Tempted by Her Boss: The Renaldis, Book 1 Read online

  Dedication

  To all the readers: Thank you for your continued support. It means the world to me!

  Prologue

  “Paige, wait.”

  “No. This was a mistake. It should’ve never happened.” She paused, glancing over her shoulder to look at him.

  Matteo stood there, tension radiating off his big body in obvious waves, his expression grim and full of frustration. The unmistakable bulge of his erection flared the front of his trousers, and she wished for a moment of weakness. To go back to him and beg him to make love to her, at least once.

  But that would ruin everything. Bad enough they’d engaged in this…illicit activity.

  God, she was so, so stupid.

  Turning, she ran away from him. Scurried down the hall and escaped into her bedroom, slamming the door and turning the lock with an audible click. She flung herself on her bed, the robe falling away, leaving her naked and exposed as she clutched the pillow to her face and sobbed her eyes out.

  She was a fool. If he kept her as Matty’s nanny, it would be a miracle. She needed to prove she wasn’t a slut who gave in so easily to her desires. She could withstand this attraction she had toward her boss.

  There was no other choice. She had to.

  Chapter One

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Oh. Joy threatening to overwhelm her, Paige Stewart clutched her hands together to keep from reaching out toward her new friend Stasia Renaldi Westmore and pulling her into a hug. Despite the two of them becoming close since Paige had started working for Stasia’s brother, she still didn’t feel right in making overt displays of affection.

  After all, she was merely the lowly employee.

  But today Stasia had come over to Matteo’s home nearly bursting with the news and Paige couldn’t be happier.

  Stasia’s beautiful smile was so big it probably hurt her cheeks. “Well, aren’t you going to say something?”

  “It’s…wonderful. I’m happy for you and Gavin.” A baby. Paige couldn’t help but feel the teeniest, tiniest pang of jealousy. Stasia was so much in love with her husband, so happy and fulfilled with her career. A baby was the logical, most perfect addition to what Paige was sure was Stasia’s already perfect life.

  “I’m so excited. And sick all the time, though at the moment I feel all right.” Stasia’s smile wobbled and she pressed a quick hand to her still very flat stomach. “Now come here and give me a hug. I know you’re dying to.”

  Paige relaxed her clenched hands and went to Stasia, embracing her quickly. “This is such amazing news and I know how much you’ve wished for it. Congratulations,” Paige said.

  “Thank you.” Stasia gave her an extra squeeze before she withdrew. “Where’s my brother? I rushed right over to tell him the good news.”

  “What good news?”

  Paige stiffened at first sound of that deep, lightly accented voice as it came from behind her. The same voice that haunted her dreams late at night, when she remembered what he’d whispered in her ear that one, illicit moment which happened between them months ago.

  I want you…will you let me take you, bella? Let me have that sweet little body of yours?

  A shudder moved through her and she breathed deep, glancing quickly over her shoulder to watch as Matteo Renaldi strode toward them. “There he is,” she said weakly, feeling infinitely stupid for stating the obvious.

  But that’s what her boss did to her. Rendered her into a complete and total idiot most of the time.

  “Matt, I rushed right over to tell you.” Stasia schooled her expression, going completely serious in ten seconds flat. “I have important news.”

  He stood next to Paige, crossing his arms in front of his massive chest. She caught a whiff of his scent, clean like soap, but no cologne. He’d come home early, less than an hour ago, and must’ve taken a shower, since he wasn’t wearing his usual suit and tie. Still outrageously gorgeous in dark jeans and a charcoal gray sweater, Matteo exuded a quiet strength that literally made Paige dizzy.

  She did her best to not look at him for fear the sight of him alone would render her legs to jelly and she’d fall to the floor.

  “With that look on your face, I’m almost afraid to ask what it might be.” He rasped a hand over his cheek, his gaze shrewd as he studied his sister. “You said it was good?”

  Stasia nodded, the smile she was trying to withhold breaking free once more. “Oh, very good. You’re going to be an uncle.”

  “Ah, that is such good, good news.” He went to his baby sister and pulled her into his arms, holding her close for long, quiet seconds. After kissing Stasia on the forehead, he pulled away, still holding her as he studied her, his gaze settling on her midsection. “Not fat yet.”

  “You’re such a jerk.” Stasia wrenched out of his hold and swatted at him, but he dodged her just in time. “Though I’m afraid my belly will probably pop out at any minute.”

  “How far along are you?” Paige asked.

  “Twelve weeks. I wanted to wait, and the doctor said it was safe to announce.” Shadows darkened Stasia’s gaze for a quick moment, then flickered away. “After everything that has…happened in the past. Both Gavin and I thought it best to make sure everything was okay.”

  “One miscarriage, cara. Lucia had one too, you know.” Matteo hugged his sister again. “They’re very common.”

  Paige frowned. She didn’t like it when her boss referred to his poor, pitiful wife, though she knew deep in her heart it was wrong of her to be jealous of a dead woman. Lucia Renaldi had been so greatly loved by this beautiful, thoughtful man and threw it away as if he were nothing…

  She would’ve given anything to have a bond, a love that special, that strong.

  “Yes, well, I didn’t want that same crushing feeling again, having to explain to everyone that there wasn’t a baby after all.” Stasia frowned, surely remembering what must’ve been a painful time. Paige hadn’t started working for Matteo yet, but Stasia had confessed everything to her not even a month ago.

  Paige now realized Stasia had most likely been scared since she was pregnant again and needed to talk about the experience. Yet she’d never really revealed exactly why.

  As Paige watched Matteo and Stasia, she shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She felt as if she were interfering in a private family moment. Maybe she should leave them be. After all, she was just the nanny. Matty would be waking up from his late nap soon and would most likely be cranky. She should go check on him, wake him up…

  “Excuse me,” she said as she turned away and started across the living room.

  “I’ll take you to dinner tonight to celebrate,” Matteo said behind her. “Where’s Gavin?”

  “Still at work. But I can call and tell him to meet us somewhere.” Stasia paused and Paige turned, noticing the warm smile on Stasia’s face. “You’ll come with us, won’t you, Paige?”

  “Oh, I…” Turning, she looked at Matteo for help, not quite sure how to answer. She wanted to go, but she had no business doing so.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t,” she said.

  “She needs to stay home for Matty, Stasia,” Matteo said quietly, by explanation, but his gaze was strangely locked with Paige’s. He didn’t look away, just studied her with those fathomless dark brown eyes and she swallowed hard, not knowing what to say when Stasia spoke.

  “But I want Matty to go. And I want you to go too, Paige. Please say yes. You’ll need to come if Matty’s coming, probably.” Stasia put on a pleading look that surely not one of her brothers could ever refuse. “We’ve become such good friends these last few months and I feel like you’re a part of the family now. Don’t you agree, M
att?”

  No one else really called him Matt. Just Stasia. Paige wouldn’t dare call him Matt. Half the time she still called him Mr. Renaldi, and she knew it irritated him to no end. Could only imagine what he thought when she said it.

  He had his mouth fused with yours and his fingers inside your body, making you come, only a few months ago. Of course he finds it ridiculous when you call him Mr. Renaldi.

  But they never spoke of that night. Didn’t acknowledge it whatsoever, so it became the wondrous moment between them that never happened. Not that Paige forgot. Oh no, more like it was all she could ever think about.

  Which meant she was reduced to a pitiful mess of a woman who clutched at memories of one stolen night of complete and utter pleasure, doused by the fact that she’d fallen into a terribly cliché situation—the handsome, stoic boss that’s messing around with the young, impressionable nanny on the side.

  Once.

  She became embarrassed just thinking about it.

  “Paige?”

  Shaking her head, she smiled at Stasia. “It’s probably best I don’t go. Perhaps I should stay home tonight with Matty. He fell asleep late for his nap and he’ll be grumpy when he wakes up.”

  “Come with us,” Matteo urged, his voice deathly quiet, his gaze hot. “We want you there with us tonight.”

  A shiver slid down Paige’s spine. She refused to let his words sweep her off her feet. He said them to appease his sister. He didn’t really want her there with them tonight. “Whatever Mr. Renaldi wants to do is fine with me. If he wants to take Matty on his own, I’ll rearrange his toys again. Or—”

  He interrupted her. “I already said I wanted you there. You’re going with us, and that’s final.”

  His voice had taken on a commanding edge that sent a flood of arousal washing over her. She was so incredibly weak when it came to this man.

  “Please, Paige. I would love it if you were there. Otherwise, it’s me, Matt and Gavin. I need another female who’ll sympathize with me,” Stasia said.

  “All right.” Paige smiled tremulously, trying her best to keep her emotions in check. “Let me go wake up Matty now and get him ready so he’ll hopefully be less of a bear when we leave.”

  Stasia laughed and nudged Matteo. “Sounds like your son is taking after you, big brother. I remember you as surly as anything in the morning, growing up.”

  “I was not,” he said, sounding one hundred percent surly.

  And he sounded incredibly sexy, as reluctant as Paige was to admit it.

  She had it bad for her boss, and she believed he had a thing for her as well. But how could she make him confess her suspicions? Then again, she still hadn’t recovered since the day she’d let him put his hands all over her. She secretly wished he wanted her more than anyone else in the world. But her wishes were futile. She clutched nothing but air.

  How she wished she could get over him, once and for all.

  Matteo watched Paige walk away, his gaze fixated on the swing of her hips, the delectable curve of her backside. She wore jeans that fit her so closely, they showed off her every curve. He loved it when she wore jeans, though it wasn’t very often.

  Ah, and then there were the yoga pants she wore, black and clingy and simple enough to drive him absolutely wild with lust. Whenever he was around her, he felt wild with lust. Swirling, hot emotions urging him on to just…take her.

  But he couldn’t. They’d crossed the line once and it had ended in an absolute disaster. He refused to push himself upon her again. No matter how badly he wanted her, Matty needed her—and his son’s needs came before everything. Even the lusty needs of the man.

  “Why are you always so rude toward her?” Stasia asked the second Paige was out of earshot.

  “What? Who?” He glanced at his sister, studying her radiant face. Now that he knew the cause for all that radiance, it didn’t surprise him in the least. Her cheeks were a little round, her skin glowing. She had the look of a young woman about her, fertile and ready to grow plump with child.

  Stasia rolled her eyes. “Your nanny. Paige. You know, the pretty redhead who takes care of your only son all day long?”

  “I’m never rude to Paige.” Maybe a bit short, but damn it, he had to be. Otherwise, he might say something ridiculous like, “Come to bed with me now,” and then he’d have her naked and pinned beneath him within minutes. And who would take care of Matty?

  He’d have to hire another nanny if that happened.

  “You’re sort of cold toward her,” his sister pointed out.

  Matteo shot her an icy glare. “I’m cold to everyone,” he stressed because it was the truth.

  “You’re not cold to me,” Stasia said in her too chipper voice.

  “That’s because you’re my sister. You get a free pass,” he answered, his voice droll, making her laugh. Just the reaction he was looking for.

  A change of subject. The last thing he wanted to talk about with Stasia was Paige.

  “I’m going to call Gavin. Shall we meet in an hour or so?”

  When he nodded, she rattled off the name of a favorite restaurant where they could go.

  “That sounds perfect.” He grabbed hold of his sister’s arm and pulled her in close, offering her another hug. “I’m very happy for you and your husband, Anastasia. I know you both want a baby so very badly.”

  A little sniff escaped her as she tightened her arms around him and he felt like an ass. He hadn’t meant to make her cry. “Thank you, Matteo. It means the world to me, your approval.”

  “And have you told Mama yet?” he asked once they withdrew from each other.

  Stasia laughed, her eyes still watery. “She screamed so loud in my ear I think I might be permanently deaf.”

  Matteo chuckled in amusement. After everything she’d endured the last few years, finding out the father she’d always known wasn’t her birth father at all and the fight for her legacies afterward, she’d persevered, determination leading her the entire way. “She’ll want to come out here and be with you when the baby arrives.”

  “She’s already looking into flight arrangements. It will be good, though, having her with me. I’ll want her there. I haven’t a clue what to do with a baby.” Stasia shook her head, her expression full of worry.

  “You’ll figure it out,” Matteo said quietly. “You’ll be a wonderful mother. You’ve always been a nurturing soul. And you’re strong. We all know that.”

  The smile his baby sister shot in his direction had been worth those few carefully chosen words. “Thank you, Matt. I’m going to call Gavin and then we should probably go soon. I’m sure traffic is a nightmare out there.”

  Matteo watched her walk away, her phone glued to her ear, her voice going soft when her husband answered. He remained in the foyer of his apartment alone, hands shoved deep in his jeans’ pockets, lost in thought.

  And of course, his thoughts were filled with Paige.

  They always were. He’d become consumed with her, especially after the night they shared. Which in all reality hadn’t amounted to much. Somehow, some way, his little redheaded nanny had left a mark so deep in him, it was as if she’d scratched his very soul.

  He wanted her to gouge it deeper. Wanted her to curl herself up within him and become a part of him. Ridiculous. Foolishness.

  Yet here he stood, thinking of her. Could imagine Paige quietly creeping into Matty’s room, sitting on the edge of his bed, reaching out with those tiny, soft hands of hers and touching his son on his shoulder, gently waking him up.

  The smile Matty would offer her when he first cracked open his eyes, so full of joy as he beamed like the brightest sun. Indeed, his son was just as enamored of Paige as he was. She’d twisted both men in the Renaldi household around her slender finger and she hadn’t a clue how she simply wrecked them both with a glance. A smile. A touch.

  Neither of them wanted to make her escape either.

  Loud stomping alerted him that his son was awake and Matteo glanced up, watchi
ng as Matty strode toward him, a scowl on his face, his thick, dark hair mussed. A crease wrinkled his cheek from sleeping so hard and Paige followed behind him, her expression completely neutral though he saw the irritation in her pretty blue-green gaze.

  So much for his son’s usual good mood—he looked the grumpiest Matteo had ever seen him.

  Yet Paige tolerated his son’s sometimes volatile behavior with the patience of a saint, but every once in a while, he saw a hint of determination and fire creep through that cool, calm exterior she kept in place.

  Like now.

  “Someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” Matteo tried his best to keep the amusement out of his voice, but he earned an irritated glare from his son anyway.

  “I don’t wanna go to dinner,” Matty protested, flinging his arms around Matteo’s legs in an aggressive hug that nearly toppled Matteo over. “I wanna stay home with Paige.”

  “Ah, Matty, it will mean so much to your zia if you’re there tonight. You know she would want you to go.” He smoothed a hand over his son’s head.

  Matty buried his face in Matteo’s kneecaps. “Don’t make me go, Daddy. I want to stay home.”

  Paige shot Matteo a helpless look, one that made him feel like a momentary hero. She wanted his help, which he would gladly offer. He always tried his best to be there for his child, to have a hands-on approach and be present in his son’s life. Especially after Lucia’s death, when he realized he was all Matty had in his life.

  More than anything, Matteo refused to be like Lucia. Shut off from the world, so wrapped up in her own warped sense of reality, she couldn’t see her own damn child in front of her face, constantly begging for her attention.

  Matty had adored his mother. The more she’d ignored him, the more he’d loved her.

  Straightening his son’s tousled hair with his fingers, Matteo looked down at him. “Son, you’ll want to be present at this dinner tonight. It’s a special evening. Your Zia Stasia is going to have a baby and she wants everyone in our family with her while we celebrate.”

  Matty lifted his head, his wide, dark eyes meeting Matteo’s. “She’s having a baby?”