Was she putting on a show? Who would refuse money for a job that was all night and honestly exhausting? Gold diggers were a dime a dozen and they had grown stealthy in their attacks. Was this girl one? Would she treat Tyson the same when I’m not around as she would when I’m here? Will she teach me to take care of him? Help me to grow into this? Is she willing to do it for me until I come to terms with it?

“The pay is what it is. I assume you want the job still?”

“I do, but the pay is up for discussion.” She lifted her eyebrow. The pretty little tart was willing to challenge me.

“No it’s not, but I’d like to hire you.”

“Good. When do I start?”

“Now.”

5 - Kendra

“Tonight?” The idea of starting so soon surprised me. Had I known he was in such a hurry, I would have eaten something and brought a change of clothes. Hanging out all night in my dress wasn’t going to be much fun.

“Yeah. Is it okay or do you need to start on Sunday?” The look on his face said that he expected me to simply agree. For the amount of money he was offering, I honestly couldn’t force myself to refuse him.

“Tonight is good.” I smiled and nodded to the refrigerator. “Do you have a glass that I can use for some water?”

“There are bottles of water in the fridge. Poke around and help yourself to anything you like.” He finished speaking over his shoulder and walked from the kitchen, leaving me there a little confused.

“Okay.” I took a deep breath and moved around the kitchen, opening various cabinets, all the while anticipating the soft cry of the baby. I found myself wanting to go back into his room and just hover a little bit. His poor tummy was tight and cramped when I arrived. How long had he been suffering from gas bubbles. I felt horrible for Jax for not knowing.

He walked back into the kitchen as I closed the fridge and twisted the top on my water. His shirt was tucked into his slacks, the tight black garment only working to accentuate the sexy ridges of his chest and abs. There must be a gym in the complex.

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” He winked and picked up his keys.

“Oh.” I paused just before pressing the water bottle to my lips.

“Oh? You’re surprised that I’m going out?”

“A little. We just interviewed, but if you’re comfortable with it, then I’m good.” I smiled and turned from him as a frown settled on my mouth. Maybe he wasn’t at all worried with Tyson’s stomach. He was willing to leave the boy with me after just meeting me, which didn’t at all speak much to his character.

“I’m comfortable, but you don’t seem to be.” Jax moved toward me, stopping a few feet as I sat down and glanced up at him.

“I’m fine. Just surprised. Leave me your cell phone number and let me know where you’re going in case I need you?”

“Give me your phone and I’ll plug in the number.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m going to hang out with a few friends for a little while and relax. It’s been a long ass week and Friday night means it’s time to let the liquor flow.”

“Okay.” I got up and walked back to the living room, not quite sure what to think. I handed the phone to Jax as a text rolled in from Brian. A picture of him popped up on the screen and Jax smirked.

“No boyfriend, huh? Who’s this guy?” He lifted the phone.

“A friend. Put your number in there and the closest pizza place. I didn’t know I was staying tonight or I would have eaten.” My stomach growled as if on standby for validation.

Jax typed in the number and looked up at me. “You haven’t eaten?”

“No. It’s eight. I usually eat around seven, but it took me that long to get to you.” I smiled kindly and sat down on the couch, crossing my legs and working to not notice the large bulge at the front of his slacks. He was packing a punch and I almost felt sorry for the poor unsuspecting female who might have to accommodate him later that night.

Not my problem.

“I’ll just stay here tonight. We can chat a little and if the baby wakes up, you can give me a few more tips and tricks. You definitely seem to know what you’re doing.” His eyes moved across me and I stifled a shiver.

“How do you not know how to take care of your son? I mean no harm in asking, but I’m baffled by it.” I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth and focused on him. There’s no way his wife had divorced him and left the kid with him. He was clueless.

“Do you not know who I am?” His voice held no accusation, but almost a level of sarcasm that left me feeling like I was missing out on a cosmic joke of sorts.

“Should I?” I ran my hand down my thigh, trying to get the dress to sit properly.

“Never mind.” He chuckled and walked to a desk that sat at the far end of the room. “Let’s order in since little man is sleeping. What do you like?”

“I’m good with anything. You don’t have to stay here with me. There’s a horror show marathon on HBO tonight. I’ll be perfectly fine. Honestly.” I tried to keep my voice light and friendly. Something about his response to me not knowing him caused me to worry. I would Google him when I got home, but for now... him leaving sounded like the more comfortable option.

“Thai food good?” He called over his shoulder, ignoring my last string of comments.

“Yep.” I shrugged and reached for the TV remote. I had no idea what type of food Thai food was, but if it was anything like Americanized Chinese... I was good to go.

He milled around the house for the next twenty minutes, his actions making me think he was working to avoid me for some odd reason. Maybe not recognizing him was a really big deal. I worked to focus on the show playing in front of me, and didn’t look up until he had paid the delivery guy and turned to face me.

“Dinner’s here. I wasn’t sure what to order, so I just ordered a lot.” He chuckled and I stood, walking toward him and breathing in deeply.

I wasn’t sure if the smell of the food or the dark scent of his cologne turned me on more. Not having many boyfriends and not caring about the lack of them, I conceded that it was the food. I helped him unpack everything as he hummed something softly under his breath. I wanted to ask about his wife and their situation, but he seemed rather withdrawn from such a conversation.

We made small talk during dinner, the food far more spicy than I was used to. I downed my bottle of water and two more while he simply nursed one beer, barely drinking any of it.

He glanced up after giving me a few thoughts on my business cards that would prove helpful. “Kendra. Your face is flushed. Are you okay?”

I reached up and wiped my forehead, the light sheen of sweat covering me less than surprising. “Yeah. It’s the heat of the food.”

The soft cry of the baby was a welcomed sound. I stood up and nodded toward the living room. “Tyson’s up. I’ll grab him and change his diaper.”

“Okay. I’ll fix him a bottle.” He moved from the table, reaching out and grabbing my wrist as I stood and took a shallow breath. “Hey. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” I tugged my arm away and walked toward the stairs, wiping at my face as I started to feel faint. By the time I made it to the little guy’s room, I was drenched in sweat. The chili they used in Chinese food must have been completely different from what the Thai people used. I was on fire.

I picked him up and pressed him to my chest, almost feeling sorry for the baby. I was drenched and now had to head back down for my sexy new boss to catch a glance of me at my worst.

“So damn embarrassing.” I lifted the little guy up and smiled at him. “You won’t judge me, will you?”

He cooed a little before wiggling as if he weren’t feeling too good. He started to cry, and I moved out of the darkness of his room and walked down the stairs. Jax lifted the bottle toward me as he stood at the base of the staircase. His smile faded as his eyes moved down the length of me.