He meant it, she could tell. But to go to such extremes. “Why?” she pushed.
“Because I will do whatever it takes to keep you here, for Oscar. Your brothers aren’t at risk. Oscar is.” He glanced at the sleeping baby.
She shook her head. “You expect me to go without asking questions?”
“That’s exactly what I expect, Jessa.” His jaw was clenched, his desperation real.
“This isn’t about my employment anymore. I need my brothers more than I need a job.” She swallowed. “They are all I have in the world. Nothing can happen to them—”
“Nothing will.” His tone was hard. “Nothing. You said you trust me.” But then his gaze lowered, staring at her mouth. His nostrils flared ever so slightly, his lips parted. “Trust me. Please.” The way he was looking at her made it impossible to argue. She did trust him, even now, when there were things she didn’t know. He said her brothers weren’t a target, but Oscar was. If they were trying to get to Finn or Oscar, surely those close to Finn were at risk. Not the nanny’s family.
He waited, prepared to argue with her. But that wasn’t what made her pause. It was Oscar, the soft gurgle he made in his sleep. Whatever want Finn stirred within her, she loved this baby. And, if her brothers were protected, how could she turn her back on Oscar? The answer was easy. She couldn’t.
Chapter Five
Finn bit back a groan. He couldn’t resist sliding his hand beneath her hair to cup her head, to stroke the soft skin along the back of her neck.
He’d never been as scared as he was today. Never been so ready to kill. Her voice on the phone had the wolf raring to hunt. But he needed to get to her, to Oscar, first. Even the wolf understood that. Seeing the car, hearing Brown’s reassurances, hadn’t eased him. Only pulling her close, capturing Oscar’s foot in his hand, had chased his panic away. And once she’d been pressed against him, he’d been unable to let go.
Her breasts crushed against his chest, her fingers gripped his shirt front, the curve of her hip fit in his hand. All of him, man and wolf, wanted this woman. It was powerful—too powerful. The thick silver chain around his neck felt hot against his chest, reminding him to keep his head. The need to hold her, to touch her, to taste her was overwhelming. Her full lips parted. He could lean in, claim her mouth.
His wolf demanded it. As far as the wolf was concerned, she was his.
But he fought his wolf, the silver medallion singeing his skin. Losing control with Jessa would be bad.
The car came to a stop, jarring them both.
She was out of the car before he could say a word, unclicking Oscar’s car seat and hurrying toward the elevator. He followed, the thrum of possessiveness still coursing through his veins. The elevator ride was silent, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
What made it worse was knowing she wanted him. He could see the thrum of her pulse in her throat. Smell her arousal in her scent. His hands fisted as he failed to shut her out. Her green eyes, when she dared look at him, begged for his touch.
Brown stood between them, looking stoically ahead.
While he stared at her, she focused solely on Oscar.
Oscar.
The reason Jessa was here.
He drew in a deep breath, reminding himself of the truth. She was not his. He had no right to her. This was her job. He would not give in to this attraction—it would only do harm.
By the time they exited the elevator, he’d regained some sliver of self-control. “Brown,” he said, leading the man to his office.
“Mr. Dean.” Jessa’s voice stopped him.
He stared at her, wanting to buy as much time as possible. He was in control, for now, but he didn’t know what to do, not yet. When it came to Jessa Talbot, he and his wolf did not see eye-to-eye. But she had a right to have her questions answered. Some of her questions. “I’ll be there in a minute,” he told Brown, following Jessa and Oscar into her room.
She was agitated, that much was clear, but he didn’t know what to do about it. She said she trusted him. Now he needed her to do what he said. Watching her lift Oscar, press a kiss to his head, and place him gently in the crib, warmed his heart. She lingered, running a fingertip along Oscar’s cheek, before she turned those bright green eyes on him.
“My brothers and sister are all I have in the world, Mr. Dean,” she said. “If I’m to stay with you and Oscar, I need your word they will be safe.”
If I’m to stay… He swallowed, leaning against the doorframe. If she left… The wolf reared up in protest. Could he let her leave? Maybe he and the wolf did have something in common. He tried not to think about that too much.
He nodded. “They have my protection.”
“From?” she asked.
He ran a hand across his face, choosing his words carefully. “The man in the park.”