Page 34 of Temptation at His Door

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

God, she didn’t know. Because she liked being around people and living alone sucked? Because she missed her sister and she didn’t know anyone else in Boston and she’d had the most fun with Ronan’s kids? Because, while she could help out at the foundation, she wasn’t employed there and there was only so much she could do?

Because she really, really wanted to spend time with Ronan Murphy?

“Am I too late? Did you find someone else?”

“No. Not yet...” Ronan rubbed his jaw, his expression still bemused. “I can’t believe you are here.”

Yeah, she couldn’t, either. Ronan took a step toward her and lifted his hand to cup her cheek. His thumb skimmed her cheekbone and Joa sucked in a big gulp of air, leaning into his touch. This was temporary, she reminded herself, she would not dream for more.

Besides, Ronan was still in love with his wife. Great sex was just great sex, it didn’t translate into there being a space for Joa in his heart. There never would be.

Joa took a step back and Ronan’s hand fell to his side. Best to start as she meant to go on. Joa fiddled with her earring. “I’ll also look for a long-term nanny for you.”

“You will?”

Joa nodded. She’d thought about this. “Part of your problem is that it’syouwho is looking andyouare doing the interview.”

Ronan looked puzzled, so Joa explained that his famous name was, in this instance, a stumbling block. “If I take on the task, I will say that I am looking for a nanny for a client who has two small children, and you will remain anonymous until we find a couple of solid, genuine candidates. That will weed out all the ones who won’t suit you or the boys.”

“That might work.”

Of course it would work. “And until I find you your paragon of nannyhood, I will look after the boys for you.”

“You will?”

“Sure, they’ll keep me busy while I look for my life’s purpose.”

“It’s gone missing?” Ronan drolly asked and she saw a hint of the man Keely once called the greatest tease in America.

“Temporarily, I hope,” Joa replied. She sucked in air and rolled her shoulders to release the tension gathered there. “So let’s forget what happened between us—” hah! As if she could! “—and start fresh.” She held out her hand. “Friends?”

Ronan arched his brows and looked down at her outstretched hand. Eventually, a million years later, he gripped her hand in his and pumped it once, hard.

“Yeah, something like that. Let’s go find the boys. They are in the playroom.”

What did he mean by that cryptic sentence? Joa followed him up the stairs, ignoring the photos of Thandi on the wall, looking so gracious and lovely and in love with her husband, her boys and her life. “I’ll look after your boys, Thandi. I’ll do my best, but only temporarily,” she added, her words an indistinguishable murmur.

Ronan stopped abruptly to look back at her, and Joa put her hand on his back to stop herself from crashing into him. Beneath his shirt, she could feel hard muscle, feel his heat. She dropped her hand and surreptitiously wiped her clammy hand on the seat of her pants. “Sorry, talking to myself.”

Ronan flashed her a smile. “You do that often?”

Joa flashed what she hoped was a cheerful smile. “How else would I get expert advice?”

Ronan laughed. “Fair point.”

“Nice dress,” Keely commented, holding out a glass of champagne.

Joa gestured to Sam and Aron, playing on the carpet by her feet, and shook her head. “Can’t, I’m working.”

“It’s a party, Ju. Ronan won’t have a problem with you having a drink.”

Joa took the glass and put it on the table next to her elbow. She looked around the room filled with Carrick’s guests, people who obviously knew the Murphy family well.

Tanna, the youngest Murphy sibling, was back in Boston and, judging by the heated exchanges between her and Levi Brogan, very much in love. In fact, between Tanna and Levi and Carrick and Sadie’s hot looks, Joa was very impressed that the walls and drapes were still fire free.

---