Nanny Behaving Badly (13 page)

They arrived at a beautiful marble annexe to the hotel. Glass, stripped wood, opulent silks and textiles, bamboo screens. Glimpses of an azure pool with rainbow lighting and a rope swing beside a plunge pool. Heaven!

‘You’ve brought me here for spa treatments?’ She quickly thanked fate she’d just shaved her legs as she stared around in wonder.

‘Finest Edinburgh has to offer.’ Lyle said, flicking the receptionist a gold membership card. ‘You’re booked for the full Icelandic Indulgence package. I think Demelza mentioned something about hot stones.’

‘What about a swimsuit, what about you, what about work?’

Lyle put up a stalling hand. ‘For three hours forget the worries and enjoy yourself. As to the swimsuit Demelza will find you something in the boutique and add it to my bill. You can really splurge and go for the pedicure in rainbow colours. Whatever you want, just tell your new fairy godmother.’

Maddie could only nod. Nod and marvel at having the most amazing, fantastic, luxurious hotel she’d ever set foot in in her life at her own private disposal.

‘You’re not planning on coming in with me and watching me as torture, are you, Lyle?’

Lyle laid a hand on her arm. ‘I’m heading to the gym. Then I’ll be in the suite right next door, ironing out an old sports injury kink. So don’t moan too loud, the walls are very thin. We can meet up for a drink when you’re done. And I expect to find you floating on luxury, imported air. Here comes Demelza now, to whisk you off to paradise.’

Lyle watched her emerge post pamper-a-thon and it took everything he had not to hug her.

The enormous fluffy robe lent her a soft, adorable air. Her face glowed with health, vigour and no doubt rather a lot of expensive spa treatments extracted from every part of the globe.

But the best thing of all was her hair – mussed up, spiky and coated in the masseuse’s special aromatic red mud. She’d had an orgasmic head rub and it showed.

Lyle nodded to the waiter who produced a glass of champagne for Maddie in a blink. ‘Good treatment, was it?’ said Lyle, reclining in his basketweave chair, still in his own robe.

‘Uh … more than good … so good I still can’t force my brain to spoil things by talking.’

‘You look knocked out,’ he remarked.

‘Better than sex,’ she breathed.

‘Honey, I wouldn’t go that far.’

‘How does she work that magic with her fingers? It’s like my body’s turned into velvet heaven.’

‘Maddie, keep your voice down. I don’t want to lose my membership here. Or my sanity.’

Lyle grinned. Watched her sip her champagne and close her eyes. He wanted her so badly. Seeing her this way, relaxed and glowing like a perfect garden rosebud about to unfurl was worth the money and effort of arranging this surprise at the last moment and calling in favours to get it.

‘Maddie,’ he said softly and gently touched her shoulder. ‘You’re falling asleep. And the waiter’s here for you to order lunch.’

Maddie opened just one eye, blinked and blushed as she was handed her menu card to choose from. ‘Now I know what true paradise feels like. Thanks for introducing me to the finer things, Lyle.’

‘Don’t thank me,’ Lyle answered. ‘Just choose. Back rubs make me ravenous.’

With the appeal of a very content and sleepy Persian kitten, Maddie Adams, for once, did as she was told.

The organisation of the Grassmarket Café’s launch was very far from complete. In fact, it was galaxies away and at this rate they’d be lucky if a single reporter came for free finger food.

Lyle wanted a ‘must attend’ event with media presence and buzz. Nice theory but reality bit hard with iron teeth.

Maddie realised fast on checking the file she’d have her work cut out. Her spirits sagged despite the morning’s energising attentions. So much for her chance to prove herself.

As Lyle drove her to The Grassmarket Ice Café she chanced a sidelong look up from the file she’d been reading. ‘I think I’ll need to refine things to pull in the press interest. Will that be acceptable?’

Subtext – we’re floundering a lot. About to capsize.

Lyle watched her as he shifted gears and drummed his hands on the wheel. ‘Just as long as you keep the Ice Café concept prominent. We want to get word out that we’re open and we’re a different brand.’

The planning file noted entertainment requirements – an ice sculptor, light ball jugglers, performers and a DJ. But that was where the innovation ended. She kept her reservations silent but knew fast, creative thinking was vital.

And just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, it did. As Lyle parked up, he passed her his cell phone to hear a saved message. ‘The DJ cancelled yesterday, here’s his call. We’ll need to make rearrangements to fill the gap.’

Maddie resisted the urge to scream or say rude words. ‘This project’s in a mess which surprises me. You usually have everything so well under control.’

‘The agency I hired will be hearing from my lawyer.’ Lyle pursed his lips – a mouth that had kissed her and warranted full reciprocation, firing her like crazy and making their intimacy impossible to erase. Watching that mouth again still inspired internal tremors. Lap upon lap in the swimming pool hadn’t eased her preoccupation.

‘You’re project manager. I know you’ll go the distance to make this soar.’ His expression told her he was firm and she had his trust – progress. ‘Do what you think is warranted.’

They left the car and approached the café, just as a glamorous woman in a scarlet coat and patent heels arrived, smiling at Lyle. She waved as she strutted over the cobblestone road from her flashy sports car.

Lyle looked at Maddie. ‘Meet Heather, my sister.’

‘Hey, cavalry’s here. Let’s get cracking, shall we?’ Heather Sutherland said with a wide smile, holding out her hand. ‘You must be Maddie.’

‘Heather’s your backup. She runs a dating agency so events management is her forte; nothing fazes Heather. Just don’t let her take over like she tries to do with me. You’re the boss.’

‘My brother’s his usual charming self.’ Heather smiled. Her dark curly hair and piercing grey eyes matched her sibling’s. ‘Glad to finally meet you. Lyle’s raved about his American super nanny. So let’s go rescue launch night.’

Maddie was relieved when Lyle left to go to the winter market café. It gave her respite. At least she and Heather could brainstorm without inhibitions about Lyle’s reactions. Or his presence haunting her every move.

Maddie tapped her pen on her pad with growing force. ‘What we need is a special guest to attend, but that’s tricky given the deadline. The budget won’t run to a big fee and I don’t have any celebrity contacts. You?’

Heather narrowed her eyes. ‘I have one press puller client, Ewan McQueen.’ Heather drew a magazine from her handbag and thumbed to a glossy feature showing a shirtless tennis star wielding a racket. ‘National tennis legend and number one ranking eligible bachelor. I organise his escorts for high profile functions. He owes me a few favours as it happens.’

Maddie stared. ‘You know him well enough to ensure he attends?’

Heather scrunched her nose up and lovingly stroked her trend-to-the-minute cell phone. ‘I can be very convincing. String pulling, my dear Maddie, is my specialty. Of course, I may have to drag him out on the town to get a yes. He likes a good time.’

‘Well, if you work on that I’ll focus on finding a new DJ. Luckily my uncle employs a guy who’s a wedding DJ as a hobby.’ Stefano had his uses; he’d been doing weekend functions for years. Two ticks on the long list providing Stef and Ewan McQueen were free.

‘There’s something else,’ said Heather tapping her lips. ‘How about a fashion show interval to add some glamour?’

Maddie liked Heather – her lively, quick mind. But could they really pull all this off? ‘We’ve booked some local dancers. I suppose we could use them as models. What were you thinking?’

‘My designer friend would welcome free publicity so I’m sure I could get her on board. Plus her stuff is amazing: bags, accessories, jewellery. Lyle wants the Ice Café theme prominent so precious metals, ice whites and glass would work. Think space-age. If we source white and silvery spandex catsuits it could work. What do you think?’

‘I think it sounds perfect.’ Maddie answered.

‘Sexy?’ Heather pushed.

Would Lyle like a sexy, space-age catwalk show at his launch? Was he into sexy? Her mind skidded to her memory of him newly showered.

Maddie kept to herself that she thought Heather’s brother had sex appeal enough all on his own. How would Heather react if she knew she’d kissed him?

‘What about Ice Café Intros – speed dating?’ Heather was clearly on a roll. ‘Why not throw a speed dating theme in?’

‘Explain how it could work.’ Maddie was mindful that Lyle had warned her to rein Heather in. But it was only fair to hear her out first.

‘I regularly organise dating nights. Small select dinner parties with carefully chosen successful singles, with entertainment icebreakers like murder mysteries and jazz nights. I could invite some clients along for a speed dating launch and stipulate everyone has to come dressed in white and silver. A hot bachelor compère in a white tux – Ewan McQueen. What do you think?’

Maddie winked in confidence. It sounded great. Much better than the damp squib she’d encountered in the planning file. ‘Sounds fabulous.’

‘Attendance isn’t a problem. We can hand-pick who we want. So I’ll get started on working out details and the guest list.’

‘It’s got spectacle, celebrity and a guaranteed crowd with picture opportunities. Leave the media rallying side to me. I’ll start calling them as soon as Ewan’s confirmed,’ Maddie affirmed.

Heather picked up her cell phone ready for action. ‘I’ll call him now.’ Heather pulled a mock face that feigned pain but her eyes were gleaming.

‘We make a killer team. Only question, will Lyle agree?’

‘From brother’s reactions to you so far, I’m sure you can win him round,’ Heather added.

Maddie decided she’d worry about that part later. ‘Ice breakers!’ she proclaimed. ‘I love it.’

‘Let’s do it. And worry about potential big brother trouble later.’

After Heather left her, Maddie, now alone in the empty café, looked up from the laptop to see someone staring through the window.

‘Paula!’ she exclaimed seeing her friend staring hard at her. She rushed to the door to bring her inside.

Paula faked dramatics. ‘Some best friend you are. Do you return my calls? Do you pop by for coffee or cocktails? No, you’re Maddie. Who’s never free. As of today you’re on best buddy probation.’

‘Sorry. I’ve been so busy working for Lyle. I didn’t mean to neglect you.’

Paula pointed to the coffee machine. ‘Maybe if you suck up to me with sustenance, I’ll reconsider. If you tell me all about your new intimacy with the boss.’

‘What’s to tell?’ Maddie’s tone was wary.

‘He’s tripled your salary. I’ve been hiring out temps for years and no one has had as many fast pay rises as you. What’s the deal? Are you getting it on?’

Paula slid herself in behind the table. Smacked her lips and crossed her arms across her chest. Maddie knew immediately she was in for a tough time. So she smiled wanly and kept a neutral tone. ‘What kind of coffee would you like?’

Paula nodded. ‘Latte, and stop evading. Just divulge and I’ll judge.’

Maddie shrugged and palmed the air. ‘I’m just trying to help in whatever ways he needs me. Like here at the café because he’s short-staffed. Lyle has a zillion business priorities to tackle plus Josh is on vacation, freeing me up.’

Now wasn’t the time to admit that she and the boss shared chemistry, that he’d kissed her but they’d agreed to back off. That she hadn’t been able to look or breathe or think in quite the same way since. That Lyle had posted her here in an effort to keep them both on the safe side of the attraction line. These were strictly off limits snippets.

Paula was great, her best friend in the world, but one sniff of seduction, attraction or scandal, and she made overdrive look retiring.

‘Lyle’s just a great, decent guy. He knows I want to buy the apartment and he wants to help me achieve that if I can help him in return.’

‘I smell attraction.’ Paula’s eyes narrowed to glittering feline slits of disbelief. ‘He’s got a string of cafés and shares in a vineyard in Tuscany. He’s an ex-pro rally ace whose café franchise is set for big success. Why aren’t you giving him encouragements, are you crazy? Any woman with half a mind would stampede, what gives?’

‘Employee and employer only. Can’t you get your mind past sex?’ Maddie’s tone was patient and firm.

‘The last time we met he slammed me down when I suggested we could secure him a permanent nanny.’

‘Really?’ Maddie faltered, wondering what Lyle had said. ‘I’m glad. That’s good for me, good for you and the agency if he’s happy. We work well together and his son, Josh, is adorable. Working there’s good for us all.’

‘So up a gear and date him,’ Paula pushed. ‘You’re both there in that great big house. Single. Available. Have you had a relationships lobotomy lately?’

Maddie lied. ‘Tim sabotaged my sex drive. I would have thought that was obvious.’

Paula sipped her coffee. Maddie bit her lip.

‘Anyway,’ she swiftly changed the topic. ‘Since I’m organising a speed dating sensation and you’re an eligible, sassy single, how about you sign up?’

Paula flashed a beaming smile. ‘If the men are as hot as Lyle is – where do I sign for first choice?’

At the sound of her keys in the door Lyle forced calm, casual interest. Commanded himself not to rush out and interrogate Maddie about her day. He wouldn’t. Overzealous was out; calm, neutral detachment in.

His mantra of loosening the reins of control sounded good in theory, but it proved harder than hard when every instinct itched to push.

Maddie appeared through the kitchen doorway. The mere sight of her, dressed up to the nines in tailored pinstripes and fitted blouse, ricocheted through his hormones.

His eyes revisited the details – shirt collar loose, jacket unbuttoned, skin dewy, inviting. It caused his Adam’s apple to jerk. His pulse joined the militant action as it roared inside.