“I told you I was.”
“Yeah, but you’ve sat on your dick for nearly ten years so forgive me if I wasn’t confident before.”
A short silence falls as Nate takes in my terse words. “I really am sorry for hurting everyone,” he says quietly.
A knot in my chest that I hadn’t realized existed unfurls. It occurs to me that I’d held a low level grudge against my brother for a long time because every day he was gone, Charlotte’s hurts deepened. She’s my sister in every way but blood and it pained me to see her suffer, particularly after all she’d gone through as a teen. Plus, if she and Nate couldn’t make it, what did it mean for the rest of us fools? That said, who am I to stand in the way of true love? “Fine, but give me a day.”
“Thanks, brother. Love you.” He hangs up. He had a mission and now that it’s successful, he’s moving on to the next step in his plan.
I’d laugh but maybe that’s what I need to do with Lainey. Create a game plan and then execute it, because currently I’m getting nothing but a cold shoulder. As I contemplate this, Lainey’s Honda speeds by me. It must be a sign. I put the sports car in gear and gun the engine, following her home.
“Nick, what are you doing?” she asks when she sees me step out of my car.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. Every time I see her in the flesh, I’m struck anew at how glorious she is even in her Stacks’ uniform of black slacks and black silk shirt. I force my feet to move to the trunk. I pop it open and grab the bag, glad to have something in my hands to prevent me from attacking her.
“I brought a fish present for Cass.”
Her eyes narrow suspiciously. “I’m not telling you where Charlie is.”
Damn. Busted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I bought this plastic aquarium for Cass. She’s expecting it.”
“You’re a menace.”
“A menace bearing gifts.”
“Come on then.” She jerks her head toward the condo’s entrance. As soon as we’re inside, she drops her phone on the counter. I slip it into my front pocket.
The little teenage nanny sidles up to me. “Hey, Nick. I haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks.”
I take a step back. “I’m getting ready for the season to start.”
“You’re going to do so awesome. Do you get to invite people to the games?”
Over the perky blonde’s shoulder, Lainey’s suppressing a laugh. She obviously can tell how uncomfortable I am.
Thankfully, I’m saved when a little ball of curls, soft skin, and ribbons hurtles toward me. I drop the bag and catch the little girl up in my arms.
“Unca Nick!” Cassidy screams.
Her tutu scratches against my stubble as I lift her high and press a dozen kisses against her face while she squeals and kisses me back. Lainey fills my heart. This girl makes it overflow.
“Unca Nick is taking you out for dinner,” I say.
“Dinner!” she squeals. “Let me go. I gotta get dressed.” She wriggles out of my grasp.
“Thanks for everything, Dani.” Lainey opens the door.
Dani takes her sweet old time in gathering her shit up. If this girl’s going to continue taking care of Cass, I need the nanny to know where I stand. I join Lainey, hooking my right hand around the top of the door. In front of me, Lainey sucks in a deep breath and starts to move. I grab her hip and anchor her close.
“If you move, Dani’s going to think you and I are fighting,” I murmur quietly.
“We will be if you don’t give me my phone back.”
“You saw that, huh?”
“I’m a mom. I have eyes everywhere.”
“That sounds uncomfortable.”
“Not as uncomfortable as you’re going to be when I’m done with you.”
“Stop flirting with me in front of the child.”
“Cass is in the bedroom changing.”
“I’m talking about the one you hired.”
Dani approaches with her bag slung over one shoulder. Her gaze catches on my hand gripping Lainey’s hip. I, very obviously, rub my thumb along the hipbone. Dani’s face falls with disappointment. Lainey stiffens and the motion pushes her ass against my dick. I harden immediately. Maybe this was a bad idea by me, but I don’t let go.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” Dani asks quietly.
“Ten would be perfect,” Lainey replies.
Dani peels her eyes away from Lainey’s hip and gives a respectful nod before exiting. The girl might be young but she understands the dynamic here. There’s only one woman that I want and it’s the brunette in my grip. My thumb fits perfectly into the groove where the hip flows into the leg and my fingers find the lush curve of her ass. I pull her back against me until the evidence of my arousal lays flush against her body.