Read Online The Doctor's Secret Bride (1) by Ana E. Ross - Free Book Online Page A

to a grim workaholic who hardly spent any time at home.  No wonder he’d been so aloof when she first met him, yesterday.  Yet, she had to admit that something had changed in him by the end of the evening when he unexpectedly and passionately kissed the breath out of her.  The man definitely had a volatile temperament, a trait she should pay careful attention to.
    She’d heard him come in last night or more precisely, early this morning.  As he’d put Precious to bed in the room next door, she’d fought the desire to get up and help since that was her job.  But the memories of their hot kiss had kept her in bed.  She wondered if it were the memories that had kept him from returning home last night.
    It was a pretty embarrassing situation for both of them.
    She wasn’t ready to face him last night, nor this morning for that matter.  She’d come downstairs to make a cup of coffee, hoping to escape back to her room without running into him. Yet, here they were in his kitchen—she in jeans and a T-shirt, mussed hair, and sleepy eyes, and he in a sleeveless jersey and running shorts, showing off his long strong limbs and muscular torso, and armed with a litany of questions about her personal life.
    He had the right to probe her about her family background since he’d hired her to take care of his daughter.  He had the right to know if she were psychologically and emotionally fit.  And the one about her personal relationship with the opposite sex was quite legit, now that he’d explained his reason for asking.
    She brought her gaze back to his.   “If there was a man in my life, Erik LaCrosse, I would not have kissed you last night.  I don’t mess around.  When I’m with a man, I’m with him only.  I hope that answers your questions.”
    “Well, that’s good to know since one of the requirements of this job is that you sign a five-year contract.”
    Michelle balked.  “A five-year contract?”
    “If that’s a problem let me know now.  As I said earlier, I can’t take the chance of another nanny walking out on my daughter.  In five years, she’ll be twelve and probably won’t need a nanny anymore.”
    Michelle stared into her coffee mug again.  She really had nothing else planned for the next five years.  So what the heck?  “Okay, I’m yours for five years.”  By that time, she should have her own life back on track and ready to move on.  It was a win-win situation.
    Erik surveyed her quietly for a moment.  The fact that she was unattached and available didn’t make him feel any better.  It just sealed his fate.  He could have her if he wanted her.  And he did want her, more than he cared to admit.   He pushed back his chair and stood up.  “Very well, then, if you’ll come with me to the study, I’ll give you Precious’ itinerary.  She’s a busy little girl.  I hope you can keep up with her.”
    “I better.”
    A slow smile crawled across his face.  “You won your bet.  The Jaguar is yours.  Just be gentle with it, and make sure Precious is buckled up in the back seat at all times.”
    “Yes, sir,” she said with a big grin and a soldier’s salute.
    Erik’s heart did a somersault in his chest.  That smile, those dark magnetic eyes, and those luscious lips were going to do him in.
     
    ***
     
    “Can I have some Gummy Bears, Michelle?”  Precious asked as the two walked down an aisle in the grocery store where Michelle had stopped to pick up her favorite treats.
    “And some Oreos.  They are my favorite.”
    “Anything you want.”  Michelle smiled down at the little girl’s wind-blown hair and soiled clothes, evidence that she’d enjoyed her day.
    Precious’ schedule was filled with activities—ballet, music, swimming, theater, and horseback riding, not to mention two hours of reading every day.  They were all noteworthy activities, mind you, but it was summertime, and a child ought to be able to relax and enjoy life for a couple months out of the