Chapter 26

Gabriel

I can’t remember the last time a woman made me this nervous.

I’m an accomplished man. I can negotiate business deals without breaking a sweat. But Skye Hendry? She’s taken me to new heights I didn’t know existed until I let my guard down.

I couldn’t even embrace her this morning before she left for the school drop off I asked her to do, because Trinity was all over her with Daisy bouncing around at her heels. Not that I think she’d likely appreciate it; we’re in her work environment and I don’t want to come off weird. She seemed to respond to my texts with enthusiasm, though. Maybe I was testing the waters to see how she’d be when she came to work this morning. I hoped she didn’t have any regrets, and when Trinity dragged her by the hand into the kitchen, I could tell by the look on her face she was happy to be here.

Now I’m making excuses as to why I’m at home still, and it’s almost eight thirty.

Just as I’m thinking it, my phone buzzes on the island.

It’s Brooklyn.

“Hey, bro, are you sick?”

I run a hand through my hair. “Sick? Why would I be sick?”

“Because it’s Monday morning, and it’s after eight thirty, and you’re not here. I was going to send out a search party, I thought you’d been in some horrible accident.”

I roll my eyes. “Am I that predictable?”

“A little. How’s the new puppy?”

“Good. Skye took her and Trin to school.”

“Oh, the hot nanny.” He laughs. “Now I get it.”

Why does the most aloof brother have to be the most perceptive? Also, if he gets wind about me and Skye, the entire town will know by lunchtime.

“She has a name.”

“Yeah, Hot Nanny. Are you finding excuses to stay home? And bro, I don’t blame you. Give me the green light and I’ll take her off your hands.”

“I don’t need excuses to be in my own home,” I grumble. “And you keep your hands to yourself.”

“Speaking of which, I have a slight issue, which is why I’m calling.”

“Can’t it wait till I get in?”

“If it could, I wouldn’t be calling.”

“Shoot.”

“I’m not divorced.”

I frown. “What?” It’s too early in the morning for this shit.

“You know how Eden was asking me for a copy of the divorce papers so she could change her name and get a new passport?”

“Vaguely.”

“Well, I was looking for them, and uh… well, I may have forgotten to lodge the damn things in court. She left it up to me and I screwed up.”

I stop with my coffee cup halfway up to my mouth. “You what?”

“Yeah, I’m still legally married.”

I let out a belly laugh, knowing how pissed Eden is gonna be. “Oh, stop. This is too good.”

“It’s not funny, man,” he grouches. “Eden is gonna kick my ass. You know how weird she is about this stuff.”

“GB might say it’s a sign.”

“Don’t you start. Now I have to tell her.”

“Can’t you just lodge them? She’ll never know.”

“Yeah, aside from the fact the papers are now out of date.”

“Oh, shit.”

“I wonder how Kirk feels about screwing my wife.” He sounds so bitter that I know right there he’s not over her. He may joke around and act like a clown, but my younger brother is all heart.

“Well, I’m not gonna go all woo-woo on you, but maybe there’s some truth in what GB says. Things happen — or in this case don’t happen — for a reason.”

“Yeah, the reason is gettin’ my ass kicked.”

“Do you still have feelings for her?”

“I never stopped loving her.”

“That’s not the same thing. Do you think you split up in haste? You guys were so young when you got together. Maybe it wasn’t the right timing.” The line goes quiet for an awfully long time, prompting me to say, “Brook?”

“I’m here. It’s just… ever since Kirk came on the scene, I have been feeling kinda… jealous, and I’ve no reason to be. She’s had other dates in the past, but this seems serious. All of a sudden, someone new could come between what we have and that feels… icky.”

“And now you know she’s still legally your wife, you don’t like the idea of some guy having his hands on her?”

“Somethin’ like that.”

I chuckle. “And what do you have? Amicable custody of your child and a good relationship. What more could you ask for? It’s inevitable that she”s going to remarry eventually, bro, maybe even have more kids.”

“Remarry?” He sputters the words like he just swallowed poison. “More kids?”

It’s like the idea has only just come to him.

“Well, yeah. You don’t think a pretty woman like Eden is gonna stay single and celibate forever, do you? It’s been what, five years?”

“We first separated five years ago, then got back together after two, then split again. I guess we were always better as friends. I mean, we were best friends before we became a couple in the first place.”

“I know but what I mean is, five years is a long time. If you haven’t moved on and had a real relationship in all that time, then there may be a reason behind it,” he says.

“I have had relationships!”

“Boning pretty girls from out of town every other weekend isn’t a relationship and you know it. You haven’t let anyone in. Maybe deep down you don’t want to.”

“What the devil”s horns has gotten into you?” he mocks. “Seriously. You been readin’ one of those Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus books or somethin’?”

“Mock me all you like, but you admitted you were jealous of Eden and Kirk.”

“That’s because he’s not good enough for her.”

“And that should be none of your business. She’s a free woman, she can date and screw whoever she wants, just like you can.” I’m riling him up just a little bit. He’s in denial and he knows it.

“Not really. She’s the mother of my child. I’m lookin’ out for her. It’s in her best interests that I make sure she’s not settin’ herself up for a fall. What kind of friend would I be if I just let her drive off a cliff?”

“Uh huh, sure. And since when have you two just been friends?”

“We are friends. We don’t bump uglies. How much more friendly could you get?”

I always admired Brook for how he and Eden handled their split. There is no animosity from either of them whatsoever. They’ve raised Blake together, and she comes and goes between the two homes with no fighting or squabbling over whose week it is. I wish I could say the same, but my wife didn’t want to even be with her own child, let alone me.

Panic rises and I shove it down.

I know I have to stop procrastinating and get to work. Brook is right; I am stalling, and that’s ridiculous.

“Just gotta ask yourself if you could really give it another shot with her, and if the answer is no, then you need to step off. It’s not up to you who’s worthy or not worthy. Your heart is in the right place, but Eden is a grown woman and she’s smart,” I say. “And you have to tell her the truth about the papers.”

“You think I don’t know that? I’m tryin’ to figure out a reasonable excuse aside from ‘I forgot’.” I can just see him pacing around the rickhouse, his cowboy hat in his hand as he tries to figure out a game plan. He’ll realize soon there isn’t one. “And it’ll just reiterate how useless I am and make me look like I’m unreliable.”

“Which you don’t really care about, because you don’t still have feelings for her.”

“I know what you’re doin’, and it’s not helpin’.”

I tip my coffee into a thermal cup and secure the lid. “I’m not trying to do anything. But I also don’t want you to miss your opportunity if you still have feelings before this thing with Kirk gets serious. Think about it. I’ll be in the office in ten.”

“Fine. I’ll be the brother rocking in the corner of the vault, refusin’ to come out.”

I chuckle. “You’re gonna be okay. Just don’t do anything hasty.”

“Thanks Obi Wan. Kiss the nanny for me.”

He hangs up before I can say anything more. I have no idea why he fights it. Eden is a great girl, a little feisty at times, but that’s good for Brooklyn. She kept him on the straight and narrow for many years, and she’s always gotten along with everyone in the family.

I grab my keys, go out to my truck and head off. About halfway down the track, I see Skye’s car coming back toward me. I pull over and wind my window down.

“Hey,” I say as she winds her window down. “I have to shoot off to work.” Duh, like that isn’t obvious.

“Okay. I had a couple of things to finish at the house.”

“You don’t have to do my laundry.”

She laughs. “I’m not doing laundry. I have to print out the schedule for next month, and Geraldine’s coming over to make sure we have all of Trinity’s school uniforms on order before the end of term. Apparently it’s a bitch to try to get stuff last minute.”

I forgot how much Geraldine does for me. I know she’s taking a backseat this week to let Skye ease into the role, but she said she’d be around if we need her.

I swallow hard. “I can take Daisy. I got her a play pen in my office.”

“Okay, but I’m fine to have her today until I pick up Trin, if you’d like?”

“Sure, but don’t feel you have to.” I run a hand through my hair. This is so awkward.

“Gabe, you don’t have to act… weird around me because of the weekend.”

My eyebrows raise in surprise by her bluntness. “I’m acting weird?”

“No. I mean, I’m not going to act all gooey over you in front of your daughter, or anyone else. We agreed to keep it a secret, and I’m okay with that.”

I frown. “Does that mean you don’t want to do it again?”

Her eyes go round. “No. I mean, yes. I mean…” I chuckle as I press the seat belt button and it gives way. My hand is on the door before I can stop myself.

“Clearly I haven’t had enough coffee this morning,” I mutter.

My eyes meet hers and I open her door, cupping her face I crouch down and kiss her hard. She reciprocates, and a low growl leaves my chest as our tongues mingle.

I pull back and we’re both panting, my dick rock hard. “Sorry, I just had to do that. If I had to go all day not tasting you, Red, I think I may have actually gone insane.”

I’ve also just inadvertently realized I’ve started calling her the nickname from my dream…

“I’m… cool with that,” she breathes as I laugh.

Daisy suddenly totters over Skye’s lap and smacks me in the nose as she jumps up excitedly.

“Ow!” I cover my face as she proceeds to lick me, her tail wagging. Skye laughs, trying to get her back on the passenger seat.

“She’s happy to see Daddy.”

The minute the words leave her mouth, my eyes heat and my body tenses.

“You know, using that word only makes me want to do very bad things to you.”

Her chest heaves as her lips part, and I hold the back of her neck. Enjoying her warmth like we’ve never been apart.

“I can’t wait for you to do very bad things to me, Daddy.”

I press my lips to hers once more, my tongue sliding in her mouth and I’m half considering driving back to the ranch so I can fuck her on my kitchen island. Then I hear a car and quickly pull back.

“Shit, Geraldine,” I mutter.

Skye tucks her gorgeous curls behind her ears — where they don’t stay — and checks her appearance in the rear-view mirror. “I blame you for my current disheveled state, Boss. What have you got to say for yourself?”

I straighten myself out as Geraldine’s car approaches behind. “I’ve got plenty to say when you’re sprawled over my knee and I spank that little ass for being a flirt.”

She purses her lips together. “I need to see you.”

“Tonight,” I say. “When Trin has gone to bed.”

She nods. “Okay.”

I tap the hood and act as if I’m just saying hello and goodbye. “I’ll text you later.” Turning, I walk to Geraldine’s driver’s side. “Morning.”

“Hello, Gabe. Is everything okay?” She looks worried.

I turn my head as Skye drives off. “Yeah, everything’s good. Skye’s going to have Daisy today. You’ll get to meet her — she’s adorable.”

“I can’t wait.” She claps her hands together. “I’m going through the schedule for next month with Skye, and she’ll email it over to you. Any changes, let us know before three.”

“You’re the best.”

She smiles. “Have a good day, dearie.”

I wave her off, climb back in my truck and bang my head against the steering wheel. Let’s hope Geraldine didn’t see the massive boner in my pants.

Not a good look at any time, but first thing on a Monday morning isn’t cool.

What’s worse? Now I have to go all day without seeing Skye or being able to touch her.

Why did I think falling for the nanny would be a good idea?