The way he said her name was stiff and so different than the way Kai said it. “I had the baby.”
“What? I thought you weren't due yet.”
“She had other ideas.”
“How are you?”
“I'm okay.”
“And the baby?”
“Her name is Ella. She's beautiful. I can send you some pictures I took if you want.”
His voice quieted when he spoke. “I'd like that.”
“You can meet her too. Kim and Trevor are really cool. I think you'd like them.” She thought of the nerdy references on their profile and knew that was part of why she'd chosen them. Avery was like that.
Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uneasy, just sad. “I'll let you know.”
She disconnected and wasn't sure how to address the emotions coursing through her. She couldn't help but think how different things might've been if she and Avery had had the chance to be a real couple, build a strong relationship. Would she have wanted to keep Ella then?
She was so wrung out, physically and emotionally. She just wanted this day over.
* * *
After two days in the hospital and the rest of the week at home, Norah was going stir-crazy. She'd had a constant flow of visitors with her brothers taking turns dropping in on her, all of them at least feigning support. Ultimately, she wanted to be left alone and now that she'd achieved it, the loneliness threatened to tear her up.
Getting out of bed that morning, she felt blobby and gross. It was one thing to feel like a whale while she was growing a baby inside her, but no one ever mentioned how fat she would stay after giving birth. And she still felt like crying. All. The. Time.
She'd signed the paperwork giving her daughter to Kim and Trevor, and Avery had sent his back. It was officially a done deal. She should feel relieved. In some ways she was, but in others, she just felt empty.
She left her house and drove to Kai's without thinking. They hadn't discussed when or if she'd come back to work for him and she hadn't spoken to him since he left the hospital. Jimmy and Tommy had gotten her car back home so she'd had no contact. She hoped Jaleesa was there instead of Kai. Part of her was afraid to face him, especially after her bold statements in his car while she was in labor.
Maybe she could chalk it all up to pregnancy brain. She shouldn't be held accountable for things she'd said while in pain.
Instead of using her key, she knocked on the door, not wanting to frighten anyone by barging in. When the door swung open, the shock of seeing Kai in a towel again stole her breath. Didn't this man know the effect he had? He should be required to wear clothing.
“Norah.” The single word was filled with surprise but something else as well. She was reminded again of how different he was than Avery.
“Hi.”
He stepped back from the door to let her in. His gaze swept over her, making her uncomfortable because she knew she was far from at her best.
“I know we didn't talk about me coming back after having the baby, but . . .” She didn't even know where she was going with that.
“I . . . Shouldn't you be in bed or something?”
She huffed, trying to make it a laugh. “I spent two days in bed. Then I was stuck at my house for days. I needed to get out.”
“Are you supposed to work?”
She shrugged. “I didn't ask.” Although she knew that technically, if she had a regular job, she would be off for six weeks.
He crossed his arms over his massive bare chest and Norah averted her eyes. He was too easy to stare at.
“Have you hired someone else?”
Kai laughedâwell, as much as she'd ever heard him laugh anyway. “My mother made it clear that she would run off anyone we hired. Jaleesa and I have been juggling our schedules.”
Norah bit her cheek to stop the smile. She really liked Lani. “So you need me then.”
“I guess I do.”
This time, she let the full force of her smile hit him. She knew he was referring to his mom, but she wished it was more. “So now's the time to negotiate a raise.”
He shook his head. “Nice try. Not gonna happen.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Then maybe you should offer some other benefits.”
“Also not going to happen.” He slid along the wall and turned when he cleared the corner.
She followed with her smile growing again. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I was talking about dental.”
There was a brief hitch in his stride and he looked over his shoulder at her. She winked and he shook his head again.
Lani came from the direction of the bathroom. When she saw Norah, she smiled. “You're back.”
“How could I stay away from the best friend I have in the city?” As soon as Norah said it, she realized how true it was. She was a woman in her early twenties with no friends. She had Moira, who she could easily see becoming good friends with, but she only had her because of Jimmy. She needed to start getting out and meeting people.
Kai disappeared into his room and a bit of sadness crept into Norah with the thought that he'd return fully dressed.
“How are you feeling?” Lani sat on the couch and patted the cushion beside her.
“Fat.”
Lani laughed.
“I'm serious. I don't know why you sat down. We have a walk to get to. You need to build strength and I need to lose weight.” She went to the couch and held out her arm to help Lani up.
The woman shook her head at Norah, but yelled, “We're walking, Kai. Have a good day at work.”
Kai came from his room, dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt, but he hadn't gotten around to tying his hair back yet. The dark waves were damn sexy. “Is that a good idea?” he asked, oblivious to her stare.
Norah rolled her eyes. “It's a walk, not a marathon. We'll be fine.”
Lani stood. “I'll get my sweater.”
When she left the room, Kai stepped closer. “How are you?”
“I'm okay. I was just going stir-crazy. Even if you didn't need me, I think I'd've stayed with your mom for a while. My family was getting on my nerves.”
“And the baby and the boyfriend?”
“Ella is with her parents. Avery is still at school.” The empty feeling struck again. The one time she counted on Kai being silent, he wanted her to talk. A lump was forming in her throat, so she swallowed hard. She'd come here to escape these feelings.
“As happy as I am that you're back, I don't want you to overdo it. My mom thought you'd be gone for at least two or three weeks.”
Three weeks alone with her dad? She'd go crazy. “I feel good. I won't do any heavy lifting. Walking is good for her and me.”
He lowered his face so they were eye to eye. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” She licked her lips and then whispered the truth. “I need this.”
He studied her for a few seconds, then nodded. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Ready?” Lani asked from behind Kai.
“Let's go.” Norah painted on a friendly smile. She'd take whatever normalcy she could hold on to right now.
* * *
Kai fell into his easy routine of having Norah around and he was grateful for it. Fortunately, her flirting was minimal and he'd been able to escape too many thoughts of her naked.
Things were going so well that he'd asked her to work Sunday night so he could have his poker game without interruption.
He still hadn't told his mom because he didn't want to give her any fuel for ruining his night. At the grocery store, he grabbed the beer and detoured down the dairy aisle. His house had been yogurt-free for a while now. Instead of grabbing the lime yogurt, he placed a selection of other flavors in his basket.
Learning from his mistakes, he went in through the back door at home and tossed the yogurt in the fridge to avoid his mom's commentary. He then took the beer straight downstairs. When he came back up, he slid the pizza box on the table in front of her.
“Went all out for dinner tonight, huh?”
“Nothing but the best for you, Mom.”
She laughed. “Go get me a plate and a napkin.”
He did as he was told. Once she was settled with a few slices, he said, “My friends are coming over to play poker tonight, so I asked Norah to stop by.”
“I told you I don't need a babysitter. I'm doing fine.”
“It's for me.”
Her eyes shot up and a spark of something lit in them. Then he realized how his words sounded. “Not like that. I asked her here so my game wouldn't be interrupted. It's kind of hard to focus when you're calling me every ten minutes.”
“I did not call every ten minutes. You're exaggerating.”
“It doesn't matter. If you need anything tonight, Norah will be here.”
She hmmphed and crossed her arms like a cranky toddler. “I think you should have your game up here so I can play too.”
As if he'd
ever
let that happen. “I like to win when I play.”
That brought a smile to her face, which was all he'd wanted. “Play a game with Norah. She doesn't know all your tricks.” When his mom remained silent, his suspicions grew. “You played cards with her?”
“Just gin. Not poker.”
“Forget it then. She won't be dumb enough to fall for that twice.”
“What do you know?”
He didn't really. It was just a feeling he had about Norah. She struck him as the kind of person who learned quickly on the fly. She certainly had with his mom.
They sat and ate pizza while his mom commented on some stupid talk show she'd found. He remembered what Norah had said about his mom being lonely. Her physical therapy was going to start in the office this week, so it would be good for her to get out. Maybe Norah could take her to meet with her friends for coffee or something.
Then he thought about how happy she'd been, the laughter he'd heard when he broke up their so-called book club. As long as he didn't have to be there to supervise, what harm could come from letting her host again?
As he cleaned up the mess from dinner, the front door opened and Norah strode in. An unwelcome feeling ripped through him at the sight of her walking through the door like she belonged there. Of course, she belonged. She was his employee. But unlike any other employee, he enjoyed seeing her come in.
“Hey,” she called.
Kai held the pizza box up. “Did you eat dinner yet?”
“No. I'd love a slice.”
He set the box back down. “Have as much as you want.”
“Only one slice for me. I'm trying to lose weight. I packed on pounds for the last nine months.”
“Nonsense,” his mom said. “It took nine months to grow a baby. The weight will come off when it's ready.”
Norah lifted a slice to her mouth, but paused. “Well, I'm just going to help it along.” She nudged the box with her knee. “Take this away.”
Kai didn't laugh, although he wanted to.
Chapter Ten
As soon as the pizza touched her lips, Norah's phone rang. While she chewed, she pulled it from her pocket. Tommy. What the heck did he want? “Excuse me,” she mumbled with a mouthful of pizza as she walked to the kitchen to answer.
“What's up?” she asked.
“Where are you?”
“Kai's. He asked me to work tonight.”
“He did? I didn't see any clients scheduled.”
“Not for work. He's got friends coming over for a poker game.”
Tommy laughed. “That can't be right. Kai doesn't have any friends.”
“Whatever.”
“I'm serious. I've known the guy for a couple of years now. No one's ever come to the shop to see him other than paying customers. And he's never had anyone show for a hockey game. Not even beers after. I think he's running game.”
“For what?” She set her pizza down on a napkin. Was it possible he just wanted to see her and used this as an excuse? She shook her head. Kai wasn't that kind of guy.
“I don't know, but it's fishy.”
“Maybe he doesn't want you to meet his friends because you're a dork.”
“Ha. Takes one to know one.”
Just then Kai came in carrying the pizza box. “Talk to you later,” she said to Tommy.
“I want details when you get home.”
She disconnected without responding, but Tommy had definitely piqued her interest. Kai shoved the last few slices of pizza into a plastic bag and put it in the fridge.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. Tommy wanted to know where I was since I normally don't work Sundays.”
“Is it a problem?”
“Nope. Just my brother being nosy.” She reached past him into the fridge for a bottle of water. Then she noticed half a shelfful of yogurt. “Have a hankering for some yogurt?”
His lips twitched and he averted his eyes. “I thought that now . . .” He waved his hands in the general direction of her stomach. “You might be up for trying something new.”
She wanted to make some flirtatious, sexy comment about trying something new, but the gesture was too sweet for her to make fun. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “That was thoughtful.”
“It's nothing.” His eyes met hers. “Besides, lime is really disgusting.”
She laughed. “I don't disagree. I don't think I'll be eating any of it again.”
“I'll be downstairs. Yell if you need anything. The guys will come through the back so we won't bother you. I'll be up in a while to help get Mom into bed.”
“I can handle it.”
“I thought no lifting.”
“She mostly does it on her own. We make it work.”
“Call if you have any problems.” Then he went down, closing the door behind him.
Norah wanted to follow, to bug him about why he went out of his way to buy her a variety of yogurt, but she knew it wouldn't get her anywhere with him. He'd do nice things for her, but wouldn't acknowledge the attraction between them. She had to figure out a way to get him to make a move.
For the next hour or so, she and Lani watched TV and Lani filled her in on the latest book club book. As time wore on, the deep murmur of men's voices carried through the floor. Curiosity clawed at her. Borne from her position as the youngest sibling of five, she
had
to know what was going on. It was an inexplicable feeling.
“So, do you know the guys Kai plays poker with?”
Lani waved an annoyed hand. “He tells me nothing. Never brings his friends around me. I have myself to blame. I was critical of his friends when he was young. Had a right to be though. They were losers dragging my son down. Hoodlums.”
With each additional detail Norah got, she tried to piece together who Kai Ellis was. She knew him as a talented artist. He'd taught Tommy a lot and for all the jokes Tommy made about Kai, he admitted Kai was a brilliant artist. She'd seen him on the ice as part of the hockey team. They feared and revered him as their muscle.
But she'd yet to see him fully relaxed, just hanging out. As Lani got ready for bed, Norah gathered the dirty laundry. It gave her an excuse to go downstairs to check out Kai's friends. She helped Lani into bed, which was getting easier each day, as Lani needed less and less aid. Norah wondered if Kai understood that, or if Lani played it up for him.
She said good night to Lani and scooped up the laundry from the bathroom. She eyed Kai's bedroom door and briefly considered going in to get his clothes, but decided against it. That would be overstepping and, as curious as she was, she wanted him to invite her in, to tell her things willingly.
After checking that Lani was comfortable and making sure she didn't have anything else to be washed, Norah headed downstairs. She didn't know what she'd expected. She'd grown up with four brothers. But stepping into the basement was heady. If walking in on Kai's workout was a tidal wave of testosterone, this was a veritable tsunami.
Four guys sat with Kai around a table and the air was thick with their manliness. For a moment, she was taken aback. She didn't want to stare, so she turned away from them toward the washer. Conversation dwindled behind her and she felt the stares.
She looked over her shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt. I just want to throw in a load of laundry. It won't bother you, will it?”
Four pairs of eyes locked on her. The only one who didn't look her way was Kai. Big surprise. The only indication of his recognition of her presence was the telltale stiffening of his shoulders.
“Hey,
chica
. Who are you?” A skinny guy stood and smacked Kai's shoulder. “You holding out on us, man?”
Norah set the laundry basket on the machine and took a few steps, arm extended. “I'm Norah. I help take care of Kai's mom.”
His hand touched hers in more of a caress than a shake. “I'm Rooster.”
She smiled. “Rooster. Interesting name.”
Although the other men each looked at her, only Rooster did anything to engage. Norah loaded the clothes into the washer and started the machine. With the task done, she turned toward the stairs.
“Why don't you come have a seat?” Rooster called from the table.
Norah eyed the group. She'd wanted Kai to invite her but it didn't look like that would happen. In fact, it seemed more like he couldn't wait for her to leave. “Doesn't look like there's room. But thanks.”
“Hey, there's room right here on my lap.”
Yeah, the skeevy feeling she'd had during their handshake? Spot on.
“Stop being an asshole. You'll scare the girl away,” another guy said as he shuffled the cards. He tilted his chin toward the corner. “There's a crate there you can sit on. You know how to play?”
She edged around the table toward the crate and waited to check Kai's reaction. As she picked up the crate, he jumped up to take it from her. “It's an empty crate. I can handle it.”
“You just had a baby.”
“Congratulations,” Rooster said. “Where's your man? He shouldn't be letting you hang out in a basement full of hot-blooded men like this.”
“I don't have a man.” She quickly recognized this as a test. She wasn't sure who was issuing itâKai or his friends. But she knew she couldn't back down.
Kai scooted his chair over a few inches and set the crate next to him.
Rooster immediately protested. “There's all this space over here. Why she gotta sit with you?”
Kai sent him a chilling look that shut him up. Sitting next to Kai sounded better by the minute. Kai settled on the crate and pointed to the chair.
“I'm only staying for one hand, Kai. I'll take the crate.”
The look he shot her wasn't much warmer than the one Rooster received. Well then. She swallowed hard and sat. Being this close to Kai made her tummy tumble in a totally good way. She cleared her throat and looked at the guy shuffling. “I haven't played in a while, but if you keep it simple, I can play.” She reached out. “Norah.”
“Eric.” He shook her hand and then pointed around the table. “Since Kai is feeling antisocial today, that's Carlos and Dean.”
She nodded to each man.
“We'll keep it simple for the lady, then. Five-card draw.” He glanced at Norah and she nodded. It was basic enough and she was pretty sure she remembered the rules.
“Dollar in.”
They each put a dollar in the pot and cards were dealt. While waiting, it was obvious that Rooster had issues sitting still and being quiet. He was about as opposite Kai as one could imagine.
“Why no man, Norah? Baby daddy drama?”
“No. I gave my baby up for adoption.”
“Ooo. That's rough.”
She gave a small nod. She really didn't want to discuss this, especially with a roomful of strangers.
“Leave it, Rooster.” The quiet command came from Kai.
Norah tried not to read too much into it. The cards were dealt and she looked at her hand. She had a pair of kings, a pair of eights, and a three. They each threw another fifty cents in the pot and then exchanged cards. She discarded the three. Surprisingly, her new card was a king. Damn. A full house. This time, as bets went around, she raised a dollar, liking her odds.
Kai dropped his cards. He wouldn't bet against her. Dean and Carlos followed. It was down to her, Eric, and Rooster.
Rooster cackled. “I think you're bluffing.” He leaned over the table as if she was unclear he was speaking to her. “Care to make another wager?”
The way he wagged his eyebrows made Norah roll her eyes. She didn't need to ask what kind of wager he referred to. “No thanks.”
“Come on. It'll be fun for both of us. Win-win.”
If there had been a thermostat in the room, it would've registered a drop in temperature as Kai said, “Play the game.”
“Call.”
They each laid their cards on the table. Eric had two pairs. Rooster only had an ace. What the hell had he been thinking in trying to wager more?
Norah smiled and reached forward to scoop up the pot. “Thank you very much, gentlemen. I never thought a single load of laundry could be so profitable.” She stacked the bills and took the handful of coins and dropped them all in her pocket.
“Stay,” Rooster said.
“Thanks, but I said one hand. I should go check on Lani.”
“Lani, huh? You're on a first-name basis. Maybe I should be offended, huh, Kai?”
“Shut up, Rooster.”
“Thanks for the game. It was nice meeting you,” Norah said.
“I'd like to meet you again, baby.”
Norah ignored the comment, but Rooster wasn't about to let up.
“Now's the best time. You just popped one out, no danger of another baking up. It'd be all about the pleasure.”
As much as she'd been thinking about sex over the past few weeks, this did nothing but completely extinguish her libido. The guy was a creep. Why did Kai hang out with him?
She didn't say anything, nor did she wait to see if Kai would say something. She turned to the stairs. She'd only gone a few feet, when she felt a presence at her back and a spear of panic shot through her, but she knew Kai wouldn't let anything happen to her. She took a deep breath to rebuff Rooster one last time.
When she turned, it was Kai at her back. She hoped her fear hadn't shown.
He briefly touched her hand but made no other movement. “He's just fucking with you. He's harmless.”
While Norah believed he wasn't a threat to her here, in this house, in this basement, she held no illusion that it would remain true in another place.
“Okay.” She turned and jogged up the stairs, pretty sure Rooster let out a catcall whistle as she did. In the kitchen she had the urge to wash her hands. Rooster had made her feel gross. Her mission to get insight into who Kai was backfired. That hand of poker had given her nothing, other than the knowledge that his friend was a jerk. The other guys seemed okay though.
As she filled a glass with water, the basement door swung open and she spun to see who followed her.
Kai stood in front of her. “I have a favor to ask.”
Those words looked like they caused him pain. “What?”
“Don't mention my friends to my mom.”
“Why not? She knows you're having them over.”
Then the pieces started to fall into place. Norah linked what Lani had said about Kai's loser friends and how critical she'd been of them to Kai's desire for Lani to not find out who was in the basement. She took the information to file away when she had time to think.
“She doesn't like them and I don't want her getting upset.”
“On one condition.”
The muscle in his jaw twitched, which made her smile.
“You let your mom host her book club again.”
Something flashed in his eye and she knew she should've gone for something bigger.
“As long as it's on a night when I work late and they leave when I get home.”
“Agreed.” She stuck her hand out to shake on the deal.
Instead of taking her hand, he crossed his arms. “Most people would've bargained for something for themselves.”
“Maybe I'm waiting for next time. Lulling you into a sense of security.”
“I know better and there won't be a next time.” He turned to go downstairs.
Norah called, “How did you know I had a good hand?”
He spun back to face her.
“You didn't bet against me. Why?” she pushed.
He stepped closerâway into her personal space, which gave her no small thrillâand his whisper coasted over her ear. “You can't bluff. You show everything in your eyes.”