Page 21 of The Sacrifice

“How dare you say that?” The disapproval in her voice makes me feel like a jerk, but it’s the truth. He couldn’t wait for a DNA test to show up in the mail. He had to pay for rush delivery to his house. The same day she was dropped off.

He didn’t have time to order groceries, but he could find time to order the evidence he needs to prove she’s not his. So he can return to his nice, safe, peaceful, no-responsibility life.

That would solve all his problems. I kiss the top of her head.How could he not want you?What happens if he finds out she’s his and doesn’t want her? If she becomes too much trouble?

The breath in my lungs disappears as my heart thunders in my chest. If she goes to social service, could I take her? Could I become a foster parent and adopt her? Blood wooshes in my ears. Is this the sign I’ve been looking for? “Forget I said anything.”

“That’s better. I didn’t raise you to be rude and condescending. I’ve never understood what you had against Jackson. He never did anything to you.”

“He almost got Andrew kicked out of school my senior year, and Andrew almost lost his spot on the football team. Andrew didn’t have the luxury that Jackson did. Jackson was too talented for the team to lose him, so of course, the coach and school cut him slack. They wanted to win.”

“He worked hard.”

“Yes, Andrew worked hard. That’s my point.”

“No. Jackson worked hard.”

“Right.” Jackson didn’t work hard at anything. Maybe that’s what pisses me off the most. We had to bust our asses to get ahead, and Jackson was from a prominent family. It was easy for him. Too easy. What could he have accomplished if he put effort into things?

“I think you have the wrong view of him. Everything isn’t always as it seems. He worked harder than any of the other kids on the team. He was at the school lifting weights two hours before school started and stayed after school. I should know. I drove them back and forth.”

“Okay. So he liked to lift weights.” I yawn and grab the coffee mug. It’s too early to have this conversation. Especially without copious amounts of caffeine.

“I don’t think you do. He didn’t blink and end up on a professional football team. He had to work to get there. He also studied hard in college, getting on the Dean’s list.”

Probably in Leisure Management.

“Fine. I hear you.”

“I doubt you do. Anyway, thank you for doing this favor for your brother. He appreciates it, and you’re doing a good thing for Jackson.”

After I poke the button on the phone, I guzzle my drink, burning my throat and causing my eyes to sting.

“Who was that?”

“Shit,” I gasp and spin around, making the coffee fly over the mug and spill onto the tile floor. Jackson stands in the threshold wearing a skintight red T-shirt and black shorts that look like he’s jumped off the roof to hop into. Who looks like that?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.” I juggle a bubble blowing Hadley against my chest as I grab a washrag. “I’ll get that cleaned up.”

His arms cross over that impossibly large chest, and my brain fries.Stop gawking at his chest. He has a face.

Oh, fuck. Wrong answer.

His brown eyes bore into mine, and his jaw looks like it could be used as a hammer. But the backward baseball cap makes my nipples stand at attention and my panties swelter with heat.

“Who. Was. On. The. Phone.” The anger flashing in his eyes causes me to step backward, and Hadley squeaks. “I wouldn’t typically invade your privacy, but since you were throwing shit all over my name while standing in my kitchen, drinking my coffee, and holding my baby as my employee, I figure I have the right to know.”

The washrag drops to my feet. “Um….” I clear my throat and straighten my shoulders. “It was my mom.”

“I figured as much.” He tips his head to the side, and a cracking sound fills the air around us. “I’ve got to head to the gym.”

He marches toward me. What’s he doing? The closer he comes, the tenser I become. The room buzzes with electricity and not the kind I liked. This feels like he will spank my ass and send me on my way.

Not that I don’t deserve it. I was talking shit about him, and he is my employer. That’s something I’ve never done before. Olivia was right. My feelings are involved, and that’s not good.

He looms over me, causing the air in my lungs to evaporate. I couldn’t swallow if I had to.

When he bends down, his scent fills my nose. A warm spicy smell. God, I will fall to the floor in a melted puddle of lust.