Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(22)
I do catch him looking when he thinks I don’t notice, so I’m hopeful. Then there is the way my body hums and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up whenever he is near me. Like when he is standing too close to look at something over my shoulder, helping me dry the dishes or standing next to me to tuck Bri in at night, which he has stuck around to do all week.
Last night I was tied up preparing for meetings on Monday and before I knew it I looked up and he had Bri fed, bathed and in her bed sound asleep. I was really grateful. The fact that he is so good with Bri is an extra turn on. He has adapted to calling her Ellie like Ellerie does. She loves it.
I’ll be the first to admit it’s not just his body I’m lusting after. I actually like Brad. He’s funny, gentle and actually pretty smart. I hate to say I’m so surprised he is so smart. I guess I have to stop judging books by manufactured opinions, because being white, country as hell and a jock does not add up to anything I had pictured in my mind.
It’s easy to see he is young sometimes, but he is eager to learn and so patient with Brielle and even me. He didn’t have to grow up as fast as I had to after having Brielle, but he is willing to now. So yeah, I have the hots for Brad for a number of reasons. In the last two weeks I have wondered what more with him would be like.
So because I am too much of a coward to tell the father of my child that I think he is sexy, and I am completely turned on by him, I have resorted to dressing up for a kiddy party. One our daughter invited him to. I sigh as I shift on my heels again.
I look like I painted on my black skinny jeans and my black t-shirt is snug across the breasts with a low V-neck. My four and a half inch grey suede heels have spikes on the heels. My shoes say anything but run around after children at a party.
I almost choked Brielle yesterday when she told Brad I went and got my hair done. She told him I never get my hair done unless I have an important event or her Auntie Alee is in town. She even went as far as telling him it wasn’t Auntie Alee’s time to visit.
Brad just gave me a smug smile and a wink. I didn’t want to read too much into that. I haven’t been with a man since I conceived my daughter. Well not really, so I don’t want to go miss reading his signals.
I do a little wiggle as my soaked panties start riding. This is so sad, but my vibrators are useless. They have never done it for me. I really think I am pathetic when the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my body starts humming.
This is happening with fantasies of him now too? No!
A heavy hand wraps around my hip and a hard chest leans against my back. I at least know I haven’t completely lost my mind, although my panties are officially no good to me anymore.
“Hey Darlin’,” his voice rumbles through me.
I look up at him and beam like a school girl. He drops a kiss to my forehead sending a shiver down my spine. I feel my skin flush and hope it isn’t bright enough to show through my coloring.
“Hey,” I breathe back.
“I got something special for my girls,” he murmurs against my temple.
His girls, okay when did that happen? This man will be the death of me if I let him. I am panting like a wanton woman after just a few simple words. I don’t even think I heard the words. It dawns on me that he is holding a gift bag up before my face.
“For me,” I exhale.
“Yeah, Tamara for you,” he chuckles. His eyes zone in on my lips, that I purposely painted with a natural color gloss that makes them look shiny, full and plump.
“Thank you,” I say coyly as I take the bag off his fingertips. I reach inside and pull out the golden box inside. I know what it is right away. I had told him about this place here that makes these posh cupcakes. I pop the top to the box and resting inside is my favorite, a yellow cake cupcake with buttercream frosting and gold covered chocolate shavings. “Brad, you didn’t have to do this. This was so out of your way.”
“Nothing is out of the way for my girls,” he says with a broad grin.
There it is again, my girls. I look down at his hand on my waist and he holds another smaller bag which I know will have a mini version of my cupcake for Brielle. She is going to be on cloud nine.
He looks good enough to eat himself. What the man does for a suit is nothing compared to what he is doing for this black t-shirt and blue jeans. I wasn’t expecting the tan construction boots, but that is Brad, never what I expect. I bite my bottom lip as my eyes rake over him. It is the first time I am seeing his heavy mass of hair tied back as well. Mmm, I might like him clean shaven, maybe.
“Brad,” I start to say when I hear Brielle’s cry crack through the room. I turn to find her and she is barreling in our direction. I kneel so she can run into my arms, but she buzzes around me and runs right into Brad’s arms.
He lifts her cradling her little head against his neck as her body shakes with her tears. Brad rubs her back to sooth her as he kisses the top of her head. He looks in physical pain to see her upset. I close the distance when the shock of her rejection wears off and place my hand on her back beneath Brad’s.
“Sugar, what’s the matter,” Brad coos. Brielle shakes her head and continues to sob. “Baby, come on now, what is it, you can tell me.”
She lifts her head and sniffles. “Thomas called me a ‘Bastward.’ He said that’s what I am because I don’t have a daddy. He said my mommy wasn’t pretty enough and my daddy didn’t love her or me enough to want us.”