Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN
ADDISON
Shit, shit, shit! How in the hell did I let Alex know I read erotic romance? That is so humiliating, not to mention completely inappropriate! I let my guard down over the course of the day and allowed another incredibly awkward, sexually charged moment to pass between us. What am I doing? I can’t go flirting with my boss—I need this job!
I draw in a few deep breaths to calm myself before starting Tristan’s bath. I can hear Aiden singing in the shower of the bathroom backing up to this one. I counted on my first day here and came up with eight bathrooms in this house. I grew up in a trailer with one for all four of us to share—until my dad moved out, making the line for the shower a bit shorter. But this place is lousy with bathrooms.
Once the bathtub is full, I call Tristan in and listen to his cheerful chatter as he splashes around in the tub and makes his plastic sharks talk to each other. It’s just the distraction I need so I can have a moment without focusing on his damn sexy father.
But those tatted arms stretched across the kitchen island and that smoldering look in his eyes as he quizzed me. Dayum. What’s a girl to do but check him out? I’m only human. This guy is so far out of my league, though, I can hardly see the field he’s playing on, much less engage in this little flirting game with him.
I finish up with the kids and send them downstairs for dinner. I’ve lost my appetite with all the butterflies taking up every inch of my stomach, so I decide to skip dinner and just reappear when it’s time to get the boys ready for bed. I sneak down the hall to my room and close the door behind me, relieved to have the peace and quiet of just me and my beating heart.
My eyes snap open at a strange sound, and I’m completely disoriented. I blink a few times and take in my surroundings before realizing that I’m lying sideways across my four-poster bed, still wearing my bathing suit and cover-up. I fell asleep without meaning to. Shit!
I knife up in bed. The kids! I was supposed to put them to bed. I glance at my wrist for the time, but my watch isn’t there. I took it off at the falls, of course. My feet hit the floor just as a voice sounds from behind me. A voice that sends tingles down my back and right between my legs.
“Don’t.”
I turn my head to see Alex standing in the doorway, a plate in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. He’s showered and changed into another pair of athletic shorts that highlight his tapered waist and muscular thighs. Today’s t-shirt is gray with the Arrows logo emblazoned on the front. These t-shirt companies must use him as a prototype for the perfect fit because he fills out a shirt like nobody’s business.
I still my movements and swallow hard before responding, “Don’t what?”
“Don’t get up.” He takes a step into the room while giving me a look that asks for permission to enter.
I nod and finally regain my faculties, rising to my feet despite his order. “But I have to get the boys into bed.”
“Already fast asleep, kind of like you.” His grin has my thighs clenching. I can’t believe the effect this man has on me. It’s so unfair.
I run a hand over my hair, suddenly realizing what a complete mess I must look like. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
He cuts me off with a firm shake of his head. “It was a long day, and I’m perfectly capable of putting my own kids to bed.” He gestures to my mattress with a movement of his chin since both hands are full. “Sit. Eat. You missed dinner.”
I put my hands up defensively. There’s no way I’m getting back on that bed with this sinfully hot man only feet away. “No. No. I’m fine. I’ll just go tidy up since DeeDee went home early.”
“Sit.” This time, he says it so firmly, my ass is on the bed before I even know what’s happening. Holy crap.
He rounds the bed to stand before me and motions for me to scoot up to the headboard. Then he sets my meal and drink on the bedside table and crosses his arms, his gaze boring through me. What the hell is going on? And why won’t my heartbeat slow its ass down?
“I think I can take it from here,” I force a casual tone. “You don’t have to feed me, you know. Remember the opposable thumbs?” I lift said thumbs as if he needs confirmation.
He only narrows his eyes. “How could I forget? And, as much as the notion of feeding you appeals, I’m just making sure you’re actually going to eat. I don’t want you to waste away.”
I bark out an indelicate laugh, thinking of my generous ass. “Trust me, that’s not likely to happen anytime soon.” This causes him to survey me from head to toe once again, sending my pulse skyrocketing further.
His eyes get that smoldering look again. “That’s gratifying to hear.” He leans in as if about to divulge a secret. “Because I have to say, you’re perfect exactly as you are.” Then he uses his forefinger to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind my ear and lets his hand linger a moment too long before straightening and walking out the door.
I proceed to melt into a giant puddle right there on the bed.
(Oh, shut up. You know you would too.)
I awake the following day with a new resolve to reestablish boundaries between Alex and me. No, Mr. Noble and me. It will have to start with me not using his first name—too familiar. I descend the stairs, dressed in a loose t-shirt and shorts that do nothing to highlight my figure. That’s step number two in my plan.
But I needn’t have worried because Mr. Noble is nowhere to be seen, and DeeDee tells me he’ll be out all day. In fact, he told her he wouldn’t be home for dinner. I feel oddly deflated about that, whether it’s because I can’t enact my grand plan or simply because I want to see him; I refuse to examine it too closely.
The boys invite a friend over, and we enjoy a fantastic day. The hot July sun bathes the lavish pool out back, and I play lifeguard while the kids swim and engage in an epic water gun battle. Then it’s off to the movie theater, where they all eat their weight in popcorn before coming home for “real” food and vegging in the game room in front of their X-box.
DeeDee and I chat a bit about her family. She has two grown daughters, one of whom is getting married next month, so there’s a lot to talk about on that front. I eventually excuse myself to my room to grab my phone off its charger. One look reveals that I have four missed calls and about a dozen texts. Shit. This cannot be good.
I rarely even carry my phone with me unless I’m leaving the house. That’s because, aside from my family, I really don’t have anybody who would have reason to call. I lost touch with my friends from college when shit blew up at home, and it’s hard to make friends when all you do is hang out with kids all day.
Steeling myself, I unlock the phone and read the texts.
Worst Brother in the World:
Why the fuck ain’t you returning my calls???
I changed Vince’s contact name in my phone last year, and I’m never changing it back.
Worst Brother in the World:
Addy call me NOW!
Mom:
Vince needs you to call him. Where are you?
Worst Brother in the World:
Keller needs more cash or we’re fucked.
I stop reading the texts and refuse to even touch those voicemails. I get the drift of the situation. Shit! I mentally calculate the balance in my bank account, certain it won’t be enough. When Keller comes calling, anything under five grand isn’t going to cut it, and I won’t get my first paycheck for this job until next week.
Bile rises in my throat, and my hands shake as I attempt to type out a reply to my brother.
Me:
I can get you 1K but that’s all I have.
The reply is immediate.
Worst Brother in the World:
You know that ain’t enough.
Me:
What do you want me to do?
What does he expect? For me to conjure cash out of thin air? God, how did I end up with such an utter shit for a brother?
Worst Brother in the World:
I know wherever you’re working is fancy as shit. Just take something and I’ll sell it. Those rich assholes ain’t gonna miss it.
Is he serious? Of course, he’s serious. He’s the one who got us into this situation in the first place. I give myself an internal pat on the back for neglecting to tell him where I’m currently working.
Me:
I’m not stealing from my employer, Vince!
Worst Brother in the World:
You want Keller to hurt Mom?
Oh, he knows just what to say. Granted, our mom isn’t the best, but I’d never wish her any harm.
Me:
Of course not! But I can’t steal. That’s the best way to lose this job, and then where would we be?
I have to speak his language instead of explaining how thieves are the lowest of the low. I should know since my brother is one.
Worst Brother in the World:
Fine.
I must be getting through.
Worst Brother in the World:
I’ll find a way to get the rest of the cash. This time.
He’s silent after that, and I feel nausea grip my gut. We’re never getting out of this. We’ll be under Keller’s thumb for the rest of our lives, constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. The bile rises up in my throat again, and I make it to the ensuite bathroom just in time.