Page 10 of Breeding the Nanny

My brother’s eyes light up before I add, “Just to pick up a few things, then I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, Dad.” He holds up both hands in mock surrender as his eyes continue to gleam in a way that infuriates me. “We won’t have enough time to throw a rager while you’re gone. I get it.”

“Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?”

“Not right now.” My brother gives me one of his patented smart-ass grins while Claire isn’t looking. “And it seems like I got here just in time, doesn’t it?”

And there I was, wondering what it would be like to live through a pregnancy with Claire. To watch her grow and swell, witness the changes to her body and, bask in the joy I know those changes would bring her. Now, Keaton is in the way, like a pin jabbed into a balloon.

Once I’ve finished with my sandwich, there’s not much else for me to do but go. I wish I had never announced my plan. I cannot stand the idea of leaving them alone together.

“I won’t be long.” I catch my brother’s eye and nod, signaling for him to follow me. We need to get a couple of things straight before I go.

“You’re not going to lecture me, are you?” he whispers as we cross the living room, and I grab my keys from the table by the door.

“It’s not a lecture. It’s a warning.” Standing toe to toe, I’m grateful for the extra inch I have over him. It’s not a lot, but enough to count in moments like this. “Do not touch her. Got it?”

“Who gave you the idea you own her? And I thought the idea was for her to understand that we both like her. Why pretend otherwise?”

“You really don’t get it, do you?”

“I guess I don’t. Or maybe it’s you who doesn’t get it.” He backs away toward the kitchen, grinning in that insufferable way of his. “Lighten up. You might enjoy your life a little more.”

Since I don’t think kicking him out would earn me any points with Claire, I have no choice but to leave… and hope I get back in time before he has the chance to ruin anything.

6

CLAIRE

Right away, Keaton bombards me with questions. “So, have you had any time to go in the pool yet?”

The idea makes me laugh as I wash the pan I used to make the sandwiches. When I look over my shoulder, though, he’s not laughing. He actually meant it.

“Do you think I’ve had time to go swimming? I’ve been taking care of Lilly, getting a feel for the house and where everything is. There’s not much room for goofing off.”

He leans against the counter, standing almost too close for comfort. Not that I mind. It’s just that I don’t trust myself with either of them when they get close and make my overwhelmed brain entertain thoughts that shouldn’t exist. I don’t want to ruin what’s turning into an amazing opportunity.

And, right now, the opportunity to move a couple inches closer to him is looking too tempting to resist.

“Come on. You can’t always have something to do. What about now while Lilly’s asleep?”

I blurt out a laugh, but he doesn’t. “Are you serious? No, I couldn’t do that.”

“Why?” He lowers his head and treats me to a wicked little grin that makes my body flush and my heart beat a little faster.

“Because I’m working.”

“And you can work outside.” He snags the baby monitor from the counter. “You can keep it out there, close to the pool. So as soon as Lilly makes a sound, you’ll hear it.”

The thing is, he makes a good argument. I can’t come up with another reason to refuse him. And it would be nice to go for a swim. It’s been so long since I’ve even had a reason to put on my bathing suit. “Are you coming with?”

“I don’t have trunks with me…” I swear, he’s trying to kill me. My heart can’t take it. “But I could borrow a pair of Nathan’s.”

The next thing I know, I’m standing at the edge of the pool wearing a black one-piece. My heart’s in my throat, and I’m not quite sure why. The feelings I have around Nathan aren’t exactly professional—especially after falling asleep with him and sharing his bed my first night here. I can barely breathe when he’s around.

But Keaton is different. Just as hot, just as tempting, but there’s sort of an edge to it. All of the nice, sweet, homey thoughts Nathan gets me thinking are replaced by sort of dangerous, naughty thoughts with his brother.

His brother who steps outside wearing a pair of blue swim trunks and looking like a dirty dream come to life. I guess being a cop means he has to keep in shape, and he definitely does. His tanned skin tells me he likes to spend a lot of time outside, too. My mouth is so dry all of a sudden.

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