Page 8 of Tempt Me-

I would love to walk a dog on my trips around the block, but it isn’t my place to suggest a pet to Austin.Even if I did think a puppy would be good for Bailey.One of the foster homes I lived in had a mixed-breed dog that slept at the foot of my bed.I know many people weren’t as lucky as I was in foster care, which is the reason I want a big family of kids someday.Kids I rescue from the system as I hadn’t been.

I round the corner back to the house, unnerved to now see the same car idling on the corner, only to have it pull away as I reappear on the street.I rush inside and shut the door behind me, heart racing but I don’t know why.I’ll just have to mention the car to Austin again.

I head to shower and I change into a comfortable pair of black leggings and an oversized shirt.I skip makeup and pull my hair into a messy wet bun on top of my head.

Austin texts me to let me know they are on their way home, and I walk downstairs to put out the cold cuts, bread, and salads for lunch.

Soon after, the alarm chime goes off, announcing their return.The side door opens, and the girls tumble in, giggling and laughing, the adults behind them.

“Mia!We saw gorillas!”Bailey yells, her excitement making her voice carry.

“They were so funny,” Lisa says, a grin on her face.

Mr.and Mrs.Rhodes walk in behind the girls, followed by Austin.A baseball cap is backwards on his head and he wears a casual sweatshirt and jeans, a delicious look for the man usually in black slacks and white dress shirt I consider his work uniform.I tear my gaze from his sexy self and glance at his parents.They are a good-looking couple, making it easy to see where Austin gets his looks, and they are warm and sweet, and it is obvious how much they dote on their granddaughter.

“Tell me about gorillas!”I say, catching Austin’s shake of the head and finger over his lips too late.

Oops, guess I wasn’t supposed to ask that.

“The gorilla was playing with his privates!”Bailey says on a shriek, followed by uncontrollable laughter—hers, Lisa’s, and even Austin’s parents’.

To my shock, a red flush tints Austin’s cheeks.His daughter embarrassed him.Oh my God, how adorably sexy.

I swallow hard.“Okay, come settle down and eat, and you can tell me about the other animals you saw,” I say to the girls.Hopefully the others were better-behaved than the gorillas.

Austin shoots me a thankful glance, laughter dancing in his eyes.I grin, and that sexual attraction simmers along my nerve endings.

“Mia, you really should have come along.It was fun to see the various animals.You would have enjoyed it,” Sarah Rhodes says, her voice kind.

She has short, dark hair and brown eyes that remind me of her son’s, while Austin is the spitting image of his father, John, but the older man’s eyes are a mossy green.If his father is anything to go by, Austin will age well, not that I have any doubt.

“I appreciate it, but I had a nice morning.It was good for Bailey to be with her family.”I smile at the other woman.

“Mia, this looks wonderful.Thank you,” Austin’s dad says, walking over to the counter where I set out a variety of options for lunch.“Let’s eat!”

I laugh as the girls beat him to the counter, grabbing plates and putting together their sandwiches.

“You snooze, you lose, Dad.”Austin glances at the girls.“Easy on the mustard, Bailey Button,” he warns just as she squirts too much onto her bread.

“I’ll help them,” his mother says.

With all the commotion, the sound of the doorbell is muffled, but I pick up on it, as does Austin, his gaze flickering with a question toward the front of the house.

“I’ll get it!”I walk out of the room and stride to the door.“Who is it?”

When no one answers, I peek out the side glass pane and see a woman impatiently pacing back and forth.I open the door partway.

“Can I help you?”

An attractive brunette with a cool stare meets my gaze.

“I want to see my daughter.”

I go mute.Nothing prepared me for the eventuality of Austin’s ex, Bailey’s mother, showing up on our doorstep and demanding access to her daughter.Wearing a bandage-style dress that is more appropriate for a nightclub than a visit with her child, she assesses me, looking me up and down.Considering I dressed down, as I always do for my job, I doubt this woman finds anything worth noting.

I swallow hard, my hand still on the edge of the door, not opening it entirely.“I’ll have to talk to Austin.”

“Austin, is it?And just who the hell are you?”