Wayne carried him to his room and she pulled back the sheets, letting him put the boy to bed.
Pressing a kiss to his temple, she left the room, being sure to leave a light on.
Wayne was already in bed by the time she entered their room.
“You work fast, don’t you?”
“I checked the news. They reckon there’s going to be a storm. I figured neither of us knew how Timothy would react, so we’ll just talk, snuggle.”
Temperance paused, and once again she was overcome with that pesky little emotion that she kept trying to ignore.
“You know, I’m starting to think you’re just a big softie.” She changed into a negligee before joining him in bed. Wayne pulled her close, his hand resting on her hip.
In that moment, she became aware that this was the first time she’d ever been really close to a man. Licking her dry lips, she smiled at him, hoping she hid her growing feelings for the man.
She couldn’t fall for him.
There was a time limit with him.
“Don’t think I’m something I’m not, Temperance.”
“I don’t.” She cupped his cheek. “Don’t try to pretend that you’re some kind of monster either. You’re not a bad person. Like everyone else you’ve got a few prickles.”
“I wanted to get rid of him. When he came to me in my office, he wouldn’t come near me, and I told everyone to find a reason to get him out of my sight. I knew he wasn’t mine.”
“You’re still so certain he’s not yours?”
“Yes. He’s not mine, Temperance. He never was.”
“Why do you think she put your name down on the birth certificate, and what happens then?”
“They try to find his real parent, his real father. I don’t know. I’m taking care of him the only way I know how.”
“By hiring a nanny?”
“I’m not trying to be a bastard.”
She forced a smile to her lips. “No, it’s fine, Wayne. Really. I’m not expecting anything from you. I wasn’t going to take another nannying job, and I was tempted to say no to you even on the phone.” She wished she had. The moment she caught sight of Timothy and Wayne had given her the rundown on what was going on, she knew without a doubt he was going to break her heart.
It was inevitable.
Chapter Ten
“You’re not my daddy, are you?” Timothy asked.
Wayne turned his attention from the brick castle they were building to the boy. It was still raining outside, and Temperance had asked him to keep an eye on Timothy while she had to go take care of getting them some groceries.
This wasn’t a question he expected, nor was he prepared for.
“I’m not.”
“I knew you weren’t.” Timothy sighed. “You’d be a good dad.”
The compliment warmed his heart. “Do you remember your mom?” Wayne asked.
“Yes. She always laughed even when she was crying.”
Wayne frowned. “Did your mom ever mention me?”
Timothy frowned. “She said that a nice man helped her up when she was pushed over. Someone shoved her, and you helped her.”
Wayne couldn’t recall something like that, but then he wouldn’t. It had been so insignificant to him. The truth was, if she’d fallen in front of him, he’d helped her up so that he could move on.
Thinking about his own actions over the years filled him with shame.
What about now?
He was using Timothy and Temperance to satisfy his own need.
“I like Tempe. She’s funny, and she doesn’t yell at me when I wet the bed.”
“She’s really great.”
Better than any woman he ever deserved, that was for sure. Running a hand down his face, he released a breath and pushed everything out of his mind. He didn’t need to think about anything other than the now. Taking care of Timothy, waiting for her to return so that tonight he could have some sexy time with her.
The storm hadn’t scared Timothy, and it had been strange for him to sleep through. Wayne hadn’t slept at all. Temperance had fallen asleep in his arms, and he’d stayed awake just to hold her. To keep her in his arms and for once never let go.
She was making him break all of his rules, and he had no way of fighting it. How could he fight these feelings she was building?
You don’t want anything more.
Timothy’s not yours.
Nor is Temperance.
One day soon she’d find a real man, one who could give her the world.
Even as he thought it, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if he was that man that she needed, that she wanted.
“I’m thirsty.”
Rubbing Timothy’s head, he got to his feet and opened up the fridge. Humming to himself, he saw that they were nearly out of food. Temperance had the good sense to go and get some more.
He should have gone with her, but she didn’t want Timothy out in the cold and wet.