When you have a male nanny as sexy as Celeste’s, it’s hard to remember you’re supposed to be the boss.
A late cancellation by her ex-husband leaves Celeste with no choice but to find a live-in caretaker for her two very active boys while she works from home. Simple, right? Except the one she gets is a young, gorgeous twenty-something whose hot body is a temptation waiting around every corner. Thank goodness the assignment will only last a few weeks. She can focus on her work for that long, can’t she?
General Release Date: 18th August 2015
Celeste pressed her lips together and kept her eyes on the To Market Ellis Wilson print that hung on the wall next to her office door. It had been a gift from her now ex-husband, who was on the other end of the telephone, sounding contrite. She loved the print, was iffy on the ex. The cool breeze from the air conditioner dried the perspiration forming on her temples. An unexpected phone call from Charles could not be the harbinger of good news.
He blew out a long stream of breath before launching into his speech. “Celeste, I am so sorry, but I have to fly overseas for the month of July. I can take the boys in August, for the full month instead of just two weeks. Please forgive me.”
“No forgiving necessary,” she said, trying her best not to sound as annoyed as she felt. “These things do happen.” At this moment, she had exactly ten days to find a steady babysitter for the boys or else she was going to be seriously behind in her work. Given that it was nearly the end of June, her chances didn’t look good for summer camps. The best ones started filling up in March.
On the other end of the line, Charles continued his sweet talk. “I’ll send you a blank check to cover expenses for whatever you decide. I’ll call the boys tonight when I have more time to talk. I wanted to let you know right way so you could make plans.” The burr of a telephone sounded in the background. “I have to get that, Celeste.”
Everything had already been said, no use in keeping him on the line any longer. “All right, Charles. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Celeste.”
Celeste touched the end button on her cell phone and restrained herself from throwing it across the room. Taking a few deep breaths, she crossed to her office door and opened it, adding this latest item to her mental to-do list. She walked downstairs to the family room where the two boys were busily playing a video game.
She closed her eyes for a moment and rested her head against the door frame. This summer was going to be tough to handle. There was a big push for fall publishing season and she had been counting on the time alone in July to edit the folder of book files she had sitting on her hard drive. How was she going to handle that pile of work and two boys who were always on the go?
Celeste watched cartoon images race each other on the video game—Jackson more adept with the sensitive controls than Malcolm, even though he was the younger of the two. As she observed them joking and trading mild insults, her mind raced as to her next steps.
It was too late for camps. She’d known that while talking on the phone with Charles. Most of the decent camps were full and those that had openings weren’t appropriate for boys aged eight and ten. Money wasn’t a huge object, but she wanted them to do something wholesome for the summer, not engage in overpriced activities that would leave them jaded to the simpler things in life.
She left the boys to their game and wandered to the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of iced tea and took it out to the deck overlooking the pool. If she had her way, they’d stay at home with her, but how would she manage two active little boys and work too?
* * * *
“Get a nanny.” Lynn crossed her legs and took a delicate sip of her Cosmopolitan. Her pink tennis racket leaned against the wall behind her. A matching pink and white towel hung over the arm of her chair. “Go on one of those websites and order yourself one.”
Celeste shook her head and tipped her glass to her lips. “I don’t like the idea of some girl I don’t know staying in the house.”
Lynn fanned herself and lifted her braids off the back of her neck. The heat was killer at this time of day. “At this point, you can’t be too choosy. You’ve got a ton of work to do and no babysitter. Even someone who comes during the day would be a help.” She took another sip of her drink and glanced around the tennis club bar. “There’s no way that you can do quality work and run after those two little bundles of pure energy.”
“But how does that look, me being home all day and hiring a babysitter?” Celeste twisted her silver and diamond bracelet around and around on her wrist. What kind of mother doesn’t take care of her own children?
Dahlia DeWinters is a writer of sensual multicultural romances. The New Jersey native is a secret fan of 80's music, grooves to classic rock and digs postgrunge and alternative metal. The motto, 'Do what you love and love what you do', is posted above her desk in her cluttered but peaceful office. Most importantly, she is truly and madly in love with her partner of more than a decade, who indulges her fetish for makeup, geek gadgets and happily ever afters.
You can check out Dahlia's website and blog, and you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and tumblr.
Reviewed by The Jeep Diva
Whew! What a quick and yummy book! I love cougar-type books and this is such a fun romp! I was rooting for Celeste and Dakota because their attraction over-ruled their heads. The age gap could’ve been...
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Reviewed by The TBR Pile
This book was like a beautiful summer breeze, sweeping you up in its refreshing warmth as you sip a cold one and say "aahh." It's no surprise to any reader that Dakota and Celeste will end up in bed t...
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