Reed let out a tired laugh, and then the amusement slid from his face. “Yeah, you do,” he said in a lowvoice.
The air between them sizzled, and Anika quickly averted her eyes, gently patting Brielle on the back. “I can keep an eye on her while you finish getting dressed.” She couldn’t handle watching him walk around half-naked. He should put on a shirtrightaway.
“I couldn’t ask you todothat.”
“Idon’tmind.”
“Areyousure?”
“Absolutely. Brielle and I are buddies now, and it’ll give me time to hang out with my new friend.” Anika continued to sway. Brielle’s ruddy, tear-stained cheek rested on her shoulder as she breathed evenly through her partially openmouth.
“Well, ifyou’resure…”
“I don’t mindatall.”
The front door opened and Mrs. Miller walked in. Her eyes widened as she quickly assessed the situation. “Another tantrum?” Sympathy filledhereyes.
“Yes,” Reedreplied.
“She got anotherphonecall?”
Reedswallowed. “Yeah.”
“Phone call?” Anikaasked.
“Long story,” Reed replied. “Mrs. Miller can take over now, and you can check on the progress ofthework.”
“Oh. Of course.” Reluctantly, Anika gave up Brielle to her nanny. The loss of weight left a void in her arms and chest. She’d become much too comfortable holding the little girl in her arms. She swallowed back a pained whimper that threatened tocomeout.
“Have you had breakfast?” Mrs. Miller cradled Brielle against her bosom. Her gaze encompassed Reed andAnika.
“I have another appointment after this, so I won’t be able to stay,” Anika replied. “Thankyou.”
“I’m fine. I’ll grab an apple,”Reedsaid.
“All right then.” Mrs. Miller climbed the stairs with Brielle inherarms.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll take you up on that offer to finish getting dressed. Give me five minutes and I’ll berightback.”
“Take your time.” Anika watched him ascend the stairs, eyes lingering on his body. It was difficult not to stare at his firm bottom, lean hips, and broad, tanned back rippling with muscles. She was very familiar with the silky but firm texture of those muscles. She’d caressed them in adoration and gripped them in the throes ofecstasy.
Anika swallowed hard and shook her head before going in search of the workers. They were in the process of covering the floors with a temporary covering and a plastic tarp to protect from debrisanddust.
She chatted with the men until Reed returned, much more relaxed with his hair combed and a gray T-shirt withAccountants do it better on the front. She looked away from the words and tried not to think about what theymeant.
A frown of worry descended on Reed’sfeatures.
Anika placed her hands on her hips. “You’re not getting cold feetareyou?”
“What would happen if I did?” His eyes traveled over the men moving aroundtheroom.
“I’m going to tell you what I tell all of our clients,” Edgar said, a tall, lanky Black man with a kind face and a good sense of humor. “Don’t freak out when you see thecarnage.”
“There’s going to be carnage?” Now Reed appeared reallyperturbed.
Anika covered her mouth to keep from busting out laughing. “Believe me, you’re going to be very happy with the final result. As a matter of fact, we want you to get involved in theprocess.”
“What do you want me to do?” Reed asked, in a slow, suspiciousvoice.
