Game Over (On the Wild Side #1)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “What?”

  “Everybody giving you a hard time.” He used the key fob before opening the door for her.

  “Why would it?” She put a foot on the running board and clenched her teeth when Deke closed his hands around her waist to boost her up. He was not going to make this easy on her. “I’m not a kid anymore. Neither are you. If people want to think we’re sleeping together, let them.”

  He leaned in, reaching across her to fasten her seat belt.

  Was he serious? “I can do that!”

  “I know you can.” He flashed a grin, stealing her breath. “But I really wanted to.” He lingered a few seconds, his lips too close to hers, when he said, “You know, as long as they’re talkin’ about us anyhow, maybe we should--”

  “Just drive!”

  He laughed as he withdrew from the truck, shaking his head. “Can’t blame a guy for tryin’, Harper.”

  ***

  It had been a hell of a long time since Deke felt this good. Most people thought he was dark and brooding, and they’d be right. But sitting on the leather sectional in his apartment with Harper, just talking, lit a fire in him that had been dormant for years. She made him feel alive again… instead of like the walking dead. Just going through the motions. Nothing to look forward to or work for. Except his nephew, brother, and friends. And as much as he loved them, he needed more. He needed someone like Harper in his life again.

  “I can’t believe you bought this building,” she said. “That’s awesome. How many apartments are there?”

  “Six.” One was vacant so he’d have to see about renting that out soon. It was a pain though, with the credit and reference checks, not to mention the ads and showings. That’s why he’d been putting it off. “You need an apartment? One’s empty.”

  She seemed to consider that for a minute before she said, “I couldn’t do that to Jude. I think having a roommate helps her pay the bills. Besides, you and I living down the hall from each other probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  He thought it would be a damn good idea, but he could understand if she needed a little time to warm up to it. They’d only been on speaking terms for a minute. “Jude managed before you moved in with her. I’m sure she’d be just fine if you decided you needed your own place.”

  “I don’t know.” She sighed, leaning her head back. “I would like to have my own place, but I can’t blow my savings like that. I need a job before—”

  “Hey, you’re a teacher, right?” Jude once told him that Harper was teaching first grade and that gave him an idea. One that could be a win / win for both of them.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “Summer vacation just started. If you want to make some extra money you could look after my nephew for me. I can’t have him hanging around the shop every day and I’m sure you’d have a better way of keeping him entertained than cartoons and coloring books.”

  She smiled. “That’s your idea of entertaining a five year-old?”

  “It worked when I was a kid.” His mother used the TV and coloring books to keep them quiet so they wouldn’t ‘set their father off’.

  Her eyes dimmed and he knew she was thinking about his crappy childhood. “So, what do you say, beautiful? You wanna be my nanny for a couple of months? It’ll buy you some time to look for something more permanent.”

  She seemed to consider his proposal before she said, “That would mean you and I spending a lot of time together, Deke. I’m not sure.”

  He didn’t blame her for having reservations, but it felt like the perfect solution to him. “How ‘bout if I throw in that apartment to sweeten the deal?”

  Her jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious!”

  “Why the hell not?”

  He was making money hand over fist. Aside from his real estate investments, people came from hundreds of miles and paid him thousands of dollars for bigger pieces, not to mention the cut he took from the artists who worked for him, so he could afford to be generous with a woman who’d once been damn good to him.

  “Because that’s crazy.” She shook her head. “You could probably rent that place out for what, fifteen hundred a month?” When he nodded, she said, “You can’t just let me stay there rent-free.”

  “It wouldn’t be rent-free. It would be part of your compensation. It comes fully furnished too, so you could try it out for a bit and see how you like it before you decide. Think about it, it would be convenient if you’re going to be looking after Drew for me. In fact, you could crash there tonight, if you want? I’ve got extra sheets and towels—”

  “You’re getting way ahead of yourself,” she said, holding her hand up. “I haven’t even agreed to take the job yet.”

  That’s the way he’d always been with this woman: full-steam ahead. But he had to rein it in now. They weren’t teenagers… or a couple anymore. “Sorry.” He raised his hand. “No pressure, just something to think about.”

  “Uncle Deke? Can I get a glass of water?”

  Deke smiled when he spotted his nephew lingering in the doorway of his bedroom. “Hey, buddy. Come here. I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.” He might be biased, but he thought his nephew was pretty damn cute. Maybe meeting him would help convince Harper to take the job, and the apartment.

  Drew rubbed his big brown eyes before stepping forward, trailing his teddy bear behind him. He was wearing striped pyjamas and his chestnut hair was standing on end. He smiled shyly at Harper. “Hi.”

  Harper’s smile spread as she looked from Deke to Drew. “Wow, you just might be the cutest…” She narrowed her eyes at Deke. “That was part of the plan, wasn’t it? Lure me in with the cute factor?” She shook her head, laughing, when he couldn’t deny it. “You’re terrible. Shame on you.”

  Drew’s eyes widened. “What’d you do, Uncle Deke?”

  Drew took everything literally and if Harper claimed Deke had done something to be ashamed of, his nephew wanted to know about it.

  “Come here, you.” Deke reached for his hand, tugging Drew forward so he was standing in front of him. Putting his chin on Drew’s shoulder as they faced Harper, he asked, “Does this help?”

  Her lips twitched before she crossed her arms, trying to look stern. “You’re too much.”

  He winked at her, biting back the naughty comment on the tip of his tongue. Wouldn’t be the first time she’d told him he was too much, but then she meant it in the literal sense. “Buddy,” he said to Drew, “This is my friend, Harper. We went to high school together.”

  “Did you know my daddy too?” he asked, curling his little hands around Deke’s.

  “Sure did,” Harper said, smiling. “He’s a great guy. And so brave too. You’re very lucky.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He bit his lip. “Sometimes I wish I had a mommy though.” He turned his head to catch a glimpse of Deke. “Not that you’re not great, Uncle Deke. But you can’t bake. Stephan’s mom bakes chocolate chip cookies for him all the time.”

  Deke’s heart clenched every time Drew mentioned his mother. She’d bailed on him when he was just a few weeks old and never looked back. Claimed she wasn’t cut out to be a mom. Too bad she hadn’t thought of that before she went off the pill to try and snag Drew’s daddy.

  Harper’s smile was sad when she said, “I love to bake. I’d be happy to make chocolate chip cookies with you sometime.”

  “Really?” His smile lit up his whole face, revealing two missing teeth. “That’d be awesome!” He looked at Deke again. “Would that be okay? If we used your kitchen to bake cookies?”

  There was nothing Deke wouldn’t do for this kid. “Of course.” He’d done everything he could to make Drew feel at home at his place, but they occupied another apartment in the building and Drew always talked about missing his own room. “You can make as big a mess as you want.” He squeezed him hard, tickling his tummy.

  Drew giggled. “You’re the best.”

  Every time this kid was in his arms, his heart swelled, making him wish for things h
e might never have. Like a kid of his own.

  Harper smiled at their exchange before she said, “What else do you like to do, Drew? Besides eat chocolate chip cookies?”

  “Um, well…” He stuck the tip of his finger in his mouth. “I like cartoons, going to the park.” His eyes widened again. “And I loooovvvveee going to the zoo.”

  Harper giggled. “Really? The zoo is one of my favorite places! The park too. I could live on the swings.”

  Drew laughed. “You’re too big for the swings at our park.”

  Harper pouted. “What are you saying, Mister? They wouldn’t let me on the swings?”

  He shook his head, still smiling. “Nope.”

  “Huh. We might have to find a new park then.” She raised her chin. “With big people swings.” She leaned in. “Would you push me on the swings?”

  Her eyes were still sparkling with amusement when he said, “Sure.”

  She twisted her lips, pretending to consider her next question before she leaned in and whispered, “How ‘bout under-doggies? Any good at those?”

  He laughed out loud. “You’re supposed to give me underdoggies!”

  Deke watched their exchange with a smile on his face, trying like hell not to fall even deeper for this girl, but she wasn’t making it easy. Seeing her with his nephew made him think about how great she’d be with her own kids someday. And there’d been a time when he thought he’d be the guy going with her to push their kids on the swings at the park.

  “I am?” Harper shrugged. “Okay, I guess I can live with that.”

  “Will you really take me to the park?” Drew asked, sounding hopeful. “Maybe after we bake the cookies?”

  Deke could tell this kid was tugging on Harper’s heartstrings the same way he did his. He missed his daddy, had never known his mommy, and wanted siblings like his other friends. No matter how hard Deke tried, he couldn’t give him everything he wanted or needed. But maybe Harper could find it in her heart to help fill the void in the kid’s life. And his too.

  Harper’s gaze strayed to Deke’s. “I’d love that. In fact, your uncle just offered me a job as your nanny this summer. Would you like that?”

  “What’s a nanny?” Drew asked.

  Deke smiled. “A babysitter. Like Mrs. Reynolds. Only Harper would stay with you during the day, while I’m at the shop. Would you like that?”

  “Yeah!” He dropped his teddy bear on the couch and pumped his fist in the air. “Then we could bake cookies every day! And go to the park and the zoo and…” He looked at Harper, tipping his head. “You like to read story books?”

  “I love to read.” She smiled as she rested her chin in her palm. “I’m a teacher and story time is my very favorite part of my job.”

  “For real?”

  “For real,” Harper said, nodding emphatically. “What’s your favorite book, Drew?”

  “Will you read it to me?”

  “Uh buddy, Harper’s probably tired,” Deke said, trying to save her from the bedtime ritual. He knew one book always led to four. “Maybe some other time.”

  “Nonsense,” Harper said, waving Deke off. “I’d love to.” She stood, reaching for Drew’s hand. “I’ll tuck you in and read you that story while Uncle Deke gets you a glass of water. Deal?”

  Looking satisfied, Drew slipped his hand into hers and nodded emphatically. “That’s a deal.”

  Damn. Just a few hours in this woman’s company and Deke was already going down for the count.

  Chapter Four

  Harper knew as soon as she laid eyes on that little boy she didn’t stand a chance. She was a sucker for kids of all ages, but there was something about this age that really made her melt.

  “That was impressive.” Deke was leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, watching them. “Only one book. Usually takes three or four for me to get him to the lights out stage.”

  She smiled as she stood, reaching for Drew’s lamp. She turned it on the lowest setting in case he needed to get up during the night. “That means I’m either really boring or highly skilled.”

  Tongue in cheek, he said, “My vote’s for the latter.”

  “You better say that if you still want a nanny.”

  She poked him in the stomach as she walked past. Damn. The man’s stomach was rock hard. And if she let her gaze drift a little lower she suspected that wouldn’t be the only thing that was hard. He’d been watching her all night like he wanted to devour her and she couldn’t claim she wasn’t tempted to let him. Which made his proposal dangerous, stupid, and… irresistible.

  “Does that mean you’re accepting my job offer?”

  She did need the money and Drew was an adorable kid. She had no doubt they’d have fun together over the next couple of months. But an apartment in Deke’s building? That was risky.

  “Maybe.”

  She walked towards his spacious kitchen, wondering if all the apartments looked like his or if he’d taken the largest unit, or perhaps combined two to make one oversized unit. It looked recently renovated, with scraped hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, oversized moulding, and high ceilings.

  “This place is beautiful, by the way. Not at all what I expected.” She ran a hand over the smooth quartz breakfast bar that ran the length of the kitchen. “I can’t imagine all of the apartments look like this.”

  He shrugged. “Everyone adds their own personal touch, but there are certain features I like, so all of the apartments have them. Stainless, quartz, hardwood, upgraded bathrooms. If you want me to show the apartment you’d be staying in, I’d be happy to.” He pointed to a door that looked like an exterior door. “It’s right through there.”

  Her eyes widened. “You mean you can walk through that door into my apartment?” Not that it was her apartment. Yet.

  He pinched his lips together, looking amused. “Uh yeah, didn’t I mention that?”

  “No, you didn’t. How does that work? I mean, are all of the units like that?”

  “No.” He swiped a hand over his mouth. “I was planning to expand my place, add a couple more bedrooms and an office, but decided I didn’t need the extra space after all, so I just made it into a one bedroom. It’s not that big, but it’s perfect for one person.”

  It had to be larger than the shoebox she and her bestie were sharing. “Ok, I’d love to see it. Thanks.”

  “Great.”

  He stepped into the kitchen and reached around her to snag a set of keys out of a drawer. He rested his hand on her waist, while reaching, and she didn’t know whether to ignore it or chastise him. It spoke to a level of comfort they shouldn’t have after so many years apart.

  “I’m still not convinced this is good idea,” she muttered. “Being your neighbour is one thing, but right next door, with a common door between our apartments.”

  “If you’re worried you won’t be able to resist sneaking in here at night to have your way with me, I can throw the deadbolt on my side to help you out with that.”

  “You’re such an ass,” she said, elbowing him in the stomach. “It’s not me I’m worried about. If memory serves you were the insatiable one.”

  That innocent comment was all it took for the mood in the room to change from playful to sexually charged and Harper wasn’t sure she welcomed the change. As he looked down at her, they both seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the other to make the first move. She would have to be certifiable to kiss her ex-boyfriend, the man who not only dumped her, but stomped on her heart. But knowing it would be a mistake didn’t prevent her from wanting to make it.

  Before she could act on temptation, she patted his chest. “I’m dead on my feet. I just might take you up on that offer to sleep over. Uh, in the apartment next door, of course.”

  He smirked. “Of course.” He crossed the room. “Just let me grab those sheets and towels. Oh, and you’ll need soap...”

  His voice trailed off when her memory took over. Soaping each other up in the shower. Him pinning her against the tile wall, ha
ving his way with her mouth while he breached her, stretching her in the most delicious way…

  Deke was standing in front of her, hands full, looking amused. Like he’d just caught her with her hand in the cookie jar after she’d sworn off treats. “Did I interrupt something?”

  She shook her head, trying to re-focus on the present. “Uh no.” Her cheeks were burning, so she pushed past him, knowing it was too late to hide the obvious. “Thanks for letting me stay over. If I know Jude she’s having a sleepover tonight and there’s no way I’d want to be a fly on the wall. Our apartment is so small that awkward mornings after are a given.”

  “That’s why you need your own place.”

  He was really selling it, but the question remained whether she was buying. It was a hard offer to refuse. Getting paid to look after an adorable kid, plus free rent. It was like the answer to her prayers, but she knew allowing Deke to play her hero was just asking for trouble.

  Since his hands were full, she turned the lock and opened the door that led to the apartment next door. Flicking the light switch, she whistled under her breath. Damn, it was nice. Why’d it have to be so nice?

  White walls and trim, scraped gray hardwood floors. A white kitchen with quartz countertops and stainless appliances. A small living and dining area, both filled with coordinating white furniture. It was just one large open room, but the higher ceilings made it feel more spacious.

  “What do you think?” he asked, setting the load in his arms on a skirted ottoman in front of one of two loveseats facing each other. “I know it’s not very big, and kind of neutral, but I wanted the tenant to be able to add their own touch so I thought a blank canvas worked best.”

  “It’s beautiful.” She ran her hand over a distressed cabinet that housed a TV. “You’ve thought of everything.” She couldn’t reconcile the reckless, moody, artistic kid she used to know with this guy. It didn’t compute.

  “I tried,” he said, shrugging. “It’s easier to get good tenants if you fix the place up right.”

  She turned without realizing he was standing so close. They were practically toe-to-toe, totally invading each other’s space. But she knew if she took a step back she’d send the message she was fighting their connection.