I couldn’t help but stare at Jacob as he worked out. I shouldn’t even be watching him, gawking at the way his hard, muscular body was glistening with sweat, how his muscles were bunching under his skin, or how his short dark hair was damp and plastered to his forehead because he was so into his workout session. His massive chest rose and fell as he ran on the treadmill. I’d never thought sweaty guys were especially sexy, but Lord have mercy, this man was having me change my mind on that.

I held a stack of Dolly’s clothes in my arms, washed, dried and folded. And even if I should keep moving I found myself rooted to the spot, staring at Jacob in his home gym. The sun shone through the window beside him, having the beads of sweat covering his skin glistening. A part of me wanted to go in there and run my tongue over his flesh, see how sweet and salty he tasted. My pussy became wet and my nipples stabbed through my shirt.

God, I was losing my mind.

Before I knew what was happening, Jacob was off the treadmill, his big body now facing mine, this intense look on his face. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even move. We must have stayed like that—staring at each other—for a solid minute before I finally muttered an apology and hauled ass out of there.

Humiliation slammed into me, my face felt hot as fuck, and I knew there was no way in hell he hadn’t seen the desire in my expression as I stared at him. He would have had to be blind not to.

* * *

I pulled my car into the driveway, cut the engine, and rested my head back on the seat. It was well past nine at night, Dolly was no doubt already in bed, and the only saving grace was that Emma was here with her.

Before Emma came along the babysitters that watched Dolly were fine enough, but none that I wanted fully involved in our lives. Not like how I did with Emma. It was a strange reaction I had to her, even from that first moment. When I saw her I knew that she would be perfect for our situation. She’d be perfect for me.

But today at work, knowing Dolly was being taken care of by Emma, I hadn’t worried one bit. In fact, Emma was all I thought about. I’d been in meetings all day trying to hide my massive fucking erection.

Over the last week of having her in my home, watching her care for Dolly, and seeing how the two of them meshed so well together, made my heart swell with happiness. But then I’d see Emma for the beautiful woman she was not and not as my daughter’s caretaker, and all sweet thoughts left me. I felt primal and demanding, needing her like a fucking fiend needed his next fix. My desire for Emma was intense and insane, but it felt right. I didn’t want to stop how I felt, or deny what needed to happen between us.

And that was making Emma mine.

I grabbed my briefcase from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car.

I could see the living room light was on as I unlocked the front door and went inside. Setting my briefcase down in the foyer, I shut the door softly and started loosening up my tie as I made my way into the living room.

At first I couldn’t see Emma, but as I stepped more fully inside I saw her curled up on the couch, the throw blanket over her legs, the book she had been reading open but turned over on the coffee table. Her blond hair was fanned out across the pillow, and my fingers itched to reach out and stroke the strands. My entire body was strung tight. I needed to go to her, hold her against me … take her to my room so she was beside me.

That need rode me hard.

I left her sleeping on the couch as I walked down the hall and checked on Dolly. Her unicorn nightlight was on, a soft yellow glow filling the room. I went in the room, tucked the covers around her a little bit more snuggly and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. She stirred slightly but remained asleep.

I left, shutting the door softly behind me and heading back into the living room. Emma was still asleep, her hand by her face, her fingernails painted a soft pink shade. I could’ve stood there and stared at her all night, taking in her beauty and feeling the possessiveness in me rise tenfold. It was insane, ludicrous for me to have feelings like this toward her so soon, but they were ones I couldn’t ignore. I didn’t want to ignore them.

Truth was I wanted to explore every single part of what they meant and how they made me feel.

Taking my suit jacket off, I tossed it on the back of the chair and went for my tie. Once that was removed and taking residence with my jacket, I walked over to the couch and bent down. I could’ve just woken her up, but a part of me wanted her close to my body. Without thinking any more on it, I lifted her easily into my arms, the blanket falling from her. She didn’t wake right away, and instead curled closer to me. The scent of vanilla slammed into me and I nearly groaned.

It was potent and strong, having this territorial sensation filling me. Her hair had fallen away from her neck, exposing the long, creamy expanse of her throat. My mouth watered for a taste, my teeth aching as if I were some kind of animal. I needed to make her mine.

Forcing myself to stay in control of my emotions, I left the living room and took her to her bedroom, pushing the door open gently with my foot and striding in. I set her on the bed and turned to grab the blanket to cover her. When I faced her I saw she watched me, this sleepy expression on her face. For a moment I just stood there, frozen in place as I stared into her eyes. We didn’t say anything, but the smile she gave me had my chest tightening and my heart beating faster.

“Thank you,” she said softly and I wanted nothing more than to lean down and kiss her.

Instead I cleared my throat and gave a sharp nod. It took everything in me to turn and walk out of the room. When the door was shut behind me I leaned against it and groaned, my dick so hard it pressed against the zipper of my slacks. What I needed was a cold shower … or a good jerk-off session.

No, what I needed was to go back in that bedroom, tell Emma that she was mine, and claim her in all the ways that mattered. And I knew she wouldn’t tell me no, wouldn’t tell me to go away. I saw the way she watched me, the way she thought I didn’t notice the way she bit her bottom lip as she looked at me. She’d only been here for a couple of days, but the intensity between us was tangible.

I was about to go to my room and take that cold shower, but instead I found myself turning and facing her door, gripping the handle, and pushing it open.

And there she stood, as if she’d meant to come for me, her hair a wild halo around her face, her mouth parted. She breathed hard and heavy, her nipples stabbing through the martial of her shirt.

God, she was so fucking beautiful—and mine.

I didn’t hesitate as I stepped inside and shut the bedroom door. We both knew what was going to happen and neither of us would stop it.