the wordmasculineand Joa just knew that his body would match his face. God couldn’t be that cruel to team such a sexy face with a body that wasn’t as fine. Joa was very certain he had a flat stomach, long legs and a perfect ass.

That was the only scenario that made sense. The butterflies in her stomach flapped their wings in enthusiasm. And appreciation.

When last had she had such a visceral,sexualreaction to a man? Last year? Two years ago?

Never might be closer to the truth.

“I’ve just arrived at Murphy’s,” Keely replied. “We’re running late but I let Carrick know.” Keely handed an appointment card to the concierge and motioned Joa to lead them up the steps. “Are you joining us for the meeting?” she asked the hottie on the screen.

“Nah, too much on my plate.”

Keely stopped halfway up the stairs and Joa, a step higher, turned around to look down at her. A frown pulled Keely’s delicate brows together and concern flashed in her eyes. The man on the other side of the call was someone Keely cared about.

“What’s the matter?” Keely demanded.

“Anna’s gone.”

Joa, knowing they wouldn’t be moving until Keely finished her conversation, placed her arms on the railing and looked down into one of the viewing rooms. Murphy staff, dressed in red golf shirts and chinos, carefully lifted a huge painting off the wall.

Keely sounded horrified. “Oh, crap, that’s the sixth one you’ve lost since Lizbeth retired.”

Sixth what?

“Tell me something I don’t know.” The voice muttered, utterly pissed. “She went on a shopping spree.”

Keely pulled a face. “What did she buy?”

“Lingerie, designer. Cosmetics, designer. A designer sofa. Various high-end perfumes, shoes, handbags, clothes.”

“Wait! Let me guess...all designer.”

“Yeah. I single-handedly kept more than a few Boston boutiques in business recently.”

“I would not have expected her to do that.” Keely placed her hand on her hip. “You have the worst luck in nannies, Ro.”

Joa’s interest was pricked by the wordnanny. It was her profession after all. Ah, the conversation was starting to make a little more sense.

And Keely called him Ro...

Keely had to be talking to Ronan Murphy.

Keely had often mentioned him in her frequent, lengthy emails. He was the worldwide director of sales and marketing and Murphy International’s chief auctioneer. Keely had known the Murphy family since they were all kids, and she had been a college friend of his wife’s.

“I don’t need this now. Thandi’s parents are on vacation, so they can’t help me with the boys and I have a day from hell today.”

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