Quarterback Casanova (Kansas City Griffins #1)

by Lisa Rayne

  “Another?”

  “Honey, your dad attracted women like flowers attract bees. And he wasn’t one to turn them away. He was a womanizer, a charming womanizer, but a womanizer nonetheless. I got wrapped up in thinking I was different because I was the one he kept coming back to, but I have to believe I wasn’t the first woman who’d ever told him he was the father of her unborn child.

  “I knew what I was up against, but I was in love with him. So, I ignorantly thought he’d stand by me. I didn’t expect him to be happy about it necessarily. Hell, I was terrified myself. I was only nineteen at the time. It wasn’t something either of us had planned. I just didn’t expect him to turn on me the way he did. I let my pride get in the way and didn’t pursue the matter with him. As a result, I didn’t get you what you needed from him.”

  “I didn’t need anything from him.” Naomi walked away from her mother and leaned against the kitchen wall, arms crossed.

  “Like hell you didn’t, little girl. You needed him so bad you went looking for him in another man.”

  Naomi’s arms flew apart. “What! You know I’ve always avoided professional athletes.”

  “How do you avoid professional athletes as a sports reporter?”

  Naomi’s face reddened from her throat up. Her eyes flashed. “You know what I mean. Until Dash, I avoided dating professional athletes.”

  “Women date men who fall within their constant circle of contact. If you pick a profession in which you are surrounded by athletes and former athletes and wannabe athletes, realistically whom do you think you’re most likely to end up dating?”

  Naomi scoffed. “You been getting your psychology degree by correspondence or something while watching Tallie during the day?”

  “Don’t smart off to me, young lady. I’m still your mother, and I’m not opposed to knocking those words back down your throat.”

  Naomi huffed out a breath. “Sorry.”

  “Maybe you didn’t consciously set out to bring your life full circle, but you have. You could have dealt with this issue with Dash the moment we moved back to Kansas City. All you had to do was show up on his doorstep one day with Tallie in tow, hand her to him and say, ‘I’d like you to meet your daughter.’ No hiding behind voicemail messages or letters he could ignore. You took the coward’s way out, and it had nothing to do with the media.”

  Adele put her hand up when Naomi started to protest. “Once you carried Tallie to term, the true risk was over. Wanting to shield her forever from the media is unrealistic. As the child of a professional quarterback, she may be the object of curiosity for as long as he’s playing. Maybe longer. As a reporter, I know you understand what I mean.”

  The truth of her mother’s words set in. Dash was a public figure. By association with him, Tallie also became a public figure. Since she was a child, journalistic and legal standards would classify her more likely as a limited purpose public figure. She hadn’t chosen to put herself in the public eye, but the events surrounding her birth—namely that her father was famous—meant she was fair game within reason for news reports and paparazzi. The moment Dash acknowledged her as his, people would be curious about what she looked like and what her life was like.

  “I have to wonder if I had forced your dad to acknowledge you—even if all he did was pay child support—you wouldn’t have tried so hard to resolve the unfinished business of that relationship via your interactions with other men.”

  “You’re still talking that psycho mumbo jumbo.”

  “Oh, honey, you and Dash are so an episode of Oprah, or maybe Iyanla Vanzant, it’s not even funny. You don’t find it interesting that the woman born to a deadbeat womanizing professional football player gets pregnant by a professional quarterback who blows her off after she finds out she’s pregnant? The universe is forcing you to face your shit—as they say.”

  Naomi’s eyes flew wide. “Mom!” Her mother rarely cursed. Hearing her do so now, only made this confrontation that much more of an out-of-body experience.

  Adele laughed and threw down the tea towel she’d picked up again to dry her hands. Walking over to the kitchen table, she pulled out a chair and said, “Sit.”

  Naomi moved to the table and sat down without a word.

  Her mom got the tea kettle down from the cupboard. “I’m going to make us some tea.” She gathered her special stoneware tea mugs with their own removable tea leaf strainers and lids then pulled her tea leaf variety bin down from the cupboard. She added the tea leaf selection bin and the mugs to the table then put together a tray with honey and sugar and a crocheted hot plate for the tea pot.

  Placing the tray on the table, Adele sat down opposite her daughter. “Put your defenses away and talk to me from your heart. Why were you really upset to see Dash here today?”

  “I don’t want Tallie hurt.”

  “Dash isn’t going to hurt Tallie.”

  “You can’t know that.”

  “Yes, I can. I’ve watched him with that little girl for a full week. He’s so madly in love with her she’s going to lead that man around by his nose for the rest of his life.”

  “A week? A week! Mom, Dash has been coming here for a full week and you didn’t say anything to me?”

  Adele looked down at the table. “He needed this time, Naomi. I didn’t want to risk you doing something to prevent him from having it.”

  “I’m not the bad guy here, mom.”

  Looking directly into her eyes, Adele said, “Neither is he.”

  The whistle of the tea kettle drew Adele’s attention to the stove. She rose and poured the boiling water into a china teapot. Returning to the table, she poured hot water over the tea leaves each of them had selected.

  She sat back down. She placed the mug lid over her steaming brew so it could steep for three minutes. She looked up at her daughter. “I’m sorry about your dad. I let my pride get in the way and didn’t do the right thing where he was concerned. And worse, I let my neuroses about men and relationships spill over onto you.”

  “I’m cautious about relationships, mom. Not neurotic.”

  “Okay, then answer my question truthfully. Aren’t you really transferring your fears onto Tallie? Already feeling all the angst for her that you lived as a child whose father ignored her? Who are you more afraid he’ll hurt, honey, Tallie or you?”

  Elbow on the table, Naomi dropped her forehead into her hand and rubbed an eye with the heel of her hand. Her head was beginning to hurt to go along with the uncomfortable pressure in her chest around the area that housed her heart.

  When she looked up at her mother, tears were forming in her eyes. “I’ve gotten used to this life without him. I made the mistake of letting him get close in Ibiza only to have him push me away again. I can’t do this dance anymore, mom.”

  “Unfortunately, it’s no longer just about you. You’re the mother of the man’s child. You are tied to him forever whether you want to be or not. You’re going to have to find a way to deal with that.”

  Adele rose, went over to the computer nook in the kitchen. She slid open the desk drawer and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She sat back down and slid it towards Naomi.

  Curious, Naomi opened it. She frowned over what she saw and slammed the cashier’s check down onto the table. “So, he’s trying to buy his way into our lives.”

  “He doesn’t have to buy his way in. The law gives him the right to be in Tallie’s life whether you agree or not. That’s his way of showing you that he’s one hundred percent in for Tallie.”

  A scoff pushed from Naomi’s throat. “This check is obscene.”

  Her mother laughed. “Not for a man with his bank account. Given what they pay him, that’s what? A couple hours worth of work?”

  Naomi wasn’t convinced. “It’s a payoff. Pure and simple.”

  Naomi went to tear up the check.

  “Stop right there, young lady.”

  At the fierce tone in her mother’s voice, Naomi’s hands halted immediately, her bra
in forever programmed to respond to that authoritative sound that promised punishment for disobedience.

  “Don’t. You. Dare. Tear up that check.”

  Naomi looked down at her hands then back at her mother. “I’m not accepting this. I won’t feel obligated to him.”

  “Look closely. That check’s not made out to you.”

  A quick perusal verified that the check was made payable to Taliana Pellier. Her brows creased.

  “It’s not yours to destroy, Naomi. If you don’t want to spend it, fine. But that’s Tallie’s money and you’re going to put it in a money market account or invest it. But I won’t let you throw away her gift from her father. I’ll manage the money myself before I’ll let you do that.”

  Naomi leapt up from the table, tossing the check down as she went.

  “Get over yourself, little girl. I didn’t get you what you needed from your father. You have a chance to do better. I suggest you take it.”

  Naomi stormed from the room and went to check on her napping child. She whipped out her mobile phone in route.

  Dash wanted to talk? Fine by her. They’d talk, and she’d tell him what she thought of his multiple zero zero zero check.

  He thought he could brainwash her mother and play the doting father behind her back. Ha. She knew that wouldn’t last. As soon as the going got tough, the non-trusting blackguard would tuck his tail between his legs and disappear.

  Everything stopped, including her feet. She spun the mobile phone in her hand once. Twice. A wicked grin crept across her face.

  Right. She knew Dash’s M.O. So, she knew exactly how to bring this matter to a quick close. Dinner didn’t sound like such a bad idea after all.

  Her fingers tapped out his number on the touchscreen, and she placed the phone to her ear. Two could play this game. If he wanted to play daddy, she’d see just how badly he really wanted to pursue the charade.

  Chapter 17

  Dash pulled into Naomi’s driveway around seven in the evening. He stepped out of his huge black BMW and adjusted his jacket. He glanced towards the house. The porch light cast a yellow glow across the front stoop.

  He stood immobile staring at her front door. Naomi had surprised him when she’d called two nights ago to accept his dinner invitation. He’d expected her to drag this out and make him wait. A mix of excitement and anxiety churned inside him. His gut warned tonight wouldn’t be as easy as her carefree call had made it sound. She’d acted too agreeable on the phone. That didn’t bode well. He knew her well enough not to fall for the carrot trick. The fire in her spirit would burn a man if he weren’t careful. He’d best be prepared to keep a look out for the stick.

  He shored himself up and walked to the door. The doorbell echoed inside the house, and Naomi called out for patience. A minute later, the locks disengaged.

  Naomi pulled open the door. Bent at the waist, she slid a black high heel onto one foot. “Hi, Dash. Come on in. I just need another minute or so.” She leaned the other direction and slid on the other shoe.

  She scurried away leaving Dash to close the door. He watched her hips sway in the form-fitting little black dress she wore and nearly choked on his tongue. The dress left no doubts as to the nature of the curves beneath the stretchy fabric, but left enough to a man’s imagination to drive him a little bit crazy.

  He’d planned this outing to talk about Taliana and get some parenting issues settled between them. With her looking the way she did, staying on topic would be a challenge. Right now, he’d like to order something in and see if they couldn’t resolve the parenting issues and the issue growing between his legs.

  He sighed and took a step towards the couch. The familiar thud of tiny feet sounded. He spun in time to block a human cannonball from crashing his shins. Snatching Taliana high into his arms, he laughed. “For such a little thing, you sure make a lot of noise.”

  Grinning, Tallie slipped both arms around his neck and squeezed.

  “Hello, precious. I didn’t expect to see you tonight. I thought you’d be with grandma.”

  She pulled back to look at him, raised her arms, and said, “Fly!”

  He shot a furtive glance towards the hallway entrance. Naomi stood at the mouth placing diamond studs in her ears.

  “We’ll fly another time, little bit. Okay?” He tweaked Tallie’s nose.

  “No. Fly.” Tallie raised her arms again. “Fly now.”

  Hesitation made him skirt another look at Naomi, who watched them closely. Her hands settled on her hips. She had a perplexed looked as she tried to figure out what Tallie wanted.

  Without warning, Dash tossed Tallie into the air. She screamed in delight, and he caught her easily as she dropped back down.

  A loud gasp sounded over her squeals. “Dash!” Naomi ran into the room. “What are you doing? Put her down.”

  “Fly again!” Tallie yelled over her mother.

  Dash couldn’t hold onto his chuckles at Tallie’s enthusiasm. They played this game often at Adele’s. The terrified look on Naomi’s face, however, forced him to take pity on her. “No more fly right now, Tallie. We’re scaring mommy. Okay?”

  Tallie looked at her mom and giggled. She put her head down on Dash’s shoulder, afraid she might get in trouble.

  “Okay,” Tallie said quietly into his neck.

  Dash rubbed her back in comforting circles. Looking at Naomi, he asked, “Is your mom here?”

  “No. Mom had something to do tonight. I thought we’d take Tallie with us.”

  Dash’s lips spread slowly into a wide grin. He pulled Tallie up from his shoulder. “Okay, my girl, ready to go for a ride?”

  When he looked back at Naomi, she watched him with a weird expression on her face.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” She stared at him a moment longer before adding, “I’ll get my keys. We’ll need to take my car so Tallie has her car seat.”

  *

  After they settle Tallie in her car seat, Naomi slid behind the wheel of her midsize SUV. They decided to cancel Dash’s reservation at an upscale bistro and choose a more family-friendly establishment. As she pulled up to the restaurant they’d chosen, she began to have second thoughts about this excursion. She’d taken to heart her mom’s message about not being able to keep Tallie’s parentage a secret once Dash claimed her, but facing the imminent moment of going public made her insides feel like bowling balls had been tied to her intestines.

  These days, practically everyone carried a mobile phone with some type of camera or recording device. Someone was bound to recognize Dash. What if people snapped pictures and figured out the resemblance between him and Tallie?

  She glanced at Dash from the corner of her eye. So far, things hadn’t gone as she’d expected. He hadn’t missed a beat when she’d suggested they take Tallie with them. Naomi had been waiting for him to make an excuse to get her alone. She’d put on this little black dress knowing what it would do to his libido. He hadn’t batted an eyelash.

  Maybe the dress had been too obvious a distraction. Still, at the very least, she’d thought he’d make excuses about being seen in public with a toddler in tow or have concerns about the possible crowds or express worry about managing dinner with Tallie at the table. He hadn’t.

  None of those scenarios seemed to have occurred to him. He’d simply whipped out his phone to cancel his original dinner reservation and asked her to suggest a place Tallie would enjoy. He’d looked almost happier to see Tallie than he’d been to see her—even considering her strategic dress choice.

  Actually, if she were honest with herself, he had been happier to see Tallie than her. The twinkle in his eyes when Tallie had run up to him had been unmistakable. Every touch and every smile he gave Tallie reinforced the truth of her mother’s observation. Dash was madly in love with her daughter—his daughter—their daughter.

  A sob threatened to rise in her. She stuffed it down while Dash exited the vehicle and opened the back door on the passenger side to free Tallie from her
car seat restraints.

  Gathering her aplomb, Naomi quietly pulled in several deep breaths. She wouldn’t let this get to her. She’d manage this somehow. Somehow, she’d learn to deal with sharing Tallie with him for the rest of her life and knowing he loved Tallie in an unrestrained way he’d never been able to love her.

  She startled when Dash pulled her car door open, holding Tallie in his other arm. She stepped out.

  He frowned when he saw her face. “You okay?”

  She looked away. “I’m fine. Just having second thoughts.”

  His bent fingers lifted her chin towards him. “Naomi, we need to talk. I promise I’ll make this painless.”

  She hesitated. “It’s not you, Dash. All these people and Tallie. What if someone figures it out?”

  “We can’t keep it a secret forever. I’m going to be in Tallie’s life on a regular basis. It will come out eventually. Now’s as good a time as any.”

  He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze before they entered the restaurant. Looking up at him, she took in the calm of his handsome face. The warmth of his fingers grounded her. He held Tallie securely in his arms. Whatever happened, Dash would protect Tallie. She had no doubts about that anymore.

  She let Dash’s calm filter into her. She could do this.

  They walked into the restaurant. Naomi halted and surveyed the surroundings. After a few minutes, Dash tugged at her hand. She’d missed the approach of the hostess. Dash got her attention so they could follow the hostess to their table. Shaking off her mental reverie, Naomi followed. Time to see how things would fare with their first family outing.

  Dash settled Tallie into the high chair placed at the table and tightened the safety strap. Tallie was in heaven, oblivious to her mother’s anxiousness over the threesome’s dinner out. The hostess offered to help with Tallie’s seat, but Dash declined. The hostess lingered, offering other assistance. When Dash’s attention failed to leave Tallie, she finally gave up and told them their waitress would be over shortly. Naomi thanked her, enjoying the hostess’s miffed demeanor and that Dash hadn’t noticed that the woman had been trying to come on to him.