“What? No. We’re…we’re good. Thank you, though, Fiona,” Cheryl replied and wiped under her eyes. “Come on, pumpkin.”
“Okay. Bye, Fiona!”
“See you, monster.” I waved and watched the two of them walk toward their car. I felt the rage coming off Gideon and I waited for them to leave before facing him. “Are you—”
He interrupted me with a frantic edge to his voice. “Can you watch her next Friday? It’s a half-day at school and I have to be there for my sister. I can pay you. Anything. You’re good with her and—”
“I meant what I said. Yes. I’ll help any way I can.” I reached out to touch him, but thought better of it. “Where?”
“My house. I’ll make it up to you.”
“No, we’re even. Seeing that guy’s face when a woman beat his team is enough to keep me smiling for at least two weeks.” I gave him a smile and a wave. “See you tomorrow, muscles.”
“Do you want to go out? Like, for food? Drinks?”
His sudden question startled me. He practically yelled it at me and I gulped.Out? Like a date? Shit.“I can’t tonight. I have a huge assignment due tomorrow morning.”
“Okay. Yeah, sure. See you.”
He walked away without another look. Why did I feel like I just got dumped? I hadn’t done anything wrong.Jesus—this is why I don’t do feelings. Fuck it.“You can come over if you want. I don’t mind the company.”
What. Did. I. Just. Say?
He stopped walking, his tight back tensing even more. But then he turned and grinned. “Really?”
“I mean, if you want. I’m not exciting,” I rambled and wished the ground would swallow me. “I do have work to do.”
“I’ll let you work. I prefer not to—well, thanks, Fiona. I’ll follow you to your place.”
I gave a brief nod and headed to my car with hundreds of questions.Why am I nervous? Why is Gideon happy about coming over to just sit?
And why is my heart racing?
The fifteen-minute drive seemed to go by in five seconds. I checked the rearview mirror every thirty seconds to see if his SUV was there—it was—and I gripped the wheel. This wasn’t a booty call. Or maybe it was. “Shit. Shit!”
The bubble in my stomach grew and by the time we parked and his large frame towered over me at the door, I felt like I was on a goddamn date to prom. “I-I don’t have any beer or anything.”
“That’s okay. If you hadn’t noticed, I don’t drink a lot.” He held the door open for me after I unlocked it, and his faint cologne had me inhaling his delicious scent. “What’s your project?”
“Business proposal with a set budget and list of employees, benefits, etc. Here, I’ll make you a cup of tea. Let me get my computer started.” I showed him the table, giving him the bright blue chair, and started the computer. I needed to keep my hands busy and ignored how the mugs clanked together after I’d heated up the water.Chill the fuck out.“I hope you like—”
“What the hell is this?” He squinted at my laptop with a huge, scary grin and I raced over to block it. Tea spilled onto my hands, but I ignored it.What’s on my screen?“Are you… Did you seriously have a document filled with baseball knowledge?”
“Nope.” I used my body to block it and I would strip to save myself. I would. I couldn’t believe I forgot I left it open.Fuck me.
“Liar. I can’t believe this.” His grin stretched across his entire face and the dimples greeted me.Damn, his perfect dimples.I felt my resolve slipping.
“It’s nothing, Gid.” I began to take off my shirt—anything—to distract him. I got my sports bra off in seconds and sat there, topless, hoping it would work. It didn’t. “Kiss me, Gideon.”
“No, no, no.” He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder, fits of laughter coming out of him. “I mean, yes. I will in a second. But, dearJesus,this is golden.”
I groaned into my hand and shoved past him to plop on the chair next to him. Modesty was never my thing and sitting there without a shirt didn’t bother me. If it helped save me embarrassment, then I’d do what I had to. “Get it over with. Read it.”
He remained quiet for five minutes, the only sign he was there an occasional chuckle, snort or head-shake. I’d made that before I knew I would be coaching with him. I’d reviewed it the night before and had forgotten to close it.
Because why would Gideon Titan be in my kitchen?
“Gideon. I refuse to be embarrassed.”
