Page 18

CHAPTER 18

CASSIE

I know every child is different and I shouldn’t have “favorites” amongst the children I have watched over the years, but if I did, Isabella McNeer would be at the top. She’s so easy to please that it makes our days go by so terribly fast. It’s hard to believe one month has already passed since I’ve joined the McNeer family, yet it feels like I’ve been with Izzy for years.

Because Gunnar is on the road a lot, Izzy and I have set up a daily routine that he follows on my days off to keep things regular for her. It makes the transition of him being home to going back on the road easier for Izzy if her routines stay consistent.

I’ve started to enjoy going to the games, especially our game day rituals of baking victory cupcakes and making Gunnar a sign for Izzy to hold while we’re in the suite for him to see when he’s at bat. Right before he gets into the batter’s box, he points his bat straight at our suite to acknowledge her. It’s the cutest thing in the world and makes me swoon every time he does it.

Which leads me back to my biggest problem with this job: I’m still horribly attracted to my boss. Trying to stay professional when I’m around him is becoming increasingly more difficult as the days go by and I discover more about who he is as a family man. When he’s home, it’s hard not to drool over how handsome he is and my ovaries want to explode every time I see sweet moments between him and Izzy. The most torturous of times are at night after Izzy falls asleep. I try to hide out in the playroom and paint until it’s time for bed, but even then, I barely sleep. I toss and turn on those nights because my mind wonders about what he’s doing in his room, if he’s changed his mind and has started hooking up with other women while on the road, and if he still thinks about our night together because I sure do.

All. The. Damn. Time.

When we’re at his games, I try to engage with anyone who’s in the suite with us, because if I don’t keep my mind occupied, I will stare at him all game long, admiring how nice his ass looks in those baseball paints.

Exactly what I’m doing right now.

“Earth to Cassie.” I hear Grace call out and I reluctantly remove my gaze from him and focus on her. We had extra tickets for the suite tonight and Gavin has told me I can invite whomever I want when it’s not filled, so I’ve been extending that invitation to my dad, Grace and her parents.

“You really need to act like you’re watching the game because if you don’t move your head more often, everyone will be able to tell who you’re fixated on and the jig is up,” Grace says with a wicked grin.

I give her a warning look to shut the hell up and she just laughs. “Nothing’s going on, Grace.”

“I find that hard to believe, but since there’s little ears around, we’ll have this discussion later.” She looks down at Izzy, who is sitting on my lap, her head leaning back against my chest. “She’s about to fall asleep if you keep rubbing her forehead like that.”

I tilt my head and look down at her. Sure enough, her eyelids are half closed. “It’s almost the seventh inning stretch, so we’ll leave then.” When we have night games, leaving during the seventh inning is perfect because there’s no traffic. We quickly get home and get ready for bed.

“What time do I need to meet you on Saturday for the art crawl?” Grace asks and I smile with excitement. Lately I’ve seen an increase in sales off my website with both paintings and merchandise, so I put that money into buying a booth at the Art Market in Germantown. Being free to paint at night has increased my portfolio and I’m excited to show it off this weekend in hopes of more sales and visibility. Grace will help with sales and transactions while I network amongst the curators of the galleries that interest me. If they like what they see, then maybe I’ll score another local exhibition.

“Aly and Gavin got back last night from his tour, so they said I can drop Izzy off at two in the afternoon for a sleepover. The crawl starts at six, so meet me there at four o’clock to set-up.”

“This better prove to you that I still follow the ‘hoes before bros’ mantra since I’m missing Carter’s game to help you.” Grace and Carter’s “fake” relationship has turned sexual and while she claims she’s just having fun with him, I have a hard time believing feelings haven’t gotten involved yet.

I roll my eyes at her. “For someone who isn’t in a real relationship, you sure act like the doting girlfriend.”

“Shh, I don’t want my parents to hear.” She looks over at them and sees they’re having a conversation with my dad. “How else do you expect me to keep up appearances if I don’t play the part?”

“I just don’t want you to get hurt.” I give her a knowing look and she waves me off.

“I won’t. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

I don't believe her for one second, but I let the discussion drop. I look at the scoreboard to see we’re one out away from the seventh inning. “I’m going to get Izzy home.” I nudge Izzy to make sure she’s awake. “C’mon, Peanut, let’s get you out of here.” We stand-up and make our rounds saying goodbye to everyone.

“I’ll walk you to your car, kiddo,” my dad offers and says goodbye to Grace and her parents.

“You don’t have to do that, Dad. You could stay to watch the game.”

“Nah, I'd rather make sure you get safely to your car. Besides, I’m tired and can watch the rest of the game from the comfort of my own home.”

I nod in understanding and we head toward the elevators and take them down to the first level. We walk in comfortable silence until we exit the stadium and then my dad asks, “How is everything going, honey?”

“Really great, actually.” He helps get Izzy into her booster seat and buckles her seat belt for her. Once she’s secure, I shut the door and turn toward him. “Izzy is such a great kid and we have a fun routine down that she seems to enjoy.”

“Good.” He moves closer to me and lowers his voice. “What about her father?”

“What about him?” I eye my dad suspiciously, not understanding why he is asking about Gunnar.

“Is he treating you right? Are you comfortable around him? I was a little concerned when I heard you would be moving in with a single dad.”

Oh, if he only knew . “My relationship with him is strictly business, Dad. He has been a gentleman.” A gentleman in the naughtiest of ways.

“Glad to hear this. Is he dating anyone?”

God, I hope not . “Not that I’m aware of.”

He tilts his head toward Izzy’s car window. “And what about the mother?”

I shake my head. “Not involved and I don’t know why.”

“Okay.” He nods and pulls me in for a hug. “You know I’m always here for you if you need anything or need to talk.”

“You’re the best, Dad.” I give him a tight squeeze. “I need to get her home.”

“Love you, kiddo.”

“Love you too, Dad. Get home safe.” And with that I get into my car and head back to Gunnar’s house.

* * *

I ’m riding high from the success of the art crawl when I arrive at my dad’s house late Saturday night. He helps me unload all my supplies and unsold artwork back into my room and once we’re done, he goes back to sleep. I take a shower and get ready for bed. After I do my nighttime routine, I slip in between the covers and get settled into bed. Just when I’m about to fall asleep, I hear my phone buzz on the nightstand. I roll over to pick it up and see I have a text from Gunnar. Concerned there might be something wrong with Izzy, I open my messages to read his text.

Gunnar: How did tonight go?

I blink in surprise, happy to see that he cares enough to ask. It's past midnight, he's got to be exhausted from his game today.

It was amazing, thank you for asking. I sold a couple of pieces and networked with two curators from very reputable galleries that fit my painting style. They gave me their cards and I plan to reach out to them next week.

Gunnar: That’s wonderful, Cassie. Happy to hear tonight was a success.

Gunnar: What are you doing right now?

I’m in bed. What are you doing right now?

Gunnar: I’m at The Rooftop Replay with a couple of the guys. I wasn’t ready to go home to an empty house after our loss tonight.

The Rooftop Replay is an exclusive bar on the tenth floor of the Regency Hotel where the players go to hang out in the VIP area so they will not be bothered. Only the wealthy and the good-looking get in. My stomach drops with disappointment to know he’s out right now. I can only imagine all the beautiful women that are there.

I’m sorry you guys lost tonight.

Gunnar: Thanks, but shit happens. There’s no crying in baseball, right? :)

Did Izzy have a great time with Austin? I checked in with Aly and she sent me a couple of photos of them playing together.

Gunnar: She was very happy that they were back from tour. That’s really sweet of you to check in on her during your night off.

It gives me peace of mind to know she’s doing well when I’m not there. Thanks again for letting me take off tonight. Very kind of you to check in. Go have fun with the guys. I’m sure there are some beautiful women vying for your attention right now, so get off your phone, silly.

I hit send and cringe at my message. The last thing I want him to do is talk to other women, but I have no claim on Gunnar. He’s my boss and that’s it. If he wants to bring someone home, tonight would be the perfect opportunity. The thought makes my stomach churn and I fight the urge to throw up. I’m about to turn my phone off when it buzzes again with a text.

Gunnar: The only beautiful woman I want to pay attention to is the one I’m texting with right now.

I close my eyes and sigh with a content smile. This shouldn’t make me as happy as it does. I should tell him he’s crossing the line, but I don’t.

Gunnar: I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It was unprofessional of me.

Gunnar: Please accept my apology, Cassie?

No, you shouldn’t have said what you did. It was unprofessional, but…

I wait a moment to torture him for a little bit before I finish my sentence.

I liked it.

When he doesn’t respond right away, I wonder if I’m the one who’s gone too far, but then a new text comes through from him:

Gunnar: Sweet dreams, Cassie. I know who I’ll be dreaming about tonight.

I press my thighs together and groan. I walk my fingers down to my core and start playing with my clit. I imagine that it’s him entering me, his fingers playing with me and it doesn’t take long for me to quietly orgasm.

Within minutes, I’m asleep, dreaming of my sexy, green-eyed boss.