What had I done? I pulled the sheets up over my chest and turned to Noah. He stared at the ceiling, his chest quickly rising and falling. He knew I was looking at him, yet he couldn’t meet my eyes. He had thought the same thing.
I reached my hand up to cover my face. This was a mistake. I’d ruined my job with one stupid decision. And what about Gina? After sleeping with Noah, I knew everything would be so awkward from here on out.
“I think I should go,” I murmured and sat up, keeping my chest covered. My skin crawled with embarrassment. “I don’t want Gina to get hurt.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said, turning to face me.
His agreement made me feel worse. This time, I turned away.
He sat up. I quickly put my underwear and bra on before my sweater. It was long enough to cover my butt until I could locate my pants.
“Here,” Noah said, holding out my leggings. He must have tossed them onto the bed. My tunnel vision prevented me from noticing.
I took them and sat on the edge of the bed to put them on. My face flushed beet red. I wished Noah would leave the room.
“Will I see you on Monday?” he asked.
My gaze lifted to his. That was a mistake. My body exploded with the same ripples of pleasure that I felt when he made me orgasm. I couldn’t be the one to quit. I loved Gina, and I would not run away from her. If he wanted me gone, then he’d have to fire me.
“I’ll see you Monday,” I said, hoping it wouldn’t be my last day.
He nodded, and with that, I shuffled out of the bedroom with my tail between my legs and a sick feeling in my stomach.
Chapter Thirteen
Noah
The next morning, I woke up feeling the crisp sheets next to me. I rolled over and inhaled. Jess’s scent still lingered on the pillow from last night. A rush of the events leading up to and during our sexual encounter flooded my mind. God, she was fucking incredible. And a fantastic lover as well. More than I could have hoped. I had no idea that after the terrible date I had with Kimberly that I was going to come home to that. Even though I was the one to initiate our little encounter, she was ready and willing to oblige.
Though I could have done better with the awkwardness afterward. She clearly regretted being with me the moment after we came together. It hurt my pride that she felt that way. I wanted her to stay the night and wake up to her in the morning.
But she had been right. If Gina saw her in the morning, there would be a lot of questions. Coming from a three-year-old with hundreds of questions a day, there would be even more explaining to do. I had a strong feeling that Jess enjoyed our little nightcap and I wondered if it would be smart ever to do it again. I hadn’t thought practically the night before, and neither had she. But breaking the barrier between us, for some reason, made me like her even more. I wasn’t looking to have just a sexual relationship with my nanny. Jess was the one I wanted to go on dates with and come home with afterward, doing what we did over and over again. I rubbed the heels of my hands into my eyes. How had everything become so complicated in one night? We’d have to talk about it sometime. I didn’t want Jess ever to leave us, and I would do anything to keep her.
I debated calling her, but I didn’t know the etiquette in this situation. I supposed it would have been easier if she was a one night stand, but I would see her in the morning regardless. Maybe I could think of something by then.
“Why are you whistling, Daddy?” Gina asked as she came into the kitchen an hour later. I’d pulled out the ancient waffle maker earlier and finished up with my third one before she came downstairs for breakfast. I could have bought a new one, but this one was my grandmother’s, and it still worked well, creating the perfect tasting Belgian waffle every single time. For some reason, I felt nostalgic that morning, or I was incredibly hungry from the insane lovemaking last night. Either way, one or two waffles would hit the spot.
“I didn’t know I was whistling,” I said, telling the truth. Since waking up, I had an extra pep in my step. And the two cups of coffee helped keep me going that morning.
“You were,” she said. “Loudly.”
I chuckled and pressed a kiss to her head. She hugged my leg and stayed there for only a moment before going to the table. I reached into the refrigerator for milk for her.
“Did you have fun last night?” she asked.
I stiffened and then I realized she meant on my date with Kimberly.
“It was all right,” I said, holding back the urge to cringe in front of her. Gina would undoubtedly tell Jess about my reaction to the date and Kimberly was Jess’s friend. Though Jess hadn’t been loyal to her friend last night.
“You are going out again?” she asked.
I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure.”
Gina frowned. “That’s sad. But I think you will find someone, Daddy. Does Jess have another friend?”
This kid was too smart for her age. I picked up the plate of cooling waffles and brought them over to the table. Food always distracted Gina and this time was no different. She dug her fork into one of the waffles, and I helped her get it onto her plate.
“What did you do with Jess last night?” I asked, not wanting to talk about my part of the evening.