head to clear it. She couldn’t believe she was thinking of Ben Pages while she was running late for her babysitting stint. What on earth was she thinking? Besides, Ben was technically employer. Bianca had made it a personal rule to never get any strings tangled with her employers. She had been successful in staying true to her goal so far, and she was determined to keep it that way for as long as she lived.
She finally made it to the Pages. She stood on the porch for a minute, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. She ran her fingers through her hair, which had become a sticky mess. She adjusted her clothes, ran her fingers through her hair again, and took another deep breath. She was ready. It wouldn’t do to look sloppy in front of the Pages. Sure, they were far from snooty, but Bianca wanted to continue making an excellent impression on them. She really liked the family, so successful yet still so humble, and she wanted to let them know how much she valued her job by looking neat and sharp.
Bianca rang the bell. Two seconds later, the front door swung open. Bianca looked up and found herself staring at the most crystal-clear blue eyes she had ever seen.
It was Ben Pages.
Bianca’s eyes bulged out. Ben Pages? What was he doing here? Her thoughts took a frantic turn, and she started to sweat again. Wasn’t Ben away to college? It was still months before summer break, or any kind of break, for that matter. Bianca hadn’t known Ben would be home. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Pages hadn’t said anything to her about it. Neither had Kathleen, and she was very close to her much-older brother.
Get a grip, Bianca told herself. She forced a huge smile on her lips and opened her eyes a bit wider to make herself look more friendly and open. “Hi!” she chirped. “I’m Bianca Bates, the babysitter.” She paused, not sure with what to say next.
The man behind the door, Ben Pages, nodded. Bianca couldn’t stop herself from looking at him. He was even more gorgeous in the flesh than in the photos. Oh, he was so tall! And he had broad, broad shoulders that looked like the whole earth could rest on them. Bianca figured Ben must be some sports hero in the college he was attending. With a build such as his, how could he not be a football player? Ben’s white shirt clung snugly to his body, subtly showing off his firm, muscular figure. For Bianca, his chest looked like it was made of rocks. He screamed of muscles everywhere. Heck, even his arms reeked of pure muscle!
There was a moment of silence before Ben spoke up. “I’m Ben Pages,” he said. “Of course we haven’t met, me being off to college and stuff.” He opened the door wider and motioned for Bianca to enter. “Come on in.”
Bianca smiled and stepped inside the house, making for the living room, where she usually waited for Kathleen. As she walked past Ben, Bianca suddenly felt something brush across her buttocks.
She paused slightly. What on earth was that? It felt solid and firm yet light and fluttery. The sensation made her think of caresses, butterflies, and fingers. Fingers, Bianca realized. So it was a hand. But whose hand? There was no one else in the room with her, except for—
Bianca’s eyes grew wide. Did Ben Pages just run his hand across his buttocks? Impossible! Why would he do such a thing? But Bianca was positive she wasn’t imagining things. A hand had brushed across her behind, and that didn’t feel like an accident at all.
She turned and glanced at Ben, her brows furrowed. Ben stared back, but his face didn’t betray even an inch of emotion. Bianca figured it would look crazy if she hurled accusations at someone she had just met, so she decided to let it pass. For now.
Bianca went over to the large couch and sat down. Sitting primly, she was glad she had decided to wear jeans to school today. The thick cloth helped shield her butt from the hand-brushing thing. Also, she need
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