Page 13 of Innocent Salvation

He could offer her nothing except sex, and he needed a nanny more than he needed sex. Even if the thought of her naked in his bed, under him, over him, touching him, had been all he could think about. No, he needed to keep things professional. “Well, if that’s all, I need to get on.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, but took out his key for the office, turned his back on her, let himself in and closed the door. Even in there her scent still surrounded him and he moved to the window to open it and let the light perfume leave the room.

Sitting down he put on the glasses he only wore at home when his eyes got tired and opened up his laptop. He had so much work to get done. On top of the trial, he now had to go over the entire report on the judges who’d been found to be in league with Jimmy Doyle, a well-known Irish gangster. He’d been brought down last autumn in a raid when he’d tried to rob the McCullum Estate.

Sebastian had no doubt that there were more people involved than just a few judges and barristers. This seed of poison went deep but then he’d always known the judicial system was corrupt, from the top to the bottom there were people who were willing to take bribes so they could grease their own pockets. It was one of the reasons he’d gone into this line of work and been determined to clean things up.

Removing the glasses, he rubbed his eyes noticing it was already eleven-thirty and he’d once again forgotten to eat dinner. Closing the report, he made some notes on the document he’d opened for just that and then saved it. Closing the laptop he stood, stretching his body on a groan. He needed to get out for a run and clear the cobwebs. Perhaps tomorrow before breakfast he could get in a run, especially as Snow would be there to take care of Fleur. Then he could get back in time for breakfast with them before work.

Relocking the door, he headed down to the kitchen and saw the light was on above the centre island. Snow was sitting there in pyjama shorts and a cami top that showed the curve of her spine as she leaned over the counter dipping cookies into a mug.

“Midnight snack?”

He saw her jump, her whole body moving off the stool and her hand shooting to her chest as she gasped in fright. He stepped forward with a chuckle and crossed to the fridge, trying really hard not to notice the way her nipples pebbled against the silky material. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you heard me come in.”

Snow gave a shaky laugh and looked away from him and back to her cookies, which were laid out in a tower. “It’s fine, I was in a world of my own.”

Sebastian grabbed the plate of what looked like lasagne and unwrapped it before popping it into the microwave to heat. Leaning back on the counter behind him, he observed the woman who was, despite her detailed work history and background check, a bit of an enigma to him.

“Tea and cookies. Didn’t you get dinner?”

Snow wrinkled her nose. “I did, but it turns out I’m a dreadful cook.”

“Turns out? Didn’t you already know if you could cook or not?”

Snow shrugged an elegant shoulder and the strap on the cami slipped before she could catch it, revealing the swell of her breast and making his dick harden instantly. Thank God the timer on the microwave gave him an excuse to turn away. He jostled the hot plate in his fingers managing to get it to the counter before he ended up wearing it down his suit trousers. When he turned back to grab a fork, she’d fixed her top and was looking embarrassed.

“Sorry, I should have worn something different, but I didn’t think anyone would be around at this time of night. It won’t happen again.”

Sebastian just nodded because he didn’t know what to say. Half of him wanted to stride over there, shred her clothes from her body, bend her over the island, and see if she tasted as sweet as he imagined. His body ached just thinking about sinking into her warm heat. The sensible part of his mind made him suspicious that she was playing him in some way, that he was a pawn in a game she was playing to get him into bed and trap him in some way. Although being trapped with a woman like her certainly wasn’t a repulsive thought, it was also not something he wanted.

Snow stood to leave, and despite his feelings, he didn’t want her to go. He lifted his fork and pointed at her cookie tower. “Finish your snack, it’s done now.”

Snow slowly slid back onto the stool, and he continued to eat his meal, which could have been sawdust for all he tasted.

“So, tell me about the cooking thing?”

“Well, I lived with my father most of my life, and he was an excellent cook. When he died, I ate with the people I worked with. I make a few meals really well, but it’s mostly jacket potatoes, omelettes, and beans on toast.”

Sebastian’s lips twitched. “God, I haven’t had beans on toast in years.”

“I can’t imagine a man like you ever eating beans on toast.”

“What? Of course I have. It’s a British staple. I can’t imagine anyone not eating it, it’s like comfort food.”

“I agree, especially with grated cheese on top.”

He nodded. “Yeah, the best. I can’t remember the last time I ate it.”

“I’ll make it for you next time I’m making it for myself.”

“That would be nice, thank you. But on the subject of your lack of cooking skills, I’ll ask Mrs Lewis to start cooking for you when she makes my meals.”

Snow stood up and put her hands in front of her before grabbing the mug and her cookies. “It’s fine, honestly. I can manage, and you’re already paying three times the going rate for this job.”

“It’s an important job looking after the person who means the most to me in the world. Why would I not pay it sufficiently?”

“I guess, but food isn’t necessary.”