Read Online Nanny Behaving Badly by Judy Jarvie - Free Book Online

mantraps. He’d not been the magazine style, publicity-obsessed sports star she’d wanted from the off so she’d indulged her fascinations elsewhere. Sad that she’d had to use Josh to underscore his failings, her unfulfilled ambitions.
    ‘I don’t intend to gatecrash, Maddie.’
    ‘There’s no pity party to crash here.’ But her strip-search glare barred, accused. It fired his insides to jab back.
    ‘Courtesy. Not pity. Big difference,’ he answered. ‘Empathy over sympathy. Subtle but crucial.’
    How could he begin to explain? Why the emotions inside threatened an instant tornado whenever his mind turned back to fighting for his son. ‘I don’t do intrusion. I know how that feels and it’s not pleasant.’
    Maddie answered swiftly. ‘I don’t have a problem. My uncle is a generous man by nature, it’s one of the reasons I love him so much – come on Saturday with my blessing. Now it’s time for lunch. Josh keeps telling me he’s hungry.’
    Lyle shoved the sharp feelings deep. Vetoed the attraction recognition. Now wasn’t the time for intense analysis on why Maddie’s approval counted so much. Why her angry-slash-hurt eyes fired him up enough to want to know why.
    ‘Let’s go eat,’ he echoed and followed her lead. She was right, always one step ahead of his moves.

    Marco wanted Lyle at his meeting because he was successful and smart. What was she getting her emotions in a mix about?
    But Maddie just watched as no fewer than three ‘yummy mummies’ at Josh’s nursery stared at him. As though he were the latest must-have export from the Gorgeous Man factory. Lyle appeared blissfully unaware of the interest; maybe it was something only female radar could intercept?
    They’d visited the nursery staff to convey that Maddie was Brigitta’s replacement. Tomorrow she’d be taking over solo but she had no concerns. As they left the building, she noticed another glamour mum stare at Lyle all the way out of the door.
    Perhaps he just didn’t see? He certainly didn’t interact or encourage it.
    Once in the jeep they headed home. At the first set of lights they came to, Lyle turned to confide, ‘Josh’s best friend there is called Lewis. His child minder tells me Brigitta had planned a play date for Friday at our house but I’ve explained it’s only your first week so I’ve cancelled.’
    Maddie turned to watch his strong profile. ‘If it’s a standing arrangement, I’m happy to fit in.’
    ‘I don’t expect you to jump into the breach. It’s only a play date.’
    His grey gaze flinted against hers. Awareness skittered through her. Alone together felt potent, pronounced. Josh’s presence definitely proved a useful foil.
    She ignored the hyped vibeystate of her nerves and took the lead. ‘Doesn’t Josh deserve a little fun after all the personnel changes? C’mon Lyle, it’ll be good for him.’
    She knew the importance of peer playtime; as a child her father’s aspirations for her were violin lessons, homework excellence, fluency in French, Italian, Spanish. Funny how her own life had had to be so rule-led yet he’d been able to flout strict codes when it suited. But then she’d only found out about Clark Adams’s other life and other women once her parents had come clean – when it came crashing down like the fake background set in a movie. No substance.
    She’d far rather have had the play date fun with school friends over the academic treadmill.
    Lyle’s eyes searched her face briefly. ‘Okay?’
    ‘Sure.’ Yeah right. Something about those bedroom eyes managed to make her fluster, react, feel light-headed, breathless.
    ‘I’ll confirm the play date since you’re so keen,’ he answered.
    The light turned to green and he accelerated. Maddie found her attention straying to a strictly forbidden zone – that worked-out forearm as it shifted the gearstick. The tendons were strong, defined, and it made her gulp back a tremor of desire. As did the way his soft shirt hugged