Reckless Temptations (Tempted #4)(56)

“Hi Bones,” I said, peaking over Riggs’ shoulder and down the stairs.

He lifted his hand and waved.

“Hiya, Kitten,” he greeted.

“I’ll drop the fucking refrigerator on you if you call her Kitten again,” Riggs hissed as he maneuvered the fridge. “Push,” he ordered, before glancing at me. “Make sure the door is open and step aside, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Sweet.

I hated when he was sweet.

It made me hopeful.

I stepped aside, getting out of the way and kicked the door open wide, just in case they got that monster of a fridge up the tiny stairwell.

Bones pushed. Riggs groaned. They both cursed their lives, the refrigerator and life in general, and by some miracle of God they managed to get it up the stairs with only clipping off a part of the bannister.

“Who’s the fucking man?” Riggs asked, grinning.

“Not you, asshole,” Bones replied as they moved into the apartment.

“Riggs,” I started, trying to warn him that his favorite person was sitting inside.

“Tell me I’m the man, Kitten,” he winked.

“You’re the man, but—” I was cut off.

“Well if it isn’t “Johnny Appleseed” himself,” my mother taunted.

“For fuck’s sake,” Riggs groaned.

“Mrs. Bianci, how are you?” Bones asked, wearing a shit eating grin.

My mother huffed as they pushed the fridge into its rightful spot in the kitchen, inspecting it for any damage.

“Does it meet your approval?” Riggs questioned, brushing his hands on his jeans before he plugged it in.

“You should’ve bought a Maytag,” she snarled, grabbing her purse off the counter. She walked over and kissed my cheek. “If you need me, call,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at Riggs. “And don’t forget, you don’t need this guy to do what you have to do,” she turned her eyes back to me. “You’ve got your family,” she said, giving me one more kiss and pressing her hand against my flat stomach. “I can’t believe my baby’s having a baby,” she whispered, before she dropped her hand and started for the door.

“Always a pleasure,” Riggs called out as she reached the door.

My mother paused at the door, lifting her middle finger to him before she walked out.

“I think she’s warming up to me,” Riggs said.

“Oh, yeah, definitely,” Bones said, dropping onto the couch. “Looks good Lauren,” he commented, glancing around the bare apartment.

“It does?” I asked, my eyes following Riggs as he inspected the changes to his apartment. I waited for his face to change, for the anxiety to set into his features but he remained indifferent.

“Still doesn’t look lived in,” Riggs added.

“She just moved in,” Bones argued.

Riggs turned around. “You’re going to need more furniture and I’ve got a few televisions I’ll hang up,” he rattled off, pulling off his hat and running his fingers through his hair.

“It’s fine. There’s no hurry to get anything,” I started.

“I want you to be comfortable,” he argued. “And when the kid comes, I want him to have a normal home,” he declared, reaching into his pocket.

I wanted to ask him what his definition of a normal home was, because normal was what you made of it. Pea needed a loving home, not one stocked with flat-screen televisions.

He produced his credit card from his wallet and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I shook my head. “I mean, I know what it is but why are you giving it to me?”

“I want you to fix this place up however you want,” he said.

I saw Bones shake his head out of the corner of my eye.

“That’s very nice of you, Riggs. So is offering your home to me and Pea but that’s where it ends. I’m not your charity case,” I said, ignoring the card he handed me and stepping around him.

“What just happened?” He asked, turning around so he faced my back. “Kitten, I don’t think you’re my charity case,” he argued.

I turned around.

“So what am I then?”

“Pea’s Mom,” he said simply, stepping closer. “Take the card Lauren, make this place look nice,” he coaxed, taking my hand and opening my palm before dropping the card into it and closing it. He squeezed my closed palm and leaned down to press his lips to my forehead. “Let me do this,” he whispered against my skin. “Make me feel useful,” he added. “And not just like some asshole who turned your life upside down,” he said, pulling back so he could glance into my eyes.

“I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow,” I began, lifting my eyes to his. “You want to do something useful? Be there,” I explained. “Adrianna says we’ll probably get to hear the heartbeat,” I added, smiling slightly.

I don’t know what kind of childhood Riggs had but our child would not be bought. A dollar wasn’t going to make up for a broken promise. He wanted to step up and do the right thing—that’s great but I wouldn’t allow him to throw money at a situation and think he’s doing his share. Pea deserved better than that. Pea deserved a daddy.