Partners in Crime (Gambling on Love Book 4) Page 5

  “I’m not messing with you, Nora. When Colby came along, I put all my focus into staying clean and taking care of her. I spend all day at work, and then I come home and spend time with Colby. By the time all of that is done, there’s not much time left to go out looking for pussy.”

  “Hank, you know I would be happy-”

  “Nora, you work for me, I don’t think it would be appropriate for us to start sleeping together,” Hank interrupts.

  It takes all that I have not to drop to the floor with laughter. “Jude Law would disagree with you on that fact. Yes, I am your nanny, which means I’m here to take care of Colby while you are gone, so if you need to go out and get some, I can stay with Colby,” I suggest, secretly hoping he won’t take me up on the offer. If anyone is going to take that man out of his self-induced celibacy, it’s going to be me.

  “You’re sweet to offer, but really, I’m fine. Now, seriously, go put on some damn pants or I will be forced to take off my paper towel square,” he threatens.

  “Oh please, no don’t, I’ll never survive.” I fake terror and run for the laundry room.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Hank

  I STARE AT my computer screen with a goofy grin on my face. The image of Nora with paper towels wrapped around her waist lingers in my head. I haven’t been able to focus on anything but her cute little ass all day. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to tear her out of what little clothing she did have on this morning. I’m finding it harder and harder to keep the beast at bay whenever I’m around Nora, especially when she’s walking around my house in her damn underwear. It’s the only time I have ever been happy to get kicked by Colby in my sleep. The gods were working in my favor. She was on fucking fire this morning, she’s funny, she keeps up with me, and never gets flustered. Nora is just so damn perfect.

  My mind is in Nora-land when a wadded-up ball of paper hits me smack between the eyes, jolting me back to reality. “What the fuck, Gamble?” I pick up the ball and launch it back in his direction, nailing him in the forehead.

  “What the fuck is up with you, Ross. I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes. We’re supposed to be working on this thing called a case.” He lifts the file laying in front of him and waves it in my direction.

  Brian has been my partner for the past nine months, but we’ve been friends since Brian transferred to the Second over six years ago. We both were partying womanizers who bonded over conversations about which badge bunny we nailed the night before. Now our conversations consist of talking about kids. Mostly me giving him parenting advice to ease his stress about being a new father. It’s still blows my mind that either one of us are dads now. Four years ago, no one in their right mind would give us a child to take care of.

  “I am working on the case. I’m doing some research,” I lie. More like, I’m researching all the ways I want to defile my nanny.

  “The fuck you are. You’ve had a big stupid grin on your face all morning, which means you’ve been thinking about your nanny again. Did you finally grow a pair and tell her you want her to take care of the toddler in your pants?” he asks with a chuckle.

  I never should have told him about Nora. He busts my balls every chance he gets. “That would be a no. We are getting more comfortable around each other, and she and Colby are bonding. I don’t want to fuck that up.”

  “How could you possibly fuck anything up? All you have to say is, my kid adores you, and I adore you, so why don’t we give this a go?” he says so nonchalantly.

  “You know my track record with women. I lose interest the moment the orgasm subsides. Relationships have never been my thing. Nora is too good to be treated that way. And Colby would be devastated if Nora left because of me.” Colby has a mother type role model in her life now. I don’t want to take that away from her if I can’t make it work with Nora.

  “I know exactly what you were like before Colby. I was right by your side doing the exact same thing. We both have shitty pasts, but we can’t let that keep us from finding the happiness we deserve. You are not the same man I met six years ago, and Colby is proof of that. She made you a better man by forcing you to get your shit together. And the fact that you are thinking about Nora’s feelings shows that you care for her. Before, the only feeling you cared about was a girl’s mouth around your dick. The right woman only comes around once in your life. Don’t let her slip away because you’re afraid it won’t work. You don’t want to look back on your life and have Nora be the biggest regret.”

  Looks like today it’s Brian’s turn to give me a lesson. If I were to seek out advice on love and relationships, I’d go to him. His relationship with his wife Brooke is what fairytales are written about. Brooke saw all of Brian’s flaws, and, instead of running for the hills, she embraced them. Nora has heard all about my dirty past and she can still look me in the eye and flirt with me. I want to be the man she deserves. I can’t keep using my past as an excuse not to get what I want, and I want Nora.

  “Just fucking go for it, man. Make sure you give her a big fat bonus after your first night together. It’s been four years, so you’ll be lucky to get more than two pumps in before you’re done.” He roars with laughter.

  “Fuck you, asshole,” I growl and throw my stapler at him.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Nora

  “OKAY, MISS COLBY, you are all ready for your movie date.” I smile at Colby through the bathroom mirror. She looks adorable dressed in the gold ball gown I made for her, with gold sparkly wings, of course, because in Colby’s world, all princesses are fairy princesses. I love the way this girl’s mind works. Every day with Colby is a new adventure. With the families I’ve worked with before, every day felt like work. But, here, I wake up every day with a smile on my face, and watching Colby is more like play than work. It’s crazy, but I have more fun hanging out with Colby than most of my friends. I think it’s because I’m still a kid at heart.

  Colby admires herself in the mirror then turns to me, gives me a kiss on the cheek, and a big hug. “Thank you, Miss Nora. I wuv my new dress.” Her face beams with joy. This sweet girl is always smiles and giggles. She’s the happiest little girl I have ever met. Her joy is infectious. Everyone who crosses her path leaves with a smile on their faces. Just being with her for the past couple months has made me happier. I adore her so damn much. I’d take a bullet for this kid.

  I squeeze her back. “You are so very welcome, sweet girl. We better get downstairs, your daddy is waiting.” Colby is going to freak when she sees Hank in his costume. I know I’m excited to see him in it.

  Colby holds my hand all the way down the hallway to the stairs. As Hank comes into view at the bottom, holding a bouquet of red roses, Colby’s eyes widen in surprise and her mouth drops open. She is completely speechless. I’m finding it a little hard to form words looking at Hank. He looks like he walked straight out of a Disney movie. I might have done a little too well making that costume, because he looks damn handsome.

  “Daddy, you wook so handsome.” She smiles from ear to ear as she looks up at him.

  “You look very beautiful, Princess. These are for you.” He bends over and hands Colby half the bouquet of roses in his hand. “And these are for you.” He grins, handing me the rest of the flowers.

  I take them from his hand, bring the beautiful red roses up to my nose and breathe in their sweet scent. “They are beautiful, thank you.” I return his smile.

  Colby tugs at the bottom of Hank’s coat. “Ask her daddy,” she prods.

  “Colby and I were wondering if you would like to join us at the movies tonight.” They both look at me eagerly.

  “Are you sure I won’t be intruding on your daddy-daughter time?” I ask.

  “Absolutely not. I want you to come,” he insists.

  “Okay, but if you two are dressed up then I need a costume too, and I have the perfect one. Just give me ten minutes to change.”

  Both Hank and Colby’s faces light up with my
response. I turn and head back up the stairs and bolt for my room. The door slams behind me and I frantically search through my bag for my phone. I have to call Zoe and cancel our plans to sit on her couch with Netflix and Thai food.

  It only takes two rings for Zoe to answer. “Are you on your way, I’m starving.”

  “I’m not coming,” I reply.

  “What the fuck, we were going to get drunk and throw dollar bills at the TV while we watched Magic Mike. I can’t do that by myself, it would just be weird.”

  “I’m sorry, but Hank and Colby want me to go with them to the movies tonight,” I explain while I dig through my closet for the Belle costume I made a couple years ago.

  “They want you to join them on daddy-daughter night? This is big.” This is big, but this could just be a thank you for making the costumes for them. I don’t want to get my hopes up that it is something that it’s not. Sure, Hank and I get flirty and tease each other, doesn’t mean Hank wants more between us. “I can forgive you this time. Nora, oh my God,” she squeals into the phone. “I expect major details tomorrow.”

  “We will talk over coffee tomorrow morning. Make sure to toss a couple extra bills at Channing for me.”

  * * *

  The movie theater is packed with families and couples by the time we arrive. The three of us have been getting smiles and stares since we got out of the car. We are quite the sight.

  While waiting in line to butter my popcorn, the woman behind me taps my shoulder. “I just wanted to say, you and your family look so adorable. You are so lucky to have a husband who will dress up with you and your daughter.” She gives me a warm smile.

  I look over at Hank and Colby waiting in line to get inside the theater. They both wave at me with big smiles on their faces. It’s at this precise moment that I can envision myself as a part of their family. The cute family that goes to movies dressed up as the characters they are going to watch. Damn, Zoe was freaking right again.

  I should correct her and say that I’m just the nanny, but instead I say, “Thank you so much. I am very lucky.” Part of it is true, I do feel lucky to have Hank and Colby in my life. They are the bright spot in my life. I feel completely at home with them.

  * * *

  Colby is still talking about the movie while Hank tucks her in for the night. I think I watched her reaction to the film more than I paid attention to the actual movie. She sat on the edge of her seat the entire time, singing along with the songs. Hank and I traded amused glances every time she broke into song. All in all, it was an amazing night.

  “Goodnight, Miss Nora.” Colby blows me a kiss. I pretend to catch it and place it on my cheek.

  “Goodnight, sweet girl,” I say, then blow her a kiss. I leave to let Hank finish getting Colby ready for bed.

  Before I make it back to my room, Hank pops his head out of Colby’s room and asks, “Nora, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Of course,” I reply.

  In a few long strides he’s in front of me. Without my heels on, he towers over me. I feel little like Belle standing before the beast. He has the power to destroy me, but he is sweet and gentle.

  “As you know, Colby is going to her grandma’s for the weekend tomorrow. I’m wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night.”

  “As like a date?” The words nervously come out.

  He locks me in his gaze and replies, “Yes, like a date.” A playful grin tugs at the corner of his mouth.

  “I can’t tell if you are teasing me or if you are being serious right now.” Please, oh please let him be serious.

  “Our talk this morning got me to thinking, once the blood returned to my brain.” He mischievously chuckles. “In the past I was okay with being a single father and nothing else, but then a beautiful brunette in a blue dress came to interview as my nanny, and for the first time, in a very long time, I wanted something so bad I could barely see straight. I was too in my own head to do anything about it. I’m not going to let the woman I want slip through my fingers. Dinner at seven and wear something blue.”

  “Daddy, where are you?” Colby calls out.

  “Daddy duty calls.” He smirks. “Goodnight, Nora.” He turns and walks back to Colby’s room.

  As soon as he disappears through the doorway, I let out the breath I’d been holding. Inside I’m screaming like a school girl who just got asked out by the star quarterback. Tomorrow, I’m going to buy every blue dress in Seattle.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Hank

  I HOLD MY breath as the blade of my razor glides up my neck. Colby’s eyes narrow in concentration, and the tip of her tongue peeks out from the corner of her mouth. She’s laser focused, and I’m praying she doesn’t cut my throat. My luck, I finally get my shot with Nora, and Colby slices my jugular.

  “All done, Daddy,” she proudly exclaims.

  I examine her handy work in the mirror. No nicks or cuts. She has improved since the first time I let her help me shave. My face looked like I got into a fight with Wolverine. Some would say I’m insane to let her anywhere near my face again, but I’m a sucker for this kid, and she has me wrapped around her little finger.

  “Great job, Princess,” I say, dotting her nose with some shaving cream.

  “Daddy.” She giggles.

  “I’m going to miss you while you are at Nana and Papa’s house.” There have only been a handful of days that I’ve been away from Colby since she was a baby. When I was in rehab, and the weekends once a year with my mom before she goes to Palm Dessert for the summer. I miss her like crazy when she is away. At least this time I will have Nora to help keep me distracted.

  “I’m gonna miss you too, Daddy.” She leans in and kisses my cheek. “I’m gonna miss Miss Nora too.”

  “I know she’s going to miss you, too.”

  “I wuv Miss Nora,” she admits.

  “You do, huh?”

  “Yep, she’s my best friend,” she says. This doesn’t surprise me. Colby has been Nora’s biggest fan since she came to interview for the job. Colby follows her around the house, wants to dress like her, and all she ever talks about is Nora.

  “I thought I was your best friend.” I pout.

  “You’re my other best friend, Daddy.”

  “Am I at least number one?” I ask.

  “Duh, Daddy.” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes, like I’m an idiot for asking such a stupid question.

  “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “Your secrets are always safe with me,” I reply.

  She leans in close and cups her hand around her mouth and whispers, “I wish Miss Nora was my mommy.” Her hand moves down to the pocket on the front of her dress. She brings out a little blue piece of sea glass. “I make a wish with my fairy crystal every day.” Nora is more of a mother than Chloe ever was. I love watching Colby with Nora, it’s like watching a mother and daughter playing together. Nora may not have given birth to Colby, but a part of me believes she was meant to be her mother. The moment Nora stepped foot into our house, it was like she was always meant to be here. The void that both Colby and I had been feeling was gone. Nora belongs here with us, which is why I have to do everything in my power not to fuck this up.

  It takes me a moment to get my mouth to work again. “That is a very big wish, but I have a feeling that the fairies are working hard to make it happen.”

  She looks up at me, grinning from ear to ear. “You could marry Miss Nora, and she would be my mommy. I know she wikes you. I hear her and Miss Zoe talking about you at ballet.”

  I cock a curious eyebrow up. “Oh really, and what does she say about me?” I ask.

  “She thinks you’re hot.” She snickers.

  “I’ll let you in on a secret, I like Miss Nora too.” I wink.

  “If you wike each other, you should get married, then we can be a family.” She is really pushing this marriage thing. Before that can happen, Nora and I need to make it through our first date, then we can run down to the c
ourthouse and make it official.

  “You keep making your wish every day, and we’ll see what happens.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Nora

  “NORA, MY LOVE, do we need to stop by and get you a wax job. It’s been a while since anyone has seen your lady bits. It’s been even longer for Hank, so you could have a full on seventies bush and he’d still dive face first in your beaver.” Zoe’s voice echoes through the dressing room. I can hear the woman in the room next to mine giggle.

  I open the door and step out in blue dress number five. It’s been a long morning dress shopping with my sister. We’ve been to four stores looking for the perfect blue dress. I think I’ve found the one in this maxi dress with shades of blue, teal, and purple leaves. “This is our first date, it’s not like we are going to be climbing into bed right away. But, if the moment strikes, I’m more than ready.” I wink at Zoe through the mirror.

  “If, oh please.” She snorts. “You’re getting penetration tonight.” She walks up behind me and examines the dress I’m wearing. “Especially if you are wearing this dress. Damn Nora, you look gorgeous. Hank won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping for.” I run my hands along the soft fabric. It still hasn’t fully set in that I’m going out with Hank tonight. I’ve felt oddly calm today. Maybe it’s because Hank and me feel right together, or maybe the freak out is yet to come. But either way, I have this feeling in my heart that tonight will be the start of something amazing.

  “I want all the details. I am living vicariously through you.”

  “What about the hot cop from the donut shop?” I ask.

  “He comes in every morning and we talk and I give him my best flirt, but he still has yet to take the bait.” She sighs. Zoe has been on a dry spell as long as mine. She has put her ballet career before basically everything in her life. She lives and breathes ballet. I haven’t seen her show an interest in a guy in probably three years, so this guy must be something special.