WMIS 03 Play With Me (23 page)

“Yes.”

“At
home?” I ask casually.

“Yes,”
he smiles at me. “And after the game, the whole family is going to my mom and
dad’s for dinner. It’ll probably be the last weekend this year that we can
still enjoy their backyard.”

“Okay.”

“I
want you there.”

It
isn’t a request, and makes me smile. I want to be there.

“Okay,”
I say again. Will nods and goes back to watching his game, that being settled.

I
shake my red nail polish and pull my right foot up onto the couch, my heel
tucked against my ass, and buff my toenails, then open the polish. Before I can
swipe the brush down my toenail, Will interrupts me.

“Can
I do that?”

My
head whips up to meet his eyes, surprised. “What?”

“I
want to do that.”

“Why?”

He
just shrugs and smiles as he slides across the couch, pulls my foot into his
lap, causing me to turn so my back is against the armrest, and holds his hand
out, waiting for me to hand over the polish.

“Are
you sure?”

He
just raises an eyebrow at me, that cocky smile still on his lips, and I hand
the polish to him.

“It’s
not as easy as it looks, you know.”

“I’m
quite sure I can do it.”

“I
thought you were watching football.”

“I’m
listening.”

I
shake my head and settle back against the soft cushion, arms folded over my
belly and watch his dark blonde head bow over my foot, his big hand holding the
polish wand over the toes, and methodically paints each toe.

Miraculously,
he doesn’t end up painting my skin.

“You
shouldn’t be doing your own toes,” he murmurs under his breath.

“Excuse
me?”

“You
shouldn’t be doing your own toes,” he repeats, raising his head to look me in
the eye.

“Why
ever not?”

“Because,
you should pamper yourself and go get pedicures.”

“Oh
please,” I wave him off. “Who has time for that?”

“You
only work three days a week, babe.”

“Well,
now that I’m not sending every last dime to Sylvia any more, I’ll splurge,” I
comment with a smile but the look he sends me is feral.

“That’s
why you do your own feet? Why you barely have basic cable? How much have you
been sending her?”

“None
of your business.” I try to pull my foot away, but he grabs my ankle and holds
strong.

“It
is my business.”

“No,
it’s not.”

“Megan,
don’t fight me on this. I’m in love with you, damn it, and you’re sending money
you need to that piece of shit of a human being. Now tell me, how much do you
send her?”

“Anything
that’s left over.”

“What
does that mean?”

“What
I said. I pay the bills, buy groceries and keep a little for incidentals and
send her the rest.”

“Fuck,
Meg.”

“I
already said I’m done. I meant it.”

“Damn
straight you meant it.”

“Why
does this bother you so much? It’s not your money.”

“It’s
not about the money. It’s about that woman taking advantage of you, and you
letting her, and it kills me that you’ve been going without when you didn’t
need to be.”

“I
don’t go without.” I shake my head and push my hands though my hair in
frustration. “Trust me, Will, I know what it is to go without. This isn’t it. I
have everything I need. I’m fine.”

“You’re
fine.”

“I’m
fine,” I repeat. “I don’t need to be rich. I’m happy with what I have. You do
know that I’m not with you because of your fat contract, right?”

He
laughs like I’ve just said the most absurd thing he’s ever heard. “Trust me,
babe, you’re no gold digger.”

“Well,
there you go then.” I shrug.

He
goes back to my toes, and we sit in silence, the game playing in the
background, as he carefully paints each little toe. When he’s done with the
second coat, he replaces the wand, tightens the bottle and then blows on my
toes to help them dry.

It
tickles.

“Your
toes are so small,” he comments softly.

I
sigh as I just watch him pamper my feet. This big, strong man, gently painting
my tiny toes. It’s adorable.

And
sweet.

He
loves me.

“Thanks
for painting them,” I murmur.

“You’re
welcome,” he replies with a grin. “It wasn’t so hard.”

“Maybe
I’ll let you paint them from now on,” I wink at him and he chuckles, sending
shivers through me. I love his voice. I love making him laugh.

“I
think I’ll just send you to the spa with Jules and Nat.”

“You’re
not sending me…”

“Shut
up, Megan.” He pulls me into his lap, careful not to mess up my fresh paint,
and kisses me hard, until we’re both breathless. “Just let me spoil you a
little, okay?”

“You
do spoil me.”

He
brushes a strand of hair off my cheek and kisses my forehead, then settles me
against him so we can finish the football game.

“Get
used to it,” he whispers.

* * *

“How
was vacation?” Jill asks as she leans on the counter next to me where I’m
charting and passes me a Starbucks.

“Fantastic,”
I reply with a smug grin.

“I
hate you. You know that, right?”

“You
love me.” I laugh at her and give her a hug. “It’s good to be back. Thanks for
this.”

It’s
Tuesday, and we are working the morning shift.

“How’s
your man?”

“Good.
Working.” I shrug and dive back into my chart.

“How
long does he work anyway? I know nothing about what those guys do during the
week.”

“Well,
it varies. Yesterday they trained in the morning and then watched films and had
meetings the rest of the day. He didn’t get home until about eight last night.”

“Wow,
long days.”

“Yeah,
it’ll be the same today. They’re working extra hard since they all took last
week off.”

“Cool.”
She smiles encouragingly.

The
phone at my elbow rings, and I pick it up. “Pediatric Oncology, this is Megan.”

“Hey,
Meg this is Lyle in security. Just wanted to give you the heads up that Mr.
Montgomery is on his way up to you.”

I
frown and turn toward the elevators as I hear them ding and see Will walk off,
grinning from ear to ear, heading straight for me.

“Thanks,
Lyle.” I hang up and cross to him. “What’s up?”

He
just hugs me, pulling me off my feet and spins me in a circle, and then kisses
me like crazy, in front of everyone.

Every.
One.

“Uh,
Will, I’m working.” I laugh and pull back, confused, but pleased with how
excited he looks. “What is going on with you?”

“Stacy
had the baby this morning. I just came from there.” He’s so proud.

“Oh!
That’s awesome! How are they?”

“Perfect.
Stace is tired, but she did great. The baby is tiny and adorable, and Isaac
can’t stop staring at him. I’d call him a pussy, but I can’t blame him. The
little guy is great.”

“I’m
so happy, for all of you.” I run my hands down his chest, but I catch the quick
frown between his eyes before it’s gone, replaced by his handsome smile.

“Thank
you. So, I was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by.”

“I’m
so glad you did. I can’t wait to congratulate them.”

“They’ll
all be at mom and dad’s on Sunday, but you’re welcome to stop in and see them
later today. I think they’ll be in the hospital until Thursday.”

“Okay,
I will. For sure. I got them some gifts I can’t wait to give them.”

“You
did?” He grins again, delighted with me.

“Of
course.” I shrug shyly. “New babies need new things. Plus, you’ll approve of
what I got.”

“What
is it?”

“Baby
football gear. He’ll be all decked out on Sunday to cheer on his uncle Will.”

Will’s
eyes go soft and he pulls me to him and kisses me again, softly, brushing his
lips over mine, and I don’t care who sees. He buries his fingers in my hair and
holds on tight as he devours me with his lips.

He
smells good. Musky and clean.

He
smells of Will.

“I
love you,” he whispers against my lips.

“I
know,” I respond, and he smiles again.

“I
have to get back to the team for meetings the rest of the day. I’ll see you
tonight?” He raises a brow in question and I smile.

“I’ll
be there.”

“Great.”
He kisses me, one last time, hard, and then turns to walk back to the elevator.
“Later.”

“Later.”
I wave and watch him disappear into the elevator.

“Oh
yeah,” Jill murmurs with humor behind me. “He’s good. Damn, girl.”

I
just sigh and nod in agreement. “Yeah, he’s good.”

Chapter Eighteen

Apparently,
losing a game makes Will a wee bit grumpy.

Or
a lot grumpy.

We’re
driving to his parents’ home after the game this morning, and he’s unusually
quiet.

I
was at the game today, in his private sky box with Nat and Jules and the guys.
It was fun. Until the end of the fourth quarter. We were up by three points
against Arizona, but in the last two minutes, Will threw an interception, and
the guy ran it in for a touchdown.

We
lost.

Will
was off his game most of the day. I could see it. He just wasn’t himself.

The
others went on ahead to the Montgomery’s house and I hung back to wait for Will
to give a couple interviews and take a shower. He’d hugged me when he saw me,
but he hasn’t said much.

What
the hell am I supposed to say?

I
don’t know.

So
I just reach over and take his hand in mine, link our fingers and kiss his
hand, then rest them in my lap.

That
earned me a half smile.

He
pulls into his parents’ drive, parks and opens the door for me. It’s an
unseasonably warm fall day.

“I
smell rain,” I say casually.

“I
hope not. Grilling in the rain sucks.”

“You
live in Seattle. Grilling in the rain is the norm.”

He
smirks and leads me around his parents’ house to the back yard, and I gasp.
Holy shit, his dad must put in hours and hours each week into this yard. Even
in the fall, when most of the flowers have died, and the leaves are turning,
it’s a sight to behold with paths and benches and fruit trees.

“This
is gorgeous.”

He
looks back and grins.
There he is.

“Yeah,
Dad works hard on it.”

“I
can tell.”

“They’re
here!” A little girl of about five years old shrieks and jumps up and down.
She’s in a Seattle football jersey and jeans, her long raven hair braided down
her back. And suddenly her mirror image is standing next to her.

“Well,
hello there,” I smile down at the sweet little girls.

“Hi,”
they say in unison, smiling widely at us.

“Meg,
this is Josie and Maddie. They’re Brynna’s daughters.”

Everyone
looks up from what they’re doing and waves and I just stand here and look about
the back yard in awe.

It
looks like some sort of beautiful people convention.

Seriously.

“Come
help me grill, son! Grab a beer.” Will’s dad is manning the grill, wearing a
Chillin’
and Grillin’
apron and wielding a long metal spatula. Most of the guys are
near the grill, either standing with Steven, or sitting at a nearby table.

What
is it with men and grilling?

The
women are scattered on the covered patio, in small groups chatting and
laughing, holding babies, sipping drinks.

Holy
shit, I didn’t know that family gatherings like this existed.

“Sure,
dad, let me just introduce Meg around.” He grins down at me and links his
fingers with mine reassuringly.

“I
don’t think I should be here,” I whisper up to him. He scowls and leans down to
kiss my dimple.

“You
definitely should be here,” he whispers in my ear. He straightens and leads me
to the patio. “You know most everyone. My ugly brothers are over there,” he
points to his brothers, including Luke and Nate, who all grin and wave. Fuck,
they’re all hot.