Urgent: One Nanny Required (Crimson Romance) by Olivia Logan Page B

behind her.
    Neither of them moved and she could hear his intake of breath close to her ear. After a few seconds, he stepped away, leaving her feeling oddly cold and alone.
Shake it off, Rania,
she told herself firmly. She was used to being alone and taking care of herself. She wasn’t intending to forget that just because a handsome man was around. A handsome man that was beyond the point of off-limits.
    “Do you want to go and get changed? We can hold dinner for you?” The forced politeness more depressing than if he just ignored her.
    Looking down at the still sopping wet material, she could see he had a point.
    “No, you two go ahead. Theo must be starving. I’ll be back in a second.” Taking the steps two at a time, she rushed into her room, leaning heavily against the door. Gathering herself up, she approached the large mirror. The girl reflected in it stared back; it didn’t seem to be the same girl she had seen earlier. This one was sad, not excited; her golden eyes darkened to hazel as she frowned.
    Blinking back the image, Rania straightened up.
Enough of this
, she told herself firmly. Stepping out of the sopping wet dress, she grabbed her one “go-to” outfit. It was several years old but still fit like a dream, and the royal blue tunic accentuated her golden LA tan. Slicking on some pink lip gloss, she made her way out the door, turning briefly to toss a saucy wink at the girl in the mirror.
    Flying down the stairs, she saw them tucking into the meal. All traces of the kitchen disaster had been erased.
    Pasting a smile on her face, she slid into her designated spot. “This looks delicious, Nick. Thank you.” She picked up her half-full champagne glass and offered a quick toast: “To Hollywood!” Rania was pleased to see both Nick and Theo join in, as Theo downed his drink in seconds and passed her his cup for an OJ refill.
    The food really was delicious and she was more than happy to eat in silence for a few minutes.
    “Wait till you see dessert!” Theo’s small face flushed with pleasure as he took over hosting duties. Nick laughed as he watch his son whip around the table at lightning speed, gathering up plates and cutlery as he went, returning very quickly with smaller plates and spoons.
    Rummaging through the big fridge, he returned to the table, eyes shining as he put the chocolate cheesecake down in front of them. Closer to him than the grown-ups, Rania noticed with a smile.
    “Theo, how about if I do the honors for this one?” Nick asked, grabbing a knife and cutting them each a slice. The chocolate melted on her tongue, the smooth creamy texture making her reach for another bite almost instantly. Before she knew it she’d eaten her serving, resisting the urge to lick her spoon as well, she put it down glad she wasn’t on a perpetual diet, happy with her curvy form.
    “How about a game on the X-box?” Theo said, jumping out of his chair.
    “How about bed, little man?” The firm suggestion was softened by the tired smile on his father’s face.
    “All right.” The long drawn-out sigh coupled with the sad puppy dog eyes fooled no one. After targeting both adults and seeing he was getting nowhere, he grinned mischievously. “Night, Dad; night, Belle.” Theo walked around the table to give his dad a hug, and then surprised Rania by giving her a kiss on the cheek.
    “Do you want me to come and read you a story or anything, Theo?” she called after him, hearing his faint “No, thanks,” as he ran up the stairs.
    Standing up, she reached for her plate just as Nick stood up and reached for it as well. Dropping the plate as if it had burned her, she grabbed the cheesecake and stowed it in the fridge while keeping her back to him.
    “Well, guess I’ll get an early night too, then,” she said, closing the door and turning around to find him watching her. His eyes searched her face.
    “Are you sure? There’s still some champagne left if you’re interested.”
    She felt like