If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny (Aspen Grove, #1)

by Ann Einerson

If you give a single dad a neighbor, he may be tempted to ask her to be his daughter’s nanny. And if he asks her to be his daughter’s nanny, he’ll start to have feelings for her. He’ll want to invite her over for dinner and take care of her when she’s sick, and then he’ll kiss her in the hallway and call her a “good girl” in the back of an art gallery because she’s all he’s been able to think about…

I’m greeted with a captivating combination of one blue and one green eye. She has a pert nose, full, inviting lips and her cheeks are flushed as she looks down at me. I’m struck by the thought that I’ve never met someone this uniquely beautiful.

For a reason I can’t explain, it’s difficult to resist the captivating effect Marlow’s smile has, momentarily changing my mood, and bringing a lightness to my step.

God, why is she so damn pretty all the time? Even with paint on her face, she’s stunning…

A rosy hue colors her cheeks, and she has a dusting of freckles along the bridge of her nose. Her mouth is slightly parted, and she tilts her head back as she observes me in return. My favorite feature is her unique mismatched eyes. She’s so goddamn beautiful.

“You and that dog of yours are a whole lot of trouble,” I whisper. “At least there’s never a dull moment with us around,” she murmurs.

Marlow is worthy of a man who will treat her right and not use her as a rebound. She deserves someone willing to take care of her and who will be there when she needs them most.

“Dylan, what are you doing?” she murmurs. “Thinking about what it would be like to kiss you,” I say softly.

“I have a confession,” I say softly. “What is it?” Marlow looks up at me. “Lola isn’t the only one I missed while I was gone.” “She’s not?” Her eyes widen at my admission. I shake my head, not able to find the right words.

When our mouths met, it sparked a wildfire of affection that I never wanted to end.

“I want you to listen carefully, sunshine.” He cups my face with his hands and looks me directly in the eyes. “You might not be perfect, hell nobody is, but you are incredible just the way you are. You find the silver lining in any situation and have a gift for making people smile on their worst days.”

“You should be reminded every day of how exceptional you are.”

“For starters, I really want to kiss you, and if we’re being blunt”—I glance down the hall to make sure Lola’s still in the other room—“I want to strip you bare and fuck you.”

“Mark my words, Marlow Taylor, when we finally get a moment to ourselves, I’m going to do much more than kiss you.”

He rests his forehead against mine. “Marlow?” “Mm-hmm?” “Walking into that gallery tonight and seeing you with Gavin nearly drove me mad.” There’s a touch of anguish in his tone. “The idea of you with someone else messes with my head.”

“Be mine, sunshine? The only person I want to be with is you.”

“That’s right, sunshine. I’m the one who owns your pleasure,” I remind her.

“Beg. For. It.”

“You’re a fucking masterpiece,” Dylan murmurs as he gazes down at me. “My masterpiece.”

Dylan might think of me as the color in his life, but he’s the brushstroke and the canvas in mine.