Then Came You (The Wilde Sisters #2) (15 page)

It would hurt like hell to lose Maddie…and Grayson…but the ties had to be cut before she completely lost herself.

***

Grayson

“Why can’t Thyme come with us?” Distracted, but never one to stop talking, Maddie played with the button that reclined her leather seat and looked out the window of the jet.

“She is very sad about not coming with you, Maddie, but she has her family in Maine to be with.” It hurt like hell to leave Thyme on her doorstep. The woman put on a brave face and a strong, confident smile for Maddie’s sake. Comforting her and promising she’d love New York and all the sites and shows and shopping. Behind the curtain of strength he could see Thyme’s grief and doubt. Losing Maddie to him hurt her more than ending their sexual relationship, he was sure.

It was that kind of love that Maddie deserved to have in her life, and he hoped he’d be able to provide it for her.

“Oh. Is that where my family is too?” She looked at him innocently.

Poor kid. She didn’t have any family. Except for him. And he didn’t have much to offer. The girl was going to grow up exactly like him. Never in want for material possessions. Would she continue to miss the home and hearth she had back in Maine? He’d give her all his love, but he had a company to run. A new branch he’d started that took up most of his time. It would be a juggling act, and he’d do all he could to cut down to sixty hours a week. Maybe eventually fifty.

First thing he needed to do was find a nanny. And a school. Maddie talked about her preschool back home. She went three days a week. Did they have those kind of places in the city? What did people do with their kids? He never remembered seeing them around. During his short visits in Maine he saw kids everywhere: the library, the grocery store, the pond, the neighborhood. Everywhere they went, they saw little people.

After the jet landed and his driver drove them into the city, Maddie started showing signs of fatigue. She stretched her little body across the back seat of the Cadillac and rested her head on his lap. He stroked her blonde ponytail and smiled at her innocence. The girl was a wonder. It was hard to believe he didn’t even know of her existence a month ago and now he couldn’t imagine his life without her.

Or her nanny. Ex-nanny.

Grayson took out his cell phone and texted his secretary. She had three kids. Surely she’d know of someone to watch Maddie during the day. He’d ask his mother to help out tomorrow but she had her share of responsibilities and couldn’t give up all of her charity work at the drop of a hat. There were other children, those who didn’t have the advantages he could offer his daughter, who needed Eva’s attention more than he did.

Seconds after he sent the text, his secretary called back. He grimaced at the sound, hoping it wouldn’t wake Maddie. She didn’t stir. Hesitantly, he answered.

“Hi, Shirley.”

“Mr. Montgomery. I’m a bit confused with your request.”

Of course she was. Asking her if she knew of any good local preschools and anyone who could babysit definitely wasn’t a question he’d asked before.

“I have a friend…”

“Oh, yes, sir. I see. One of the families your mother has helped out in the past,” she stated instead of asked. Sure, he’d use that cover. The last thing he needed was office gossip about his child. He’d have to sit down and talk with his father and his grandmother before breaking the news to his employees. Hopefully the local tabloid wouldn’t exploit his daughter.

“I’d like to interview tomorrow and have her start on Tuesday.”

“Of course, Mr. Montgomery.”

“I’ll conduct the interviews in my apartment.”

A beat of silence before Shirley responded. “Shall I cancel your Monday morning meeting with Mr. Hazen, Mr. Montgomery?”

Shoot. He forgot about that. If all went well, he and Thomas Hazen would be opening a line of affordable, green lodging for low-income families just outside the city. The idea came to him after hearing his mother talk about the parents of the children in the hospital. They often couldn’t afford a place to stay while their child was in the hospital for long durations. He’d already planned on treating the families to a vacation at his new hotel in Aruba as well.

“Any chance of securing interviews this evening?”

“Actually, sir, my sister is looking for part-time work. Her youngest left for college last fall, and she has a bit of empty-nest syndrome. She has five children who are all wonderful young adults. Two have started their own families and have given Rebecca three grandchildren whom she adores.”

“Rebecca? This is your sister?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you give her a glowing recommendation?”

“Absolutely, sir.”

“Excellent. She’s hired. Have her meet me at my apartment at six tonight. Tell her she’ll start tomorrow at…”

“Your meeting is scheduled for eight.”

“She’ll need to start at seven sharp.”

“Yes, Mr. Montgomery. Thank you.”

“No, thank
you
, Shirley.” He disconnected and pocketed his phone with a sigh of relief. If Rebecca was as efficient as Shirley, Maddie would be in good hands.

Once again, his secretary pulled through. While nothing like the previous nanny—that’s how he needed to think of Thyme, otherwise he’d
think
about her—Rebecca was charming and not afraid to get down on her knees and play Barbies with Maddie. They’d instantly taken to each other and he felt a great relief when walking out the door Monday morning.

Shirley had been able to rearrange some of his evening meetings so he could get home by eight to see Maddie to bed and give Rebecca a rest. Asking his secretary to research and call preschools was probably not in her job description, so he’d squeezed in a few calls in between meetings. Apparently getting your kid into preschool took an act of God. They expected little five-year-olds to go through an interview process. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? The parents interviewing the school? It seemed utterly ridiculous.

For the first time in his career he left work at five on a Friday. Granted, he brought a load of work home, but at least he’d be around Maddie. He missed her.

And her ex-nanny.

Determined to make up for being a slacker dad, he promised Maddie a weekend of fun. Their first outing was to a Broadway show.
The Lion King
had rave reviews and he figured she’d like it since it was a kid movie. And she did. Grayson thrived off of making Maddie happy. Her smiles and giggles were contagious and brightened his mood. If only he could share these moments with Thyme as well.

While he was getting her ready for bed on Sunday night, Maddie showed her first sign of sadness. “I miss Thyme. When is she coming to bring me home?”

Home? This was Maddie’s home. Or maybe he didn’t explain that part to her. He figured she’d gradually get used to him, his apartment, New York, and they’d transition into a happy little family.

“Come here, peanut.” He sat next to her on her big, pink bed and patted his lap. Maddie crawled over to him, snuggling in close, and looked up at him with big, angelic eyes. “I guess I should have told you before.” No, he couldn’t broach the Daddy role yet, but he needed to be honest with her. “You’re going to live here with me. In New York.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her doggy. “Can Thyme live with us too? I miss her.”

Damn, so did he. If only. “Is Ms. Rebecca nice to you?”

Maddie nodded. “She calls me
sweetie pie
like Mommy used to before she died.”

Grayson’s heart cracked into a million pieces. Who was he fooling thinking he could replace Maddie’s parents and her nanny? What the hell did he know about raising a kid, much less love and nurturing? Not wanting to go down that road, he played the avoidance game.

“You’re having fun with Rebecca?” She nodded again. “And are you having fun with me?” That earned him a big smile.

“Can we see
The Lion King
again?”

Grayson chuckled. “Absolutely, peanut. Any time.”

“Can we go tomorrow?”

“I have to work tomorrow. We’ll go soon. Promise.”

She seemed pacified for the moment, but as the week dragged on, Maddie grew more and more quiet. Rebecca expressed her concern a few days later.

“She was a little chatterbox all last week, but lately she only talks about her parents and her friend Thyme. I don’t mean to pry, Mr. Montgomery, but I think a visit with her previous nanny would brighten her spirits.”

And so he found himself on his private jet once again on a Friday night, headed for the rocky coast. The now familiar road looked different without tall snowbanks. The March thaw made a muddy mess, a sure sign that spring was just around the corner.

Grayson grimaced at the clock. Was it really past midnight? He pulled into the driveway and stared at the dark windows. Would she be home? Out with friends? With a man? Jealousy raged through his veins and he bolted out of the car.

Ringing the bell and knocking loudly on the door, Grayson called out, “Thyme! It’s me. Open up.” He waited for what seemed like hours before a sleep-rumpled, curly-haired angel opened the door and scowled at him.

“I’m buying you a damned watch for your birthday.”

“I have a watch,” he said, smiling at her.

“Well, use it!” She started to close the door but he put his foot forward, stopping it. “Seriously, Grayson. Go back to your castle. I’m sleeping.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Yes!”

“Excellent.” He pushed his way in the house, closing the door with his foot, and pulled her into his arms.

“I meant yes, I mind. Leave me alone.”

“Never.”

Her eyes grew round with surprise and…lust. They darkened and she licked her lips, making him a goner once again. He lowered his mouth to hers, enjoying the warmth of her breath and her body in his arms. She struggled until he slipped his tongue past her lips. Once he made landfall, she was putty in his arms. He ran his hands up her body and into her mass of hair he knew she was self-conscious of. “I want you, Thyme.” She relaxed in his arms and pulled back to look up at him.

“What did you say?”

“I need you, Thyme. I missed you so much.”

“Oh.” She dropped her arms from his neck and backed away. It took all his willpower to keep his eyes diverted from her puckered nipples poking through her white tank top. “How’s Maddie?” she asked sadly.

How they went from making out like horny teenagers to talking about his daughter, he didn’t know, but he didn’t want to dampen the mood. He wanted Thyme back in his arms. “Come back here.” He tugged on the front of her shirt. “I missed this.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb across her mouth, following the path with his lips. “And this.” He ran his hands through her tangly mass of curls and ran a trail of kisses down her neck and behind her ear. “I love how you smell.”

“I don’t wear perfume,” she whispered.

“I know. I love the smell of
you.
”

“Oh.”

“I want so desperately to make love to you.” He felt her body melt into his and took advantage of the opportunity. Quickly he scooped her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs, stripping her bare and showing her just how much he missed her.

And wanted her.

Chapter Nine

Thyme

I want you.
Three simple words and she succumbed to his every wish, bent her body in every position, but not before staking her claim on his as well. They didn’t sleep for more than two hours in a row before one of them woke the other with kisses to various parts of the body. She had nearly climaxed before coming fully awake this last time. Had he been working his magic for hours or seconds before she dissolved in his arms?

Who cared? Her body felt limp and heavenly. So this is what it felt like to be wanted. Thyme snuggled her back against Grayson’s chest and pulled his arm across her body. They fit perfectly together, and she took comfort in the safety of his cocoon.

They slept until the sun filtered through the blinds, waking them both.

“Mmm. This is what I like waking up to,” Grayson murmured in her ear as he fondled her breast.

“You’re insatiable,” she purred back.

Thirty minutes later they half-dressed and made their way downstairs to start breakfast.

“Who’s with Maddie?”

“My mother. She’s in heaven.”

Thyme stirred the pancake batter while Grayson filled glasses with orange juice. “And does your father know?”

Grayson sighed and put the carton back into the refrigerator. “No, not yet. I was going to tell him this weekend but I couldn’t stay away from you any longer.”

“Really?” She smiled like a schoolgirl and then remembered her final words to him. “I told you I wouldn’t sleep with you again.”

“Yeah.” He grinned, quite pleased with himself. “You said you wouldn’t sleep with me in
New York.
And I didn’t hear you protesting last night. Or this morning.” He kissed her hard on the lips. “Or any time in between.”

He had her there. As long as he
wanted
her, she’d be his. Forever. Thyme didn’t want to love him, but she couldn’t help it. On the exterior Grayson seemed strong, independent, and the master of his domain. Yet he had insecurities and weaknesses just like her. Well, not just like her, his were different, but just as painful. From the little he and Eva had said about his dreadful grandmother, it seemed like he and his parents feared her. What kind of hold could a little old lady have over such a powerful family like the Montgomerys? Grayson didn’t seem like the type of person who would cower to bullying. He’d said little about his father. Hopefully Richard Montgomery would be a loving Grandpa to Maddie.

A month ago Grayson had some major insecurities in the parenthood department, but all it took was a little time with Maddie and he quickly learned the ropes. She hoped Maddie wasn’t giving him a hard time in New York. The girl wasn’t meant to grow up at the top of some fancy building in a cinderblock city. She needed fresh air and the freedom to run outside and play on her swing set or build a snowman after a snowstorm.

“And how is Maddie adjusting to the glitz and glamour of New York?”

Grayson turned away and opened the refrigerator again, taking out the butter and syrup. “She misses you.”

“Who watches her while you work?”

“Inquisitive, are we?”

“Of course. I care about that little girl and want the best for her.”

“And being away from you is what’s best for her?”

“That’s not fair.” Thyme concentrated on the pancakes and ignored Grayson’s biting tongue.

“I’m sorry.” He stroked her back and kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“How did you mean it, then?”

“Thyme.” Grayson put his hands on her hips and turned her so she was facing him. “I hired a temporary nanny but she needs both of us. You and me. Come to New York with me.”

Thyme blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. So showing up at her doorstep at midnight wasn’t because he missed her so much and wanted her, but because he needed her to help with Maddie?

“Honey, what’s—”

“Don’t honey me. You used me, Mr. Montgomery. You swooped down in the middle of the night, waking me from my sleep when I couldn’t think straight, and made me think you wanted to be with me.” And being so addicted to his intoxicating eyes and scent and smile, she caved under his spell.

“I—”

“No, don’t say it. There’s always a catch. You
need
me. Maddie
needs
me. Yeah. The whole freaking world
needs
me. Ain’t I special?” Thyme tossed the spatula on the stove and stormed up the stairs to her room.

***

Grayson

“And what’s wrong with that?” Grayson asked the empty room. He’d never met a woman with so many moods. Didn’t women want to feel needed? Apparently not. So if Thyme didn’t want to be needed, what exactly did she want? That, he figured, was the million-dollar question.

Grayson tossed the burnt pancakes in the trash and poured the rest of the batter down the drain. Tempted to call his mother for advice, he took out his cell phone and stared at his screen saver. Maddie at the beach in Aruba. The little devil must have changed his screen when she was playing a game on it yesterday morning. He scrolled through the pictures on his camera roll. Before he met his daughter, the only images were of his buildings. Now he had dozens of shots of his adorable daughter. He stopped scrolling when he came to a picture of Thyme in her orange bathing suit. Grayson had pretended to take a picture of Maddie, capturing the side of her face; the rest of the picture was of Thyme.

She took his breath away. At that moment he knew he couldn’t go back to New York without her. Hell, he couldn’t live without her. She drove him crazy and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

***

Thyme

The hot shower helped. A little. It didn’t wash away the feelings of despair, but it did relax her overused muscles. The downfall was that she also washed off Grayson’s scent. Most likely he’d be gone by the time she got out of the shower. He must think she was some crying freak. How many times had she flipped out at him for no apparent reason?

This behavior was very out of character for her. Thyme never flipped at boyfriends, not caring enough about anyone to ever be hurt by a guy. Not that Grayson had hurt her. Well, he had, but not intentionally. The dolt couldn’t help that he was clueless when it came to women, or at least, to her. Thyme owed him an apology and an explanation. As Sage always accused, she needed to think of someone besides herself.

Maddie’s needs should come first.

Turning off the water and wrapping herself in a towel, Thyme rehearsed what she would say to Grayson. They would have to remain friends while she was living in New York, tending to Maddie. It was bad practice to mix business with pleasure and while they had fun pleasuring each other, Maddie’s needs had to come first. She took her time drying off, applying a touch of makeup and dressing in her favorite skinny jeans and a soft green sweater that reminded her of Grayson’s eyes.

Surprisingly he was still there. Two plates, each filled with omelets and toast, sat on the counter. “I thought you’d be hungry.”

“Yes. Thanks.” After their workouts last night, she was famished. Instead of Grayson being peeved like she expected, he looked like he was trying to keep a grin under wrap. “Do I have a booger or something?”

He chuckled. “No.”

She scarfed her eggs and washed them down with a gulp of orange juice. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Good. Me too.”

“You have?”

“Don’t sound so surprised.” He stood, clearing their plates. “I think about you all the time.”

“Yeah, about that. I’ll uh…I’ll go back to New York with you.”

Grayson dropped the plates in the sink with a clatter and turned around. “You will?”

“Yes. As Maddie’s nanny. I still think we need to keep our relationship professional.”

“In New York,” Grayson teased, pulling her up from her seat.

Thyme rolled her eyes. “I don’t want Maddie getting hurt. She’ll expect…I don’t want her to know about…” His hands on her breasts distracted her beyond thought. Why couldn’t she continue to sleep with Grayson while being Maddie’s nanny? No plausible reason came to her mind with Grayson’s touch frying her brainwaves.

“That we can’t keep our hands off each other?”

“Uh huh.” It wasn’t like he would be paying her to sleep with him.

“Okay,” he said silkily, leaning down and kissing her swiftly before walking away.

“Okay? That’s it? Where are you going?” How dare he surprise her, arouse her, and then walk away?

“I’m going to take a shower. Care to join me?”

“I just took—hell yeah. I’ll race you.” She stripped off her sweater and tripped over her own feet trying to take off her jeans while running after him.

***

Grayson

“I can’t move,” Grayson panted, pressing Thyme’s body to the wall. He kept his hands under her delicious bum and felt her legs loosen their grip from around his waist.

“Uh,” Thyme huffed into his shoulder. “My legs are stuck.”

He smiled against her wet head. “They can stay this way for as long as you’d like.” It was the first time he’d ever had sex in the shower. And he was sorry to admit the sofa he and Thyme christened a few weeks ago was also his first. His previous partners weren’t ones for sexual exploration. The deed had been done prim and proper, just enough to fulfill a primal need without either party getting emotionally involved.

Now that he knew what true sexual bliss felt like, he could never go back. Not that he’d ever contemplate it. Thyme was his. He’d never let her go. The silky legs untangled themselves from his back and slid down his body.

“I can’t move either. I need to sit down.” Thyme flipped her wet hair out of her face and smiled wickedly up at him.

Grayson turned off the water and, grabbing a towel, wrapped it tightly around Thyme. “What a shame to cover up those perfect breasts.”

Rolling her eyes, Thyme grabbed a towel and tossed it at him. “For your drips. No need to cover up in front of me.”

“Ditto.” He yanked the towel off a squealing Thyme and chased her into the bedroom. “I thought you couldn’t move. You hustled that cute butt of yours pretty quickly.”

“Seriously, Grayson.” She laughed. “My body needs to recover.”

“Mmm. I agree. Let me give you a rub down.” She smacked his arm. “A massage, then.” He gently pushed her toward the bed and flipped her on to her stomach. Starting at her pruney toes, Grayson kissed the biggest and worked his way down to the pinky toe. “Very sexy,” he mumbled over her bright blue polish.

Thyme squirmed. “That tickles.”

“Sorry.” He continued skimming his lips down her feet, to her calf and up her thigh. She squirmed again. “Did that tickle?”

“No,” she said breathlessly. “I thought you were going to give me a massage.” He didn’t know how he could go another round after last night, this morning, and just now in the shower.

Fighting the urge to make love to Thyme again, he reached down to the floor and pulled on his boxers, then skimmed up her body to press his hands into her back. She moaned in ecstasy as he kneaded out the knots in her shoulders. A few minutes later he heard her soft snore. Chuckling to himself, he rolled away and pulled up the blankets over her naked body.

They’d have plenty of time to continue this when she moved in with him. Grayson smiled to himself, picking up their wet towels and mopping up the puddles in the bathroom.

Later that morning after Thyme’s quick nap, they managed to pack a few suitcases and get out of the house without tearing each other’s clothes off again. In the car on the way to the airport Thyme called her sisters to tell them of her sudden move. He’d promised to bring her and Maddie back in a few weeks so she could visit. Sage’s angry voice scolded loudly through Thyme’s cell phone. “You’re going to get hurt, Thyme. I told you this was a dumb move.”

“It’s only temporary.” Grayson frowned. Temporary? No, she would be with him forever. “Thanks for your support. Love you too, Sage.” Thyme powered off her phone and tossed it in her purse.

“I take it your sisters aren’t happy about you moving to New York.”

“Rayne’s okay with it. She’s just sad that she lost her babysitter.”

“I’m sure she’ll miss more than your babysitting abilities.”

“Yeah, whatever. Sage is so…just Sage, I guess. We’ve always fought. We love each other but don’t think the same way. She’s the type of person to make spreadsheets and lists of pros and cons, study the data before making any decision.” She turned to face him and grinned. “Kinda like you. I think you two would actually hit it off.”

“She doesn’t sound like my type.”

“No? She’s beautiful, tall, thin, and successful.” Thyme turned the other way, looking out the window. Her body language shifted again, her shoulders sagging.