Read Online Bucking the Rules by Kat Murray - Free Book Online Page B

you’ve got a night off. I’ll buy you a round.”
    He stood rooted to the spot for a moment, searching her face as if waiting for the “Gotcha” or a hint of sarcasm or something to indicate it was a trick.
    She shrugged a shoulder and bent down to pick up her bag. He got there first, their hands crashing together as they both reached for the strap.
    â€œI’ve got it.”
    â€œNo, here.” He lifted the heavy tote with ease and helped her adjust it over her shoulder.
    â€œThanks, big guy.” She patted him again, determined to leave with her dignity—and pride—intact. “Guess I’ll see you around.”
    She started to walk toward the stairs, but he caught her and pulled her in for one more long, indecently delicious kiss. When he was finished, they were both fighting to catch their breath.
    â€œDamn,” he muttered once more, his forehead dropping to hers.
    â€œYou can say that again.” She pressed a more innocent kiss to his lips and gently pushed him toward the truck. “See ya around, cowboy.”
    He shook his head, as if reluctant to go, but go he did. After the truck pulled into the deserted street, she kicked the front step of the stairs.
    Not how she wanted the evening to end up. She was no better off than when she’d started the day. Still no man to curl up with and get dirty with between the sheets. But at least now she had something to look forward to. Jo touched her lips with the back of one hand while she dug through her tote for keys with the other.
    Now she had a hint of what was to come.
    So maybe she was a little better off.
    Â 
    Trace thundered up the steps, not taking the ten seconds to remove his boots by the front door like Emma taught all the kids. Some things were more important.
    â€œBea?” he called halfway up.
    â€œWe’re up here.”
    She sounded remarkably calm for someone who’d texted an SOS while babysitting his son. He forced his breathing to reach a normal level and walked the last few steps to the top landing. When he got there, he stopped short at the sight.
    Bea, in a pair of ripped shorts and an oversized stained sweatshirt that looked like something of his she’d stolen from his hamper, walked the floor with Seth over her shoulder. He was quiet, but looked as miserable as Bea. Her cropped hair stuck out in different directions, and she was missing an earring. He prayed to God that wasn’t the reason she’d called him back home. If she’d let his son swallow a piece of jewelry, so help him . . .
    She caught him from the corner of her eye and turned, her face a bland mask. No panic, no confusion, no worry. It was as if she was zoned out in front of the TV.
    â€œI don’t understand why you left him with me.”
    Trace walked over and gently removed Seth from her grasp. Her arms went limp at her sides.
    â€œI’m not maternal. I don’t even own a pet. I don’t think I like animals. Or babies.” She stared in disgust at the sweatshirt. “Do you know what comes out of that kid?”
    â€œYeah. I’ve changed a diaper or two myself,” Trace said dryly, inspecting his son for damage. Now that he was being held by someone he recognized and trusted, Seth relaxed considerably, his face morphing from wary concern to a big smile. “Hey, little man. You scaring your Auntie Bea-Bea?”
    â€œScare. Yeah.” She blew out a puff of breath that ruffled her hair and flopped to the overstuffed armchair. “He has a rash.”
    â€œA rash?” Trace looked once more at Seth’s arms and legs, his neck, his face, even his bald head. “Like, an allergy? Did you feed him something other than his bottle?”
    â€œNo. On his butt.”
    Trace stared at his sister for a full ten seconds. “You sent me an SOS because of diaper rash?”
    She threw up her hands and rocked back. “I don’t know! I’ve never babysat before!