My mother only wanted me to learn one lesson growing up...

Men are trash.

Her father left her and then my father left us. Being raised by her and my grandmother I was surrounded by the reminder to be independent and guard my heart.

After my one and only experience with a boy in college fell flatter than a pancake I realized they were right - and I was content to live the life of a twenty-six-year-old cat lady.

Until Will Perry blew my quiet world to smithereens.

Starting goalie for the Tampa Bay Ospreys and the kind of hot that scrambles your brain all I was ever supposed to be to him was his daughter's kindergarten teacher. Then in a twist of events his temporary nanny.

But temporary turns to permanent and when I move into his pool house everything changes.

He's impossibly grumpy and focused on only two things: hockey and taking care of his daughter. I'm only focused on using this new income to pay back my student loans.

But in that house I feel his heated gaze beneath that permanent scowl the way it lingers and warms my skin. And though I know my mother would lose her mind if she knew my dreams have become midnight fantasies about my long-haired muscle-lined mystery of a boss.

When the tension becomes too much we break and we make a deal.

He still needs a nanny. I still need a paycheck and for my matriarchy to not disown me. But Will agrees to teach me everything I've always wanted to learn and I'm all too eager to be his student.

I can do this. I'm a grown woman. I can explore my sexuality with the hottest goalie on earth and still remain one-hundred percent professional. And I can definitely do it all without catching feelings.

I have to.

Otherwise I'll end up heartbroken in my mother's arms while she shakes her head and asks me if I'll ever learn my lesson.