This kid’s trust issues rivaled his mom’s. Wondering what the fuck had happened to these two, I said, “Yeah, buddy, I promise.”
“Don’t forget,” he said, closing his eyes.
When I looked up, Carly was watching me, her expression guarded.
With Trent knocked out, it was time to finally get some answers from her. Starting with something easy, I asked, “Where else do you work?”
She hesitated.
Frustrated that she wouldn’t even tell me that much, I dug my heels in, determined to ferret this shit out. “The day you came to pick up Trent, you said you were missing work. I know the bar doesn’t open that early, so you’ve gotta have another job.”
“The Bean Machine. It’s a coffee shop not far from the bar. I work Monday through Friday mornings while Trent’s at school.”
“But you close the bar some of those nights. When do you sleep?”
She gave me that look again… the one likeshewas trying to figuremeout. “Everyone loses sleep sometimes. It’s a small price to pay to keep my little man fed with a roof over his head. He’s all I have. I’ve gotta take care of him, you know?”
Her eyes were haunted, alluding to all the secrets she kept locked away. She’d seen some serious shit in her life and that knowledge tugged at something within me, making me want to protect and shelter her.
“I get it, but who takes care of you?”
Carly frowned and looked away, running her paddle through the water again before returning my gaze. “I take care of myself, Wasp. I always have.”
If I had anything to say about it, that shit was about to change.
Carly
CALLING WASP HAD been a mistake. Sure, he was great with Trent and my kid was happy now, but Wasp was trouble. The kind of trouble I didn’t need and had no idea how to deal with. He was too attentive, too observant, too charming, too caring, too perfect.
And his body…
Every damn time he pulled that paddle through the water his chest and arms flexed, spiking my blood pressure and setting my body on fire. Then we picked up the pace and he started sweating.
Oh. My. God.
Sweat was disgusting. I should have been grossed out, but there was something about his glistening, rock hard muscles that made me squeeze my legs closed. I needed friction. Desperately. I burned with need for him. I’d never felt such bizarre desire in my life. Is this what he did to women? No wonder they all turned into sluts whenever he came around.
He’s a manwhore.
Not good for you. Not good for Trent.
Reminding myself that I needed to stay strong, I was trying to keep my eyes on something else—anything other than Wasp’s hot, sexy, sweaty body—but he was right there in front of me. All buff and taking care of my kid, helping him lay down and encouraging him to rest. I’d been so busy trying not to look at Wasp that I hadn’t even noticed that Trent was about to pass out. Major mommy fail. When Wasp gently helped him lie down, my defenses weakened, and my ovaries almost burst.
Seriously, who was this guy?
I’d been prepared to deal with the cocky flirt I knew from the bar, but this Wasp with his opening doors and wanting to know more about me was wrecking my life. Destroying all my carefully constructed walls to keep him out. Why did the guy have to be so damn charming?
“Man, he isout,” Wasp said, smiling down on Trent.
That adoring smile directed at my kid… I couldn’t handle it. I had to look away again. “I’m sure he’s tired after the swim and the rock wall. He’s had a lot of excitement today.”
“What about you?” he asked. “You tired?”
“Tired is my permanent residence.” I stifled a yawn. “How long do you think it’ll take us to get back?”
“At this rate, probably an hour or so. Why? Are you afraid to be alone with me, babe?”
“I told you, you don’t scare me.” The lies were just rolling off my tongue today.
