Read Online Nanny by Christina Skye - Free Book Online

you.” This much was true, without question. If a whole day passed without the sound of his voice, Cara felt as if a physical part of her were missing. “So ditch the policy wonks and get yourself over here.” She struggled for a tone of light seduction. “If you find a trail of lingerie scattered over the floor, don’t worry. It’s just another lovesick California constituent who’s desperate for some hands-on advocacy.”
    â€œA smart senator always pleases his constituents. I’ll be there in eleven minutes,” he said huskily. “Assuming that I don’t get pulled over by S.F.’s finest for a moving violation. Hold on a sec.” He murmured a few words and she heard a door close. “Just cancelled two phone calls. Now I can be there in eight minutes. Honey, are you sure nothing’s wrong? What’s that sound I hear?”
    Her heart breaking, Cara thought. Like dry stalks in a dry wind. “Just a truck going by. You really should tackle the urban noise issue, Senator. It would give you major voter points.” She was crying as she got out of her car, tears cold and slick on her cheeks. A woman with spiky orange hair walked past, staring at her curiously.
    â€œI’ll pass your concern on to Greg. He sends his regards, by the way, and says he can’t wait to see you and the girls.”
    â€œYour brother is far too smooth for his own good.”
    â€œDon’t I know it. But with you, he actually means the compliments. And he really is crazy about the girls. So is my mother, who promises she’ll drop by with that Ming Dynasty Chinese bowl for the reception.” Tate sounded breathless. “Make that six minutes. It will be faster for me to walk in all this traffic. Add sixty seconds so I can stop for roses at the corner.”
    â€œNo roses.” Cara brushed vainly at her wet cheeks. “You’ve already given me too many gifts, Tate.”
    â€œThe hell I have. You send them all back.” The junior senator from California sounded out of breath. “Almost at Geary Street.”
    Cara had dried her face by the time she reached Tate’s building. She waved to his doorman, then took the elevator up to the twelfth floor. In the sunny living room, she dropped her jacket and kicked off her shoes.
One more time,
she thought.
To remember him—and how close we came to happiness.
“I’ll be waiting, Senator. I’ll be the naked woman sprawled across your bed.”
    â€œHanging up now.” The phone clicked off. Minutes later a key rattled in the lock.
    Tate Winslow opened the door and studied the trail of clothes that led across the floor into his bedroom. “If these clothes belong to a prior tenant, I’m going to be extremely disappointed.”
    â€œCome on in and find out.”
    Cara’s voice caught as he stood in the doorway, afternoon sunlight touching his ruggedly handsome face. She already saw changes there, lines of strain from too many late meetings and too many people who wanted a piece of his soul.
    She raised one bare foot from beneath the covers. “I hope those phone calls you missed weren’t too important.”
    â€œThey’re all important. Wetlands conservation. Dwindling tax base. My mother says all I do is talk on the phone, do you know that? But the right word at the right time can make all the difference when—” He frowned. “Hell, Cara, you don’t want to hear about my problems now.”
    The silk comforter fell to the floor. She pushed to one elbow, all smooth skin and teasing eyes. “You have one problem that I’m going to take care of, Senator.”
    â€œIn a minute you’ll have me on my knees, honey.” Tate tossed down his jacket, and his belt went flying. “I don’t see you for two days and it feels like a year.”
    Cara considered the best way to distract him from his worries. “You mentioned a flower