Chapter 10
Saturday afternoon, Nolan stood behind the swing set in the back yard of his parent’s house. Heather squealed in delight.
“Daddy, higher!”
Brad stood in the corner, taking pictures. Nolan tried to ignore him, acting as natural as possible, just as Jessica suggested, but he felt like a freak show. Thankfully, Heather seemed to be oblivious to the situation.
“If I push you any higher, you’ll flip all the way around.”
“That would be fun!” Heather giggled. “Do it!”
He laughed. “You’d fall out onto your pretty little head and I’d think that would hurt.”
“Okay. I’m thirsty.”
Nolan grabbed the swing as it came toward his head, easing it down so Heather could do her best to jump off. She knew she had to be careful about jumping and running, but the doctor had also told Nolan that part of her ability to heal was her resilient personality and he should do everything in his power not to squelch that.
“Why don’t you ask our guests if they want anything as well?”
She nodded, her bouncy curls flew about her face. Nolan sat on top of the picnic table, watching Heather as she ran as fast as her brace and hobble would allow.
He smiled when Jessica gave Heather a fist pump.
“I’ll get Auntie Karen to help with the drinks!”
Nolan nodded. “I’ll take a soda.”
As Heather disappeared into the house, Jessica rose from one of the lawn chairs and made her way across the yard. His fingers itched to pull out the elastic band holding her shiny blonde hair in a high ponytail. When she’d shown up earlier today, he tried to pull her in for a kiss, but she turned her cheek, something that didn’t go unnoticed by his father, or his sister.
He knew he royally screwed up by not calling her yesterday morning. He could justify his reasons all day long, but the reality was he’d been scared and not just over the media making a spectacle out of his life.
No. He was scared of Jessica and the way she made him feel.
“She really is adorable.” Jessica sat down next to him, but kept a safe distance. “She has your eyes.”
“She has my hair too.” He glided his hand across the top, reminding him he desperately needed a haircut. “Not to mention my temper.”
Being near Jessica made his heart beat a little faster. His skin tingled. His lips sizzled. But what really did him in was how his mind conjured up a future that included a woman…specifically…Jessica.
“You’re a good father.”
“Thank you.” He adjusted his body so he could look at her. The sun beat down on her face, highlighting her tanned skin and pink lips. Her beauty took his breath away. “It’s been a bumpy road to get to this point.” Pressing his hands on the picnic table, he shifted closer. “You haven’t recorded any of this.”
“It’s not an interview.” She swirled her hair around her fingers. “I was thinking I’d re-write Monday’s article all together. With the game coming up next weekend, it’s important we do shift the focus back to the game and I see no point in drawing out the attention on you and Heather.”
“Will you be able to write that by Monday morning?”
“I believe so, but I’d need you to sign off on it by Sunday around dinner time.”
“I won’t need to,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I don’t want to taint what you see after spending a few hours with us.” A warmth spread through his body as he laced his fingers through hers.
“I don’t want to say anything—”
Lifting his other hand, he pressed his forefinger over her lips. “I want you to write the truth about what you see here, nothing more, nothing less. I trust you.”
The corner of her lips turned upward.
He cupped the back of her neck, massaging gently, pulling her closer. “I screwed up yesterday big time. I’m sorry.”
“It’s over,” she whispered. Her gaze darting from his eyes to his lips.
He smiled. “Have dinner with us tonight.” Not wanting to hear her rejection, he parted her lips with his tongue, wrapping his around hers in a twisting slow dance.
A soft moan trickled from her lips. He swallowed it as if it were the finest wine money could buy.
He eased closer, resting a hand on the small of her back, her body leaning toward him, but not touching him. Without breaking off the kiss, he tugged her closer, pressing her chest against his, feeling her heart beat with his, making him dizzy.
The sound of the back door sliding open tickled his brain. He could hear a whisper coming from the house, but he ignored it, wanting to savior Jessica’s taste. Hold her in his arms a little while longer.
“Shhhhh, Auntie Karen, don’t interrupt, he’s kissing her,” his daughter said in a hushed tone.
Jessica stiffened, breaking off the kiss, breathing labored, trying to pull away.
He continued to hold her, his forehead pressed against his, eyes blinking open. “I think our drinks are here,” he whispered before kissing her temple and releasing his grip.
Not letting her squirm too far away, he kept his arm looped around her waist.
“Here you go.” His daughter handed Jessica a soda before climbing up on his lap.
Karen gave him a shitty grin as she handed him a can along with Brad.
Crap, he’d forgotten about Brad. He really hoped he hadn’t been in the corner snapping pictures of that kiss…he wiped his lips.
“Thanks for this,” Brand said holding up the can. “I’ve got more than enough pictures, so I’ll excuse myself.” He pressed something on his camera and handed it to Jessica. “Just give it back on Monday. Once you download the images, you can delete them from the card.”
She nodded, slipping it into her phone case.
“Can I see the pictures?” Heather had lifted her bad leg, resting it on his knee. He knew she’d over done it. She always did.
And she almost never complained.
“I’ll send them to your dad, okay?” Jessica reached out, brushing back a lock of Heather’s hair. “I bet there are some really great ones of you and your dad.”
“Thanks for letting me take the pictures,” Brad said, holding out his hands. “I’m not billing them to the team, so they are all yours. I think there are some really good ones that would blow up nicely.”
“I appreciate it.
“I’ll show you out,” Karen said.
A long silence followed as Nolan eased his thumb between his daughter’s brace and her hip, massaging gently. Her hip joint hurt her the most, but on days where she played hard, which was most days, her knee bothered her as well. Heather rested her head against his chest with her plump little hand under her cheek. Her other hand looped under his arm.
“I think someone is tired,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. She didn’t nap often, but if she were to take a power nap, it would be just as dinner approached.
“No, I’m not.” She yawned.
He chuckled as he glanced over the top of her head.
Jessica sipped her soda, looking around the yard, gaze everywhere but him. “I should get going too.”
“You never answered my question about dinner?” His daughter’s breathing slowed as she drifted off into a peaceful sleep in his arms.
“I want to get started on the article.”
“Look at me,” he said softly.
Slowly, Jessica turned, eyes locking with his. The corners of her mouth tipped upward. “Thanks for letting me into your world. I understand why you’ve done things the way you have and I promise I will paint that picture.”
“I know you will.” He let out an exasperated sigh. “Please stop avoiding the question. Heather was so disappointed when you didn’t join us for ice cream last night. I told her I’d ask you tonight.”
“Dairy Queen,” Jessica’s smiled brightened. “She’s been asking me all afternoon.”
“Really?” He tried to act surprised, but his little girl had his same determination and persistence.
“Listen. I’ve had a great time today.” She reached out, running her fingers through Heather’s hair. “But I’ve intruded enough on your family time.”
“If not for me, then for this little girl. She likes you and it would mean a lot to her.”
“Resorting to using your daughter to get me to stay?”
If it weren’t for the playful look in Jessica’s eyes as she batted her lashes, he’d be insulted.
“When my kissing doesn’t do it, and not to brag, but I’d say I’m a good kisser, then yes, I’d resort to just about anything.” He winked. “Even daring you to join us.”
“My daring days are over.”
“That seriously bums me out because I have an entire list of things I’d like to dare you to do. One of which has to do with that pool over there.”
“Shhhhhhh.” Jessica held her finger over her lip. “Not appropriate talk in front of a toddler.”
He leaned a little closer. “Come here,” he whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder, coaxing her closer. “Please? I’m begging here.” He kissed her softly. Her pouty lips plump and moist.
“Okay,” she said, pulling back. “But I have to leave right after. I really do need to start on the article if I’m going to get it done by Monday and have it be any good.”
Looking into her eyes, his heart fluttered. He’d had a couple of long-term relationships and a few women he’d really cared about. But not a single one would he have ever begged to go out with him.