Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!
Today we have a smooch from Rachel Bailey but first,
... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is Sharlene!
Can you please contact rachel (at) rachelbailey (dot) com to receive your copy of The Summer of Jake.
And now for today's Sunday Smooch from The Nanny Proposition:
Two babies…one scandalous secret!
Discovering he's the father of an orphaned newborn rocks botanist Liam Hawke's world. But that's where nanny Jenna Peters fits in—a single mother herself, she immediately works her magic on his newborn daughter. Soon Liam himself can't resist being spellbound by this beauty.
Jenna tries to keep her irresistible boss at arm's length but it's a losing battle. Once Liam finds out who she really is, she'll have to say goodbye to the man she loves and their unconventional family…unless the seductive single dad makes her a proposition this undercover princess can't refuse!
Scene set-up
To give Jenna a break from looking after the two baby girls, Liam has taken her out for dinner, while the housekeeper watches the sleeping babies. They've just arrived home...
Smooch -
As they pulled up in Liam’s Jeep in front of the house, Jenna tried to stave off her disappointment that the night was ending. It wasn’t a real date. She couldn’t let herself think that, and the sooner she was tucked up in her bed—alone—the better. Safe from fantasies that Liam had actually invited her out and that she was free to follow her attraction in whatever direction it led….
Then Liam leaned across and stroked her cheek with a feather-light caress, and all her attempts at being reasonable went up in smoke. She felt herself tremble under the touch but she didn’t dare move, hope and doubts and anticipation warring inside her.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” he said and let his hand fall. That didn’t seem to break the connection, though—it was as if the very air in the Jeep crackled.
There was no use denying she wanted him to kiss her, had never wanted anything more. And it didn’t seem as if he was bothering with denial anymore either. His eyes darkened as he focused on her mouth. Her lips parted and she drew in a shaky breath, but he didn’t come closer. The moment felt suspended in time, neither of them moving. Then his eyes changed, became pained, and his head swung away.
“We’d better go inside and check on the babies,” he said and opened his door.
Suddenly cold, she blinked. The babies. Of course. She was the nanny, after all, not someone he was dating. But her traitorous body wasn’t as easily convinced.
She pulled herself together and went with him into the house. Katherine had left a note on the hallstand saying that everything was fine, and Bonnie was sleeping soundly with her. They crept up to check on Meg, who was also fast asleep.
Jenna gave her daughter a soft kiss on her round head, then hesitated in the hall, unsure of how to end the night. There was so much unfinished between them that she had no idea of what to do, and Liam didn’t seem to be in a rush.
Perhaps simplest was best. “Well, good night, then,” she said.
“I always walk a date to her door.” He waved an arm toward her room.
“Okay,” she said, not really sure how to take that.
They took the few steps to reach her room, then she turned to look up at him. He propped a shoulder against the doorframe, his gaze smoldering. A wave of heat rushed over her skin, and suddenly she didn’t want to do the safe thing anymore. Taking a risk was by far the more interesting option. She moistened her lips and hoped her voice sounded steady. “Isn’t a kiss at the door part of that tradition?”
Liam stilled, studying her face. “You want me to kiss you, Jenna?” His voice was low and rough.
“Oh, yes,” she said on a soft breath.
He groaned and his eyes closed for a heartbeat, and she thought she might never breathe again. Finally, his head came closer until his lips met hers in a kiss that was sweeter than any they’d shared before. Their other kisses had been stolen and had been all about attraction. This was more of an exploration, and more intense for it.
His hands found hers and their fingers entwined. When her knees wobbled, she leaned back against the door, and Liam pressed against her, not letting her fall. His body was scorching hot through her clothes and she wanted more, wanted everything.
Jenna is a princess in hiding, and not even Liam knows at this point, so
tell me, can you keep a secret? Are you the person who's so good at secrets that you can plan a surprise birthday party for someone you're close to? Or do you always give the game away too soon?
I have a copy of The Nanny Proposition (which is on the shelves now) to give away to one person who leaves a comment!
... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is Sharlene!
Can you please contact rachel (at) rachelbailey (dot) com to receive your copy of The Summer of Jake.
And now for today's Sunday Smooch from The Nanny Proposition:
Two babies…one scandalous secret!Discovering he's the father of an orphaned newborn rocks botanist Liam Hawke's world. But that's where nanny Jenna Peters fits in—a single mother herself, she immediately works her magic on his newborn daughter. Soon Liam himself can't resist being spellbound by this beauty.
Jenna tries to keep her irresistible boss at arm's length but it's a losing battle. Once Liam finds out who she really is, she'll have to say goodbye to the man she loves and their unconventional family…unless the seductive single dad makes her a proposition this undercover princess can't refuse!
Scene set-up
To give Jenna a break from looking after the two baby girls, Liam has taken her out for dinner, while the housekeeper watches the sleeping babies. They've just arrived home...
Smooch -
As they pulled up in Liam’s Jeep in front of the house, Jenna tried to stave off her disappointment that the night was ending. It wasn’t a real date. She couldn’t let herself think that, and the sooner she was tucked up in her bed—alone—the better. Safe from fantasies that Liam had actually invited her out and that she was free to follow her attraction in whatever direction it led….
Then Liam leaned across and stroked her cheek with a feather-light caress, and all her attempts at being reasonable went up in smoke. She felt herself tremble under the touch but she didn’t dare move, hope and doubts and anticipation warring inside her.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” he said and let his hand fall. That didn’t seem to break the connection, though—it was as if the very air in the Jeep crackled.
There was no use denying she wanted him to kiss her, had never wanted anything more. And it didn’t seem as if he was bothering with denial anymore either. His eyes darkened as he focused on her mouth. Her lips parted and she drew in a shaky breath, but he didn’t come closer. The moment felt suspended in time, neither of them moving. Then his eyes changed, became pained, and his head swung away.
“We’d better go inside and check on the babies,” he said and opened his door.
Suddenly cold, she blinked. The babies. Of course. She was the nanny, after all, not someone he was dating. But her traitorous body wasn’t as easily convinced.
She pulled herself together and went with him into the house. Katherine had left a note on the hallstand saying that everything was fine, and Bonnie was sleeping soundly with her. They crept up to check on Meg, who was also fast asleep.
Jenna gave her daughter a soft kiss on her round head, then hesitated in the hall, unsure of how to end the night. There was so much unfinished between them that she had no idea of what to do, and Liam didn’t seem to be in a rush.
Perhaps simplest was best. “Well, good night, then,” she said.
“I always walk a date to her door.” He waved an arm toward her room.
“Okay,” she said, not really sure how to take that.
They took the few steps to reach her room, then she turned to look up at him. He propped a shoulder against the doorframe, his gaze smoldering. A wave of heat rushed over her skin, and suddenly she didn’t want to do the safe thing anymore. Taking a risk was by far the more interesting option. She moistened her lips and hoped her voice sounded steady. “Isn’t a kiss at the door part of that tradition?”
Liam stilled, studying her face. “You want me to kiss you, Jenna?” His voice was low and rough.
“Oh, yes,” she said on a soft breath.
He groaned and his eyes closed for a heartbeat, and she thought she might never breathe again. Finally, his head came closer until his lips met hers in a kiss that was sweeter than any they’d shared before. Their other kisses had been stolen and had been all about attraction. This was more of an exploration, and more intense for it.
His hands found hers and their fingers entwined. When her knees wobbled, she leaned back against the door, and Liam pressed against her, not letting her fall. His body was scorching hot through her clothes and she wanted more, wanted everything.
Jenna is a princess in hiding, and not even Liam knows at this point, so
tell me, can you keep a secret? Are you the person who's so good at secrets that you can plan a surprise birthday party for someone you're close to? Or do you always give the game away too soon?I have a copy of The Nanny Proposition (which is on the shelves now) to give away to one person who leaves a comment!
Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and a smooch from Susanne Bellamy will be posted!
Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver
Hi Rachel
ReplyDeleteI loved this story it is so so good and that scene is wonderful :)
I am pretty good at keeping secrets although there are times that I find it very hard LOL
Have Fun
Helen
Aw, thanks, Helen. <3
DeleteI'm pretty good at keeping secrets, too, but I agree - sometimes it's harder than others!
I am very good at keeping secrets so good in fact that people keep telling me secrets I wish they would stop------lyn
ReplyDeleteLyn, that's hilarious! Most people love to told a secret, but if you're the one who gets them all the time, it would be wearing. But I'll keep you in mind next time I have a secret I can't tell anyone else... ;)
DeleteI tell people not to tell me secrets, just in case I mess up. Big secrets like people having affairs or expecting babies, though, are definitely easier to keep a secret (but I'm glad when they finally become public knowledge, as I hate keeping secrets).
ReplyDeleteLaney, I have a sister who says the same thing! She tells people not to tell her anything that can't be repeated because she knows she'll forget and tell someone. Strange thing is, I still tell her secrets, lol.
DeleteOoh, gorgeous excerpt, Rach. I'm really looking forward to diving into Jenna and Liam's story.
ReplyDeleteAs for secrets… I used to be dreadful at keeping them when I was a kid. Now I'm a very good keeper of secrets, but I'm a bit like Lynlinwill and Laney4 -- there are some secrets I'd rather not know. :-)
Michelle, is it bad that I kinda want to ring you and tell you secrets now...? ;)
DeleteAbsolutely not! Yours are the secrets I thrill at knowing. ;-)
DeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to this one!
I'm good at secrets but I find it trying as I have to think before I speak. Mind you, that's not a bad skill to have!
It was great to see you and the other LoveCat girls at RWA. xx
Melanie, it was so lovely to see you too! Though next time we have to schedule in our coffee date in advance to make sure we get enough time!
DeleteYou know, that's a good point - keeping secrets is very trying. It wears on you, doesn't it? Good to know you can keep a secret though - I'll remember that for future use! ;)
Love the smooch!!
ReplyDeleteI am very good at keeping secrets. You wouldn't believe the stuff I know & you will never know.
Oh, Mary, now you've piqued my interest! I want to know all the stuff you know - especially the things you said I'll never know. ;)
DeleteOoh, what a great set up, Rachel. Another one to add to the list.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to say I can keep a secret, so long as I know it's important. But on the other hand I love to talk so if I don't know something's a secret, it might slip out.
Annie, I'm the same - as long as I know it's important, I can keep the secret. But, like you, I love to talk. Sometimes, as Melanie said, I just have to think before I talk!
DeleteGah! blogger ate my comment... and now I can't sign back in... :(
ReplyDeleteAnyway this is the gist of what I said...Fabo Smooch, Rachel! (happy sigh!)
As for keeping secrets, I can keep a secret but I don't like it when someone tells me a secret about something bad they've done that could hurt another person. It makes me feel guilty!
Sharon, yes! Sometimes the dark side of secrets is you have to carry part of the guilt. Juicy, happy secrets only!
DeleteI have a firm rule. "If you tell me something I may tell someone else so don't tell me stuff you don't want passed on. In a big family it is too hard to keep track of who knows and who doesn't etc. The older I get the harder it is to remember details like that as well.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I have kept a few things secret for many years.
Wonderful Smooch Rachel. It's 8:42 PM on Sunday here .
Kaelee, that's a very sensible rule! Especially because of this bit:
Delete"In a big family it is too hard to keep track of who knows and who doesn't etc."
Sometimes that's virtually impossible!
I love the sound of this story and the cover is great! I just love a guy with a baby...or babies, in this case. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm very good at keeping secrets. I worked over 20 years on a locked Psych unit and we had very strict confidentiality rules.
Marcy Shuler
Marcy, I bet you're really good at keeping secrets after working in that job. Or, maybe you were good at it before and that's one of the reasons you were able to last that long? Kind of a chicken and the egg scenario, isn't it? Either way, you're obviously a good person to trust! :)
DeleteI am very good at keeping secret, I would not betray a trust.
ReplyDeleteCindy, another good secret-keeper! Isn't it interesting finding out how many people fall on either side of the fence on this?
DeleteI'm with Marcy -- a sucker for a cover with a hero smitten by a baby (or two.) That image totally speaks to the heart, doesn't it? And I equally love this scene. Want to keep on reading!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for secrets… If I'm entrusted with a secret then I totally keep it. Not doing so abuses that trust and probably hurts others as well. My mum is always telling me things she's heard "in confidence" (small town, much gossip) because she knows I won't repeat it. I hate when she does this; it makes me feel complicit even though I don't repeat it. My dh is totally HOPELESS at keeping secrets and this makes it difficult when I want to share something but know he can't be trusted. Luckily he has many other great qualities.
Bronwyn, one of the most interesting discussion points in these comments has been the burden for the secret-keeper. I totally understand about feeling complicit without having done anything.
DeleteLol about your dh having other great qualities, despite not being able to keep a secret. If you ever need someone to share something with in total confidentiality, just check the comments above to see who can be trusted! :)