Читать книгу Taste of Desire - Kayla Perrin - Страница 11

An hour later Salina had exited the subway and was heading to Trump World Tower. The building was enormous, its black-and-bronze-tinted glass stunning. Across the street was a park with landscaped grounds and fountains, which Salina could only imagine was incredibly beautiful in the spring and summer. The Trump building towered over the neighboring United Nations Plaza Tower, a structure with a unique design that angled inward as it neared the top, to form a pointed peak. Both addresses were high-priced real estate, and Salina couldn’t help remembering that unfortunate day weeks ago as she headed toward the exclusive residence on the Upper East Side, but she swallowed her nervousness and reminded herself that Jake McKnight, devoted father and widow, was not Donald Martin.

She went through the typical doorman greeting, followed by the concierge calling her up to Mr. McKnight’s suite. Within minutes, she was on her way up the elevator to the fifty-sixth floor.

A few minutes later she was knocking on door 56-B. Within seconds Jake opened the door.

And even though Salina had known he was very attractive, she was taken aback by the sight of him.

The man was gorgeous. She had forgotten just how much so. He was tall, definitely over six feet. He had wide shoulders, the kind that said he worked out or had played sports. He was clean-shaven, making his strong jawline clearly evident. His golden brown skin was similar in complexion to hers. Everything about him was utterly sexy, but his eyes were his most compelling feature—brown with flecks of gold.

“Hello,” Jake said.

“Hi,” Salina responded. And she noticed in Jake’s eyes the same expression she had seen the night of the charity event. Then, she had thought he was simply brooding. Now she recognized the look for what it was—sadness.

“Thanks for coming right away,” Jake said.

“No problem. I’m happy to help out.”

“Come in.”

Jake stepped backward so that she could enter the apartment, and Salina did so, looking around as she did. The first thing she noticed was the high ceiling, probably around ten feet. The living room area was large, with polished oak floors. Salina guessed that this space alone was probably twelve hundred square feet or so. The unit boasted floor-to-ceiling windows with an incredible view of the New York skyline. Though it was dark outside, Salina could see the Chrysler building in the distance.

Jake’s furnishings were tasteful and elegant. A sandy-beige-colored sectional was near one window in the living room, which looked soft and comfortable. A matching recliner was opposite that sofa close to one of the walls. On the main wall facing the large sectional was a giant plasma television, likely sixty inches.

Unlike Donald’s residence, this condo didn’t feel sterile. It felt homey. In fact, there were toys scattered over the floor in front of the sectional—little horse figurines and stuffed animals. And as Salina walked farther into the living room, she could see that there was a little girl sleeping peacefully on the sofa, a knit blanket wrapped over her small frame.

“Oh, my goodness, she’s adorable,” Salina couldn’t help exclaiming. And she was. The little girl’s hair was done in two pigtails, and she had one of the cutest little faces Salina had ever seen. Round, like a cherub. She looked like a little angel.

“Thank you,” Jake said, a smile touching his lips. Then he faced Salina once more. “I realize that we never talked about a price. I just offered you the job and you accepted. But rest assured, the salary I’m offering is going to be well worth your time.”

And then Jake told her a figure, and Salina was flabbergasted. It was more than she had expected. At least double what she thought he might offer—and very generous.

“Will that be okay?” Jake asked.

“Okay? That’s more than okay. In fact, it’s quite generous. Thank you.”

“No. Thank you. You are really helping me out here.”

“What time do you expect me to arrive for work?”

“I know you’re in Brooklyn, and really what I need is someone to be here in the mornings with Riquet, and get her up, get her dressed for preschool. At noon, she needs to be picked up from her preschool, and you would take care of her in the afternoon. She has a number of activities she’s involved in, like her art class, ballet, piano lessons and gymnastics. Four days of the week, she has something to do in the afternoons. That also includes scheduled play dates.

Maria has the schedule set, which I’ll show you.” He paused. “I know this is sudden, but you’ll have a pretty demanding schedule, so I was thinking that, with you living in Brooklyn, it’d be better if you lived here for the time being.”

Salina swallowed. “You want me to live here?”

“Ideally, yes. I’d love for you to be a live-in nanny, like Maria was. Like Maria is,” he corrected. “I think it will be much simpler that way.”

Salina hadn’t considered that the position would be live-in, but it made sense, given the fact that she didn’t live down the street from him. The commute every morning on a crowded subway would be stressful and annoying.

She said, “I understand.”

“If you’re not comfortable with that, then by all means you can feel free to come in each day. That said, your job will begin at six-thirty in the morning. I think it would be easier for you if you were right here on the premises and didn’t have to add extra time to your day by coming and going.”

“Yes, that makes sense.” Salina paused, crossed her arms over her chest. “I feel I should disclose something here—in case it’s a concern to you. I’ve never been a nanny before. I’ve only worked in day care.”

“Well, your sister speaks very highly of you. I trust her opinion and her judgment. If she says you’d be a great nanny, I believe her.”

Salina nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful.” He paused briefly. “Let me show you your bedroom. Whether or not you decide to commute each day, you can use this bedroom as your private space while you’re here.”

“Okay.”

Salina followed Jake to the right, to the hallway that led to two bedrooms. On the wall, she noticed a series of portraits of Jake, a toddler and a beautiful dark-skinned woman with shoulder-length hair and a warm, earnest smile.

Jake’s late wife.

“Right here,” Jake said.

At the sound of his voice, Salina hustled forward to the bedroom door he had just opened. As she walked into the room, she was pleasantly surprised at what she saw. The bedroom was a decent size, with an oak four-poster bed decorated to a woman’s sensibilities. There was a desk in the room, as well as a recliner in the corner beside the window. This window also went from the ceiling to the floor. Salina walked toward it and looked outside. She smiled at the sight of the East River.

Turning to Jake, she said, “Your condo has amazing views.”

“It’s a beautiful location. The views are priceless.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“This is the bedroom where Maria sleeps,” Jake explained. “Should you decide to live in while you’re working for me, this is where you’ll sleep, as well.”

Salina nodded.

“You probably have friends you hang out with, and maybe you’re dating. Once Riquet is in bed, you’re free for the evening, and you can head out and do whatever you like. I usually work late, but on occasion I get home around six, so if you have particular plans or want to head out to shop, eat or simply have some downtime, you’re free to do that.”

“Right,” Salina said.

“You’ll find there’s room in the closet for your clothes should you decide to live here for the next two weeks, and there’s also a bathroom off this bedroom that you would have all to yourself.”

“Excellent.” One of Salina’s reservations over the idea of living here while working for Jake was the idea that she might not have enough personal space during her off hours. But the condo was large and had enough room for her to have a space to call her own.

“I think I heard Riquet,” Jake said suddenly, and walked past Salina out of the bedroom. As he passed her, she got a whiff of his cologne. It was a musky scent that flirted with her nostrils.

Salina wrapped her arms around her torso as she slowly walked behind Jake. Her eyes lowered to his jeans—and his butt. As behinds went, it was certainly a cute one.

And then she felt guilty. Why was she checking him out? The answer came to her immediately. He was gorgeous. Of course she couldn’t help noticing how fine the man was.

Salina wondered why a man as attractive as Jake was still single. In a city like this where eligible bachelors were few, why had another woman not snagged him? A lot of men who were suddenly left with a small child to raise would have tried to find a new partner, if only to give the child a mother figure. The fact that Jake was still single must mean that he wasn’t ready for a new relationship.

Why am I even wondering about Jake and whether or not he’s ready for a relationship? Seriously, Salina, how inappropriate is that?

Jake, who had disappeared into the living room, looked in Salina’s direction once she got there. “Ready to meet your new charge?” he asked.

“Absolutely.” Salina walked farther into the living room, approaching Riquet slowly. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Riquet said guardedly. She was looking at Salina with suspicion.

“You remember I told you that someone else would be coming to work as a nanny for a little while until Maria comes back?” Jake said.

The girl nodded, keeping her eyes on Salina.

“Well, sweetheart. This is her.”

“My name is Salina,” Salina said gently. She took a seat on the sofa near Riquet’s feet. “What’s your name?”

“Riquet,” Riquet answered. “It’s French.”

“It’s a very pretty name.” Salina glanced to the left at the papers scattered on the coffee table. “Did you draw that picture?” Salina asked. “The one of the horse? Because it’s beautiful.” She was complimenting Riquet as a way to hopefully have the girl warm to her. This poor darling had suffered a lot in her young life, having lost her mother. Now, with her regular nanny gone, she might feel confused, distressed and afraid.

Riquet nodded. “Yes, I did.”

“You’re very talented,” Salina said, smiling. Which wasn’t a lie. The artwork displayed a lot of promise for a girl so young. Other four-year-olds were drawing stick figures or scribbling, but Riquet’s art showed dimension and depth. Salina was certain she was a budding artist.

Riquet sat up, smiling, too. “I love horses,” she said. “I love to draw horses eating food, or running in fields, or anywhere. Did you know I rode on a horse before?”

“It was a pony in Central Park,” Jake said.

“Daddy, it was a horse,” Riquet insisted. Then she rolled her eyes, as if to say he simply didn’t understand.

Looking at Jake, Salina saw him bite back a smile.

“You know, honey—you’re right. It was a horse. I forgot.”

“It was a small horse, but it was still a horse,” Riquet went on. Then she looked at Salina again. “Do you like horses?”

“I love horses,” Salina told her.

“My mommy used to love horses, too,” Riquet said sadly. “She’s in heaven now.”

“I know.” Salina sighed softly. “I’m so sorry she’s not with you anymore.”

“Daddy said she had a more important job to do in heaven. She’s an angel now, and she watches over me and daddy, to make sure we’re safe.” The little girl smiled broadly.

The words tugged at Salina’s heartstrings. Such bravery for a girl so young.

“I saw her picture,” Salina said. “She was very beautiful.”

“She’s the most beautiful angel in heaven. My daddy says that all the time.”

Hearing Riquet speak made it clear to Salina that Jake McKnight was a man of honor. It was obvious he had loved his wife dearly, and in her absence he had tried to share with his daughter all the wonderful things about the woman. In this day and age, when happily-ever-after stories were tainted by the reality of infidelity and divorce, Salina admired the fact that Jake had truly loved his wife.

“Can I show you my bedroom?” Riquet asked.

“You want to show me your bedroom?” Salina asked.

Riquet nodded vigorously. “I have lots of horses in there.”

Salina stood and extended her hand to the girl. “Sure.”

A smile spread on Jake’s face as he watched Riquet walk off toward her bedroom with Salina. He was impressed. Salina had instantly taken to his daughter. Indeed, Riquet had also instantly taken to Salina in a way he had never known her to so immediately like or trust anyone else.

It did his heart good to know that he had made the right choice. Thank goodness for Emma letting him know that her sister was not only in need of work, but that she had worked with children before. It was clear Salina was a natural. She obviously loved children, and would be a great replacement for Maria while she was gone.

He heard laughter, airy and bright, as he approached Riquet’s bedroom. Salina’s and Riquet’s. It had been a long time since he’d heard laughter like that between these walls, the kind that filled the apartment with warmth.

Emma had told him that Salina was twenty-seven, which meant she was a good twenty years younger than Maria. Maria had brought a wealth of experience to her position as nanny, having raised two children single-handedly. Those children were now attending NYU, her daughter studying to be a future filmmaker, and her son in a pre-med program. Maria was a gentle and loving woman, and had been a good replacement caregiver in the wake of his wife, Janine’s, death.

From everything Emma had said—and from what Jake was witnessing now—Salina would also be an equally good replacement. He could tell that she was a free spirit, unlike Maria, who was more serious, and she would no doubt do well with Riquet. He only hoped that with her younger age she wouldn’t be obsessed with partying every night, or gabbing on the phone with her friends at all hours. That had been the problem with the first nanny Jake had hired, a twenty-two-year-old au pair from England.

But he had known Emma for five years, and he trusted her. Indeed, if Salina was anything like her sister, she would be an extremely hard worker.

Salina and Riquet exited the bedroom, the two holding hands. This was working out better than he had expected. Here he had worried that Riquet would not take well to Maria’s replacement, but he needn’t have been concerned.

Salina met his gaze, her lips parted in a smile, and Jake was instantly struck by her beauty. She had big, bright eyes, a slender and shapely frame, and full lips that made him think of kissing. Indeed, he felt a pull of attraction so strong for her in that moment it stunned him. He opened his mouth to speak, but found he had to swallow first.

“Um,” he said, but no other words came to his lips.

“Riquet’s bedroom is gorgeous,” Salina announced. “And all those pictures of hers on the wall … My goodness, she’s a talented little artist.”

“Yes.” Jake cleared his throat. “Yes, she is.”

“Are you sleeping over?” Riquet asked.

“Not tonight, sweetie,” Salina said.

Riquet looked up at Salina with doe eyes. “Please?”

“I can’t. I don’t have anything I need with me.”

“Awww.” Riquet crossed her arms over her chest.

Jake bent down in front of his daughter. “Don’t worry. Salina will be back in the morning before you wake up. She’s going to be your nanny while Maria is away, so you’ll be seeing her every day. Okay?”

Riquet nodded, accepting Jake’s words.

“I’d better go,” Salina said. “I’ve got to head back to Brooklyn, then get back here bright and early.”

Jake stood to face her, and once again her lips were parted in a slight smile. Goodness, those lips were sexy, and he couldn’t help thinking that they looked utterly kissable.

Jake’s chest tightened. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like him to feel this kind of attraction to a pretty face.

He averted his gaze, hoping to break whatever temporary spell he was under.

“Bye, Riquet. See you tomorrow. See you in the morning, Jake.”

“Yes, see you in the morning,” Jake replied. “Oh—wait.”

He hurried to his bedroom and retrieved the extra key. Returning to the foyer a moment later, he passed it to Salina, his fingers brushing against hers as he did.

Damn if he didn’t feel an electrical charge.

“I’ll let the staff downstairs know your status as my new nanny, so you won’t have any problem coming and going. And with this key you can let yourself in to the apartment when you arrive in the morning.”

“Thanks.”

Jake nodded, still making sure to avoid direct eye contact with Salina.

Once she was out the door, he released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

He would take a cold shower, and hopefully that would rid his system of whatever had him in its temporary grip.

By the morning he would be back to normal.

He was sure of it.