Safe Bet (The Rules #4)

by Monica Murphy

  The photographers are—of course—nowhere to be found.

  “Are you okay?” I ask her once she’s settled in the passenger side seat.

  Fable nods, her expression still dazed. “I fainted.”

  “We’re going to the hospital,” Drew says firmly as he slides behind the steering wheel and throws the car into drive.

  “Where’s Wade?” I ask just as the door is thrown open and he climbs inside, sitting next to me.

  “I’m right here,” he says with a charming smile, one I can’t help but return.

  “Yay, Wade, you made it! If I can hold my pee pee for a few minutes, Daddy is going to give me another lollipop!” Autumn yells, her voice scratchy.

  Drew laughs. So does Fable. Wade chuckles too.

  But I don’t laugh. Nope. Instead, I burst into tears.

  Ah man, she’s crying. I don’t do well with women and tears. My mom wasn’t much of a crier, she was too tough for that most of the time. But when she did actually cry? I always ended up terrified, unsure of how to comfort her. Tears make me uncomfortable.

  Sydney’s quiet tears are shredding me.

  “Hey. Don’t cry,” I say quietly as I scoot closer to her and slip my arm around her shoulders, trying to offer comfort. Her entire body is stiff and she quickly wipes at her cheeks, then brushes her hair away from her face before she turns those big blue eyes on me. They’re shining with unshed tears and her cheeks are splotchy, but otherwise, she looks fine.

  “I’m okay,” she murmurs. “I don’t want to scare the kids. And they have enough to deal with.” She waves a hand toward the front of the car.

  I tilt my head to the right, studying Drew’s profile. His jaw is tight and his mouth is grim but otherwise, he appears to have everything under control. He’s not driving like a maniac, but he is going fast, which I can’t blame him for that. I’d want to get to the hospital ASAP too. He says something to his wife and I tune them out, not wanting to invade their privacy.

  Instead, I focus my attention on Sydney, who’s got her arms wrapped around her middle and is staring out the window. “Are you sure you’re really all right?” I ask, careful to keep my voice low. I don’t want anyone else to hear me, just her.

  She nods and turns to face me, nibbling on her lower lip. It’s a sexy look, her teeth digging into that plump bottom lip, though I know that’s not what she’s going for. She dashes her fingers under her eyes again, catching the last of the tears before she offers me a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”

  “That was scary as hell.”

  “Yeah, it was.” Amusement laces her tone, which I take as a good sign.

  “You handled yourself pretty well.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” She rolls her eyes. “Trust me, I was barely keeping it together.”

  “Same.” I smile, like we share a secret. “Deep down inside I was in full on panic mode.”

  “Me too.” Her smile softens, then completely disappears. “You’ll never believe what happened when Drew and I and the kids left the restaurant earlier.”

  “What?”

  “There were photographers out front, asking all sorts of questions. Like where was Fable, and who was I. They even mentioned me being the nanny, like they already knew. It was weird.”

  “Paparazzi, I guess.” I don’t know what that’s like. No one knows me, no one cares enough about me to chase my ass out of a restaurant and flash their cameras in my face. That happens to Drew and Fable on occasion, though—tonight wasn’t a good night for it, that’s for sure.

  Turns out that’ll be the understatement of the century.

  “Thank you for taking us home,” I say quietly as Wade puts the SUV in park and shuts off the engine. We just arrived at the Callahan house and I’m so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open. But I can feel his gaze on me, studying me, probably ready to ask some question I can’t or don’t want to answer just yet, so I keep my head averted. Too afraid of what I might see if I did happen to meet his gaze.

  Disappointment maybe? I know I’m definitely disappointed over how I acted. I truly believed I wouldn’t crack under pressure, but seeing Fable unconscious on the floor at the restaurant just about did me in. I tried my best to keep it together and I held up for the most part. Thanks to Wade, if I’m being honest with myself. He offered comfort, and then he distracted me, which was a good thing.

  A really good thing.

  Though in the back of my mind, I worried constantly that entire ride to the hospital. About Fable, most definitely. I just hoped that she was okay. But I also worried about myself. About my capabilities when it came to my job. Clearly, I was unable to handle major stress. What if Drew and Fable realize that and fire me? Where would I go? What would I do?

  I told myself to quit worrying about losing my job and focused on actually doing my job. Luckily enough, Jacob fell asleep fast. Someone dug up a lollipop for Autumn and she sucked on that thing all the way home, until she finally crashed out about ten minutes ago.

  So now it’s just Wade and I, and the two sleeping Callahan children. Jacob is softly snoring and he sounds adorable, but I can’t truly focus on the adorableness. I’m still too caught up in my chaotic emotions.

  “You’re welcome,” he finally says, his deep, slightly rough voice sending a ripple of awareness down my spine. “Are you all right? After everything that happened?”

  “I’m fine,” I say with false brightness and a careless shrug.

  When he remains quiet, I can tell he’s not falling for my bullshit.

  “I’m okay,” I say, turning to look at him. He’s watching me, his gaze meeting mine, and I try to offer a reassuring smile. “Really.”

  “I was sort of mean to you earlier. At the restaurant.” He hesitates. “And I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, you were fine. I totally understand. It all happened so fast.” I wave a hand, brushing off his apology, his supposed rudeness. I don’t remember him being mean, but maybe he was? I’m not sure. Everything is still sort of a blur.

  The doubtful expression on his face tells me he still doesn’t believe me, but I can’t worry about this right now. I need to get Jacob and Autumn inside and into their beds. And I’m not looking forward to dealing with two cranky kids who will most likely want their mama once they realize she’s not around.

  Ugh.

  “You need help with Autumn and Jacob? Getting them to bed?” he asks, like he can read my mind.

  I nod, nibbling on my lower lip. This means I will be alone with him in the house for hours—possibly the entire night. What if the hospital doesn’t release Fable right away? I’d fully expect Drew to stay by his wife’s side…

  You can handle this, Syd. This is your job now. You’re a big girl, so act like one, damn it.

  “That would be great, thanks,” I murmur, glancing over my shoulder to check on the children. They both look so content, like little angels. Soon-to-be little angry angels who won’t like being awoken out of a deep sleep, I bet.

  Wade reaches up to push the controller to open the garage door. My gaze snags on his muscular arm, the bulging curve of his biceps. Those broad shoulders and his wide chest…the man is built. Thick and strong and I can only imagine what he must look like with his shirt off. How it would feel, to have him hold me close. Touch me. Pick me up and carry me to his...

  Yeah. Scratch that. My wicked fantasies need to take a break. I have too much work to do.

  Without a word we climb out of the SUV and he grabs Autumn out of her car seat while I unbuckle Jacob. I grab the diaper bag and Wade follows me into the house, a drowsy Autumn in his arms while I hold a still sleeping Jacob.

  “Where’s my lollipop?” Autumn asks sleepily.

  “You already ate it,” Wade reminds her.

  “No I didn’t,” she protests just as I flick on the kitchen light and turn to look at the two of them.

  The lollipop stick is stuck in Autumn’s fine dark brown hair, right by her ear. Her cheeks are s
hiny—most likely with lollipop-flavored slobber—and there are bits of red candy lingering in the corners of her mouth. “Um, I’m pretty sure you did finish the lollipop, though some of it is stuck on your face,” I say.

  Autumn smacks her fingers against her sticky cheeks, then glances up at Wade. “Will you give me a bath, Uncle Wade?” She blinks up at him with extra wide eyes, her lower lip trembling, like she’s about to cry.

  “I’m guessing Sydney will want to do that,” Wade says, sounding nervous.

  “No, no, no. I want you Wade. Please, please, please?” Autumn literally bats her eyelashes at him.

  She’s good. And she’s only four.

  “Let’s make a deal,” I say to Autumn after Wade shoots me a terrified look. “I’ll put Jacob to bed while you pick out a nightgown. Then I’ll start your bath and Wade can help us. Sounds good?”

  Autumn nods, her smile big. She appears awfully pleased with herself. “Sounds great.” She glances up at Wade once more. “Will you help me pick out my nightgown?”

  “Sure,” he says easily, though I get the distinct feeling he’s uncomfortable with the entire situation. I’d bet money he doesn’t interact with small children very often.

  Autumn squirms in his arms and he sets her on his feet. She shoots off, giggling as she calls over her shoulder, “Come on, Uncle Wade, come on!”

  His freaked out gaze meets mine and I shrug, unable to contain my amusement. “You heard her. Go on, Uncle Wade.”

  He offers me a sheepish smile and then follows Autumn. I fall into step after them, my gaze snagging on Wade’s perfect butt. I mean seriously, the man has such a perfect body he probably makes angels weep with joy. My fingers literally itch to reach out and touch him.

  But I don’t. Instead, I take a still-sleeping Jacob to his room, where I quickly change him and tuck him into bed. He never really wakes up and I’m thankful. He may get fussy when his mom isn’t around, but once he falls asleep, he’s usually out for the night.

  Thank goodness.

  Once I finish with Jacob, I go to the kids’ bathroom and start up the water in the tub, adding some bubble bath liquid. Autumn drags Wade into the room within minutes of my arrival, a pleased expression on her face. “I picked my Cinderella nightgown,” she says, waving it at me.

  “Good choice.” I nod my approval and take the thin gown from her, placing it on the counter. “We should brush your hair first before you get into the bath, don’t you think?”

  She frowns and props her elbows on the marble counter. Our gazes meet in the mirror’s reflection and she pouts. “Do I have to?”

  “We need to get the stick out of your hair,” I remind her.

  Autumn tugs it out of her baby fine hair with a grimace and then hands it up to me. “Ta da! I did it, Sydney! All by myself!”

  The stick has strands of wispy brown hair stuck to it. I take it from her and deposit it in the tiny trashcan. “Good job.” I’m really glad she didn’t pull more hair out of her head.

  She giggles. “It wasn’t hard. I just wanted to help.”

  “And you’re a great helper, so thank you.” I smile at her, then offer one to Wade. He crosses his arms in front of his wide chest, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he studies me.

  I wonder if he likes what he sees.

  Wade continues watching us as he leans against the doorjamb while Autumn and I talk. She’s a decent conversationalist, with always something to say and I listen to her as I finish brushing her hair. She sheds her clothes and hops into the bathtub, giggling when the bubbles I poured in earlier puff up around her.

  I just finish washing her hair when my phone rings. My hands are completely submersed in the water and my phone is in the back pocket of my jeans, so I can’t really answer it. I look over my shoulder, my gaze meeting Wade’s.

  “Want me to get that?” he asks, his eyebrows rising.

  “Um, my phone is in my back pocket.” My cheeks go hot just saying it, which is so stupid. But he flusters me. His nearness, the way he’s quietly observing us, I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.

  “I’ll grab it for you.” He comes toward the tub, kneels down behind me and slowly slips my phone out of my jeans’ pocket, his fingers brushing against my backside, his fingers seeming to trail across my jeans.

  Did he touch me extra slow on purpose? Am I imagining things, or did his fingers seem to linger? I’m suddenly hyper aware of his close proximity, how he just touched me so intimately…

  Okay, I need to get over myself. He grabbed my phone for me, for the love of God. He’s trying to help me out. That’s it. I’m totally overreacting.

  Totally.

  I turn away from him, focusing on Autumn as she wiggles her fingers in the water, making it ripple. I hear Wade as he rises to his feet, shifting so he’s standing right next to me and I glance over at him.

  “It’s Drew,” Wade says when he spots the name flashing across the screen. “Want me to answer it?”

  “Please,” I say just as Autumn screams, “Daddy!” and smacks the water with the palms of her hands, splashing it onto my chest. My T-shirt immediately clings to my breasts, making me look like a lame wet T-shirt contest entrant.

  Great.

  Wade answers my phone, quiet as he listens to whatever Drew’s telling him. He then pulls the phone away from his ear and points it toward me. “He wants to talk to you.”

  I dry my hands on a towel and go to Wade. He hands me the phone, our fingers brushing, his gaze dropping to my wet chest for the briefest moment. I know he just checked out my chest. What did he think?

  Ugh, I shouldn’t care what he thinks. Nothing is going to happen between us, right? I need to focus on my job and not the muscular, sexy football player who’s eating up all the space of this decent sized bathroom just with his mere presence.

  Pushing all thoughts of Wade’s eyes on my boobs and his hands on my butt aside, I bring the phone to my ear and listen to Drew.

  “She’s fine. They’re running a few tests, making sure she’s all right, and then they’ll most likely release her. Hopefully we won’t be here for too much longer,” he explains.

  “Hold on.” I look at Wade. “Keep an eye on Autumn, will you?” I say before I resume my conversation with Drew. “Do they know what’s wrong?” I head for the bathroom doorway, needing the distance. I don’t want Autumn to overhear my conversation and get worried about her mom.

  “They have some suspicions, but it’s nothing major, so don’t worry.” He pauses. “How are the kids?”

  “Jacob’s in bed and Autumn’s getting a bath before she goes to bed.” I turn away just as I hear an extra big splash and wince. “Maybe Wade is getting a bath too. I’m not sure.”

  Drew chuckles. “Better go check on them then. I’ll text you when we’re on our way home.”

  “Thanks. Keep me posted.” I end the call and turn to find Autumn’s already out of the draining tub, a thick pink towel wrapped around her tiny body. She’s grinning up at me, bouncing on her feet.

  “Uncle Wade took care of me!” she declares.

  My gaze finds Wade’s. He’s drenched. His T-shirt, his hair, all of him is soaking wet and I try my best to stifle the laughter trying to escape.

  “I think Uncle Wade needs a towel too,” I say with amusement as I pass him one of those thick towels. Somehow he appears even more masculine drying his hair with a pink towel, his bulging biceps making my knees weak, but I keep that comment to myself.

  Autumn’s exhausted so it’s a breeze putting her to bed. I leave her bedroom to find Wade lingering in the hallway, his T-shirt still clinging to his chest in the most distracting way possible. I try my best to avert my eyes, but it’s difficult. The wet fabric clings to every muscle, accentuating all he’s got.

  And he’s got a lot.

  “You want to change into a different shirt?” I ask him.

  His expression is one of total relief. “If you can dig one up for me, yeah. I can’t believe how much sh
e splashed me. I used four extra towels to clean up all the water on the floor.”

  I make a mental note to put all of those towels in the washing machine later. “There are a few clean T-shirts in the laundry room that belong to Drew. I’m sure they’ll fit you.”

  Wade follows me into the laundry room and I grab a T-shirt off of the folded stack that sits on top of the dryer. “Here you go—” I whirl around, the words sticking in my throat when I witness what’s in front of me.

  A shirtless Wade—and the reality is even better than what my imagination conjured up earlier.

  My mouth goes dry as my gaze roves over all that bared, smooth skin hungrily. Wow. He looks like a Greek statue. Like an Adonis. I don’t know if I’ve ever stood so close to such a fine male specimen on display before. My fingertips tingle and I’m tempted to reach out and touch. Stroke and caress and explore and, and, and…

  “Here you go.” I shove the shirt in his direction, my fingers coming into the briefest contact with his pecs and my knees literally go weak.

  Ridiculous.

  “Thanks.” He takes the shirt from my grip and tugs it over his head, all of that beautiful skin disappearing, just like that.

  I’m immediately disappointed.

  “You’re welcome.” My voice comes out squeaky and I clear my throat. “I appreciate the help.”

  “You did most of the work.” He grabs his wet T-shirt off the floor where he left it and drops it into the nearby sink.

  “Well, it is my job,” I say, my voice laced with sarcasm.

  He cracks a smile. “You do it well.”

  His words almost sound suggestive.

  You wish.

  I shove my inner mocking voice into the deepest recesses of my brain.

  “You want me to stick around until Drew and Fable come home?” he asks, his voice full of concern.

  “Oh, I’ll be fine.” I smile. He should get out of here. Wade Knox is a distraction I absolutely do not need. “Thank you for offering though.”