by Hailey North
Sunday evening. Two weeks since she’d gone with him to hear Violet.
Two weeks since they’d made love.
“You’re looking pretty pensive,” Toya said.
“Oh, excuse me,” Sami said. “Just thinking.”
“Hmm. What’s the magical Mr. Chase doing this afternoon?”
“He’s sailing. He invited Emile and Nathalie. And me.”
“And you chose J & J over that treat?”
Sami made a face at her friend. “You know our rule. No dumping plans with girlfriends because a guy asked us out.”
“And look at your reward,” Toya said, an impish gleam in her eyes. “Time with Flynn, which I’d have to say looks like a darn good consolation prize.”
“He’s a playboy,” Sami said. “And proud of it.”
“Maybe so,” Toya said.
A buzzer sounded. Toya reached for one of the remotes and pressed a button. In a few minutes, Flynn knocked at the door and Toya buzzed him through the entrance. “Handy technology,” she said, with a grimace, pointing at her very pregnant belly.
“All set for the main course,” Flynn said. “Ready?” He held out his hands and each twin grabbed hold.
“Have fun,” Toya said. “And thank you both so much.”
“No worries,” Flynn said.
Sami brushed a kiss over her friend’s forehead. “Back at six.”
“Angels,” Toya said, waving good-bye to her twins.
Angels was not the adjective Sami would have chosen as the most accurate to describe the twins. Just the process of mediating which twin got the car seat behind the driver versus the one behind the front passenger was exhausting. What difference it made was not clear to Sami. After ten minutes of debate, Sami was ready to forget her clever idea of driving them to her apartment. There was a pool at Toya’s condo complex.
Flynn had strolled away to inspect a vintage Corvette. When he returned, he obviously took in the situation in a glance. “Time for rock, paper, scissors,” he announced.
Jadon and Jamila immediately quit arguing and did as he instructed. Jamila won and chose the seat behind the driver. Jadon made a face. Flynn swept him up and deposited him inside the Volvo and had him fastened in in no time flat.
Sami followed with Jamila. “Impressive,” she said over the toddler’s head. “Have you actually done this before?”
He shrugged, gave Jadon a fist bump and closed the car door.
Sami finished securing Jamila. Flynn was a natural with children. Much more so than she, who longed to create her own family. She walked slowly around to the passenger side. Why did he fight the idea so much? She sighed and took her seat.
Flynn was gazing straight ahead, eyes covered by his dark glasses. “Ready?”
She nodded. She studied his cheekbones, his shock of red hair, and his lips, so swift to turn up in a smile, so hot and greedy when he’d kissed her. Oh, yes, she was ready. Sami swallowed, licked her top lip, and then quickly turned her head to look out the window. How inappropriate of her to be salivating over Flynn Lawrence. She was babysitting. She had a duty to pay attention.
“Dollar for those thoughts,” Flynn said, so that only she could hear.
Sami turned toward him. Her mouth curved into a smile. “Oh, they’re worth more than that,” she said, her voice a whispery tease. She wanted to make him want her. She wanted to make him suffer a bit—no, more than a bit, for running away from her.
He cleared his throat.
“Where are your dogs?” Jadon said.
Sami shifted towards the back seat. “At my apartment.”
“You live in an apartment?” Jamila piped in. “Not a house?”
“Right now I live in an apartment,” Sami said.
“Not everybody has a house,” Jadon said. “Not everybody has a dog. We don’t have a dog.” He stuck his jaw out at an argumentative angle. “I want a dog.”
“You have cats,” Sami said.
Jadon stuck his tongue down his throat and made a gagging noise.
Jamila giggled and did the same.
“Can we get ice cream?” Jadon said.
“Well,” Sami said, wondering if Toya had rules about sweets. She should have asked, but she’d been thinking about Flynn instead of concentrating on her assignment. “Does your mother let you have ice cream?”
“Please,” Flynn said. “What kid doesn’t get ice cream?”
“My friend Angelina doesn’t,” Jamila said. “She’s a vegan.” She had a little trouble pronouncing the last word but fought through it.
“Vegan Schmegan,” Jadon said. “She’s from outer space.”
“You are so dumb,” his sister said. “Vegan means she doesn’t eat eggs or milk.”
“Boring,” Jadon said. “Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream.”
“Your call,” Flynn said, smiling at Sami.
Sami looked from one expectant face to the other. “Who knows the correct way to ask for something?”
Jadon rolled his eyes.
“Please,” Jamila said. “Please may we have ice cream?” She folded her hands and gave Sami a beatific smile, which she followed by sticking her tongue out at her brother.
Sami pulled out her phone to locate the closest ice cream shop. Of course a stop meant getting them in and out of their car seats. “There’s a market about two blocks from here,” she said. “Would you run in and buy a carton? We can eat at the pool.”
“Sure,” Flynn said. He jerked a thumb toward the back seat. “But each of them is going to want something different. Kids always do.”
“Oh,” Sami said. “As an only child, I haven’t experienced that phenomenon first-hand.”
He grinned. “And last summer these two were only two so they hadn’t gotten as verbal?”
“What kind of ice cream do you want, Jamila?” Sami asked.
“Vanilla with M&Ms mixed in.”
“Chocolate S’Mores,” Jadon said.
Flynn nodded. “See?”
“There’s a Sonic,” Sami said. “Car service.”
“Clever idea,” Flynn said. He pulled into the lot and found a spot shaded by the overhang of the building. “Time to order. Sami, what’s your pleasure?”
“Vanilla cream, small,” she said. You, a wistful voice inside her head added.
“No extras?” Flynn cocked his head.
“I’ve never added anything,” she said. “As a matter of fact, it’s not my habit to visit Sonic.”
“Just Mickey D’s?”
“That’s for the dogs,” Sami said.
“If you could add anything in the world to your plain vanilla, what would it be?”
Flynn was looking at her in a way that made her feel throughout her whole body that he wasn’t asking just about ice cream toppings. Sami sighed and shifted her gaze toward the outside of the car. She stared at the menu board, but she wasn’t seeing the offerings pictured there. She was seeing Flynn walking the dogs for her at the Hilton, Flynn sending breakfast on a tray, complete with dog biscuits, Flynn holding her while she read Nathalie’s journal, Flynn kissing her, lifting her atop him on the frilly blue bed. But Flynn wasn’t here in the car with her because he wanted her—he was here to chauffeur her and the children, out of his general thoughtful behavior. He’d no doubt do the same for the caretakers or an office assistant.
Sami snapped back to the present and rolled the hem of her shorts. Without meeting his eyes, she said, “Just vanilla. Plain, please.”
“’kay,” he said, his voice curt. He rang the red service call button and gave the three ice cream requests, adding an ice tea for himself.
Sami wanted to ask him why he’d skipped a sweet treat, but she held her question. She had no need or reason to learn anything more about Flynn, about his tastes or preferences or goals or desires. Chase was the man in her life, the man in her future. She shivered slightly. Everything she’d wanted, she was achieving. There was nothing but brightness and happiness ahead of her. Chase was charming and
handsome and successful. He was out on his sailboat with her parents right now, as she sat there pondering her feelings. She knew they found him perfect.
As did Sami.
The car hop appeared. Flynn handed her cash as Sami fumbled in her purse.
“I got this,” he said, and in turn passed the treats to the kids and to Sami. To the car hop, he said, “Keep the change.”
A grin split her face. “Thanks!” She skated away.
Generous. Thoughtful. Lovable.
“Thank you, Mr. Flynn,” Jamila said.
“Thank you, Mr. Flynn,” Jadon said.
“You’re welcome,” Flynn said. “You, too, Sweet Stuff.”
“I was about to voice my appreciation,” Sami said.
“You’re back to those adorably proper and somewhat convoluted sentences,” Flynn said, backing the car carefully from the parking spot. “Anything heavy on your mind?”
Sami took a sip of her vanilla cream. There was no point in sharing her thoughts with Flynn. She had her pride. She didn’t want him to think she’d needed him to spend the night with her, the amazing night they’d made—no, not made love. Screwed. That word was one she despised. But surely that’s all it had been to Flynn. She took another sip, way too much in one swallow, and the brain freeze hit her squarely between the eyes. “Oh, my!” she said, holding a hand to her already battered head.
“Careful,” Flynn said. “It’s not just playing with fire that’ll get you burned.”
“Mom and Dad say we’re not supposed to play with fire,” Jadon announced.
“Of course, you’re not,” Sami said, turning toward the back seat, grateful for the interruption. “That was just an expression of speech.”
Jamila wrinkled her precious and precocious little face. “Isn’t all speech an expression?”
“You kids sure you’re only three?” Flynn made the turn into the gated drive and pulled close enough to punch in the code. “I think you’re grownups shrunk into little-size bodies.”
Jadon laughed and ice cream sprayed all around.
“Not so grown-up,” Sami said, looking around for some tissues.
Flynn handed her some napkins from the drive-in and rolled the car through the opened gate and up the drive. Sami dabbed the spots. She was still working on the effort as Flynn parked and released the twins from their car seats.
She got out of the car, holding the crumpled napkins and her vanilla cream. “Thank you for driving us,” she said to Flynn. “And for the ice cream. Should I call or text you when we’re ready to head back? I do appreciate your offer, though I feel as if the swelling in my eye has lessened and that I am perfectly able to drive.”
“Shh,” Flynn said. “Who wants to go swimming?”
“You’re staying here?” Sami knew her question sounded less than welcoming. “Don’t you have appointments? Meetings?” Hot dates?
He shrugged. “It’s Sunday in the south. Not the best time for business.”
“I’ve got my swimsuit on under my shirt,” Jamila said. “Where’s the pool?”
“Let’s go upstairs first,” Sami said. “You may meet the dogs and I’ll change.”
“Dogs!” Jadon headed to the stairs, his legs pumping. “Yes!”
Sami heard the barking already rocking her apartment. She herded Jamila up the stairs behind her twin, held on to them and opened the door, prepared for the Corgi to rush out to see what all the excitement was about.
Flynn lifted a hand. “Catch you at the pool,” he said, and strode away.
What a fool he was. Flynn thought he could handle being around Sami, knowing she was out of his reach. Crossing the drive toward the pool house, he cursed himself for the idiot he knew himself to be. He ought to leave the estate and head straight to the Hilton, take care of business the next day and fly nonstop to LAX. And stay there, even if it meant handcuffing himself to his LA office.
Why couldn’t he keep away from Sami? Why couldn’t he enjoy the many other women who’d be happy to party with him?
Flynn stopped in front of the pool house, one hand on the door knob.
He didn’t want to party with women who didn’t matter.
He wanted to spend days and nights with Sami. Wanted to watch the thoughtful, sometimes puzzled expression on her face as she analyzed whatever topic was foremost in her mind. Wanted to slip an arm around her and pull her close, just to enjoy the nearness of her sweet self. Wanted to make wild, mad, passionate love. Wanted to wake up next to her.
Shit.
Flynn yanked open the door.
Never once in his life had he thought in those terms about a woman.
He stomped into the pool house, yanked his overnight bag onto a wicker chair and tossed the contents around till he found his swim trunks. He lifted them out, kicked off his shoes, and then halted.
What the fuck was he doing?
He needed to get the hell away. He needed to escape his crazy thoughts.
He needed to run.
Flynn kicked his bag off the chair and dropped into the seat.
Run.
Run away.
Exactly the way his sorry-ass birth father had done.
He’d always known, deep down inside, that’s what he would do if he ever got truly involved with a woman. He wouldn’t be able to handle the fear that he’d be out the door, stranding someone he cared for and someone precious who was depending on him.
He didn’t need a frigging degree in psychology to understand why he’d always been a playboy.
He wished he could tell Sami what was racing through his mind. He’d be willing to bet she’d help him process, help him understand.
But then what?
He couldn’t tell her she was the woman he wanted but that he was afraid he’d fail. Hell, he’d practically thrown her into That Guy’s arms. And she was happy to be there, that was fairly apparent. She’d already introduced him to Emile and Nathalie and met his parents, for Pete’s sake. They might as well be setting a wedding date.
Flynn jumped up from the wicker chair, almost overturning it. He had no right to mess up Sami’s life. Even if she was the perfect person to help him figure out his crazy-minded self, he shouldn’t burden her.
He dropped his pants and briefs and stepped into his swim trunks. Today was for Jadon and Jamila. He’d help Sami with them and drive them safely back to their home.
Then he’d get the hell away from Sami.
She deserved a husband and a family and a man who could provide security for her.
But even as he fastened the cord at his waistband, he knew he couldn’t walk away.
“Jerk,” he said under his breath. “You don’t want to give her what she wants, but you don’t want her to have it with some other guy.”
He ran his hands through his hair and decided to quit thinking. He was doing such a poor job, what difference did it make?
“Mr. Flynn! Hurry up!”
Flynn turned at the sound of Jadon’s voice coming from the pool deck and at the Corgi barks accompanying him. “Be right there,” he called.
Luckily, thanks to the splashing battles between the twins and diving competitions and water polo matches, Flynn managed to mostly quit thinking about anything other than having fun with the kids. Except for every time he’d catch sight of Sami in her bikini, and then he’d have to dive underwater to force his eyes shut.
Laughing, Sami climbed the pool ladder and dropped onto one of the chaises. Flynn remained in the pool with the twins, obviously inexhaustible. They’d been cavorting like dolphins for several hours, only stopping when Sami insisted on refreshing their sunscreen, much to Jadon’s disgust.
Jamila was riding on Flynn’s shoulders, tossing a water polo ball toward her brother. She was giggling and smiling and holding onto Flynn’s ears.
Flynn bobbed in the water and helped her evade Jadon’s swift return toss. Flynn seemed so at ease, so at home with the kids in the water.
Sami blinked. It wasn’t just the droplet
s of pool water she was clearing from her eyes. She lifted the edge of a towel and dabbed at her face. Flynn was denying himself the joy of his own children.
“Stupid man,” she said under her breath. She stood up, wrapped a towel around her waist and called, “Time to dry off.”
“Not yet!” Jadon yelled.
“Can’t be,” his sister added.
Flynn sketched a salute. “We heard the sergeant, troops. Outta the water we go.”
To Sami’s amazement, Jadon swam to the edge and hopped out and Jamila didn’t complain as Flynn lifted her over his shoulders and onto the pool deck.
“Can we do this again next weekend?” Jamila gazed with obvious hero worship at Flynn.
He climbed out of the pool. “Let’s enjoy today and let tomorrow take care of itself.”
Jamila wrinkled her nose. “Can tomorrow really take care of itself?”
Flynn winked and whispered, “I guarantee it, but don’t tell. It’s our secret.”
Jamila made a lip-zipping motion.
Sami handed towels out and helped the twins dry off before they headed up to her apartment. When they reached the top of the stairs, followed by the dogs, she realized Flynn had joined them, unlike before they’d gone to the pool. Pausing before she led the kids to the bathrooms to change out of their wet suits, she said, “There’s orange juice in the refrigerator. Will you pour some for everyone?”
His smiles and laughter from the swim time had vanished, but he nodded and walked toward the refrigerator, a towel draped around his swim trunks.
Sami helped the twins into their dry clothing, bagged their swim gear, and sent them to the kitchen. She was unfastening her bikini top when she heard Ruby break into a barrage of barks. Hurriedly, she yanked off her bikini and pulled on the first top and shorts she spotted lying on her closet shelf.
Ruby was still barking and the other two dogs had joined in when Sami hurried down the hall and into the living room.
To her surprise, Chase stood inside the doorway, attempting to shush Ruby. Jadon and Jamila, seated at the kitchen island, were giggling and clapping their hands, which did nothing to quiet the situation. Flynn leaned one hip on the island, observing quietly.
