The Heat Is On (9 page)

Tracy piled the others inside, and then turned to him with an expression of gratitude.

“Hope that didn't scare you too much,” she said apologetically.

She is so damned beautiful
, he thought, taking in the eyes that were very like Chloe's, only a deeper periwinkle framed with black lashes. He saw the subtle differences in her face now since college, but to him she was even more stunning.

And sexy. In response he pulled her into his arms, and kissed her thoroughly, gratified to feel her eager response. She was so warm, so fragrant, and when she reached into his embrace, pulling him closer, his blood pounded.

When he eased his mouth from hers, she looked like a woman who had just been erotically kissed and eager for more. “Does that seem like I'm scared?”

She leaned against the car, her legs shaking.

How the hell did he do this? One little kiss and she was a hot mess.

She was certain he wanted to escape, had probably had his fill of her and the children. But she didn't want to go home without him, didn't want it to end. Her heart was beating recklessly, and he'd awakened that desire pooling inside of her.

She wanted him badly.

“I don't suppose I could persuade you to come home with us? I was thinking pizza for dinner, and the kids in bed at eight. I have a good bottle of wine I've been saving. A Chappellet Cab, 2010.”

The wine had been a Christmas gift from her father. There had been no occasion to open it; toddlers, she'd discovered, had absolutely no interest in such things. So she held her breath, waiting for his response, telling herself it wouldn't matter if he said no. Listening to a chorus of three screaming children was no fun, and even though the day had gone well, taking all four of them anywhere was hard work.

So she couldn't believe her ears a moment later when his brow lifted, impressed.

“A 2010? No kidding! I love that wine. I haven't had it in years.” He gave her a wicked grin and leaned closer so only she could hear him. “Maybe later we could even play monkey games.”

She smacked him playfully and got into the driver's seat, hiding the flush of hot color that came to her cheeks. “I'll see you there.”

Connor Jackson was coming home with her. In a couple of hours, she would have this hot baseball player all to herself.

And she wouldn't need to get a babysitter, to beg a favor from her mother, or face another meltdown when she tried to leave. Instead she would be home, with him and the children.

It didn't get any better than that.

Everyone except Mason slept on the way home, and even he was quiet, absorbed in his own thoughts. It had to be weird for him to go on an outing with Connor so soon after the divorce, and Tracy knew he needed to process his emotions. He'd been polite, she'd give him that, but distant, which was understandable.

She only hoped things didn't change later when Connor joined them for dinner.

It started out well. Tracy had gotten the children inside the house before Connor arrived. When he entered the house, he found that she had already ordered the pizza, poured the wine. But Ethan and Chloe hadn't gotten enough of a nap, and they were tired and cranky. It didn't take long for the fights to break out, and Lily, her schedule disrupted, protested loudly with nonstop crying.

“Mommy, I don't feewl good.” Ethan shoved his sister away as he burped loudly.

“Let me check your forehead,” Tracy said, her agitation increasing as she took in his demeanor. Definitely green about the gills. Her daughter tried to push him back and she stood between them, expertly angling one leg as a barrier.

“Chloe, leave him alone. Mason, can you put Lily in the crib? Ethan, come with me.” Cringing, she realized she sounded like a drill sergeant, not at all the soft, fluffy girl Connor remembered.

“Everything okay?” Connor asked in concern as Tracy examined the little boy.

“He isn't hot but seems nauseous. I'm going to take him upstairs and get him into his pajamas just in case. You just relax.”

She tried to smile, but at another ominous burp from Ethan, she hoisted him up toward the stairs. Connor appeared doubtful, but he sank helplessly down onto the couch, looking from one disaster to another in confusion.

Taking a nauseated little boy away from all the fun wasn't easy under normal circumstances, but knowing Connor was watching made her self-conscious as well, especially when Chloe followed her upstairs.

“I'm hungry,” she whined, wadding her costume.

“I ordered pizza,” Tracy said smoothly, reaching for a washcloth. “It will be here any minute. Why don't you wait downstairs until…Oh, no, Ethan!” Tracy gasped as her son threw up on the bathroom floor, vomit spattering everywhere. “Oh, my God, Chloe, can you get me a towel out of the closet?”

She heard footsteps and looked up in time to see Connor arriving at the bathroom door just as she helped Ethan to the toilet.

Lovely
, she thought, using the back of her arm to smooth her hair out of her face. The black-and-white tile floor was now covered with regurgitated hot pink cotton candy, and the knees of her jeans were soaked
. This can't be happening
, she thought wildly, holding Ethan's head as he heaved.
Really glamorous, Tracy. Way to win the guy.

Chloe stared at the floor in horrified fascination. “Ethan frew up!” she informed Connor.

“I see that.” His voice was rich with something. Amusement? No way. He was probably ready to run, just trying to come up with an excuse to get out. Not that she blamed him.

“Is he ill?”

“No.” Tracy heard genuine concern, and she shook her head. “Probably just too much cotton candy.” She gave her son a sympathetic glance, and when the dry heaves stopped, lifted him up and put him in the tub, peeling off his clothes in the process.

She ran the water, testing it first, and then raised her eyes to Connor, letting out a deep breath of resignation. “Listen, I understand if you'd rather go. I think we're in for a rough night.”

“No. I want to help. Paper towels?” He glanced at the mess. “I'm used to this. Half our team gets loaded before the game and in the hot sun…” He looked once more at the floor.

That made her smile. “You really want to help?” When he nodded, she indicated the stairs. “I've got some bottles ready in the fridge for Lily. Can you give one to Mason? He'll feed her until the pizza arrives. I'll take care of Ethan. And Chloe,”—she turned to her daughter—“can you put your PJs on? We have supper coming.”

But her daughter looked at the vomit on the floor and began to gag. “Will I frow up, too?”

“Chloe!” Tracy cried in dismay.

Without being told, Connor picked the little girl up and walked out the door. “PJs. Where are they?”

“In my woom.”

“I've got this,” Connor told Tracy, and left her with Ethan.

He found a pink little girl's room with a white bureau. Inside the dresser there was, of course, a Disney princess nightgown. He fetched that and handed it to the little girl.

“Can you dress yourself?”

She nodded proudly, and began unbuttoning her dress. But when she went to pull it off, her head disappeared beneath the folds of the costume as Connor chuckled.

“Let me.” He grabbed the edges of the costume, and with one big shrug, tugged it over her head.

“Whew!” Chloe grinned at him, and he found himself grinning back. “I got stuck!”

“You did, but you're okay now,” he said, crouching down to her level. “Now let's get this on you.”

“This one is Belle,” she explained, popping her head through the center of the yellow cloth and displaying the folds of the nightgown to him. “She is
Beauty and the Beast
. I also have Elsa. But she's in the wash.”

“
Frozen
princess?” Connor guessed.

“Yes. She's my favorite. But I like Belle, too.” Chloe gave him an adoring smile, and he could have sworn she batted her eyes. “Want to play princess dolls?”

“I would, but Lily needs to be fed.” Connor got to his feet as Chloe toddled over to her princess castle, and he couldn't help patting her hair. It was the same color as Tracy's, that gorgeous honey blond, and it felt like silk.

As he made his way to the kitchen, Connor marveled at Tracy. He didn't know how she handled it all, how she stayed so cool and collected. He had to silently admit even he'd swallowed hard upon entering the bathroom, yet she stayed completely focused on the children.

Wonder Woman.

Lily was crying. Screaming bloody murder was more like it. Awkwardly, Connor picked her up, but that only seem to infuriate her even more. It was like holding an angry football, and he looked uncomfortably to Mason for help as the little boy appeared out of nowhere.

“She's hungry.” He opened the refrigerator and turned to Connor.

“They're on the top shelf,” Mason said, pointing and shouting to be heard. It was inconceivable that one tiny body could make so much noise. Frantically, Connor fumbled past the ketchup and mustard and found the bottles.

“The milk one.” He indicated a white bottle next to a purple and clear one.

Connor nodded, grabbed the milk, and started to put the nipple in Lily's mouth. Anything to stop the screaming.

Mason shook his head. “You have to put it in that machine. She needs it warm.” He pointed to a round orb next to the toaster.

He followed the little boy's instructions, stuck the bottle in the device, and pushed a button. Within a few minutes a buzzer sounded. Snatching up the white cylinder, he plopped it between the baby's pink lips and was rewarded by blissful, blissful silence.

“I can do the rest,” Mason offered, taking the now placid baby from the baseball player's arms. For the first time all day, he seemed a little less unfriendly. “Maybe you could help my mom?”

“You got it,” he replied, and they both heard a knock at the door.

“Pizza,” Mason said, answering Connor's unspoken question.

“Right. I almost forgot.” He answered the door and saw a boy on the steps heaving two big white boxes. Digging into his pocket, he called out a twenty. On second thought, he added a five, and tipped the boy before taking the boxes into the house.

“Hey, you want some?” he asked Mason, who had settled into a chair with Lily.

“You have to put them in the oven so they stay hot,” he explained, and Connor felt like ten times an idiot. “We can have some when Lily is done.”

“Good plan,” he said, amazed that this little six-year-old boy seemed more competent in this environment than he did.

He put the pizzas in the oven, and then opened a couple of cabinets. Connor found the plates and the silver drawer. He retrieved forks, figuring no one was old enough for a knife, and put them on the table as Lily sucked her bottle, her eyes following him around the room.

“She looks happy now,” he commented, and Mason nodded. “Okay, let me see to your mom.”

He left Mason feeding the baby, and then ventured back upstairs. The bathroom was spotless and empty. A box of baking soda stood on the sink, and the soiled laundry was piled in a corner, but it was a definite improvement over what he'd seen a short time ago.

“Mommy's in there.” Chloe pointed toward the boys' room, twirling down the hallway, and then followed him inside. He found Tracy sitting beside Ethan with a bucket beside her, reading him a story.

“Pizzas are here. But this little guy doesn't look quite ready.”

“I frew up,” Ethan said again as Connor smiled.

“I'm glad you're feeling better.” He looked at Tracy and cocked his head toward the steps. “Want me to feed Mason and Chloe?”

“That would be amazing,” she said, her voice thick with gratitude. “I think he's okay. Just want to make sure.”

Connor led Chloe downstairs, bemused. Tracy acted as if this little bit of help was gold. He could have brought her ten rose bouquets, and he didn't think they would be as appreciated as his offer to dish out pizza to her children.

She had been alone too long, handling everything by herself. As he helped Chloe into a chair, he noticed a pile of mail on the countertop. The top letter was obviously a utility bill, and it was pink, meaning past due.

That told him everything he needed to know about her financial situation. He didn't know if her ex was paying on time and fulfilling his obligations, but he doubted it. Discreetly, he pocketed the bill, thinking he would pay for it on the sly. At least he could help her that much.

Chloe and Mason dug eagerly into the food. He thought about bringing a slice upstairs to Tracy, but decided that wasn't the best move. Instead, he swiped a piece for himself to take the edge off his appetite, and then turned to Mason.

“Should we feed the baby?” He looked at Lily, now cooing happily in her seat. “Didn't you say she ate fruit and stuff when you guys had dinner?”

Mason nodded. “Mommy will do it.”

“Yeah, well I think Mommy's tied up right now. I guess she eats this stuff, right?” He picked up a jar of baby applesauce next to the bottle warmer.

“Yep,” Mason said, sticking his tongue out at Chloe, who returned the favor.

As Connor picked up the baby and put her in the high chair, he found himself yawning. Taking care of all these kids was hard work.

And for him, this was just day one.

This couldn't be happening, Tracy thought as she rose, Ethan finally sleeping. She'd invited Connor Jackson to stay for dinner, never guessing the evening was going to end in disaster.

Making her way into the kitchen, she saw Lily sitting in the high chair, wearing a bowl of applesauce on her head.

Chloe dissolved in giggles, pointing at her baby sister, while Mason joined in. Apparently, a hat full of applesauce was the funniest thing ever.

“I swear, I only turned my back a second,” Connor said to Tracy as she lifted the bowl from the baby's head and applesauce dripped down her face.

Tracy looked at Chloe suspiciously, but her little daughter gave her a wide-eyed look of pure innocence as she tore apart her pizza.

Lily's curls were plastered to her scalp with applesauce. Tracy snatched a dishcloth from beside the sink, dampened it, and then wiped off the baby. Like most babies, Lily was not happy with this treatment and rewarded her mother by spitting the applesauce all over the high chair.

“Now what?” Connor asked as she hefted the newly clean infant under one arm.

“Baths and bed. Mason, you can watch TV for a while. Chloe, you had a bath this morning. I'll read to you when I get the baby settled. Okay?”