Tucker gives me a slow smile. “You’re it for me, sweetheart.”
This is ridiculous. No way should I even be considering it. I certainly shouldn’t accept.
Not without making a counteroffer.
“Twenty-five thousand for two weeks.” The amount he’s offered me is outrageous, and asking for more is ridiculous, but I need every penny I can get.
“Deal.” Tucker doesn’t even hesitate. I blink back a little shock as he turns to Birdie, bouncing her around. “What do you think, Little Bird? You up for the challenge?”
“Park.” My daughter points a chubby finger toward the door. “Go park.”
“Sure thing, chicken wing.” He heads for the door, almost looking excited. “To the park we go.”
5
Tucker
“You’re going to get stuck.” Ruth calls up at me as I follow Birdie across the swinging bridge connecting one climbing tower to the other. “This thing isn’t made for someone your size.”
I pause at the end of the swaying path, leaning against the rope railing to give her a grin. “You don’t have to flatter me, sweetheart. We’ve already got a deal.”
And thank fucking God for that.
Ruth rolls her eyes at me and I grin wider. I like that she’s not returning my flirtations or falling on my cock. It’s going to make all this so much simpler. Will make it easy peasy to keep things nice and neat between us.
Birdie races behind me, running back the way we just came, her high-pitched giggles just as adorable as her momma’s continuous eye-rolling.
I give Ruth a wink before stepping heavily on the flexible planks, making them bounce and Birdie cackle. “I’m gonnaget you.”
The toddler squeals, turning to wobble her way to the next platform.
I follow her path, offering boosts and encouragement as she slowly climbs her way to the top of the equipment. Once we’re there, we’ve only got one way down. And I’m pretty confident Birdie can’t go down the enclosed, twisting slide on her own.
I hold her hand to make sure she doesn’t attempt it, and lean over the rail to find Ruth. “Hey, momma?”
She steps into view, hands on her very appealing hips. “I’m not coming up there to save you. If you’re stuck, I’m calling the fire department.”
“First off,ifI get stuck, we’re calling my brother to come get me out. Second, is it okay if I take Little Bird down the slide with me?”
Ruth doesn’t know me. She knowsofme—and obviously of my reputation—but she doesn’t really know what kind of man I am. Putting her daughter on my lap isn’t something I’m going to do without permission.
“Well, she can’t come down alone.” Ruth narrows her eyes at me. “But I want to be very clear that if you turn out to be a creep, you’re going to have to find a new hobby. Because I will divest you of the appendage required for your current one.”
“Understood.” If I didn’t already think Ruth was a good mom, her willingness to commit acts of violence to keep her daughter safe would have done it.
I know another mother willing to do the same. And while I might not be thrilled with her current hobby of getting me and my brothers hitched, my mom is the best there is.
“Get ready for us, momma.” I wedge both legs into the opening, managing to get on my ass before helping Birdie into the spot in front of me. “You ready, Little Bird?”
She claps and I take it as a yes.
It’s not as easy to get going as I expected, but after a fewseconds of wiggling from one ass cheek to the other, we finally start to slide, the static our bodies create snapping at my skin as we twirl toward the ground.
As soon as we reach the bottom, Ruth reaches for Birdie.
“Wait.” I stretch one hand out. “Touch me first so you don’t shock her.”
Ruth hesitates, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind, before slowly bringing her fingers to mine. The second we touch, electricity zings between us, crawling over the back of my hand and up my forearm. Her eyes jump to mine, like the sensation surprised her, and our gazes lock for just a second.
