April
I’d been nervous as hell about the interview. And why wouldn’t I be? It wasn’t just anyone I was meeting for a job. Nope, it was Jason Ryder, billionaire and head of one of the biggest holdings corporations in the city.
Small detail, though—he was also the most handsome man I’d ever seen in my life.
Jason was tall, with broad shoulders and an obviously-sculpted body clad in a navy blue suit, his tie red-and-black striped and cinched in a perfect power knot. His oxford shoes gleamed in the low light of the office. His hair was a brilliant blond, combed into a tight part. His eyes were strikingly blue, his face all angles and his jaw wide. He struck me as some gorgeous combination of an all-American quarterback and a conquering Viking.
Doesn’t matter that he’s hot, I thought as I let go of his warm, strong hand. You’re here for work, not a damn date.
“Thank you, Shauna.” He nodded toward his assistant.
She smiled, standing next to me. “You’re going to do great,” she said in a quiet voice. With one more flash of a pearl-white Colgate smile, she turned and left.
Shauna had been a big help. While waiting for Jason—er, Mr. Ryder—to finish with his meeting, she’d given me a rundown on the company and what sort of man he was. She’d said he was stern but fair, a little rough around the edges.
But the thing that scared me the most had been when she’d told me he was smart as they come, the kind of man who could see right through you, know exactly what was going on in your head.
For someone like me, that was an issue. Because I wasn’t just there to interview for a nanny position.
I was there as a spy.
The double doors to the office shut behind me, and then it was only me and Jason. He regarded me for several long moments before breaking his gaze and stepping around the desk to take a seat in the high-backed leather chair behind it.
For a moment, I worried he’d know exactly why I was there. Those cool blue eyes seemed like scanners that could see right into my brain.
“Ms. April Flowers.” He folded his hands on the desk, looking the part of powerful CEO. “You want to be my new nanny.”
I stood for a moment before he gestured to one of the chairs across from his desk. As I took my place, he turned to his computer and made a few keystrokes.
“That’s right,” I said. “I’d love nothing more.”
He pulled something up on the computer, leaning toward it and narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Have your file here. From upstate New York, went to school in Albany, majored in business management, been working as a nanny for the last few years.” His eyebrows raised slightly. “Some names I recognize in your work history.”
“And I have references, too.” My words came out quickly and excitedly, and I scolded myself internally for being so eager.
Don’t look too desperate. You need to get this job, April. You know what’s at stake.
He clicked around on his computer, nodding a bit as he did. “I see. I’d had a chance to scan over these before, and they looked impressive.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile.
I had no idea what kind of vibe I was going for with Jason—was it better to be sweet and eager, or serious and business-minded? They always said “be yourself” in interviews, but this wasn’t just any interview. This job was a necessity. And I hadn’t counted on Jason being so damn hot.
God, imagine screwing this thing up, screwing over your brother, because you had a crush on the guy.
But I couldn’t help but feel like I was the one being screwed over. After all, I was the one who’d gotten forced into this whole spying thing.
Jason sat back in his chair, crossed his legs, and folded his hands on his lap. He exuded power and authority—it was clear why he was the man in charge. His casually confident nature only made him even more attractive. I could easily picture sitting on his lap at his desk, kissing him deep while his hand moved up my leg…
Last thing you need to be thinking about! Come on!
“You OK over there?” he asked. “Look a little distracted.”
“Oh, no—not that at all. Just…focusing myself.”
“Don’t be nervous. You wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t think you were qualified for the job—on paper, at least.”