The Nanny's Secret by Elizabeth Lane

door with his suitcase the last words I said to him were ‘I hate you.’”
    The emotion in her voice was so wrenching that Wyatt couldn’t reply.
    “Of course I didn’t mean it. And I have to think he knew that. But over the years...” She shook her head. “I’d give anything, even now, to have him back long enough to tell him I love him.”
    Wyatt found his voice. “Have you told Chloe that story?”
    “I’ve never told anyone. Not until tonight.”
    His gaze caressed her—the softness of her features, the glimmer of tears in her eyes, the stray lock of dark hair that fell across her face. He’d known some stunning women in his time. But Leigh was beautiful to the marrow of her bones.
    She glanced down at Mikey, as if overcome by sudden regret. Was she sorry she’d been so open with him?
    For the flicker of a moment he was tempted to tell her about his own father. But he’d never shared that part of his past with anyone. And the story was so ugly it would only repel her. What he really wanted right now was to get her into his arms—and his bed—again. There, he’d know exactly what to do, exactly how to please her. But that would have to wait for a better time and place.
    Since she was holding the baby, he had to settle for rising, stepping behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders. His thumbs gently massaged the tension from her taut muscles. She responded with a little purring sound that triggered wicked images in his mind.
    “Thank you,” he said, reining in his thoughts. “It means a lot, your sharing that story. It helps me put Chloe’s issues in perspective.”
    “I wasn’t so different myself at that age. I had to grow up fast after my father died. Chloe will grow up, too.”
    “I know,” he said. “And I’m sure your father must’ve known you loved him.”
    Mikey stirred and began to fuss, breaking the quiet spell that had fallen over them.
    “That reminds me,” she said. “I haven’t called my mother since I got here. I’d like to take Mikey upstairs, get him settled and phone her now, before it gets too late. Do you mind?”
    “Of course not.” Wyatt willed himself not to sound disappointed.
    “Don’t worry.” She rose, still cradling Mikey in her arms. “I haven’t forgotten the paper I signed. I won’t disclose a thing.”
    He watched her turn away. Had it been overkill, asking her to sign the nondisclosure agreement? Now that he knew her, the whole idea seemed ludicrous. He could no longer imagine distrusting her. Though he still felt she was keeping something from him, he was sure it was nothing harmful or malicious—she would never do anything to hurt him or his family.
    But trust wasn’t the only thing on his mind as she walked toward the door. She moved like a dancer, her fluid hips whispering seduction. Wyatt cursed under his breath. Didn’t the woman know what she was doing to him? If she hadn’t been holding the baby, and if Chloe hadn’t been nearby, he’d have been tempted to go after her, spin her against him and kiss her all the way to his bedroom. In the days before his life turned upside down that might have been possible. But Leigh was only here because Chloe and the baby were here—an irony that was driving him crazy. For now he had no choice except to wait.
    Once they finally had time to explore each other thoroughly, surely this aching attraction would become manageable. The draw he felt toward her, the need to be close—nothing more than the symptoms of delayed gratification at work.
    A physical relationship was all he had to offer her, so he had to believe that that was all he wanted.
    * * *
    Leigh changed Mikey, laid him in the crib and turned on the musical duck mobile. He wasn’t sleepy but the sound and motion might at least keep him quiet while she made her phone call.
    It was Kevin who answered on the second ring. “Hey, sis! How’s the secret agent business? Where’re you calling from, Bangladesh?”
    “Silly!” Leigh made