Read Online Payoff Pitch (Philadelphia Patriots) by V.K. Sykes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: V.K. Sykes
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used to say. And you’re a real good-looking girl, sweetheart.”
“Dad,” Teddy said with an exasperated sigh.
“I know—it’s none of my business, and I’ve always been over-protective. But you’re going to be in the man’s house a lot, Teddy, and—”
“But when he’s not there, Dad,” Teddy interrupted. “That’s the point of my job. Anyway, why would you possibly think that a baseball hero would even think about hitting on me? It’s ridiculous, and I’m not going to even talk about it.”
That didn’t mean she wouldn’t think about what her father had said, though. Coming on top of what Emma had told her about Noah, Teddy wavered as to whether she looked forward to their next encounter with excitement or trepidation.
Okay, she admitted silently, it was with both.
- 6 -
Noah could hardly believe how fantastic—mouth-watering, really—Teddy Quinn looked with the wind streaming though her coppery hair as they rocketed down I-95 with the Cadillac Escalade’s windows cranked down. He’d borrowed the loaded SUV from his buddy, teammate Nick Rome, since there was no way he could fit two huge dog crates into his BMW.
Though the wind noise was practically deafening, Teddy had asked him to shut off the AC and open the windows so she could breathe the clean air of an unusually fresh June evening. Ever since he picked her up at her place in Manayunk, he’d been fighting to keep his attention on the road. Her white shorts showed off her slim, athletic legs, and the tight red tank top left little to the imagination when it came to the upper half of her body. Earlier, she’d covered her shoulders with a light sweater, but now it lay folded in her lap, exposing a lot of smooth, pale skin and a cute dusting of freckles for his gaze to lock onto.
Noah had hoped in vain that Cristina might suck it up and accompany him to the airport to meet the dogs’ flight because he figured he could use some help to get them loaded up and safely home. But the housekeeper had balked. For the first time since she’d come to work for him, they’d had a heated argument and, for once, Noah had matched Cristina’s voluble temper. Still, she’d been adamant, and when Noah persisted, she’d practically shouted that he should take along “that girl” if he couldn’t handle a couple of dogs by himself. Noah had winced at what might be a slur on his manhood, but what really got to him was Cristina’s tone of voice when she said “that girl”. It gave Noah serious worries about future relationships in his house.
Cristina hadn’t even met Teddy yet, but apparently she’d already conceived an irrational dislike of her. He’d humor her for now and see how the situation evolved. But as much as he appreciated Cristina’s work, he wouldn’t tolerate discord in his home from an employee that he paid damn well and treated almost like family. He needed Teddy, as was obvious from tonight’s little outing.
“This should be fun.” Teddy smiled as she turned her head toward him. Her hair whipped across her face in a stream of red shot through with gold, and she took a moment to push it back. “Thanks for including me in the welcoming party.”
Noah shook his head as he took the exit ramp for the airport parking garage. “No, I’m the one who should be thanking you. I wasn’t thrilled about having to wrangle two dogs and their crates by myself, and I wouldn’t even broach the subject with Cristina.” He’d decided to use that small lie since Teddy didn’t need to know about the confrontation he’d had with his housekeeper. “I’m just glad you were free tonight. Free in both senses, apparently, though I would have been more than happy to pay you for your time, like I said.”
Teddy dismissed that with a wave and a dazzling smile. “Think of tonight as an introductory special for a new client. Besides, it makes a lot of sense that the dogs see us together as soon as they get out of their crates.
“Dad,” Teddy said with an exasperated sigh.
“I know—it’s none of my business, and I’ve always been over-protective. But you’re going to be in the man’s house a lot, Teddy, and—”
“But when he’s not there, Dad,” Teddy interrupted. “That’s the point of my job. Anyway, why would you possibly think that a baseball hero would even think about hitting on me? It’s ridiculous, and I’m not going to even talk about it.”
That didn’t mean she wouldn’t think about what her father had said, though. Coming on top of what Emma had told her about Noah, Teddy wavered as to whether she looked forward to their next encounter with excitement or trepidation.
Okay, she admitted silently, it was with both.
- 6 -
Noah could hardly believe how fantastic—mouth-watering, really—Teddy Quinn looked with the wind streaming though her coppery hair as they rocketed down I-95 with the Cadillac Escalade’s windows cranked down. He’d borrowed the loaded SUV from his buddy, teammate Nick Rome, since there was no way he could fit two huge dog crates into his BMW.
Though the wind noise was practically deafening, Teddy had asked him to shut off the AC and open the windows so she could breathe the clean air of an unusually fresh June evening. Ever since he picked her up at her place in Manayunk, he’d been fighting to keep his attention on the road. Her white shorts showed off her slim, athletic legs, and the tight red tank top left little to the imagination when it came to the upper half of her body. Earlier, she’d covered her shoulders with a light sweater, but now it lay folded in her lap, exposing a lot of smooth, pale skin and a cute dusting of freckles for his gaze to lock onto.
Noah had hoped in vain that Cristina might suck it up and accompany him to the airport to meet the dogs’ flight because he figured he could use some help to get them loaded up and safely home. But the housekeeper had balked. For the first time since she’d come to work for him, they’d had a heated argument and, for once, Noah had matched Cristina’s voluble temper. Still, she’d been adamant, and when Noah persisted, she’d practically shouted that he should take along “that girl” if he couldn’t handle a couple of dogs by himself. Noah had winced at what might be a slur on his manhood, but what really got to him was Cristina’s tone of voice when she said “that girl”. It gave Noah serious worries about future relationships in his house.
Cristina hadn’t even met Teddy yet, but apparently she’d already conceived an irrational dislike of her. He’d humor her for now and see how the situation evolved. But as much as he appreciated Cristina’s work, he wouldn’t tolerate discord in his home from an employee that he paid damn well and treated almost like family. He needed Teddy, as was obvious from tonight’s little outing.
“This should be fun.” Teddy smiled as she turned her head toward him. Her hair whipped across her face in a stream of red shot through with gold, and she took a moment to push it back. “Thanks for including me in the welcoming party.”
Noah shook his head as he took the exit ramp for the airport parking garage. “No, I’m the one who should be thanking you. I wasn’t thrilled about having to wrangle two dogs and their crates by myself, and I wouldn’t even broach the subject with Cristina.” He’d decided to use that small lie since Teddy didn’t need to know about the confrontation he’d had with his housekeeper. “I’m just glad you were free tonight. Free in both senses, apparently, though I would have been more than happy to pay you for your time, like I said.”
Teddy dismissed that with a wave and a dazzling smile. “Think of tonight as an introductory special for a new client. Besides, it makes a lot of sense that the dogs see us together as soon as they get out of their crates.
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