I licked my lips, savoring the taste of Paloma. She was even sweeter than I had imagined. Our kisses had been everything that I had fantasized they would be—innocent, warm, loving, yet passionate, and hopefully a hint of what was to come.

“Bye, girls.”

Mónica shot me a dirty look, probably suspicious of Laurel, but Ana María ran over and gave me a hug. A lump grew in my throat. I was not only crazy about Paloma, but I adored her sisters. My new life as the lone male living with four women felt right. It had only been a few weeks since Paloma and her sisters moved in, but I already couldn’t imagine living without them.

Laurel waited for me by the door. Her perfume overpowered me, and I couldn’t help but think about how different she was from Paloma. My stomach tightened with guilt. I didn’t want to go out tonight, especially with Laurel. But I didn’t have a choice. As I had told Paloma, this was a work function, not a date.

Laurel touched my uniform. “Beck, that baby of yours is so cute. I’m so sorry she’s feeling sick.”

“She wasn’t sick earlier. She had just tried peas for the first time.”

“Oh. I don’t know anything about babies. But I could learn.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and make a smartass remark. I didn’t care if she knew anything about babies or not. I had no desire to date her.

I only wanted Paloma.

We all climbed into Charlie’s SUV and to my dismay, Laurel sat in the middle seat right next to me.

Ah, hell. I didn’t want to be rude to her, but the only woman on my mind was Paloma.

“So Beck. Your nanny seems nice. I think she has a crush on you,” she teased.

I didn’t appreciate her passive aggressive way of trying to find out what was going on with me and Paloma. I fought the urge to tell Laurel that the crush was mutual, that my lips were still burning from Paloma’s heat, that I wanted to fuck the shit out of my nanny. But I didn’t want to start any gossip.

“She’s an amazing woman. I have never met anyone like her. She has such a positive attitude even though she’s had a rough life.”

Her face contorted, and I could see that my response didn’t satisfy Laurel. “Well, she must be special. So, who’s going to watch Sky when you go back to Pensacola?”

With any luck, Paloma will come with me.

Man, was I being interrogated? I was done with this conversation. “I’m just taking everything day by day.” I turned my head and looked out of the window. Thankfully, Charlie arrived at the banquet hall. Good, time to get this event started so I could get back home to Paloma.

I exited the vehicle and didn’t even bother opening Laurel’s door. I wanted to make it clear now that this wasn’t a date.

We entered the banquet hall which was decked out. There was a ridiculous ice sculpture in the center of the room, expensive linens and designer silverware on each table, and elaborate flower arrangements adorned every corner.

In the past, Catherine and I would appreciate the elaborate set up. But now, it seemed gaudy. All this wasted money, especially knowing that many of the residents of this town were hungry.

For some reason, I thought that I would be the one to show Paloma a whole new way of life. But she was the one who was opening my eyes up to the world.

I greeted our fellow pilots. Sawyer was flirting with tall redhead and Declan was nursing his drink while making small talk with the commander’s wife. Yup, another fun night.

I walked over to a table of food and grabbed a plate. But nothing excited my taste buds. The spread consisted of smoked salmon on cucumber slices, shrimp on rice crackers, caviar on puff pastries, and sausage stuffed mushrooms.

I would rather be home feasting on one of Paloma’s meals.

Hell, I’d rather be feasting on her.

I quickly said hi to the commander and engaged in thrilling small talk about the weather. Luckily, another pilot stole him away from me.

Laurel walked up to me. “Do you want to dance?”

I winced. I didn’t want to turn her down, but I didn’t want to lead her on either. “I’m really not in the mood, Laurel. It’s nothing personal.”

Her face tensed up and she bit her lower lip. She gave me an understanding nod and then walked away.

Great now I had hurt her feelings.

I needed some air. I stepped outside the building, hoping I would be alone, but within minutes I saw Charlie exit the building.

He walked over to me and put his hand on my back. “You okay, man?”

“Yup.”

“No, seriously. I know you miss Catherine. Hell, we all do. She was a great woman. But she would want you to be happy. Laurel has always had a crush on you. I know she’s coming on strong, but she’s a great girl. I think she’s just nervous.”

Maybe I was wrong about Charlie. Unlike Sawyer and Declan, Charlie appeared to be stable. And he was right—Catherine would want me to be happy also. She had even told me that before she died.

“I appreciate that, but I’m just not ready yet,” I lied. I was ready. I would never stop loving my wife. But my feelings for Paloma were strong. They were real.

Charlie looked me straight in the eye. “It’s the nanny, right? You’re fucking the nanny? Hell, I don’t blame you. She’s fine as fuck. I’d love to be livin’ la vida loca with her. But it’s a rebound dude. Don’t fall in love with the help.”

My chest constricted, and I had to force myself to unclench my fist. I wanted to deck the motherfucker, but I was in uniform outside an officer party for the Angels. I wouldn’t risk my career over his stupidity.

“Don’t ever talk about her like that again, got it? She’s not some fetish. She’s honestly the sweetest, kindest, most selfless woman I have ever met.”

His eyes bulged. “Wow, you are already whipped. She must be incredible in the sack.”

Fuck my career. I raised my fist and clocked him in the jaw. “I warned you, dude.”

I gazed toward the banquet hall. The last thing I wanted to do was spend the night snacking on canapés while schmoozing with a bunch of pretentious assholes who didn’t have a clue how good they had it. After only a few weeks living with Paloma, my entire world view had changed. Yes, my wife died, and I’d miss her until my last breath. But I had a great life. I was blessed. I had a beautiful daughter and my dream career. I was financially stable, had every opportunity for my future and had traveled the world. Paloma had never even seen the ocean.

“Give my regards to the CO, your wife, and her sister. I’m going home.”

He rubbed his jaw. “Dude, I’m sorry. Just come in. I didn’t know you were serious about her. It was a joke.”

“It’s fine, man. I just want to be alone.”

“At least let me give you a ride. You didn’t even bring your own car.”

Give me a ride? I remembered the first night that I hired Paloma, how she had walked miles to get to her job. At night. Alone. An attractive woman. I was a fucking man. A goddamn United States Blue Angel. My entitled ass drove a half a mile daily from my home on the base to the hangar. I had no idea what it was like to wear threadbare clothes and have worn shoes a size too small. And I never ever suffered from hunger. Hell, I wasted food before I met her.

“It’s a beautiful night—I’m going to walk.”

Walk straight home to Paloma. And kiss her until the dawn broke.