The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [277]
Jordan never missed a beat. “If you little beggars are done, why don’t you go get your teeth brushed and pull on some clothes while your mother and I talk?”
“Talk about what?” Lisa wanted to know.
“Why, about you both visiting Casey again today, this time at our home. I live right near a long skinny lake. Casey can take you fishing while your mother and I visit the hospital and fetch your car back home from where she works.”
Lisa and Adam immediately started jumping up and down, squealing and begging.
“That’s enough,” Georgia said. The kids quieted just a bit, but their eyes were still bright and wide with hope.
She stared at Jordan, her face so frozen it hurt, and murmured, “That’s low, even for you.”
He looked guilty for a flash of an instant, then resolve darkened his eyes. “I’m a desperate man. And we did make that bargain—”
“Kids,” she interrupted, “go ahead and get dressed. And Lisa, remember you wanted to brush your teeth twice, okay?”
“Are we going to see Casey?”
Not if she could help it. “I’ll have to think about it, sweetie. There’s a lot I have to get done today.”
The kids trailed out, dragging their feet, their expressions despondent. Damn Jordan for putting her in this position. Her children had so few outings these days, what with her working all the time. She knew how much they’d love a visit to a lake. But the more time she spent with Jordan, the weaker her stand on independence seemed to feel. She had to make it on her own. She had to.
When Georgia heard their footsteps at the top of the creaky stairs, she rounded on Jordan, blasting him with all her fury. “How dare you!”
After one long, silent look, Jordan began carrying dishes to the sink. “You’re just being stubborn, Georgia. Why should the kids be cooped up at the hospital while you’re visiting your mother? They’ll enjoy being in the fresh air, and I already spoke with Casey this morning and he agreed—”
“I didn’t agree.” She left her chair and faced him with her hands on her hips. “They’re my children and I know what’s best for them.”
“True.” Jordan leaned back on the sink and silently studied her. “I’m not questioning your parenting skills, honey. It only took me about two seconds of seeing you with them to know how much you love them, and that they’re crazy about you. But you did agree.” When she stared at him blankly, he added, “Last night? Don’t tell me you don’t remember any of it?”
Her heart lurched at his continued insistence. Last night? So much of it, once he’d touched her feet, was a blur. She’d been so tired, so stressed….
“You told me,” Jordan said calmly, “that taking the kids to Casey would be fine. Sawyer is going to meet me at the hospital, and while you’re visiting, he and I will fetch your car. Afterwards we’ll pick up the kids and I’ll take you all to dinner.”
Georgia felt like a deflated balloon. Surely she hadn’t discussed all that with him? But he looked so positive, so sure of himself. And she had been beyond weary, ready to simply cave in under the exhaustion and worry. It was conceivable that she might have said things she now couldn’t remember.
She just didn’t know.
Her head hurt and she rubbed her fingers through her badly tangled hair. She felt Jordan’s large firm hands settle on her shoulders and pull her close. She tried to resist him and the comfort, the security that he offered. She really did. But he brought her up flush against his strong, solid body and began rubbing her back. The man’s voice wasn’t the only thing magical about him. His fingers were pretty amazing, too.
It had been so, so long since anyone stronger, bigger than she had held her. Her muscles turned liquid at the wondrous feel of it.
Jordan’s whiskery