Safe Bet (The Rules #4)(13)

“I’ll grab it for you.” He comes toward the tub, kneels down behind me and slowly slips my phone out of my jeans’ pocket, his fingers brushing against my backside, his fingers seeming to trail across my jeans.

Did he touch me extra slow on purpose? Am I imagining things, or did his fingers seem to linger? I’m suddenly hyper aware of his close proximity, how he just touched me so intimately…

Okay, I need to get over myself. He grabbed my phone for me, for the love of God. He’s trying to help me out. That’s it. I’m totally overreacting.

Totally.

I turn away from him, focusing on Autumn as she wiggles her fingers in the water, making it ripple. I hear Wade as he rises to his feet, shifting so he’s standing right next to me and I glance over at him.

“It’s Drew,” Wade says when he spots the name flashing across the screen. “Want me to answer it?”

“Please,” I say just as Autumn screams, “Daddy!” and smacks the water with the palms of her hands, splashing it onto my chest. My T-shirt immediately clings to my breasts, making me look like a lame wet T-shirt contest entrant.

Great.

Wade answers my phone, quiet as he listens to whatever Drew’s telling him. He then pulls the phone away from his ear and points it toward me. “He wants to talk to you.”

I dry my hands on a towel and go to Wade. He hands me the phone, our fingers brushing, his gaze dropping to my wet chest for the briefest moment. I know he just checked out my chest. What did he think?

Ugh, I shouldn’t care what he thinks. Nothing is going to happen between us, right? I need to focus on my job and not the muscular, sexy football player who’s eating up all the space of this decent sized bathroom just with his mere presence.

Pushing all thoughts of Wade’s eyes on my boobs and his hands on my butt aside, I bring the phone to my ear and listen to Drew.

“She’s fine. They’re running a few tests, making sure she’s all right, and then they’ll most likely release her. Hopefully we won’t be here for too much longer,” he explains.

“Hold on.” I look at Wade. “Keep an eye on Autumn, will you?” I say before I resume my conversation with Drew. “Do they know what’s wrong?” I head for the bathroom doorway, needing the distance. I don’t want Autumn to overhear my conversation and get worried about her mom.

“They have some suspicions, but it’s nothing major, so don’t worry.” He pauses. “How are the kids?”

“Jacob’s in bed and Autumn’s getting a bath before she goes to bed.” I turn away just as I hear an extra big splash and wince. “Maybe Wade is getting a bath too. I’m not sure.”

Drew chuckles. “Better go check on them then. I’ll text you when we’re on our way home.”

“Thanks. Keep me posted.” I end the call and turn to find Autumn’s already out of the draining tub, a thick pink towel wrapped around her tiny body. She’s grinning up at me, bouncing on her feet.

“Uncle Wade took care of me!” she declares.

My gaze finds Wade’s. He’s drenched. His T-shirt, his hair, all of him is soaking wet and I try my best to stifle the laughter trying to escape.

“I think Uncle Wade needs a towel too,” I say with amusement as I pass him one of those thick towels. Somehow he appears even more masculine drying his hair with a pink towel, his bulging biceps making my knees weak, but I keep that comment to myself.

Autumn’s exhausted so it’s a breeze putting her to bed. I leave her bedroom to find Wade lingering in the hallway, his T-shirt still clinging to his chest in the most distracting way possible. I try my best to avert my eyes, but it’s difficult. The wet fabric clings to every muscle, accentuating all he’s got.

And he’s got a lot.

“You want to change into a different shirt?” I ask him.

His expression is one of total relief. “If you can dig one up for me, yeah. I can’t believe how much she splashed me. I used four extra towels to clean up all the water on the floor.”

I make a mental note to put all of those towels in the washing machine later. “There are a few clean T-shirts in the laundry room that belong to Drew. I’m sure they’ll fit you.”

Wade follows me into the laundry room and I grab a T-shirt off of the folded stack that sits on top of the dryer. “Here you go—” I whirl around, the words sticking in my throat when I witness what’s in front of me.

A shirtless Wade—and the reality is even better than what my imagination conjured up earlier.

My mouth goes dry as my gaze roves over all that bared, smooth skin hungrily. Wow. He looks like a Greek statue. Like an Adonis. I don’t know if I’ve ever stood so close to such a fine male specimen on display before. My fingertips tingle and I’m tempted to reach out and touch. Stroke and caress and explore and, and, and…

“Here you go.” I shove the shirt in his direction, my fingers coming into the briefest contact with his pecs and my knees literally go weak.

Ridiculous.

“Thanks.” He takes the shirt from my grip and tugs it over his head, all of that beautiful skin disappearing, just like that.

I’m immediately disappointed.

“You’re welcome.” My voice comes out squeaky and I clear my throat. “I appreciate the help.”