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

  One more kiss, he told himself. One more little indulgence in the sweetness that is Paige Stewart and then I’ll set her away from me. Tell her she deserves someone better for her, which is true. I’m old, set in my ways and absolutely no good for her.

  Paige slipped her hands up his chest, circled her arms around his neck. She parted her lips and he took advantage, delving his tongue into the warm depths of her mouth. God, she tasted good. So good. Better than anything he’d ever experienced in his life. He was heady with it. Drunk on Paige, her taste, the way she molded her body against his. She fit perfectly, so perfectly. As if she were made for him, and he slid his hands down the length of her back, over her sexy backside, until he was gripping her ass, pulling her into him. Wishing like hell she understood his need.

  His all-consuming need for her.

  Finally. She had him back in her arms, his hands all over her body, his mouth fused with hers. Paige had dreamed of this moment for months, hoping like crazy they would both forget their stupid, unspoken vow to leave each other alone and finally do something about this painful attraction they shared.

  Matteo tasted, felt, sounded like sin. The low moan reverberated from deep in his throat when she circled his tongue with hers. His heady, spicy scent filled her senses, his hard, unyielding body felt like heaven beneath her coasting, searching fingers. Everything about him, the entire package that made up Matteo Renaldi, drove her insane. He made her want to do wicked things she’d never done before. She wanted to be his only lover, the one he could depend on through the good days and bad. She wanted all of that and more.

  “Paige.” He tore his mouth from hers, his breathing heavy, his mouth still poised temptingly close. Leaning up, she touched his bottom lip with the tip of her tongue, shocked at her behavior, thrilled at his reaction when he dipped his head and hungrily captured her lips once more.

  He crushed her to him, his hands sliding over her, molding her backside, caressing her curves. She plunged her fingers into his thick, soft hair, clutching him close, never wanting him to leave. She wanted this moment, this kiss to go on and on and never end.

  But she was being foolish. All good things must come to an end, wasn’t that the saying? And this…this kiss was too good to be true.

  Breaking the kiss again, he stared at her, his mouth swollen, his eyes dark. She disentangled her hand to touch his cheek, draw her fingers down the side of his face and he closed his eyes, swallowed hard.

  Released his hold on her.

  She stepped back into him, but he opened his eyes and gently pushed her away. “No.”

  The absolute nerve of the man. Deep within, her emotions were a tumultuous mess. Swirling, confused, they were one part anger, one part arousal, another part absolute frustration. It didn’t help, seeing Paul earlier. Memories of her recent past assailed her as well, leaving her close to falling apart. “I’m not your pet that you can command around, you know.”

  “I do know.” He rubbed his hand across his mouth, as if he wanted to wipe away her kiss and that hurt far more than she cared to admit. “But you are under my employ, Paige. I can’t forget that.”

  “I know. You’re right. I don’t know what to do. Everything that’s happened between us, it scares me,” she said. He was trying to do the right thing, she knew this. So was she. But it still hurt tremendously.

  Slowly, he shook his head. “I shouldn’t put our professional relationship in jeopardy.”

  “I think we’ve already moved beyond that.” Her entire body ached for him. Her mouth still tingled from his possessive lips, her breasts were heavy and she was damp between her legs with wanting him. Needing him.

  “I seem to recall that the last time something like this happened between us, you were the one who walked away first,” he said, his deep voice tinged with an edge of anger.

  His words were like a bucket of ice cold water dumped over her head. Shocking her into reality, clearing her lust-clouded head. Her throat dry, she gaped at him, grasping for words but coming up empty.

  “You pushed me away,” he continued. “I’m only trying to adhere to your previous wishes.”

  Oh. The man…would drive her insane if she let him. How he spoke to her formally, as if he was indeed her boss.

  Which he was, of course. He used that formality as a shield. It prevented her from seeing the real Matteo Renaldi. The adventurous, brave man who now moved through life like some sort of robot. Devoting himself to his work continuously, spending time with his son, he left little room in his life for anything else. Including her.

  He definitely wanted her. She knew this without a doubt. And she wanted him. Yet he would continue to deny this chemistry, this passion that burned between them whenever they were in the same room.

  If he was going to give up, then she would too.

  Lifting her chin, she backed away from him, trying her best for haughty and uncaring. Hoping like crazy she didn’t crumple and start crying. She was walking away from the man of her dreams. “Fine. I apologize for throwing myself at you.”

  His expression softened and his gaze turned pained. “Paige…”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Don’t say anything else. What’s done is done. Let me at least walk away with my dignity.”

  And with those last words, she turned on her heel and ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. Not very dignified after all.

  Chapter Four

  She dreamed of him. Again.

  It started like all the others, his beautiful face descending toward her, his lips settling on hers so softly, she could almost believe it hadn’t happened. His hand would cup her cheek, stroking her skin with his fingertips.

  This dream, though, was far worse than her previous ones. She was clad in a gorgeous wedding gown, her face hurt from all the smiling, her eyes burned from the happy tears. The look on her new husband’s handsome face stole her breath and when he leaned in to kiss her again with those perfectly sculpted lips, her body swayed toward his.

  The moment cut to nighttime, and she was naked in a giant bed. Her new husband poised above her, his hard, muscular body brushing against hers. Making her gasp, making her moan when he finally entered her, joining them completely. The joy that suffused her threatened to burst and she cried out her love for him as he thoroughly brought her to climax.

  But then it all changed. The utter disgust on his face when he realized who he shared his bed with in the early morning light. The thunderous expression on his face while he demanded her to leave left her devastated. Empty. Feeling so incredibly worthless she wanted to curl up in a ball and die…

  You really thought I wanted you for my wife? You’re nothing to me. Nothing…

  “Paige! Paige, wake up!”

  The sweet little voice startled her awake and she opened her eyes, stared up at the ceiling as she tried to ease her erratic breathing. That had felt so incredibly, terrifyingly real. How Matteo looked at her when he realized he’d married her. Made love to her. As if her greatest wish had turned into his most horrific nightmare…

  “Are you awake yet, Paige?” A small, slightly sticky hand touched her cheek and then he was climbing on top of her, shaking her shoulders, making her laugh. Matty’s angelic face was directly in hers. His thick, wavy hair stuck out every which way and his big brown eyes drank her in with an expectation she’d grown used to. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” she murmured with a little smile aimed at her young charge. “Isn’t it awfully early?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  She glanced beyond Matty’s shoulder, saw the time on the digital clock that sat on the bedside table. Not even seven o’clock yet.

  “Matty, I told you to leave Paige alone.” Matty climbed off of her quickly, his eyes wide as he sat beside her. Hurried footsteps accompanied the deep, rich voice that sounded from down the hall. And then there he stood, filling the doorway with his broad shoulders and overwhelming presence. His dark hair mussed, his face shadowed wi
th stubble, clad in a black T-shirt and gray plaid pajama pants. She’d never seen him dressed so casually before.

  Even after everything that happened between them last night, how he’d refused her, reminding her she’d been the one to run in the first place, Matteo Renaldi quite simply stole her breath away.

  And oh, how she both loved and hated that.

  Paige quickly sat up, tugging the covers with her so she covered her chest. Not that she was naked or anything, but she wore a thin tank top he might be able to see through.

  Not that he hadn’t seen everything she had to offer him already…

  “Sorry to disturb you,” he said apologetically, his gaze meeting hers for the briefest moment before he looked away. He seemed embarrassed. Good. After last night’s fiasco, he should be. “I told Matty not to bother you since it’s your day off.”

  Oh. She’d forgotten. Foolish, really, but she spent so much time with Matty it felt as if she never had a day off, which she didn’t mind. She really did love her job.

  Even though her boss drove her absolutely crazy.

  “Daddy’s taking me to the zoo today, Paige! Come with us, come with us!” Matty scrambled across her bed and climbed onto her, making her groan. He started bouncing up and down, his little bottom hitting her thighs with his every bounce and she grunted, wrapping her fingers around his hips to still his movements.

  “I can’t come with you, Matty. Not today,” she said quietly.

  Matty frowned, his lower lip quivering. “Why not?”

  “Well, this is an activity you need to do with your father.” She didn’t have a good enough excuse. Why, she’d give anything to be able to go with Matty and his father to the zoo. Spend the day with her two most favorite men in the entire world.

  Even if she was still angry at Matteo for his harsh rejection.

  “But I want you to come too. Please, Paige? Daddy won’t mind.”

  Matteo chose that particular moment to clear his throat. Indicating he very much minded. Not that she was surprised. They needed to keep their distance. It wouldn’t be smart, playing one big, happy family when she nursed feelings for him that he so clearly wished to push away.

  “Sometimes sons need to spend time alone with their fathers, don’t you think?” Smiling, she squeezed Matty close. “This sounds like a perfect day to do something together, alone. The two of you need to bond.”

  Matty frowned. “What does that mean?”

  He was only three. Of course he wouldn’t understand what bond meant. “Well…”

  “Come with us, Paige.” Matteo’s voice interrupted her, rendering her completely still and she glanced up, her eyes meeting Matteo’s dark, fathomless gaze once more. He studied her, his arms crossed in front of his impossibly broad chest, his expression only slightly irritated.

  “I don’t want to impose…”

  “Yay! Thank you, Daddy!” Matty wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed her tight, delivering a smacking kiss on her cheek before he sprang from her lap, tumbled off her bed and went careening down the hall toward his room.

  Leaving Paige completely alone with Matteo.

  “If you don’t want me to go, I completely understand,” she murmured, glancing down at her lap. “I overstepped my line last night.”

  “No, we overstepped that line months ago.” He paused, his gaze never leaving her. “Matty wants you to go. Please.”

  She blushed at the reminder. She could hardly look him in the eye without remembering just how close she’d been to that face last night. How she’d kissed him. She was so mad with desire she was starting to put her job at risk, when she really needed to see the obvious.

  “I don’t know if I should…”

  But he’d kissed her in return. He still wanted her. She knew it with every fiber in her being…

  “And disappoint Matty forever? I don’t think so. You must go.” Amusement tinged his voice. “We’ll leave in an hour. Will that be enough time for you to get ready?”

  “I suppose.” Would it be? She wasn’t one for glamming up or with an extensive preparation routine but she wanted to look her best for Matteo.

  Foolish, but true.

  “We’ll go out for breakfast before we go to the zoo, so don’t worry about eating.” He cleared his throat and pushed away from the doorframe. “Meet us in the foyer, then?”

  “Of course.” She nodded, pleasure coursing through her veins as she watched him walk away. She was going to spend the day with Matteo. The man she not-so-secretly wanted. And she was spending time with him because he asked her to, when surely he would’ve avoided her like she was some horrific disease if he was still uncomfortable over what happened between them last night.

  Last night…the memories came crashing over her, of her throwing herself at him, saying the most bold, most ridiculous things ever. He’d fallen under the same spell for a brief moment before ending it all too soon.

  She needed to get over him. Needed to get over herself and her ridiculous feelings for her boss. They were ridiculous.

  Hopelessness settled over her like a heavy, dark cloud. She would never know what it would be like to have Matteo Renaldi in her bed. Having him as her lover was nothing but a futile dream. She needed to cut herself off of him and now. Before she became completely addicted to him.

  Matteo strode into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him so hard it shook the frame. Stopping in the middle of the room, he glanced about, his gaze settling on the dresser. Where he’d had Paige only a few months ago, sitting naked on top of it, her legs spread, revealing everything she had to offer. So beautiful, gasping for breath between their drugging kisses, moaning his name while he brought her infinite pleasure with only his fingers…

  “Hell,” he growled, thrusting both hands in his hair and tugging so hard it stung. Last night’s kiss had only whetted his appetite. Being near her was too much of a distraction. He was constantly slipping. What made it worse? He wanted to slip.

  But he would only hurt her. She wasn’t for him. He knew this. Her reputation could be damaged if word got out she messed around with her boss. Not that he knew how it would get out…

  He could not think of his nanny in such a manner. She worked for him. She’d been fired from her previous job because the man—and his wife—thought she was too much of a distraction.

  Paige Stewart was the best nanny he’d ever hired—and he wanted her. Desperately. Since that night when he’d found her in his tub touching herself, she’d always lingered in the very dark corners of his mind.

  He burned for her. Tremendously. Had done his best to avoid her at all costs, for fear she might do something like…report him for sexual harassment. Or squeal to the media that he was a sexist pig who pushed himself on his innocent employee.

  But she remained quiet. A faithful little worker, so good to his son, so good to him and so pleasant to have around. He appreciated Paige, needed Paige.

  Wanted Paige.

  Taking her to Italy would prove difficult to his sanity. Being back in his homeland relaxed him. He knew having her nearby would be a torture he might not be able to resist. More like he might not want to resist.

  And once he let her in, once he had Paige in his bed, he knew it would be hard to let her go. He’d been with women since his wife’s death. Not many, but enough to know his heart had hardened and it didn’t take much for him to have sex with them and then leave with no regret. He hadn’t had a serious relationship since Lucia. Hadn’t wanted one either.

  There was something about Paige, though. She softened his heart, made him want to let her in so he could reveal all of his secrets and troubles and dreams to her. She was so sweet, so loving toward his son, so tempting to him…

  A soft knock sounded at the door and he went to it, throwing it open to find the very woman herself standing there, a thick white terrycloth robe thrown over her slender body. She shifted on her bare feet and he glanced down, caught sight of those pretty pink-painted toenails and groaned inwa
rdly.

  That her toenails aroused him showed he had a serious problem.

  “What is it, Paige?” he practically growled, feeling like an utter ass, but damn it, she was so under his skin he thought he might never get her out of it.

  “I’m afraid I can’t go to the zoo with you and Matty after all.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze, kept her head bent.

  “Why the hell not?”

  She lifted her head at his gruff tone. “Something’s come up.” Her eyes cut away, as if she was afraid to look at him. Which in turn told him she was lying.

  “I understand,” he said softly. “I’m sorry you’re unable to go with us. Matty will be disappointed.”

  The guilt and misery that crossed her face didn’t give him an ounce of satisfaction. “Please tell him I’ll make it up to him somehow.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you will.” But how would she make it up to him? Not that he really wanted her to. Paige not being able to go with them after all was perfect. He needed to keep his distance from her. This was a business relationship.

  Nothing more, nothing less.

  “I’m sorry, Matteo.” Her gaze met his once more, those beautiful bluish green eyes zeroed in directly on him. “That I can’t go.”

  “It’s all right.” She seemed unusually upset. The way her gaze kept skittering away from his, how she nibbled on her lip. She looked downright guilty.

  Made him wonder exactly what she might be up to. The strange sensation in his chest left him wondering why in the hell he now felt disappointed when he hadn’t even wanted her to come. Had he?

  Idiot. It’s because you like her company as much as Matty does…

  “Please tell Matty I’m sorry.”

  “I will.”

  She stared at him for a moment, her lips parting as if she was about to say something, but then she turned and went back to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her with a soft click.