Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(75)

Nathan sat up and swung his legs out of bed. He squinted at me. “You’re on the fifth floor. What would you like me to do? Jump?”

“I don’t know!” I picked up the T-shirt next to the basket and pulled it over my head, slipping my arms through the sleeves as the pounding at the door continued. The hem touched my thighs and covered my shorts completely. “What are we saying if they see you?” I asked, pulling the jeweled pin out of my hair when I felt it digging into my scalp. I tossed it on the nightstand. “God, this is going to be so confusing for them, after my date last night? Should we tell them anything? Are we telling anybody anything? We really should’ve had this conversation before the sex.”

“Which time?”

“Oh, ha ha.”

Nathan cocked his head, a sleepy smile tugging at his mouth. His hair was a mess and stuck out in sharp pieces. He looked so fucking adorable right now, and sexy. God, he was sexy.

“Jenna?”

“Mm?”

“You’re staring at me.” His brows ticked up. “Not that I don’t appreciate it, but shouldn’t you be answering the door?”

“Shouldn’t you be getting dressed?” I gestured at him.

His eyes skimmed my body. “Sure. I’ll get right on that.”

“Yeah. How about some hustle?”

He laughed. “I never see you like this—you’re hot all worked up and worried.” Nathan was full-on grinning now.

The severity of this situation aside, that was really nice to hear. I should look manic more often.

“Thanks. But seriously, what are you going to do? You can’t just hide in here.”

“Relax. I’ll handle it.” He pushed out of bed, swiping at his boxers as he stood and stepping into them.

“You’ll handle it how?” I crossed my arms under my chest as I pictured Nathan shimmying down the side of my building. “Okay, I know you’re tall, but you can’t be seriously considering any other way out of here besides the front door. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“Just get the kids in the kitchen,” he said, the band of his boxers snapping against his stomach. “I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Okay. I trust you.”

His chest shook with a laugh.

“How are you finding any of this funny?”

“It’s not hard.” Nathan slid his glasses on, then glanced down at the front of me again. He gestured at the door. “Let’s go. How about some hustle?”

“Oh my God.” I tucked my hair behind my ears and spun around, hurrying out of the room.

My bare feet beat against the hallway flooring. I skidded to a stop at the front door, quickly sliding the locks open. “I’m coming!” I hollered. I turned the knob and opened the door. “Sorry! I’m sorry, guys.”

“Jeez, Mom. We’ve been out here forever,” Oliver said, typing quickly on his iPad. “I’m telling Uncle Brian he can go now. Finally.”

“I’m sorry. I overslept.”

“You never sleep this late, Mama,” Olivia pointed out, following her brother inside.

“Well, I guess I was just really tired. Here. Come on.” I closed the door and put my arms around them both, urging the kids to move while I glanced over my shoulder. “Let’s go into the kitchen.”

I didn’t see any sign of Nathan. I couldn’t hear him either. What in the world does he have planned?

“We already ate breakfast at Uncle Brian’s, Mom,” Oliver said. “He made us eggs.”

“There’s more than just food in the kitchen. Let’s just…sit in here and talk.” I guided them toward the table. “You guys can tell me all about your night. What did you do?”

“Played games. Watched movies,” Olivia said. “It was super fun.”

“Syd cooked lasagna. It was real good,” Oliver shared.

“I’m sure it was. She’s such a good cook.”

The kids slung their duffle bags up onto the table just as the door sounded behind us, latching shut again.

“Morning,” Nathan called out, turning our heads.

He stood in the small foyer wearing his basketball shorts and sneakers. He was shirtless.

I glared at this bare chest. Really?

“Nate!” Olivia shrieked, bouncing on her toes beside me. “Hi! What are you doing here?”

“I was out for a jog and got hungry. I thought I’d have breakfast with you guys.” He walked toward us, smiling. “You didn’t eat yet, did you?”

“We did, but I could totally eat again. If you’re hungry, I mean,” Oliver was quick to say.

I slowly looked over at my son, who I was sure would’ve turned down a second breakfast, or hell, a snack in general, had I been the one offering it.

“Me too,” Olivia added. “I’m actually still pretty hungry.”

“I was in the mood for some pancakes. Do you guys like pancakes?”

“We love pancakes! I’ll get the mix.” Olivia rushed around the small island to get to the cabinets. “Help me, Ollie! Come on.”

“Yeah, okay. I got the milk.” Oliver shoved his iPad into his duffle and hurried to join her just as Nathan stopped in front of me.