Her Boss's Baby

Chapter One “MR. MARTINEZ IS WAITING for you Miss Louis,” the beautifully dressed woman addressed Sarah with a polite smile and gestured for her to follow. Sarah pushed herself out of the firm leather chair she occupied and followed the woman in the sexy black suit. She envied the confidence it took to wear a suit that was tailored so beautifully. It covered her knees and cleavage, but it highlighted every curve the woman had. She didn’t have a good enough body to get away with wearing anything that tight. If this woman was any indication of the women Enrique Martinez hired, Sarah’s Australian size fourteen bottom would not do! “Good luck,” the beautiful woman said as she headed back to her desk. Inhaling a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy wooden door with as much courage as she could muster. She had been dreading this interview for weeks. “Miss Louis, please have a seat.” A dangerously sexy and lightly accented voice reached her from the far end of the room. It belonged to a man who had his back to her while he stood, searching through a filing cabinet. “Thank you, Mr. Martinez,” Sarah replied as calmly as she could, forcing her unsteady legs to propel her forward. Silently congratulating herself on making it thus far, Sarah sat in the seat opposite his desk. When her potential employer turned around and sat facing her, Sarah's heart leaped in her chest. She had read once that your pupils dilated during physical attraction and for the first time in her life, she wished there was a mirror at hand so that she could check. Enrique Martinez had jet black hair that matched his even darker eyes, olive skin that bespoke his bloodlines, and a square jaw line. Why had no one told her that the infamous Spanish tycoon had a face that looked like angels had designed it? Why hadn’t she found a photo of him before the interview? She may have been more prepared! “Miss Louis, why did you apply for this position?” Sharp and fast, the direct first question broke through the haze of physical attraction like a sharp knife through bread. “Well, I..." Where was her greeting? Where was the question as to her wellbeing? “Miss Louis if you cannot answer a simple question, I doubt you will be able to instruct my niece in the English language.” Sarah’s mouth dropped open. He'd just insulted her. Her spine stiffened. She had almost perfect scores in English in her graduating year at University, and he was insinuating that she couldn’t hold a conversation? Well, beauty certainly was only skin deep after all! “Then allow me to answer the question more succinctly, Mr. Martinez.” Sarah lifted her nose in the air. She wanted to walk out when she saw the corners of his mouth lift in a goading smile, but instead she clenched her hands into fists and let his arrogance strengthen her resolve. “I applied for this position because the timing was perfect. Also, because I was interested in moving to a country I had never lived in before. My previous charge, whom I have been with for three years, has begun school and her parents have chosen to take a more active role in her life.” Sarah's chest tightened with each word she spoke. How dare he insult her? “Why would living in Spain interest you?” Enrique asked her, leaning back in his chair, studying her. He flicked his eyes over her, and Sarah's anger rose in her belly. “I have never been to Spain, but some of my best friends have. They all tell me it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I don’t speak Spanish. However, your advertisement said it wasn’t necessary.” “Do you believe you are right for this position Miss Louis?” Sarah looked him straight in the eye. “Yes.” She had no doubts. Enrique studied her for a moment before asking, “Why?” He lifted one eyebrow up in the air, and Sarah's temper melted like an ice block in a hot house. He was too attractive for her sanity. “I believe my references speak for themselves, Mr. Martinez,” Sarah repeated with another uplift of her chin. Enrique gestured for her to continue. She let out a small sigh and gave into his silent request. “I have worked with three separate children as their full-time nanny. They were all your niece’s age. I specialized in the preschool years in my studies and found myself to be excellent at interacting with that age child. You can ring anyone of my previous employers, and they will give me a reference.” “We already have Miss Louis; that is why you are here. The people I spoke to said that you enhanced the life of their child. However, what I want you to tell me is why you are unique enough to be hired for this role?” She inhaled sharply, why did his rudeness keep surprising her? “I am not going to list off my qualities to you, Mr. Martinez. My resume was obviously enough to get me this interview. I am not a vain person and find it insulting that you would ask me to sell myself to you by listing virtues with no proof as to their truth. If you have a specific question, ask away.” Sarah loved the shock she saw written in Enrique's wide brown eyes. So glad, in fact, she thought she just might do a jig on the table. Sarah kept her eyes fixed on the man in front of her. No way was she going to be intimidated. Even if he was the most good-looking man she had ever laid eyes on. He would have to be six foot three inches tall, with shoulders as broad as a footballers. Why was he giving her such a hard time? Could she handle living with a man whose eyes made her stomach quiver, but whose rudeness made her want to smack him like a 5-year-old child? That last thought brought a smile to her lips. Smacking him, now wouldn't that be fun? “What’s amusing, Miss Louis?” Enrique snapped. “Am I not allowed to smile, Mr. Martinez?” Sarah asked sweetly, feeling powerful and a little giddy. “Of course, you are.” Sarah waited for her prospective employer to get his temper under control and waited for him to continue. She wasn’t apologizing for anything. “How do you discipline the children you look after Miss Louis?” “It depends on what they have done wrong.” Sarah chewed on her lower lip, trying to remember the times she had disciplined her charges. They weren’t many once she established a good rapport. “Most of the time I give them a time-out or take something from them that they care about. Although positive reinforcement for only good behavior often works better. It depends on the child. I have never physically disciplined a child. I have found that if you learn what that child likes, you can use it to your advantage. Have there been problems, Mr. Martinez?” He coughed and avoided her gaze while he shifted in his chair. “My niece may only be three years old, but since her parents’ death a month ago, she had become more and more disobedient. Throwing tantrums and screaming as loud and as often as she can.” Sarah nodded, that was not uncommon in most three-year-olds, let alone ones who had experienced such a trauma. “I have been taking care of three-year-olds for a long time; I’m sure Amalia and I will get along fine.” She smiled to reassure him, the man that she was beginning to see as not only a potential employer but a worried uncle and new guardian. “That is all I need to know. Are there any questions you have about me?” “Yes, I do, Mr. Martinez. I would like to know how I will be treated. Will I be sent to live in a guest house at the other end of your property or will I live in the main part of the house? Will I eat with you or with the kitchen staff? Will I have one or two days off a week? Will I travel with you if you take your niece? Are you away from home a lot? Generally, what am I to expect from working for you?” She watched his eyes widen, and he cleared his throat, again. “Miss Louis, I have to be honest with you, I really can’t answer many of those questions right now. My sister died a month ago, leaving her daughter in my care. I have never hired a nanny and know little of what is expected. You tell me what works best for you and we’ll go from there.” He looked a little sheepish, and Sarah found herself drawn into his jet–black eyes as they opened enough for her to see a glimpse of self-doubt and, was that a touch of fear? “Well...” Sarah began, thinking quickly about what she wanted. “I would prefer to live in the main house somewhere away from your main bedroom but close to your niece, if that is possible. I am happy to work six days and only have one day off, with the proviso that I can take more time off if needed. I tend to like to eat with my charge, wherever that is. As far as travel goes, I will go wherever your niece is. If you want her with you, we will accompany you. If not, I will look after her at home. She will be my priority; I can promise you that.” Sarah gave Enrique her sunniest of smiles. Her prospective employer shifted in his chair and looked away. Well, that didn't go quite as planned. He opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a contract, then laid it out in front of her. “Miss Louis, if you have no other questions, you are hired. I have a contract here for you to read. You may take it home and bring it back signed next week.” Pardon? She had the job? After bullying her through the weirdest interview she had ever had, the man was hiring her? Standing up and extending her hand, Sarah decided it was time to leave before he changed his mind. “Thank you, Mr. Martinez, I will.” His hand touched hers, and her center melted. The attraction she had been trying to deny since she had seen him flared to life. Fire licked up her thighs and centered between her legs, her core throbbing with an awareness entirely foreign to her. She was in trouble. Big. Trouble. Giving him a small nod and pulling her hand from his hot grasp, Sarah turned on her heel and rushed out of his office as quickly as her legs would carry her. She may be inexperienced with men, but she knew when one was attracted to her. Could she live and work so close to this man when the attraction between them was so obvious? Of course, you can, who are you trying to fool? He may look at you, but he probably looks at a million other girls the same way. Sarah sternly reminded herself that she was the nanny! She was one step above a housekeeper, a servant. Sarah took a deep breath and put her life back into perspective. Enrique Martinez was a millionaire, and she was the nanny. Case closed. ****