Payoff Pitch (Philadelphia Patriots)

by V. K. Sykes

  Teddy got the drift. “Yeah, I know. It could be emotionally risky. Look, the guy is incredibly hot and charming and smart. How could I not be attracted? But I think we’ve got an understanding. He knows what’s on and what’s not.”

  At least she thought he did. As for her understanding…well, she’d let that ride for a while.

  Emma leaned forward with a stern expression pulling at her brows. “Whatever happens, don’t let him mess with you, Teddy. I love you, and I couldn’t stand to see you hurt. Money’s not worth it.”

  For about the hundredth time in the last few months, Teddy realized how lucky she was to have Emma in her life. “It sure isn’t. So, my dear, do I have your blessing?”

  Her roommate snorted as she picked up her beer. “Yeah, but you might end up wishing you didn’t.”

  * * *

  Teddy strode up Noah’s long driveway telling herself not to wimp out of the upcoming discussion. Not the discussion with Noah, of course. If all went according to plan, her news for him should be exactly what he was waiting to hear. No, her anxiety stemmed from her decision to confront Cristina. Heaven only knew how that was going to pan out, and yet it was critical that she come to some understanding with the housekeeper if they were going to live in the same house, a house in which the owner would be absent much of the time.

  She’d decided to give Buster an early walk, mainly to make sure Noah would still be home when she stopped by. Surprising him by showing up unannounced seemed like a cool way to deliver the news, especially since he’d already left two slightly impatient phone messages to ask if she’d made a decision yet. Teddy had been tempted to answer those calls, but the more she thought about moving in with him, the more she struggled with the prospect of dealing with Cristina. In truth, she’d have to interact with the housekeeper a lot more than she would with Noah. From what he’d told her, he was only home for a few hours in the morning when the team was in town, and he hardly ever had a day off. Even when the team didn’t play, which was one day a week at most, he would head to the park anyway to train.

  Her plan was to tell Noah she was very interested in his offer but had to speak to Cristina privately first. Though he’d promised to deal with Cristina, Teddy was far from reassured. Even if Noah cowed the recalcitrant housekeeper into grudging submission, Teddy would still have to live and work in a hostile environment. As much as she wanted to work for Noah, that kind of situation just wasn’t on.

  Cristina opened the door within a few seconds of Teddy’s sharp rap. She looked totally put together in neon green capris, a black cotton blouse and black sandals. For someone who had holed up in her suite all weekend claiming illness, she radiated glowing health.

  The housekeeper’s dark, attractive eyes widened when she saw Teddy, and then she frowned.

  “Hi, Cristina,” Teddy said brightly. “I’d like to speak to Noah if he’s in.” Since his Beamer was parked in the driveway, that seemed a fairly safe bet.

  “I didn’t realize he was expecting you.” The housekeeper didn’t step back to allow Teddy to enter.

  “I was next door walking the Bennetts’ dog and figured I’d see if I could talk to Noah in person instead of calling him. He is expecting to hear from me.” So stop being so damn officious.

  “Oh, I’m sure he must be,” Cristina said with a snide undertone as she stepped aside.

  Ah. Clearly Noah and Cristina had already had the conversation. Teddy was glad since he likely wouldn’t have wanted her to talk to Cristina before he had a chance to prepare the ground.

  “Mr. Noah is in the yard.” The housekeeper added emphasis on the “mister” to contrast with Teddy’s more familiar speech. She led Teddy through to the patio doors and opened them for her.

  His back to her, Noah sat at the glass-topped table drinking coffee as he read the newspaper. Toby was the first to spot Teddy and took off at full gallop from where he’d been nosing around in the deepest part of the yard. A second later, Sadie saw her littermate running and headed for her, too.

  “Hi, guys!” Teddy laughed as Toby launched himself into her, almost knocking her over. She bent down to hug him and then turned her attention to the less exuberant Sadie. “You missed me already, huh?”

  “We all did,” a deep voice said from behind her. “I figure those two were worried you’d abandoned them.”

  Teddy stood up and turned around, almost bumping into Noah’s chest. It was like facing a wall—a warm, hard wall with an outdoorsy masculine scent that made her want to scale it. When Noah didn’t move, she gave him a weak smile and took a step back.

  “The way we bonded over the weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised,” she said. “Actually, I missed them, too.”

  That was something she’d never said about a client’s pet. As much as she loved dogs, she hadn’t met any before now that had elicited that sort of strong feeling on her part. By spending so much time with Toby and Sadie while Noah was in Atlanta, a strong bond had started to form, a sense clearly shared by both human and canine.

  “I didn’t expect to see you today.” His look was a little puzzled but also pleased. When he reached out and took her hand, Teddy almost jumped out of her skin. “Come sit down with me. Can I get you coffee?”

  “No, thanks, I’m at my limit,” she managed. “But I’d like to talk if you have a few minutes.”

  His slight smile widened to a dazzling grin that made her heart thump an extra beat. “For you? Of course.”

  When they reached the circular table, Noah pulled out one of the cushioned metal chairs for her, the one closest to where he’d been sitting. “You’re not going to tell me no, are you?” he said as he took his seat. His legs splayed casually before him, he made a small grimace as he leaned back in his chair and flexed his massive shoulders as if his muscles were tight.

  “You look a little sore,” Teddy said. “Rough day yesterday?”

  “Just normal stuff after a hard training session. Anyway, that’s why God created ibuprofen and icy hot patches,” he joked.

  She got a definite sense that he was holding something back. Not that it was any of her business, but she sure hoped he hadn’t injured his arm again.

  “I thought it best to talk to you in person rather than over the phone.” She forced a small smile even though her heart was hammering away in her chest like a construction crew on deadline. Breathe, idiot, breathe.

  He refilled his mug from the silver carafe and took a quick drink before answering. “Lay it on me, girl.”

  Teddy clasped her hands in front of her, trying for a businesslike look. Okay, mostly to keep them from shaking. “Noah, I spoke to my partner about your offer. To sum up a long discussion, we think our business could accommodate that kind of solution.”

  She knew she sounded cool and formal, but this was a business deal, after all.

  “Terrific,” he said. He seemed to relax a bit. “And I love that word—solution.”

  “But I still have a concern,” she hastened to add.

  He frowned. “Look, if you’re still worried about Cristina, don’t be. I talked to her. She knows the score.”

  Knows the score? What does that mean?

  But Teddy didn’t think it was her place to interrogate him on the nature of his conversation with his housekeeper. “I am a little worried, Noah. If we go down this road, you and I may not see each other much, but Cristina and I will be together a lot. I can live with an uncomfortable situation, I suppose, but I’m not prepared to deal with a hostile one. It won’t work unless Cristina and I can get along. If we can’t, no amount of money can make up for it.”

  “Yeah, I get that, Teddy. What exactly are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that before I give you a final decision, I need to talk to Cristina directly. I need to know that she really is okay with this idea.” When his frown slipped into a scowl, she held up a hand. “Look, Noah, you’ve done all you can in that regard. But I need to talk to her woman to woman. Sense the situation for myself. You can under
stand that, can’t you?”

  He blew out a sigh. “I guess. Cristina’s totally loyal and will do anything I ask of her, but you’re right, she might not always let me know her true feelings. So, sure, go ahead and talk to her. I don’t know if you’ll get much out of her, though.”

  Teddy gave him a grateful smile. “If it works out with her, I’ll be very happy to take you up on your offer.”

  Noah reached a big hand out to her and Teddy shook it, his fingers totally engulfing hers. Oddly enough, neither moved to unlock the clasp until Noah finally loosened his grip—reluctantly, she thought.

  He leaned back in his chair again, his gaze assessing her. “Teddy, I’m sure you’ve already figured out that Cristina is incredibly protective of me. Some kind of mothering instinct, I suppose.”

  Of course she knew that, though she wasn’t sure it had much if anything to do with mothering. Then again, it was none of her business.

  “She’s been with me a long time,” Noah continued. “Almost four years.”

  She raised her eyebrows, surprised to hear that since Noah had moved to Philadelphia much more recently. “Really?”

  “I hired her when I was in Baltimore with the Orioles. When I signed with the Patriots, I asked Cristina if she’d be prepared to come with me and she said yes. Believe me, she’s made my life a lot easier.”

  He unleashed a smile so warm and unconsciously sexy that Teddy’s insides went tight and squishy at the same time. How was that even possible?

  “Just like you are now, Teddy,” he added. “I couldn’t keep doing what I’m doing without great people like you to help me.” He sounded totally sincere—and totally like a boss talking to the hired help.

  Which was fine, she insisted to herself, but the only thing she couldn’t help wondering about was why Noah hadn’t yet married. Surely having a wife to create a home for him would be preferable to having to rely solely on employees? And she had no doubt that if Noah Cade wanted to get married, or even have a live-in relationship, there would be no shortage of women volunteering for active duty.

  Stick to business.

  “Message received,” she said with a smile. “Would it be all right if I talked to Cristina now? Then you and I can talk again.” She paused a moment. “Or, maybe I’ll need to ask for a little more time to think.”

  Noah’s eyes narrowed, but then his magnificent shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. For a few seconds, Teddy was mesmerized by the leisurely slide of toned muscle under his tight tee shirt.

  “Go ahead. But get back to me soon, Teddy, okay?”

  She picked up the subtle warning. “Absolutely. You’ll hear today, one way or the other.”

  When they rose and went into the house, Noah called out to Cristina. As the housekeeper emerged from the pantry, he said, “Cristina, you and Teddy need to talk, so I’ll go back outside now and leave you alone for as long as you need.”

  Cristina blanched but quickly recovered with a tight smile. “Yes, Mr. Noah.”

  Noah gave Teddy a gentle squeeze on the shoulder as he passed, something the housekeeper didn’t fail to notice. Talk about sending a message.

  Unfortunately, it was a message Teddy didn’t want him sending at this moment. She took in Cristina’s rigid posture and knew she had to try to ease the tension that vibrated between them. “Why don’t we sit down, Cristina? And I could sure use a cup of coffee. Would you mind if I got myself one?” She didn’t really want coffee but figured she wouldn’t look as nervous if she had a cup in her hands.

  “As you wish.” Cristina nodded toward the coffee maker.

  “Can I get you one, too?” Teddy said, smiling as she poured a mug. She didn’t think of herself as a wimp, but for some reason this woman continued to intimidate her—probably because she wasn’t used to such open hostility.

  Cristina shook her head. Standing stiffly upright against the edge of the long granite countertop, she waited until Teddy took a seat at the kitchen table before joining her. Not that she looked any less rigid and uncomfortable sitting down.

  “I believe Noah mentioned that he’s offered me the opportunity to live here and take care of the dogs,” Teddy started after taking a tiny sip of coffee.

  “Yes, Mister Noah told me.” Cristina couldn’t seem to help making a point of contrasting the way she and Teddy addressed their boss.

  Teddy gave her an easy nod in reply. “He just said you were okay with me living here. But I told him that I wanted to talk to you myself before making a final decision. You and I didn’t get off to the best start on the weekend, and I know it wouldn’t be easy to have another woman in the house—”

  “Mr. Noah has had many women stay in this house,” Cristina practically spat out, interrupting her. “That is not an issue.”

  O—kay.

  Teddy tried not to register her shock. Not so much that Noah had invited other women to stay here—though the many gave her some food for thought—but the fact that the housekeeper would throw it in her face. It felt mean-spirited and could set the conversation spinning in an even faster downward spiral.

  She leaned forward, refusing to be a pushover. “Look, the only thing I care about, Cristina, is whether you and I can establish a good working relationship and get along day-to-day. I’m sure neither of us wants to live and work in a strained environment, and Noah obviously wouldn’t welcome any friction between us either.”

  “There will be no friction, Miss Quinn,” Cristina said, stone-faced.

  Teddy forced a wry smile. “Really, Cristina, you’ve got to start calling me Teddy. I’m not your boss or one of his girlfriends.” She’d tried all weekend to get the housekeeper to address her by her first name but without success.

  When Cristina didn’t respond, she bit back a sigh. “Okay, I’m glad to hear you say there won’t be any friction, but if I take this job I would very much like for more than just co-existence between us. I’d like us to be able to get to know each other and hopefully even become friends.”

  The housekeeper shot her a look so full of skepticism that Teddy thought she might as well be talking to the back of Cristina’s hand.

  “We have things in common,” Teddy insisted. She didn’t want to say it, but in addition to living in the same house, they were both essentially domestic workers, paid by and subject to the whims of a rich employer.

  Cristina scoffed, peering down her nose with disdain. “Not much. You know nothing about me.”

  “Not yet, but I’d like to.” Teddy was unsure where to take the conversation. Cristina had given a commitment to try to get along—at least to the extent that there would be “no friction”, but was that good enough? She simply didn’t understand why the housekeeper continued to be so damn cold. The woman was totally loyal to Noah, after all, and he’d made it clear to her that he wanted her to work with Teddy.

  Christina didn’t respond, her features as cold and unmoving as marble.

  “Okay, we can leave it at that,” Teddy finally said, trying not to sound exasperated. “But I’d like you to be open and honest with me about one thing before I go.”

  The housekeeper gave her yet another unnerving stare.

  “I want to know why you so obviously dislike me,” Teddy said. “Maybe if I understood the reasons I could do something about it. But I’ll tell you this—the more we talk, the more determined I am to accept Noah’s offer. I thought I wouldn’t if you were against it, but I just can’t see refusing something that would be good for everyone, including you. Not when your hostility makes no sense.”

  Teddy wasn’t used to being so hard-assed, and she had the clammy hands to prove it. She knew she was doing the right thing, though. Cristina’s rigid attitude had firmed her resolve instead of eroding it.

  With a jerky motion unlike her usual calm grace, Cristina stood and walked toward the rear windows of the kitchen. After a few moments, she turned around and expelled a heavy breath. The tension around her lips and eyes made her look several years older. “I don’t want
you to refuse Mr. Noah. He would be very disappointed by that, and he would be unhappy with me. I told him that there would be no problem with you and I meant it. Do you really wish me to say more?”

  Teddy thought she could stand anything if it might somehow help break the tension. “I want to hear whatever you have to say,” she said in a gentle voice that she hoped was also reassuring.

  “Very well.” Cristina widened her stance and put her hands on her slim hips, like she was about to deliver a lecture. “You make me worry, Teddy.”

  Puzzled both by her declaration and the sudden switch to her first name, Teddy frowned but kept her peace.

  “Like I said, Mr. Noah has had quite a few women here. Some have stayed for days at a time.” Cristina briefly dropped her gaze to the floor before raising it back up again. She looked both troubled and defiant. “But I have never seen him look at a woman quite the way he looks at you. That is why you make me worry. I worry about what you could do to him.”

  After a several long seconds, Teddy realized she’d better shut her gaping mouth before she started catching flies.

  - 11 -

  Noah gave a soft tap on the open door before poking his head inside the room. “Anybody home?”

  “Down here,” Teddy said. “On the floor.”

  When he peered around the door to the left, his body quickly snapped to attention. She was on her knees with her head bent low and her arms extended as she carefully applied painter’s tape to the top of the baseboards. Mostly what he saw was her butt hiked in the air, and he liked the sight very much. She had on a pair of tiny shorts in a bright shade of pink that made her ass look like a sweet piece of candy. Her skimpy shirt stopped a good three inches from the waistband of the shorts, revealing her smooth, tanned skin and a delicate, graceful back just begging to be caressed.

  Christ. He was turning as hard as a fence post, something he did not want her to see.