Page 51 of Nanny for the Doctor

The conversation is flowing easily. The wine probably helps with that, but I can also relax around Mae, like her presence alone is comforting.

It occurs to me that I’ve talked about Clara a little, and I’m surprised the sting deep in my chest doesn’t prick quite as hard. It almost feels nice, reminiscing about Clara’s humor and carefree spirit.

“I think he asked if you’d help with his project. Do you think you can manage that?”

Mae smirks at me, resting her chin in her hand as she leans on the table. The soft light of the restaurant makes her skin glow, and I find myself staring again.

“I’ll try. I’m definitely no expert. Unless his project is about sutures and setting bones.”

“Unfortunately, I think he’s picked something to do with electricity. So you’re out of luck, Reed.”

She giggles lightly, taking another bite of her lobster. Even the way she wraps her lips around the fork is sensual, and I’m straining behind my fly.

“Well, shit. Here’s hoping Henry doesn’t electrocute me. Unless, of course, it works like the Energizer Bunny and I can keep going and going.”

Mae’s head falls back as she laughs, the slender column of her neck exposed, and my eyes trail down to her breasts.

“Oh, God. I can just imagine you all hopped-up like that damn pink rabbit. Too much, dude.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” I drink my wine, relishing the dark flavors as they swirl on my tongue. “I can imagine one place having that kind of stamina might be nice. I am forty, after all.”

The gentle flush painting Mae’s cheeks from the wine deepens.

“You don’t have anything to be worried about, Dr. Finnigan. Yourstaminais just fine.”

A lust-fueled silence hangs over the table, creating a quiet bubble where it’s just us, and the rest of the world falls away.

“This restaurant really is amazing. The entire hotel. It’d be nice to stay here.”

My heart thunders as I meet Mae’s beautiful eyes. I’ve been risky and bold before, but nothing like booking a room before I even knew if my date would be into it.

I pull out the room key and slide it toward Mae.

“I actually did get a room for this evening. Since Henry is staying with Heather, I thought maybe we’d make an evening out of it.”

“That was a bit presumptuous of you, wasn’t it?” Mae raises her eyebrows at me.

“A little. Okay, a lot. But I just had a feeling…and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.”

“Well, it looks like this time—” Mae lifts her glass, swirling the wine around and breathing deep “—it’s big risk, big reward.”

Chapter17

Mae

I’m a brazen hussy enjoying a moment worthy of Lifetime romance movies, and I couldn’t care less. I absolutely want to go to the hotel room with Reed, even if I know it’s a terrible idea.

From the moment I decided to work for him again, I’ve had two things on my mind—getting Henry and Reed into a true father-son rhythm and enjoying every naughty second I could with Reed.

I know the relationship question was still very up in the air when we last spoke, and I know that it’s the last thing I should be thinking about.

But even though I fought against it, being around Reed makes my walls come tumbling down.

I mean, I didn’t wear this dress for nothing. In the back of my mind, I hoped that Reed would make a move, and Le Ciel is the perfect place to do it.

With a smile, I reach across the table and take the room key. The card fits perfectly in the front slot of my wallet, and I take another sip of the savory wine.

“Alright, then.”

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