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  “We have a cleaning service that comes in once a week already to do the heavy stuff,” Liam continued. “Even so, we want someone live-in, which is why we were looking for an older woman.”

  Liam liked her, Chas could tell, so why was his friend trying to shut her down? None of the people who’d come from the agency he’d contacted had her combination of skills. They were either maids or caregivers, and it had been obvious the older women they’d talked to weren’t willing to make adjustments.

  “Uh, Liam,” Chas slipped in. “Why don’t we talk about this and get back to her?” He looked at Greer. “Would living here be an issue for you?”

  She shook her head. “No. My parents aren’t far from here, but I know they’d be okay with it.”

  Chas stood. “Great. Let Liam and me talk about it, and we’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

  She picked up on the cue and stood. Her glance at Liam was a little worried. Chas took her arm and led her through the house, giving her a brief tour as he did so. This time when they reached her car, she turned to him. “I’m not going to get it, am I? Is it because I freaked out?”

  Chas couldn’t help himself. He tucked a lock of her short, dark hair behind her ear. “Greer, we haven’t made a decision. You are younger than what we’d discussed, but that’s not equal to no.”

  He took a deep breath. As a physician, he felt he had to reach out to her. “About what happened. I could give you the name of a colleague of mine…”

  She shook her head, easing away. Her smile was tinged with wariness. Chas wanted to hold onto her, keep her from leaving. And just where the hell was that coming from? But he had the feeling the harder he tried to hold her the more she’d fight to get away. Instead, he stepped back and watched her slide behind the wheel. This time she started the car. With a faint, lopsided smile, she put it in gear and rounded the circular drive to head back toward the gates.

  “You like her.” Liam’s voice held nothing accusatory, just an observation.

  Chas looked over to where Liam leaned against one of the porch pillars, his hands jammed in the pockets of his khaki slacks. Peepers and crickets buzzed and chirped in the background. “I think she’ll be good with Wyatt. She seems like a sensitive young woman…”

  “Stop it.” Liam growled, his brows diving together. “I saw the way you reacted to her. When I say you like her, I mean she turns you on.”

  Chas stood in the middle of the driveway, staring at the best lover he’d ever had. More than that, Liam was the best friend he’d ever had. They had never kept secrets, but they’d also never really discussed bringing a woman into their relationship. Hell, they’d never seriously discussed either one of them on their own fucking a woman. Chas had simply accepted Liam had an ex-wife, and Liam had simply accepted Chas was mostly married to his work, just like Liam was to his sculpting. What was between them worked because they were friends first and foremost.

  “She’s young. She’s pretty. What’s not to like?”

  Liam snorted. “You’ve got young and pretty around you at the hospital every day.”

  “True. All right, yeah. There’s something about her,” Chas admitted. “Maybe I just feel sorry for her. I mean she’s had some pretty rotten luck when it comes to work.”

  Liam closed his eyes and tilted his face to the sky. “I had pictured someone older to hire, but you’re right. There’s something… Hell, I don’t know…sweet, sad, kind. Wyatt could use kind, something Julie and her parents aren’t overly endowed with. So what do we do about that?”

  “Hire her, provided she passes a basic background check.”

  “That’s a given. Wyatt has enough crazies in his life with Julie and her family. Somehow, I don’t think Greer will have a problem with the background check. What if we’re attracted to her?” Liam opened his eyes, staring at Chas through the descending darkness. “How’s that going to work?”

  Chas spread his palms. “I don’t know. Can we just play it by ear? I don’t get the feeling she’s looking for anything more than a job. And I’d guess that hasn’t been easy, not with the panic attack we saw tonight.”

  He walked across the drive and up the two shallow steps to where Liam was. He slung an arm around his shoulders and grinned. “Sex with the nanny. A bit cliché, wouldn’t you say? The thing is, I really do think she’ll be good for Wyatt. I wouldn’t want to turn her away because she’s young or lovely.”

  Liam’s hand stroked his cheek. “Do you know what a turn-on that is—you worrying about my son?”

  “In this case, I find I’m worried about our prospective nanny too. Not about the panic attacks. Those can be controlled. It’s the look in her eyes. Funny, huh?” Chas turned his face so his lips touched Liam’s palm before he asked, “You want to call her, or you want me to?”

  “I will,” Liam murmured. “Tomorrow. Right now? Kiss me.”

  Chas wrapped his arms around him, snugging their hips together before locking lips with him. The instant heat was something he didn’t think he’d ever get used to. “Let’s go to bed. I’ve got early rounds downtown.”

  Liam’s hand slid between them, rubbing Chas’ hardening cock. “Is that for me or because you finally set eyes on a woman you find attractive?”

  Chas stared at him. “It just is. I’m a guy.”

  Liam smiled. “Well, we better play it low key if we hire her. She seemed a little spooked about something. In the meantime, I believe I can take care of your little problem.”

  “Little? Take your time. We’ll see how little it is.”

  What it ended up being was fast and furious, clothing already coming off as they raced up the broad staircase and down the upstairs hall to the master suite. Chas wanted to top, and while Liam was willing to go there, he wasn’t willing to relinquish all his authority, pushing Chas onto his back and crawling over him until he straddled his thighs.

  “Hand me the lube,” Liam said.

  Chas passed it to him then leaned back against the pillows with a grin. “Even when you let me fuck your ass, you still have to stay in control, don’t you?”

  Liam raised his brows. “Complaining?”

  He rubbed lube over Chas’ thick shaft.

  “God, no. Mount up, baby, and let me slide inside.”

  Liam positioned Chas’ cock at his opening, then holding his gaze, slid over him. As the head of his cock popped through the ring of muscles, Chas loved the way Liam’s eyes widened. Chas’ shaft swelled even more, making Liam grunt as he impaled himself.

  “That’s it. Ride me.” His gaze was glued to the way Liam’s cock bounced with his movements. “Touch yourself.”

  Chas loved watching Liam’s hard body glisten with sweat, loved the way his lean, aristocratic features tightened and sharpened with passion. He couldn’t help himself. Reaching out, he replaced Liam’s hand with his, watching his lover through narrowed eyes.

  “Have you ever thought about what it might be like to add a third?”

  “Yes. Fuck!”

  Chas grabbed the lube, added some to his hand, making the contact even slicker. Liam panted, his ass tightening around Chas’ shaft. The fantasy of bringing a woman into their bed was an incredible turn-on. He tried not to put a face to that, instead just imagining how it might feel. With a growl, Chas grabbed Liam’s hips and slammed himself home as hard as he could. There was nothing gentle in what they were doing tonight, just raw, fast sex. With a final push, he arched off the bed and came, feeling his seed shoot inside Liam again and again.

  As they lay on the bed, side by side a few minutes later, Liam began to laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You do realize the housekeeper’s rooms are right below the master suite.”

  “Holy shit.”

  * * * * *

  “How did your interview go, Greer?” her mother asked as soon as Greer stepped back through the doorway.

  With both her parents watching expectantly, she wanted so desperately to be able to lie and tell them it
had been wonderful, but they would find out soon enough that wasn’t the case when she didn’t get the job.

  Clutching her purse tight to her stomach, she whispered, “I had a panic attack.”

  Greer hated the sympathy in their eyes. It had been like this ever since she’d gotten out of the hospital.

  “Before or after the interview?” her father asked.

  Greer clamped her lower lip to keep it steady. Taking a deep breath, she said, “During. They were very nice. Lee Carle is hiring a nanny.”

  “The sculptor?” Her mother sounded awed. “I don’t know why I never made the connection, but honestly, the last name’s common enough in this area. Was his wife there too? She might be more understanding.”

  Greer frowned slightly. “No. I think he’s divorced, because they said his son, Wyatt, is only there for visitation a couple of times a month. A doctor shares the house with him. Charles Lynch. Chas. They’re friends.”

  Her father’s dark brows rose.

  “Daddy!”

  “Well, it is a little odd, though I suppose the house is big enough you might never run into another person living there.”

  Greer shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. No way are they going to give the job to someone who went into a full-fledged panic attack. Who’d want that around a small boy? Besides, they were really looking for someone older than me.”

  “I’m sorry, honey,” her mother commiserated. “Mrs. Lawson at work mentioned she’s looking for someone to help with her kids while school’s out. That might give you something for a couple months so you can look.”

  Greer tried to summon a smile. “Thanks, Mom. Is it all right to call her at the store?”

  “Yes, but let me leave you her cell number too.”

  Greer made the excuse that the panic attack had left her with a headache and slipped away to her own room. After changing into the t-shirt and boxer shorts she usually slept in, she opened her laptop. She was curious now about the two men at the Carle estate.

  As she waited for the computer to boot, her glance slipped to a framed photo of Markus. He sat on the gunwale of one of their friends’ ski boats, grinning and squinting into the sun while the wind ruffled his sun-bleached hair. He’d be older than her right now since his birthday was last month…or would have been if he were still alive. Greer flipped the picture frame face down on the shelf behind her desk.

  She didn’t want to relive the accident, not tonight, not in the wake of that panic attack. Not in the wake of finally feeling some curiosity about other men…man, she corrected herself. As in one.

  She typed in Liam Carle’s name. In addition to images of his work, several images of him came up as well. The one that caught her eye was an image from a recent art exhibition. Dressed in a tux, he was standing next to none other than Chas Lynch. Liam was the night and Chas was the day. Her glance shifted from one to the other. It seemed to her their personalities went along with their coloring. Her dad thought they were gay. Greer rolled her eyes. In this day and age, who cared? From a purely feminine standpoint, she admitted it was too bad. They were both gorgeous.

  Greer Googled Chas. She found Dr. Charles Lynch, surgeon, listed at St. Mark’s Medical Center. She shivered, her memory instantly taking her back five years ago. She remembered St. Mark’s all too well. She’d been in so much pain, not just from the burns, but from the fractures to both legs. Even worse was finding out Markus hadn’t made it.

  Greer shut down the laptop, shut off her memories, and forced herself to think of something else. In this case, she stared at the artwork on her walls. Mostly sketches or pen and ink drawings of animals, they were all her own work.

  She wished Liam and Chas would hire her. Just to be able to work near a sculptor like Lee Carle would be incredible. She shook her head. What was she thinking? Even if she got the job, she would never be invited into his studio.

  * * * * *

  Chas woke him with a kiss. God Liam loved that almost as much as he loved the sometimes rough sex they shared. Feeling his lover’s mouth on his made his throat tighten. Chas gave him something he’d never had…simple affection with no strings attached. Chas didn’t want anything from him other than his company, his friendship, and his love. Could any woman match that without some ulterior motive? Liam wasn’t sure. At one time he had been confident around women, but Julie had changed that making him question what a woman wasn’t saying just as much as what she did say.

  “I have to get going,” Chas muttered. “I’ve got rounds followed by surgery around lunch time. I may be late.”

  “I’ll be in the studio most of the day.”

  “Don’t forget to call Greer. Get her okay to do the background check.”

  Just the thought of Greer Davidson’s wide eyes and uncertain smile was enough to improve his mood. Liam smiled lazily. “I will. My attorney’s drawing up the employment agreement. When do you want her to start?”

  Chas laughed. “Yesterday? I don’t know. As soon as you can get everything in order. Thanks for giving her a chance, man. I know you’re going out on a limb since we are talking about Wyatt’s care and all, but I just have a feeling she’ll be perfect. She might not have years of experience, but it’s obvious how sweet she is.”

  Liam thought of that as he finished his morning coffee a couple of hours later, wondering just how soon he could convince her to start. Chas really seemed confident she would be great for the job, great for all of them. Liam wasn’t quite sure how that was going to work. Women hadn’t been high on his list since his divorce, but he wanted Chas to be happy. If she was good with Wyatt and Chas liked her, that would be enough. They probably wouldn’t see much of her anyway. She’d have her own quarters. She would be just an employee, nothing else, so there was no reason to personalize anything.

  It surprised him how nervous he felt about calling her. He glanced at the clock. Eight-thirty surely wasn’t too early. The line rang several times. Liam was about to hang up when he heard a breathless voice on the other end.

  “Greer?” He paused, thinking of her panic attack the previous evening. “Are you all right?”

  “Liam. I mean, Mr. Carle?” She sucked in a deep breath. “Yes, I was running on the treadmill.”

  He pictured her not in sweats but in some of those skimpy running shorts and a little jogging bra. When his cock twitched, he glanced at it in surprise before her voice brought him back to task.

  “If you’ve decided not to hire me, I’d just as soon you told me and got it over with.”

  God, had he been silent that long? He adjusted his pants to provide more room for his aching dick.

  “That’s not it at all. We want to hire you, Greer. Chas and I both think you’re the best fit for us and for Wyatt. We’ll need to do a background check. I’ve got your resume, but a social security number would speed things up.”

  “No problem.”

  He scribbled it down as she rattled it off.

  “I know we didn’t talk about salary…”

  “I’m sure it will be fine…” She sounded breathless, but this time he didn’t think it was from the running. So was that little hitch for him…for Chas…or just the excitement of getting a job? Get real. She wanted a job. He wanted help with Wyatt and the house. Period.

  He cleared his throat and told her the figure he and Chas had agreed on, but all he heard over the phone line was silence. “You’ll have your own suite of rooms. You can choose to eat with us or on your own, but we’re not formal. Of course, when Wyatt’s here, we’d expect to eat as a family.” When she still didn’t say anything, he asked. “Is that okay, Greer?”

  “Yes. I-I’m just surprised. I was so certain you wouldn’t want to hire me after last night.”

  “We want you.” Liam closed his eyes. Man, that didn’t sound right. It sounded kind of pervy. “We want to hire you, I mean. I have my attorney drawing up an employment agreement. The background check won’t take any time at all. How soon can you start?”

  “
Right away. It might take me a couple of days to get my stuff moved, but I can go back and forth for a little while. It’s not far.”

  “We’ll help.”

  “You will?” He heard the surprise in her voice. She still sounded a little breathless. Still the treadmill? Would she sound the same way if it was him making her breathless? Damn. He needed to stop that, but her voice and his mental picture of her was turning him on.

  “Sure. Chas has surgery today, but he’ll be off tomorrow…” Like she needed to know all this. Where the hell was the off button on his mouth? She was their nanny, their housekeeper…not their girlfriend. “I won’t keep you. We’ll plan on being at your house tomorrow morning around this time. Is the address on your resume correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Great.” He ended the call before she had a chance to back out, before he had a chance to really make a fool out of himself. This was for Wyatt. She was kind and gentle, a polar opposite of Julie. Wyatt needed that in his life. Nanny and housekeeper. Like Mrs. Doubtfire or Mary Poppins. Except wrapped in a delectable little body. With big gray eyes. Liam sighed. Maybe she’d stay in her rooms most of the time.

  * * * * *

  Greer thought she might get sick to her stomach she was so nervous, and her parents had to make it worse by saying they were taking the day off to help her get moved. She knew better. They just wanted a look at her employers.

  When a full-size white pickup pulled up the drive, Greer dragged at her father’s arm. “Daddy! Quit staring out the window.”

  “I just want to see who my baby’s going to be working for.” A moment later, she heard her father’s growl. “Maybe you should just stay here.”

  Greer laughed. “Just yesterday you’d decided they were gay, now you’re going all protective?”

  As she glanced out at Liam and Chas, the butterflies in her belly fluttered once again. She began to see why her father might be concerned. Lean and fit, they were in well-worn jeans and t-shirts showing off muscular chests and biceps that would put a lot of men to shame. Lee’s hair gleamed with blue-black highlights, while Chas’ curls reflected the brightness of the morning sun. Night and day. It would be easy to imagine herself with either one of them, if she weren’t working for them. Right. Employers, employee. She sneaked another quick glance at them.