Half Buried Hopes

HANNAH: Beau Shaw is a Grade-A jerk. Working for him is hell. Living under his roof is worse. If it weren't for Clara, the little girl who's stolen my heart, I'd have walked away a million times over. But I can't leave her. She's given me warmth, magic, and a home I never imagined, even if I'm only the nanny. That's a fact Beau reminds me of every day. He shows me what I am—an intruder in their fragile little family. They've only just caught their breath after years of drowning, battling a disease that almost stole Clara's light. That battle took whatever heart Beau Shaw had and morphed him into what he is now. Hating Beau should be easy. Instead, behind his icy glares I see a father who almost lost everything—and a hunger that lights me on fire. If he touches me, we'll both be ruined.

BEAU: Hannah Morgan is off-limits. She's too young. Far too good for me. And she's my daughter’s nanny. Hiring her was my first mistake. But the smile she put on my daughter's face ripped away all notions of self-preservation. I'd destroy myself a million times over to give my daughter an ounce of happiness. Because there was a time, not too long ago, when I thought her smiles were numbered. I'd count her breaths, wondering which would be her last. I still live in the darkness of those days.

Hannah Morgan brings sunshine. Hope. But I can't let myself want her. Can't let myself hope sunshine is something I deserve. Make her hate me. That's the goal. Every day she's in my house, I lose my grip. She's stubborn, brave—she's magic. I can't have her. I shouldn't want her. And if I take her . . . I'll never let her go.

Contains mature themes.