Tempt Me! (Panty Dropper Series Book 2) Read online

  “What else?”

  “Free rent during the renovations, on the condition that we take a short holiday somewhere.”

  “What else?”

  “Gees, what else do you want?” she laughed. “Are you trying to send me broke before I even take over?”

  “Of course not. There’s something else I want, though, more than anything else.”

  “Name it. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “I want you and Emma to move into the renovated apartment with me.” His hands slid around her waist, in case she thought about jumping up and collecting Emma and disappearing through the gate. Her face stayed blank and he waited for a reaction. “Say something. You’ve got me worried.”

  “You really want us to move in with you?” Her voice was low and full of emotion.

  “I want a whole lot more than that, Becca, but I’m prepared to wait for the rest.” He kissed her cheek and nibbled her ear as her grip tightened around his neck. “The apartment is perfect. There’s the outdoor courtyard and we can bring Emma to this park any time she likes.”

  “Don’t tell her that. She’ll have you here every afternoon.”

  “There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

  She stared across the playground for a few moments before she answered. “I never thought it would be so easy to meet someone new when I was already a mother. I expected there to be limitations on the time we spent together. I imagined getting a babysitter any time we wanted to do anything socially. But you,” she paused and bit her lip before meeting his eyes, “you haven’t once asked me to send her somewhere. You always invite her along.” Her eyes threatened to spill tears down her cheek as he moved closer and put his arms around her waist.

  “I’d never ask you to get rid of her. She’s not a suitcase we can stick under the bed while we go out. She’s a little person, and I like her a lot.”

  “Well, that’s good.” Becca sniffed. “You don’t need to tell me, either. Anyone can see you make a huge effort to include her and keep her entertained.”

  “Well, that’s what you do for someone you love.” His voice was low and for a second he worried she’d missed what he said. Time stood still as he waited for some kind of response. She lifted her eyes to his and he didn’t need a response any longer. Mischief danced in her eyes and something deep inside of him knew everything would work out just fine.

  “This all seems a bit risky for you, Mr November. Are you sure you’re up for the challenge?”

  “I’ve been taking risks since the day I laid eyes on you. What’s one more in the scheme of things?”

  “I guess you’re right. Edith will be sad to see us go.”

  “We can organise something with her. You’re all so close, you need to make sure you still see her enough.”

  Becca sniffed. “That’s true. I’ll miss her as much as she misses us.”

  “I hope that will be counteracted by the delirious perfection of giggles with me every night.”

  “I’m sure it will. Nothing can compare to laughing with you.”

  “Chris, Chris! Will you push me on the swing?”

  “Of course I will sweetie.” He rose from the bench and walked toward Emma. “You just tell me how high you want to go.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I’d like to thank you all for coming to celebrate the closure of our U-Haul business!” Chris raised his drink and the friends and family he and Becca had gathered around them snickered. “From now on, Sundays are family days in our house.” A cheer went up from the crowd as Chris pulled Becca close. Emma played at their feet with the new kitchen set they’d bought her that morning. “I want to thank you all for your support and hope you’ll keep coming back once we open with a real name this time, not a borrowed one. Behold, the Love In!” Becca pulled a string and a curtain dropped from the wall behind them, revealing a brand new neon red sign.

  “Oh, you’re so whipped, man!” Jasper called out as Mimi elbowed him in the ribs.

  “Why can’t I get whipped like that?” Ed’s deep baritone was unmistakable.

  “Will we be having a wedding here next year?” Nate’s voice chimed in.

  A smattering of applause went around the room as Chris pretended to take a bow. “You can all stop teasing me now. I’m immune. Becca and Emma are all that matters to me. Now, everyone enjoy yourselves. This is the last time you get to be here for quite a few weeks.”

  The crowd chattered amongst themselves and someone cranked up the music. Becca had insisted on caterers and wait staff being brought in, so Chris could relax and enjoy himself. It had been so long since he’d seen so many of his friends in one place and he suddenly realised how much he’d shut himself away over the past two years. Life had threatened to pass him by, until he met Becca. He watched her mingle with his friends, her eyes never far from watching Emma.

  Edith approached him and handed him a drink. “This place is going to be great, Chris,” she said.

  “Thanks. I’m looking forward to it being finished.” He glanced at Becca as she laughed with their friend Dean. “I hope you’ll come around often Edith. Becca has been quite worried about moving out.”

  “She doesn’t have anything to worry about. I’m not an old lady. I always knew they’d leave me one day and I think I’m ready for it now. When Hamish died we were all so unbalanced that it made sense to stick together and support one another. We’re a lot stronger, and now Becca has you. She needs to get on with her life and step away from the grieving. Emma too, though she probably doesn’t even realise what it all means.”

  “Emma’s party next week should be fun. I’ve never been to a kid’s party.”

  “All I can say is make sure you get a good sleep the night before. A group of three and our year olds will run us all ragged.”

  He laughed as he took a sip of his drink. “Well, I’m glad you volunteered your house for the party, then. It doesn’t seem like my idea of having it here was any good.”

  “You can have her sixteenth birthday here,” Edith grinned at him. “There’ll be plenty of time to have grown up parties. Will the cake be ready on time?”

  “It sure will.” Chris watched Emma handing plates around with imaginary food on them. “Wait until she sees it. It’s the pinkest thing I’ve ever baked.”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  “It will be. It’s exactly what she requested that first day we met.”

  ***

  Hours later Emma was tucked into her makeshift bed on the couch and Chris and Becca watched television with the volume turned down low. Their guests had stayed late and the two of them relaxed as they ate a late dinner.

  “I can’t believe you’ve reduced me to eating leftovers and sitting home.”

  “I told you, leftovers are the best. A smart and tasty option. Plus, you ordered way too much food so you’ll be eating leftovers for the next two weeks.” He chuckled as he nudged her leg. “I’ll do the ordering next time.”

  “You’re welcome to it.” She chewed her mouthful. “This is the most fabulous spinach pie I’ve ever eaten, though. I won’t be unhappy tasting this again and again.”

  “Imagine how many leftovers we’ll be able to fit in once the new cool room is installed? We’ll never have to cook again!”

  She groaned at the excited look on his face and he laughed as they finished their meal together. Having her here made him happy and the soft snoring coming from Emma on the couch filled him with a deep contentment.

  Yes, he’d tried to hide away and be a good businessman. He’d done everything he could to play it safe. The arrival of Becca had thrown all his carefully laid plans into disarray, however, and he liked it.

  A lot.

  He collected Becca’s plate and rinsed the dishes in the sink. Then he returned to stand in front of her on the couch. “Can I interest you in a sneak peak at a calendar pin up?”

  She giggled and let him pull her off the couch. “I’m not sure. I’ve heard there’s a certain pictorial that
can’t be beaten.”

  “You’ve only heard about it. I think you need to see it for yourself.”

  “Is it as good as they say?”

  “Of course. The calendars keep selling don’t they? I can’t believe you didn’t sneak a single look.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the bedroom.

  “Remember how you lied about the no-strings thing?” He nodded. “I might have lied about not looking at the calendar.”

  “What? You have seen it!”

  “Shh… you’ll wake Emma.”

  “Sorry. If she wakes up I’ll sit with her until she goes back to sleep, don’t worry.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m worried about! I have plans for you tonight and they don’t include sitting on the couch without me.”

  “Oooh, I like the sound of that.”

  She turned to face him and pulled him behind her as she stepped backward into their room. “Come here, my Mr November.”

  The End

  Acknowledgment

  My beta readers have been so great for this book series. Kate Jones and Kerrie Andrews – you guys are the reason I let the books out into the wild. Without you my readers would never get to see a word! Thanks for all you do.

  Books in this series by Tracey Pedersen

  Tap That!

  Tempt Me!

  Tight Ass!

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