Brooks’ POV “I take it you didn’t tell her?” Will sighed on the other end of the phone as I lingered in the parking lot of my law firm, watching her on the security camera app on my laptop. She checked on Landon every half an hour so far and all it did was worsen my guilt. I was thirty-two years old, acting like an obsessed alpha male for a woman, practically a girl, who wasn’t even mine.  “What’s there to tell her?” “That you want to be a cliche and get into your nanny’s pants.” He teased. Even though I couldn’t see him, I could imagine that smirk across his damn face.  “I just need to get her out of my system..” “You’re better than that. If you want to hook up with someone because you need to scratch some itc

Brooks' POV It couldn't have been any more than six months since the last time I saw her, and yet, the effervescent glimmer in her eye that was comprised of mischief and audacious sexuality expressed why she was here long before she even parted those lips painted three shades too red to compliment her stark light skin. Of course, she wasn't here to bond with Landon or even visit him. She was here for the only reason she held any interest in me to begin with.  Money.  "Not exactly what I would have chosen to do with it, but it's...cute..." She explained while looking at the condo that was everything she wasn't. Calm. Collected. Present. Even if she hid it well beneath her designer clothes and confidence, she was here because she was desperate, which made me want to pull Virginia closer into my side-embed her into my skin as she gave a comfort I couldn't even begin to understand.  "Landon is asleep." Virginia offered, sensing my discomfor

Brooks' POV If I hadn't wound and pulled this very tie nearly every single day for the past decade then I would have tripped over my own feet at the sight awaiting me in the kitchen. It was rarely used up until a month ago and was now always beaming with life. If not from Landon doing school on the kitchen counter instead of being isolated in his room, then it was for Virginia trying to follow a new recipe. Most of them were either undercooked or overdone, most edible but not flavorful, and yet the way she was so proud of herself became a secret tolerance between my son and I. But this one smelled incredible and she was devoted enough to the ingredients inside the oven to keep from noticing how I stopped and stared at her. Because I could have had an entire condo filled with supermodels willing to give favors on their knees and I'd still prefer the sight of her nervously working over dinner for the sake of being domestic.  "Did you forget how to tie it?" Landon'

Brooks' POV I managed to spend the entire drive home from taking my fingers around her gloriously thick thigh as if to claim some sort of quiet ownership as we drove. I was even proud of myself for the fact my eyes stayed on the road, even if I closed them to focus on her scent I hoped engrained itself into the very fabric of the seat so I could have her next to me whenever she wasn't physically there.  "Get out." It was more of a plea than a command.  The worry came in knowing that I wouldn't touch or kiss her for the first time as if she was the virgin I knew she was. I wouldn't slowly glide my hand across her cheek and take time deepening a kiss until it made her breathless. I wouldn't tell her how beautiful she was or how long I've thought about this. I wouldn't be a gentleman and then walk her to the door afterward.  After tonight, after the last few weeks, after seeing her meet my eyes without shame as I talked about exactly how m

Brooks' POV See you Soon. The text stared me down as I counted each grueling second closing in closer to eight o'clock. I considered asking her to wear those panties that plagued me for the past few weeks, knowing that throughout the night they would be soaked through because of me. Even if she didn't want me to touch her, I would give the little touches and teasing words that could have the same effect if the way she affected me was any indication. Instead, I remained patient but snippy to those around me, including a very frustrated Delaney. Virginia was a few seconds away from creaming her panties if not for her. That was why I'd given my assistant the runaround and tasked her with the tedious role of finding a reservation so last minute. Even using my name at many popular restaurants was met with obs