Page 11 of Roughing the Player
“All right.”
But then the devil in me blurts out, “Wear something sexy.”
She barks out a laugh. Usually not the sexiest sound on a woman, but somehow it works on her. “You’re pushing your luck, Parker. You’re lucky I said yes.”
Parker. That’s what she used to call me during our tutoring sessions whenever I did something she didn’t approve. Somehow, it makes me happy to hear her call me that. “Yes, ma’am. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Well, well, well. So Ellie has a daughter. Who would have thunk? She’s not married. Not that you need to be married to have a kid. But back then Ellie planned everything to the nth degree, so no way would she have a child without working it into her schedule. I rub my face and scoot deeper into the bed. Thank God I hadn’t gotten her pregnant. We’d definitely dodged a bullet there. I’d been so embarrassed about not taking precautions, I’d stopped going to our tutoring sessions. The month and a half after we did the deed, I’d lived in fear of her telling me I’d knocked her up. After suffering the hell of the damned for six weeks, I’d manned up and asked her if everything was okay. When she’d said everything was fine, I was finally able to breathe. That kid would have been awesome, though. How could he not be with her brains and my abilities? But thank God Ellie hadn’t been pregnant. Last thing I’d have needed in high school was a kid. But my carelessness taught me a lesson. After that night, I’ve never fucked a woman without suiting up.
I toss my cell on the night table and turn off the desk light. Lying in the dark, I wonder what Ellie’s kid is like. Does she have her mother’s smarts? Does she look like her daddy? Whoever he is, I hope he’s treating Ellie and his kid right. Because if he doesn’t, he’s a total tool.
