The Dragon’s Brave Nanny (Mysteries of Dragon’s Island #4)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

***KEITH***

K eith put the diaper bag down on the pile he’d made next to the door, then went into the kitchen, where Stella had just finished feeding Jordan breakfast. “It's your turn for the shower, and you’d better hurry. We’re supposed to be at the job site in an hour,” he said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. “I’ll get Jordan dressed while you’re getting ready; I already packed all his stuff.”

“Hold on,” she said, a look of surprise on her face. “Where are we going? I thought you’d be working today.”

“I am, and so are you,” he said. “That is, if you want to.”

“Keith, I don’t understand,” she said. “What are you talking about?”

“You helping me with the plans for the expansion,” he said, grinning at her. “What you came up with was revolutionary. You did what I couldn’t do, and I’m hoping that you’ll let us use it.”

“I told you I was just messing around. I don’t even know if it could work,” she said, shaking her head. “Besides, this is your job, not mine. I don’t want to take over, that wouldn’t be right. ”

“You won’t be taking over, Stella,” he said. “We’ll be collaborating, working together. I need your brains, well, and a few other things, but we’ll get to that later.”

A blush appeared on Stella’s cheeks. “You don’t mind that…well, I figured it out instead of you?” she asked. “I mean…some men…they don’t like that I’m smarter than they are.”

“Oh, sweetheart, my ego isn’t that big,” he said, pulling her out of her chair. “If fact, I think your brains are just about as sexy as the rest of you. I’m not ashamed to admit that you’re smarter than I am. The truth is, it makes me strangely proud. I mean, if someone as smart as you picked me, I must be doing something right.”

Stella laughed, then slipped her arms up around his neck. “Fine, you talked me into it,” she said. “But I really meant it when I said I didn’t know if it would work. There are still a lot of things we have to figure out before we can start building. I have to run the numbers a few more times, so a computer would be really helpful.”

“Max is bringing his laptop,” he said, grinning at her. “I know this is going to work, Stella. Maybe not the exact plans you made, but something close, something that’s going to blow everyone away.”

“And put your company on the map,” she said, grinning back at him. “I guess things really do work out in the end.”

Keith was silent for a second, a thoughtful look on his face. “You know, it stopped being about that a long time ago,” he finally said. “Now I just want to build the best staff housing we can. I don’t care about the money; I don’t care about the publicity. I just want to do what I’m good at and enjoy myself.”

“Well then, what are we waiting for?” Stella asked. “Let’s go look at this job site. ”

“Not so fast, now that we’ve got business handled,” he said. “I think we have a few minutes for something personal.”

“Something personal, that sounds interesting,” she said, then looked over at Jordan. “Just don’t forget we have an audience.”

“I’ll settle for a kiss then, even though I’m very curious about what’s under those pajamas,” he said, pulling her closer. “I don’t suppose you’d like to give me a little peek.”

“You’d better settle for that kiss,” she said, pulling his head down and ending the conversation.

When they arrived at the job site, Max was waiting for them and waved them over to the shade of some palm trees where he’d set up a table and some chairs. “I’ve got coffee, cold water, snacks, and a picnic for lunch,” he said, taking the travel crib and the diaper bag from Keith. My computer is charged up and ready. I connected it to the satellite before I came over. Is there anything I missed?”

“Sounds like you’ve got it all covered,” Stella said. “I know this may seem a little confusing, and I wish I could explain, but well…it’s better if I don’t.”

“Don’t worry, I know all about secrets. If you’re not ready to share yours for whatever reason, I understand,” Max said. “Frankly, I’m just relieved that you’re going to bail us out of this mess.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t exactly call my plans a mess,” Keith objected. “It’s not my fault the ministry was being difficult.”

“Sorry, buddy,” Max said, grinning at him. “But you have to admit, Stella’s plans have a lot more flair than yours did.”

“I’ll admit nothing,” he said, grinning. “Now, let’s get to work.”

He let Max give Stella a tour of the area he wanted to use while he got Jordan set up, then took the baby swimming, knowing that there was no way to keep him away from the water. They splashed and waded in the waves, Jordan squealing with delight, then he took him deeper and let him paddle around in his life jacket until he began to get tired. He emerged from the water with the baby in his arms and headed back to their little camp, feeling like a nap himself after all the roughhousing with his son.

Stella was waiting for them, a cold water bottle in one hand, a big fluffy towel in the other, and he was filled with the warmth of his love for her. It took his breath away for a second, and he started to resist the urge to kiss her, then stopped himself. Pulling her into his arms, enjoying the way she squealed when he got her all wet, he planted a big kiss on her lips.

***Stella***

“What was that for?” Stella asked, brushing the water off her face and laughing.

“Just because I can,” he said, then kissed her again. “That one was because you’re the most beautiful woman on the island.”

“Keith, we’re supposed to be working,” she said, but there was a blush on her cheeks and a smile on her face. “Now let me go. I’m getting soaked.”

“Fine, but there’s nothing wrong with mixing business and pleasure,” he said. “It keeps us healthy and happy.”

Stella rolled her eyes at him, then wrapped the baby in a towel, “This one looks like he’s ready for a nap,” she said, giving the baby a kiss. “I’ll give him a snack first. I bet he’s hungry after all that swimming.”

Keith followed her over to the blanket she’d spread on the ground, “So, you’ve had a few hours to look around. What do you think?” he asked, sitting down next to her. “Will your tree house idea work?”

“I think so, but there are still a few details I need to work out,” she said. “I need to do some research on the trees, and I had a few ideas about the bathroom situation that I wanted to look into. Right now, I’ve got so many ideas running through my head I can’t get them all organized. I need some more time to sort it all out.”

“We’re on island time, remember?” he asked, lying down, putting his hands behind his head, and closing his eyes. “Take all the time you need; you can’t rush genius, you know.”

“Hey, don’t you dare fall asleep. I have a million questions for you,” Stella said, poking him in the ribs. “Max went back to his office, but he’s sending someone to watch Jordan for a few hours so we can go over what I’m thinking. Sometimes what I envision on paper doesn’t work in the real world. I don’t usually find out until the project is started, so this will be nice. You can tell me where I’ve screwed up before we even start.”

Keith rolled over and leaned up on one elbow. “I bet you don’t screw up that much,” he said. “But I’d love to know what you’ve got in mind. I’m all yours for as long as you need me, and I hope that’s a long time.”

She felt herself blushing. “Keith, if you keep saying things like that…” her words trailed off when a young woman appeared out of the trees and began walking toward them.

“Hi, I’m Tiffany,” she called, waving at them. “Max sent me over to watch Jordan for a few hours so you two can work. I’m fully trained and licensed, and I’ll take good care of him.”

“Wow, Max thinks of everything,” Keith said, sitting up. “Do a lot of people bring their kids to the island?”

“A few,” Tiffany said with a shrug. “I work part-time in the café, too. It’s kind of a cushy job, if you want to know the truth. Max pays well enough that this job is going to put me through college.”

“I worked as a nanny the whole time I was going to school, too,” Stella said. “With the right people and kids, it can be a very rewarding way to pay the bills. Jordan is an angel. You’re going to love him. He’s been swimming all morning, so he may nap most of the time.”

“That’s fine, I brought some homework. I’ll just hang out with him while he sleeps and work on that,” Tiffany said, smiling at the baby. “You are a handsome little man. You look just like your dad; I bet you’ll be stealing the girls’ hearts in no time at all.”

“He’s already got mine,” she said, giving the baby a kiss. “If you’re hungry, Max left enough food for an army, help yourself.”

“Thanks, that’s another perk of working here,” Tiffany said. “Best food ever.”

They all laughed, “Well, if everything is all set here, let’s get started,” Keith said, getting to his feet. “Just let me throw on a tee shirt and some shoes.”

As soon as they were out of sight, Keith pulled her into his arms, then without even giving her a chance to catch her breath, he slammed his mouth down on hers. She sighed and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, kissing her with a hunger she’d never felt from any other man. The passion between them burst to life. The world melted away as she was swept up into the pleasure of his kisses, the feel of his hands roaming over her body so natural.

When his hand found her breast, she didn’t pull away this time. All the walls between them had come down, all the secrets exposed, and nothing held her back. Giving into the need pulsing deep inside her, she ran her hands up and down his chest before dipping them lower to explore his swollen manhood. Gasping when he retaliated by stroking her hard nipple with his thumb, she felt her knees beginning to tremble and was forced to cling to him or tumble to the ground .

When he released her a few minutes later, their chests were both heaving with suppressed need, and she buried her face in his chest, trying to catch her breath, not ready to let him go yet. Keith wrapped his arms around her, and they stood in the shade of a palm tree for a long time. No words between them necessary. They’d both felt the power of what they shared.

“This is the real thing,” Keith finally said, tipping her chin up. “I’ve never felt anything like that, Stella, and I don’t know how much longer I can wait to have you in my bed.”

“Hmm…what’s wrong with my bed?” she asked, grinning up at him. “Do we even need a bed?”

“Don’t tempt me, woman,” he growled at her. “If my son and Tiffany weren’t down on the beach, we wouldn’t even be discussing beds now. In fact, there wouldn’t be any talking.”

A wave of desire welled up inside her, so powerful it stole her breath. “You have to stop talking like that,” she finally said. “Less talk and more action would be nice, Mr. Sanders.”