That wasnotthe case at the clubhouse.
He didn’t have to be professional.
I, on the other hand, did. I had to keep our cover.
Even when he gave an order, and his intense eyes lit with a challenge while his mouth curved into an arrogant smirk that dared me to admit defeat.
I would rather quit my job, change my name, and move somewhere with one hundred percent humidity.
That competitive nature was exactly why I followed the orders.
Okay, maybe not exactly why, but I wasn’t thinking about that in public.
It helped that nothing he demanded was anything crazy. I would’ve drawn the line at indecent or illegal. But it was small things that caused a big reaction in my body.
He didn’t ask if I was hungry. He fixed my plate and told me to eat.
He didn’t ask if I was thirsty. He kept my water cup full and told me to drink.
He didn’t ask if I wanted to sit, sit near him, or sit on his lap. He moved me where he wanted me, when he wanted me there.
We’d been there for five hours, and that moment was the first time he wasn’t touching me or at least within touching distance.
Other than bathroom trips, of course.
I actually wasn’t sure where he’d gone.
Last I’d seen, he was behind the bar because you could take the man out of the bar, but you couldn’t take the bar out of the man.
I scanned around from my spot on a chair in the living room area, but he was still MIA.
What the…?
Standing, I was about to go in search when something was thrust into my arms.
A baby.
It was a living, breathing baby.
“What? Why?” I cried before softening my voice so I didn’t anger it.
Her.
Whatever.
My frantic gaze rose to Hollywood. “What’s happening?”
“Hold her for a second. I have to drain the neon lizard, and it’s too cold to bring her with.”
And then he was sprinting away from meandhis daughter.
I was pretty sure I was holding Maeve correctly, but I looked for reassurance I wasn’t sure Jury was qualified to offer.
Misreading my lost expression, he flopped down on the couch as he explained, “He’s got to take a piss, and I’m guessing the bathroom is occupied so he’s going outside.”
“I gathered that much. But am I doing this right?” In case he didn’t know what I was referring to, I shifted my arms a little for emphasis.
He tilted his head to inspect it before giving his analysis like one of the announcers from the baseball game he was watching on mute. “Neck support. Good angle. Greatform.” He winked. “You’re a natural.”
