“Ladies.” Rider’s masculine voice has all three of us turning to him. He stretches his arms over his head, a deep groan rumbling his chest. It’s a sex sound that makes my nipples take notice, as do the abs that go on display when his t-shirt rides up.
Heat burns my face, and I turn away before I do something crazy like lick those enticing muscles arrowing down into his jeans.
I’m already feeling vulnerable around him. Especially after our talk last night. Seeing him like this, first thing in the morning with that sleepy look in his eyes, makes me want to crawl into his lap and do naughty things.
Poppy giggles and claps.
I’m holding his baby. Right.
“Wanna see your daddy? Hmm?” I kiss her on the forehead and lean over Rider, who sits up to take his daughter.
“Hey, cutie pie.” He peppers her with kisses and she laughs. “I have to tell you guys that having a kid is so fu—freaking surreal.” As he snuggles her to his chest, his face turns up to me. “How’d she sleep?”
“Great. She only woke up twice. I gave her a bottle and patted her butt, and she knocked out again.”
“Sorry. You could’ve woken me to do that.”
It never crossed my mind. I was already right there. “We should probably work on weaning her from night feeds, but the first week in a new household might not be the best time. Perhaps once she gets settled in, you’ll need to figure that out. But you’ll probably want to work some purées into her routine too. That will fill her tummy so she needs less at night.”
“Purées? Like, mashed-up food?” he asks. I almost laugh at how confused he looks, but I nod. “I’ll… yeah. That sounds good.”
Ramona stomps back to her room and slams the door, which makes Sienna chuckle.
Rider frowns. “I hope I’m not causing any problems for you by staying here.”
Sienna jumps in to assure him he’s not. “The grumpus is moving out soon anyway, so it’s really not a big deal.” She turns to me. “And you totally don’t micromanage.”
I look at my ceiling, wishing she hadn’t mentioned thatright now.
“Gabby’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” Rider says. “She can micromanage me anytime.”
My eyes snap to his, and he winks.
“I… I… Who wants breakfast?” I glance down and realize I’m only wearing a flimsy tank and sleep shorts. I pull my thin robe closed and tie it before I dart into the kitchen. I call out, “Sienna, this is Rider. Rider, my roommate Sienna.”
“I’m such a big fan!”
I tune out the rest of their conversation as I prepare a bottle for Poppy and grab a cup of coffee so I can think straight. When I return to the living room, Sienna is still going. “But too bad about that interception. At least you guys won.”
“Jeez, Sienna. Way to welcome a guy.” I hand him the bottle. “He was about to get sacked and lose, what, six yards? At least that’s the average loss on sacks.” I shrug. “On the bright side, they got the ball back a few possessions later and took it in for a touchdown. It all worked out.”
I look back and forth between them. Sienna looks confused, and Rider? He’s sporting a Cheshire-like grin.
I roll my eyes. “Fine. I watched your game. Are you happy?”
“More than you know.”
“It was for Poppy’s sake. I figured she’d like to watch her father play.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So you don’t hate football?” Sienna asks.
“Yeah, tell us, Gabby.” Rider smirks at me.
I roll my eyes. “I hate arrogant footballplayers.”
He just stares at me like he can see through my flimsy robe. Goosebumps break out on my arms.
