NaughtyBoys Galley Read Online Free Page A

our trip quick, incognito.”
    “So much for Mr. Charitable.”
    “Sam is quite a philanthropist, except with his relatives.”
    “Are you planning on asking your aunt if your mom left you anything in her will?”
    “I can’t do that. Aunt Rebecca won’t be happy if I start skulking around asking about the house.”
    Jamie’s brows furrowed again. “Who cares about her happiness? If your mom didn’t specifically state that she left everything to your aunt, that house is yours. It might come in handy considering your current situation.”
    I thought about it for a minute. That house wasn’t the childhood house I wanted to remember and cherish forever. Ever since Dad passed away, that house had been a prison to me. My mom had unconsciously guarded me like a Rottweiler with a bone, fearing one day I’d leave her too. But she didn’t realize the strength of my rebellious teenage tendencies, and she lost me sooner than she thought.
    I couldn’t jump off the wagon and take my dibs on the house. My mother had gone to such lengths to prevent me paying my final respects to her—long before she died—she wouldn’t want me to do something that would make her roll in her grave.
    “I don’t want the house,” I said firmly. “I walked away from Sam’s millions, and I’m not going to hassle my aunt now that I’m down on my luck. If push comes to shove and I don’t have anywhere to go, I could always go to a women’s shelter. I volunteered and did charity work for a women’s welfare foundation in New York for years. I’m sure they won’t deny me when I need their help.”
    “That’s crazy talk!” Jamie looked scandalized. “I’d never let you out on the street like that. In fact, I’m kind of happy you don’t have anywhere else to go. That way, you’ll never leave us again.”
    I frowned. “And you said my plan was a crazy talk.”
    Jamie grinned.
    My heart went pitter-patter. Damn! That boyish, mischievous smile of his. It wasn’t the smile I remember. Since when did he become so hot?
    Unexpectedly, Jamie reached across to grab my hand and held it tightly. “I don’t want you to go. Ever. Again.”
    The steadfastness in his tone touched me deeply. I’d lived a pretty sheltered life with Sam, and I wasn’t used to people’s kindness. But I was grateful. Lucky even.
    “Uhm, I think at some point you have to let me go. Otherwise, how are we going to get out of the car?” I joked, wagging our hands.
    Jamie squeezed harder. Another mischievous smile blossomed on the corner of his lips.
    I looked away quickly as I felt my cheek heat up.
    This was absurd. Why did I find his smile so freaking attractive?
     
     
    The apartment complex was named Charlene’s Garden in honor of the Codys’ mother. The two-story building had a redbrick façade and special red roof tiles. They were designed with a minimalist style in mind but looked pretty classy for the apartment’s price range. I thought to myself that if my housekeeping job didn’t pan out for some reason, I might ask Jamie if I could be put on the tenant list.
    We stopped at the onsite office, and he introduced me to his staff, but only one person was in the office.
    Jamie put his arm around my shoulders casually. “Hey, Lisa, this is my girl, Simone. Simone, this is the office manager, Lisa. We’ll probably see Greg, he’s my partner, and Carlos, he’s our foreman, out back. We’re working on the drainage pond today with the welder subcontractor.”
    I was oblivious to Jamie’s insinuation until I realized that the office manager saw me in a different way. “Oh, I’m the Codys’ new housekeeper. I used to be their babysitter a long time ago.”
    Lisa smiled, but it didn’t seem she really believed I was a housekeeper. Perhaps I wasn’t dressed like people in that trade. I caught Lisa secretly scrutinizing the Burberry blouse I wore and the custom-made Saville Row loafers on my feet.
    Before I left New York, I sold most of the high-ticketed