Page 28 of Taming the Boss

Sure, I was so fucking clueless, literally anyone was an improvement, but I just couldn’t take chances with my son. If he ended up harmed somehow, I’d never forgive myself.

And I still hadn’t forgiven myself for not knowing he existed for the first three years of his life. If I’d picked my bed partner more carefully, she wouldn’t have waited so long to contact me.

Of course, it hadn’t been meant to be about anything but letting off steam. We weren’t supposed to make a goddamn baby.

Who was now sick with something and did I have an idea what to do? Not one iota.

“I didn’t check again,” I added into the heavy silence. “Once you applied, that was it.”

“It was? Then why didn’t you call me? Or check my references? Or…anything?”

“I asked what it would take for you to come home with us, and you weren’t interested.”

“I didn’t even know what that meant. What did that mean?” When I didn’t answer, she let out a shuddery breath. “Do you know you’re still holding my hand, Jude?”

My name in her soft, hesitant voice undid me. “I know,” I bit off, fairly certain I couldn’t have released her at that moment if I tried. I was pretty sure my hand was locked in place. “Is it bothering you?”

“No. Just…you don’t seem the handholding type.” As if she wished she could take back her honest response, she bit down hard on her lower lip.

Little did she know that her honesty was already one of the things I appreciated most about her. So much that I’d offer more of my own.

“I know this may come as a surprise to you, but this parenting thing took me by surprise. I have no idea what I’m doing.” I let out a halfhearted laugh that cracked at the end.

No helping that, either, apparently.

“What do you mean? Where’s Owen’s mom?” Again, she clamped down on her lower lip. “Sorry. I’m probably asking things you have no intention of answering.”

“Normally, no, I wouldn’t, but you’re here helping me, so I owe you the truth.” Or I felt like I did, which amounted to the same thing. “I visited the area due to some contacts I have here.”

“Okay.”

“And then I ended up meeting her and sleeping with her.”

“Who? Sydney?”

I released a baffled laugh, realizing she’d so gotten the wrong idea when I’d mentioned Sydney out of frustration a few minutes ago. “Definitely not. Sydney is my sister.”

“Oh. And she’s coming here too?”

“Yes. Thank God. I couldn’t get through this without her.” I sucked in air as the muscles in my back spasmed. “Nor it seems without you.”

“I’m happy to help. I’ve had a lot of experience with kids. A lot,” she added with a little hitching giggle I found hopelessly charming. Her fingers tightened around mine and her voice softened. “Not mine,” she added as if she assumed I’d wonder. Not that she was old enough for children, but you just never knew, especially in a town like the Cove. “Three of my older brothers have kids. You met Christian already, and he has two. One of my other brothers is halfway to a soccer team stocked with his own players, though I suspect Christian and Honey will be giving that a go too. They’re getting married soon.”

“Hmm.”

“You’re doing that eyebrow thing,” she teased, rubbing her finger along my palm as if she wanted me to know she was being playful, not critical.

My stiffening cock definitely had no issue on that score. Just that amused lilt in her tone and her sparkling blue eyes as the sun slanted through the window had me wanting to lean toward her. Never mind her long reddish-gold hair, curling against her neck and over her shoulders, glinting in the light.

“You’re fucking beautiful,” I gritted out as I took the last turn that would lead to my property.

“Thank you?”

“It’s not a line, and it’s sterling truth, so lose the question mark at the end. You have to know you’re beautiful.”

She said nothing. So, maybe she didn’t? What clueless, inept men had she dated thus far if she truly didn’t know she was gorgeous?

Probably ones like that frat guy she’d been flirting with when I arrived. Or like James at the shoe store. Both of them looked as if they’d never struggled for a single thing in their lives and were used to everything going their way. Being easy. Both of them had acted as if they assumed the same when it came to Maddie.

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