Page 9 of Risky Game

“I didn’t actually.”

As she spoke, my eyes were drawn to the elegant cross of her legs, one thrown over the other. Her slip-on Converse dangled from her toes as she swung her foot back and forth.

She was dressed like a high schooler. Maybe a college student. I shouldn’t be thinking about how she was dressed at all.

“Jassen said—”

“I know. The timing worked out at a time when I needed to take a step back, reevaluate what I want.” As she spoke, her lips pursed together. They formed the perfect pout, but there was something to the look on her face. Something sad.

It was none of my damn business.

“Anyway, yeah, I guess, sure. If you need me here, that makes total sense. Molly’s ten weeks pregnant and should be feeling more like herself soon, or at least that’s what she keeps hoping and telling me. But being here, especially when you’re out of town or working late, makes the most sense.”

Late nights. Coming home to a house that had life and noise in it instead of what I’d endured the last six months since moving. Quiet drove me insane, and now I could envision it.

Amelia’s laughter. Her hugs when I walked into the door and the way she used to crawl into our bed when she had a bad dream.

Yeah, I was no longer all that mad at Vanessa for her trip. She handed me everything I was missing.

“Are there expectations or duties you have for me, specifically?”

Right. She was here for a job, not for me to leer at her like some creep who was way too damn old for her.

“Amelia’s four. I haven’t been able to find a preschool for her to go to yet, so if you could help with that, that’d be great. She was set to go back in California and was looking forward to it, and that’ll give you a couple hours to yourself. Mostly, though, I need someone to take care of her. Hang out with her during the day. Take her to the park, swim with her. If there’s a way she can meet kids that you know of, that’d be great too.”

“What about if I take her to Jassen’s? Would that be okay? Luke is three. They might get along.”

“Yeah, of course. I don’t know if I want you driving all over Nashville or anything yet with her, but if there are places nearby you two can go, that’s great.”

“What about chores? Laundry? Cooking? That kind of thing.”

I shook my head. “You’re not my housekeeper. I don’t expect that. Clean up after Amelia during the day and you might have to give her simple meals and stuff. I usually leave here at eight-thirty, and I can have her up and ready for the day by then and stuff, but lunches. Some dinners. And then, well, the weekends when I’m gone, obviously, might require more work.”

Ruby rubbed her lips together, thinking. Her lips were full, a light pink, and plump when she pushed them out and to the side.

I couldn’t have her say no to this. I needed this possibly way more than she needed it. “I’ll pay you eighty grand, through Christmas. Even if Amelia leaves earlier.” But I was already planning on talking to my lawyer.

If Vanessa was so willing to leave Amelia for three months shortly after our custody agreement was set, what would she do in the future?

“What? Why? That’s… that’s twice as much as the average salary and you’re not hiring me for a year…”

Her stammer was adorable. So was her indignation, the shaking of her head.

My hands curled into fists. I wanted to run my fingers through those long locks of hers, inhale the coconut and beachy air perfume or shampoo she used…

I choked down the thought, thinking of my ninety-year-old grandmother in her kaftan dress instead. I brought up every image of the wrinkled, leather-skinned woman who was not at all conducive to the hard-on I was definitely not going to be sporting right then.

Do not fuck the nanny. Do not flirt with the nanny. Do not lust after the nanny. Hell, never be attracted to a teammate’s sister, and if you were, never ever act on it. Cardinal rules every man and player knew. And I wasn’t just a player—I was their coach. Their leader.

I’d stop being attracted to Ruby as soon as I took care of my needs.

I gathered my self-control and reminded her. “This is totally last minute. I’m desperate for the help, and I have no idea when Vanessa will actually be home again. I need to secure help at least through Christmas.”

“And if she leaves earlier?”

“I’m agreeing to pay you eighty grand through December. Regardless.”

“That’s a lot of money, Logan, and I’m not sure—”

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