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distance than by saying we’re already involved?”
    “Why can’t you just tell them you’re working and can’t fool around on the job?”
    A slow, lethal grin broke out. “Well, for one thing, I’d like very much to fool around, and two, as a celebrity, you turn down a woman and you’re automatically labeled as gay.”
    “Are you for real?”
    He didn’t answer. His eyes just filled with amusement.
    “Oh, for goodness’ sake!” she cried. “A man can say no if he wants to. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
    “Yes. Ridiculous, but true. Not that I’ve ever had to worry about those rumors before.” He grinned sheepishly. “I can’t seem to say no.”
    She gave him an incredulous look. “You’re an infant walking around in a man’s body. You know that, don’t you?”
    “Have you been talking to my agent?”
    Sandra had heard enough, and it hadn’t improved her opinion about him one bit. “Okay.” She dropped her pen and sighed. “That’s it. We’re going to establish some rules. Right here and right now. Got it?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “When you’re here, you’re going to be a preschool teacher—nothing else. You’re not a movie star—you’re barely even a man as far as I’m concerned—you’re an employee. Which means I want you to do your share of the work with the children. Which means I want you to take what you’re doing here seriously and not just for some callous lark or Romeo escapade, which is what I’m sure you’re thinking this is. Which particularly means I don’t want you making any adoring googly eyes at me, my sister, or my staff.” She paused to take a breath, a little surprised at how tough she could make herself sound. “Understand?”
    He stared at her a moment, unblinking and very still. Obviously her words cut deep and irritated him, but she couldn’t worry about his feelings. This was her livelihood they were talking about. From the mutinous look in his eyes, Sandra half expected him to walk out on her right then and there. But then his expression softened, his shoulders relaxed, and he slowly crossed his heart, giving her an almost-perfect Boy Scout grin. “I understand.”
    Unfortunately, his words didn’t give her much comfort.

Chapter Three
    Ben sat, observing the class from the back of the room where he thought he’d set himself up nicely—away from any actual contact with the kids. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to work, he just needed to ease into the whole child-nurturing thing. A concept that still made him queasy.
    “Class, this is…” Missy’s brows pulled together. When no other words followed, she sent him a helpless look.
    He rolled his eyes inwardly at her obvious attempt to keep his name anonymous from a bunch of four-year-olds. “You can call me…Big Bens. Because of my big feet?” he added with a shrug.
    The children laughed, and Missy seemed to love the idea. Score one for him.
    “That’s so cute,” she gushed. “Okay, class, Big Bens here is going to be with us for a few days, so please treat him like you treat me, Miss Carol, and Miss Sandra. Okay?”
    Ben leaned back as he watched tiny heads bob up and down. Oh, man. The whole scene was surreal, sitting in preschool like this. It was the first time in his whole life he’d even attended one. He was going to murder his agent if this turned out to be a waste of time. So far, it seemed okay, since the kids and Missy really liked him.
    Take that, Miss Sandra!
    Ben shifted on the miniature chair and tried to get more comfortable. He was surprised the tiny chair even held him, but then decided to stand so he wouldn’t sprain his buttocks—something he wouldn’t be surprised to hear Miss Sandra was hoping would happen. Sheesh. Talk about your heartless woman. He’d love to know what crawled up that beautiful backside and died.
    Missy wrinkled her nose and smiled at one of the students. She was so perky and sweet she reminded him