Page 24 of Playing with Temptation

“Good. Now, no more stalling. Go to sleep.”

She bid Kai a final good-night, blew a kiss through the phone, then handed it to Nate. “Thank you. I hate not tucking him in tonight. I would’ve been so disappointed if I’d forgotten to call him before bed.”

Nate frowned, his mood suddenly surly. He shoved his phone into his back pocket. “I’ll let you get back to your bath.”

He left, closing the door behind him.

Kendra sank beneath the water, her eyes readjusting to the candlelit room.

What the hell was that about?

CHAPTER 9

Nate trudged back to the master bedroom, undressed and hopped in the large, rugged, stacked-stone-and-glass shower.

He lathered himself, gritting his teeth as he recalled Kendra’s words. She was distraught over missing a single night tucking Kai in.

Welcome to my world, princess.

Most nights he had to settle for wishing Kai good-night by phone, as he had tonight. Did she have any clue how much it tore at him that he seldom got to tuck his own son into bed at night?

Kai was growing up so fast. Already six years old, soon he’d be too old for bedtime stories and good-night kisses. And he was missing all of it. Moments he’d never get back.

He’d witnessed his son’s first words and first steps via a video recording. He didn’t want to miss out on any more milestones in Kai’s life, but Kendra hadn’t given him much choice.

The steaming hot water sluiced over his skin, relaxing his tired muscles and aching joints.

Wade was right; the game had taken a toll on their bodies. He wasn’t as fast as he’d been a few seasons ago when he was so explosive he could outrun every cornerback in the league in a footrace to the end zone.

He never imagined retiring without hoisting that trophy over his head at least once. The Marauders were close to reaching the next level. They just needed a few tweaks to the defense and a couple more offensive weapons. He couldn’t throw in the towel when they were so damn close.

Nights like this, when he was missing the goofy grin and contagious laughter of his son, he gave fleeting consideration to the prospect of retiring sooner rather than later.

Nate shook off the thought. He had a plan. Two more years, then he was out. This wasn’t just about him; it was about securing the future of his family and his foundation.

He toweled off and slipped on his underwear. After a few minutes of scanning channels, Nate turned off the television and dropped to the floor to do push-ups.

How the hell had he managed to be mad at, grateful to and turned on by one woman, all at the same time?

Kendra.

He groaned, gritting his teeth as he switched to one-armed push-ups, not caring that he’d need another shower if he kept this up.

All day he’d kept his attraction to her in check—despite the fact that she looked good enough to pour in a glass and serve on ice in that body-hugging gray pencil skirt and knee-high boots. In spite of the electricity humming along the surface of his skin when she’d placed her hand on his, comforting him. But seeing her in the tub with her slick brown skin and wet curls—that was more than any man could be expected to handle.

He’d tried to distract himself by counting the bathroom tiles and studying every feature of that damn bathroom like he’d have a pop quiz on it the next morning. Still, his eyes roamed back to her in that tub again and again. Fortunately, she’d been too busy talking to Kai to notice.

Nate slipped on his flannel pajama bottoms and slippers, then padded to the kitchen for a snack. He opened the fridge and smiled. Wade and Greer had stocked it with leftovers.

Nate cut a few slices of ham, then added some macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole to his plate before heating it in the microwave.

“What smells so good?”

Nate turned, startled by Kendra moving toward him in purple pajamas. Her damp curls were wrapped in a white turban.

“Leftovers.” He turned back to the microwave to watch the timer count down.

She shoved a few items into her luggage, then inched closer. “I shouldn’t be eating this late—but now I’m hungry again. Any more?”

Arms folded, he tipped his head toward the fridge. “Plenty.”

Kendra cocked her head to the side, her brow furrowed. She opened the fridge. “Thanks.”

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