Page 21 of Playing With Fire
There’s even a disclaimer on the shipping page.
Orders over $500 will require a signature.
Perfect.
Serafina does great at the doctor’s office. Everyone coos over how adorable she is in her yellow and pink dress. She’s giggly today, and didn’t even cry when they gave her the shot.
My heart, on the other hand, pinched so tightly I thought I might topple over. When her eyes sought mine for reassurance, I felt a strong wave of love. The intensity behind the emotion was new, but not unpleasant in the slightest.
If I’m honest, I was fearful that my anger toward Greg would spill over onto Serafina, but I’m glad it seems to have had the opposite effect. I want to show her the unconditional love and support that she most likely won’t get from her father if this attitude of his is here to stay.
“Are you excited for our trip to the beach, baby girl?” I ask, peeking up to look at my daughter in the rear-view mirror every few seconds.
She’s smiling and playing with her toes, so I’ll take that as ayes.
I pull into a spot close to the walkway for the public swimming area which really clears out after Labor Day. People can still swim, but they’re warned that no lifeguard is on duty. Since it’s after Labor Day now, most people are utilizing other parts of the park.
Taking a baby to the lake is not for the faint of heart. I pack Serafina’s wagon full of everything I brought and pray I haven’t forgotten something. We’ll only be out here for a couple of hours, but forgetting something could mean cutting the trip even shorter. Most of the crowds are reduced to small groups of locals, and I prefer this area when it’s quiet as opposed to fiftygroups of college students blaring fifty different songs from portable speakers that get carried on the wind.
Thankfully, Serafina and I have our choice of spots today. Only a few other patrons are relaxing in the sand as I pull the wagon along while carrying my daughter on my hip. I set up Serafina’s tent to block the direct sun and excessive heat, thankful today isn’t windy—I’ve had this stupid thing ripped out of my hands more than once.
Next, I lay out the blanket, set up my chair, and give her all her favorite toys. She’s too young to play in the sand, but she enjoys her regular toys on the blanket with a change of scenery. I’ll make a true beach lover out of her yet because that’s where my heart truly lies.
When she starts to get fussy, I pick her up and walk to the water’s edge. Sitting down with her on my lap, she giggles when the water lightly splashes over us from small waves created by the wake of passing boats just beyond the swimming ropes. Her bonnet hides her face from me, but I can hear her delighted fits of laughter.
Suddenly, a shadow falls over us. “Shannon?”
Turning to look over my shoulder, I’m caught completely off guard.
“Holy shit.”I smack a hand over my mouth as my eyebrows shoot for my hair line. I’m less concerned that I cussed in front of my infant, and more concerned that I just breathlessly admitted my attraction to the shirtless man in front of me.
I scramble to stand, swallowing hard, my mouth suddenly dry.
“Hudson.” To my dismay, his name comes out as a shriek. Clearing my throat, I try again. “I mean, what are you doing out here at this hour?” I ask, Greg’s words haunting my mind.It’s Friday. Some of us have to work.
Hudson’s eyes stray to my bikini top and his tongue dartsout, wetting his bottom lip before he brings his eyes back to mine and gives an answer.
“I, uh, switched days with a guy on weekend shift. He had a family emergency and is headed out of town tomorrow.”
“That’s really nice of you.” Then I remember the package I just ordered and without thinking, I blurt out, “Does that mean you won’t be making deliveries every day next week?”
His sexy mouth curves into an even sexier smile. “Depends. Are you expecting something?”
How obvious can you be, Shannon?
I blame it on the mountain of shirtless torso staring at me. Broad shoulders sit atop inked pecs that give way to deliciously sculpted abs with smooth skin. And God, the lines. The lines at his hips damn near have my knees buckling.
I can’t help but scan the rest of him. His swim trunks are short and I see the bottom of the tattoo on his thigh peeking out. The beautiful artwork adorns the most glorious quads I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“You don’t skip leg day, do you?” Immediately, I realize I said it out loud and wince. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.” I’m like a middle schooler talking to her crush for the first time. Except I’m five years older than this man and married, for fuck’s sake.
When he laughs, I swear my orgasm is imminent.
“Leftover habit from the military that became a life philosophy. If I can’t even take care of myself, how can I take care of others?”
“I feel the exact same way,” I admit. “That philosophy was part of the reason my personal trainer was one of the first calls I made after giving birth. It isn’t just about looking good. It’s about being healthy, having energy, and passing on good habits to my daughter.”
He waves a hand in the direction of my torso. “It’s working.”
