Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

BAILEY

T he past few days have been crazy. Our apartment and those on the two floors directly below it are in need of major repairs. Fortunately, insurance is covering all of it but it’s still a huge hassle. We apologized profusely to those living under us, but they’re rightfully pissed as hell.

Arizona offered to stay at Layton’s so Kam and I could share her bed. I had to make my sister promise not to bring anyone home.

I forgot how much I hate sharing a bed with her. She doesn’t stop talking. I swear, she never sleeps. Her mind is always moving. When she’s not talking, she’s on her laptop. Even at three in the morning, she’s on her laptop. I have no idea what she does or how she functions with only an hour or two of sleep.

After yet another night of me not getting enough sleep, I asked Tanner if I could stay in one of his many guestrooms, even offering extra free babysitting. He briefly hesitated before agreeing. I told him it’s only three nights and he has Harper all of those nights. When she goes to Fallon’s, we have a road trip. After that, we should be able to get back into our apartment .

I’m at Tanner’s house getting settled in when Harper arrives home from her stay at Fallon’s house. I make my way toward the foyer to greet them. As always, Harper runs into my arms.

I hug her close. I miss her when she’s at Fallon’s. “Did you have fun at Mommy’s, sweet girl?”

She scrunches her nose. “We were at Nanny and Poppy’s a lot. Poppy is very grumpy right now.”

I look up at Fallon. “He’s still recovering?”

Her shoulders fall. “Worst. Patient. Ever.” She looks at her watch. “I should probably go make them dinner. My father whines that he hasn’t had a home-cooked meal since they’ve been home from their cruise, but at the same time won’t give my mother two seconds to herself to make anything. I think he’s stir-crazy. And I’m a terrible cook, so I’m sure he’ll complain tonight too.”

She looks exhausted and defeated.

“I was just about to cook dinner for Harper and me. Tanner has a meeting. Why don’t you stay and I’ll make extra. Then you can bring it to them. You look like you could use a glass of wine. Relax. I’ll take care of it.”

Her face looks hopeful. “That sounds amazing. You don’t mind?”

I shake my head. “I honestly love to cook. It relaxes me. And this kitchen is a dream.”

She visibly relaxes her shoulders. “You’re an angel.”

I let out a laugh. “It’s just dinner.” I look at Harper. “If you take your shower now and eat all your veggies at dinner, I’ll let you hit two full buckets of balls in the cage and then we’ll make popcorn and watch a movie. I want to introduce you to my favorite childhood movie tonight.”

Her face lights up, and she says, “Deal,” as she quickly makes her way to the stairs.

I yell after her, “Don’t try to brush your hair. I’ll do it.”

“Gotcha, Bails.”

“And no Skittles before dinner. ”

“Ugh. Fine.”

Fallon smiles. “You’re so good with her.” She grabs her own ponytail. “Harper got my not straight yet not curly, pain in the ass hair.”

“It’s worth the hassle to get your eyes. They’re so gorgeous. I’ve never seen anyone with the same shade as the two of you.”

“Thank you. What can I do to help?”

I start taking things out of the refrigerator and cabinets. “You can sit on your behind and open a bottle of wine. Tanner said it’s been hard for you since your parents got back. It’s okay to take a minute for you.”

She nods in gratitude as she makes her way into the wine cellar just off the kitchen. She yells out, “Are we drinking red or white?”

I yell back, “I’ll be alone with Harper. I’m not drinking.”

“It’s one glass, Bailey. I won’t tell your boss. And he can’t judge. He’s single-handedly keeping the whiskey industry in business.”

I let out a laugh. “True. Whatever you want. I don’t care. Just a half a glass though.”

She walks back out with a big smile. “Let’s all thank Tanner for this thousand-dollar bottle of cabernet.”

My chin nearly drops to the floor. “A thousand dollars? For one bottle? That’s nuts.”

She nods. “I agree.” Her eyelids flutter. “But it’s damn good.”

“It better be good. It should give you an orgasm for that amount.” I cover my mouth. “Sorry.”

She giggles. “It’s fine. I’m not sure I remember orgasms, but the fading memories are fond ones.”

I look at her in surprise as I cut up the vegetables. “You don’t date? You’re gorgeous, funny, accomplished, and all-around amazing. Men must be lined up for you.”

Fallon is one of those women who don’t need an ounce of makeup or fancy clothes to appear sexy. It’s effortless. Her body looks like she spends hours in the gym, even though I know she doesn't .

She pours two full glasses, hands me mine, plops down in a chair, and then lets out a long breath. “I think divorce hits men and women differently. Men can more easily remove emotion when getting back out there. It’s been a little harder for me. Plus, I’ve been working longer hours since the divorce. I either work or am with Harper. And now I have to help my parents. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for me.”

“You’re a physical therapist, right?”

She nods. “Yes, I work in the rehab center at Philly Hospital. The major injuries department. I load the days I don’t have Harper so I can be with her when I have her. It’s hard only having her half the time. I don’t like to miss a minute of it.”

The veggies are sizzling, and the chicken is cooking. I allow myself my first sip. Wow, it’s good. Not a thousand dollars good, but certainly the best I’ve ever had.

I look at her. “You should get out there, Fallon. You have so much to offer.”

“Maybe I’ll think about putting myself out there when Harper is back in school. Do you date?”

“Not as much as I’d like. Remember, I’m new to the area and we’re in season. Maybe when the season is over.”

She smirks and echoes my words to her. “You should get out there, Bailey. You have so much to offer.”

I smile. “Touché.”

“What do you do for fun? Twenty-eight and unattached sounds both magical and like it was a hundred years ago, even though it was only ten.”

“In addition to heavy workouts given my profession, I do normal things. I hang out with my sister and my friends, listen to music, eat, drink, and all that kind of stuff.”

“Music? Now you’re speaking my language. Who’s your favorite band?”

Without hesitation, I answer, “Coldplay. I know it dates me a little bit, but I love them.”

“Have you ever seen them in concert? ”

“No. Have you?”

“Yep. About fifteen years ago. They’re phenomenal.”

“I bet. I’m so jealous.”

Thirty minutes later we’re seated at the table. Fallon takes her first bite and lets out a moan. “Oh my god. I think I just had my first O in forever. This is so good.”

I giggle but Harper questions, “What’s an O?”

Fallon’s eyes widen. I answer, “What was the word of the day last week that began with an O?”

Harper thinks for a moment. “Oh, I remember. Omnipotent.”

I nod. “Right. And do you remember what it means?”

“Having lots of power.”

“Right. Your mommy is eating her veggies like a good girl, so she’s feeling powerful. That was her O.”

Harper tilts her head in contemplation. “Hmm.”

Fallon holds back a laugh and mouths, “Thank you.”

A few hours later, Harper and I are watching the movie. Tanner called to say that his dinner meeting was running late. I told him not to rush. I don’t have plans tonight, and I’m staying here anyway.

He arrives home just before Harper’s bedtime. Her head is in my lap and I’m running my fingers through her hair, subtly working out the knots.

He walks into the family room and smiles at us. “There are my two favorite girls.”

Harper turns her head but doesn’t lift it. “Hi, Daddy. Bails and I are watching The Goonies . She said it’s a classic.”

He nods. “I can’t argue with that. It was one of my favorite movies when I was a little kid. Have you taken a shower yet?”

“Yes, and I ate all my veggies tonight. I’m feeling omnipotent. Mommy is too. She said eating them made her feel like she had her first O in forever.”

Tanner’s eyes widen and he looks at me. I mouth, “I’ll explain later.”

He nods.

I point to the other sofa. “Come watch with us. There are about forty-five minutes left. I told Harper she could stay up a little late to finish it.”

“I think I might grab a quick jog before the rain comes.” He pats his completely flat stomach. “I had a lot to eat tonight. Bug, is the pitching machine under cover, and are all the balls picked up in the cage? I don’t want any of it getting ruined in the storm that’s rolling in.”

Harper scrunches her nose. “There may be a few still out. I’ll run down when the movie is over.”

He lifts one of his sexy, thick, dark eyebrows. “You won’t fall asleep?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Wide awake.”

I can’t help but bite back a smile. She’s definitely going to fall asleep.

Forty-five minutes later, Harper is fast asleep on my lap while the credits scroll. Tanner walks in wearing running shorts and nothing else. Holy shit, his body is ripped. He’s got a smattering of dark hair across his broad chest. Every man my age waxes their chest. I love that he doesn’t. And he’s sweaty. God, he’s sexy.

Once I swallow down all the saliva pooling in my mouth, I whisper, “Shh, she’s asleep.”

He shakes his head. “Wake her up. She needs to clean the cage.”

“You carry her to bed. I’ll clean up out back.”

“You’re spoiling her, Bailey.”

“You had a batting cage installed along with a several-thousand-dollar pitching machine. I’m the one spoiling her?”

“Hmm. Fair point.”

He walks over and reaches down to pick her up. I can’t help but take a deep inhale. He smells so manly. I want to lick the sweat off his body.

I hear him inhale too. Was he smelling me? It was probably Harper. She always smells like her baby shampoo. I love it.

As he lifts her, a bag of Skittles falls from her pocket. We both smile at each other.

As I’m walking down to the cage, I hear the first crackle of thunder. Oh shit. I better hurry.

I run down and am picking up the balls when it starts to downpour. Hard. I’m running around to get everything under cover while my hair and clothes are getting completely soaked.

There’s a sudden bolt of lightning, illuminating the sky enough for me to see Tanner run into the cage.

He shouts, “You shouldn’t be in here with the lightning. It’s not safe. I’ll do it.”

He’s quickly grabbing balls on the other side, trying to get them out of harm’s way. The rain is pummeling both of us.

I see him making his way toward home plate. I yell out that it will be slippery, but he doesn’t stray from his path, steps on home plate, slips, and falls hard onto his back.

He lets out a grunt as I run over to him and fall to my knees next to him. “Are you okay?”

He grumbles, “Give me a second. That hurt.”

He lets out a few moans of pain.

After a few moments of him lying in what is now a puddle, I grab his hand and pull him into a seated position. “We should get you inside. Maybe take some Ibuprofen before bed.”

He subtly nods but doesn’t otherwise move. We stare at each other, both uncaring that the rain is pouring down on us.

He’s gorgeous, topless, drenched, and so damn sexy. The raindrops falling down his bare body only add to the appeal. I’ve never in my life wanted a man the way I want him.

Rain catches on both of our thick eyelashes as we continue to silently stare. The intensity of the mutual attraction is palpable. I know he must feel it too .

Heat is radiating off his body. He’s staring at me like he wants to devour me. I want him to devour me.

His face is almost pained as he reaches out to move my hair off my face. His thumb runs along my lips. He breathes, “You’re so beautiful.”

I can’t help but reach out and run my fingertips over his beard. Something I’ve been dying to do since I met him. He’s the one who’s beautiful.

It finally becomes too much for both of us. We slowly move our lips toward the other’s until they meet for the first time.

The kiss is tentative, as if he’s savoring it. It starts off soft and sweet. Almost like his lips are brushing over mine, testing the waters.

In mere seconds, he grabs the hair on the back of my head and pulls me closer. The kiss deepens as his tongue slides into my mouth.

His taste is so Tanner. It’s masculine and minty with a hint of sophisticated cigar and whiskey. I’m immediately lost in it, wanting to explore all of him.

He easily lifts me and maneuvers my hips until I’m straddling his lap and then grabs my ass pulling my center to his hardness. His long , thick hardness. I grab his hair and moan into his mouth, unable to help myself.

His grip on my hair tightens, which drives me wild. I can’t help but grind my hips over him. He lets out a groan into my mouth.

I’m desperately turned on. I want him to take me right here. I don’t care about the storm. In fact, the whole scene is hot as hell.

My nipples harden to a near-painful point. They’re poking through my flimsy top, rubbing against his hard chest. The throb between my legs is relentless, begging for him to touch me. To fill me.

The rain pours down on us, but neither of us pays it any attention. We’re both giving into the passion that’s been building between us .

Just then, a huge bolt of thunder strikes, startling both of us into breaking the kiss.

Tanner briefly closes his eyes and breathlessly says, “Shit. We can’t do this.”

I breathe back, “We can. I want you.”

He grabs my face. “I want you too, Bailey. I truly do. But I can’t do this to you. I can’t do it to Harper either. She loves you. This isn’t right.”

I’m silent. I won’t beg him. If he doesn’t want me, I certainly won’t force it.

I silently nod as I lift my body off his and turn my face toward the house before he sees the tears brewing in my eyes.

He stands and holds me in his arms while I bury my head in his chest and hold back the sobs. Rubbing my hair gently, he says, “I promise, this is for the best.” He pulls back. “Let’s get you into a hot shower before you get sick.”

I momentarily hold out hope that he’ll get into that shower with me, but he doesn’t. He merely drops me at the door of the guestroom and wishes me a good night.