Playing It Safe Read online

  "I feel bad, thinking that Brooke is missing out on dinner because of me."

  "It has nothing to do with you. It's her choice, and she needs to learn choices have consequences." Aaron finished helping Isabelle cut her chicken, then filled his own plate.

  "She's—what? Thirteen?"

  "Yeah." Thirteen, going on thirty. He didn't say the words out loud; Savannah's sympathetic smile let him know he didn't have to.

  "That's a tough age. And with everything else going on…" Savannah tossed a glance at Isabelle then offered Aaron a shrug. "It'll get better."

  "That's what I keep hoping."

  "It will. Just give it time."

  "Yeah, but how much? Training camp starts next month. Then the regular season. Road games. I was hoping—" Aaron stopped, swallowing back the words with a bite of chicken. He'd been hoping for a miracle, but he couldn't say that out loud, not without sounding ridiculous.

  Savannah popped a slice of cucumber into her mouth then chewed and swallowed. "Have you figured out how you're going to juggle the schedule?"

  "For the most part. My mom's going to be helping out as much as she can, coming to stay when we're on the road. And on the nights we're playing home, if she can't watch them, I'll bring them to the games with me. Harland's wife said she could watch them." No, it wasn't the best arrangement, but it would work. At least until he could think of something better.

  "I like Miss Courtney." Isabelle wiped the barbecue sauce from her mouth, completely missing the smear on her cheek, and gave Savanna a big smile. "She has a little boy and she lets me help watch him sometimes."

  "Yeah? Sounds cool."

  Isabelle bobbed her head up and down with an enthusiastic smile. "It is."

  Savannah smiled at Isabelle then looked at Aaron, her hazel eyes steady on his. "If you find yourself in a pinch, you can always call me."

  "Thanks, but I couldn't impose—"

  "You wouldn't be imposing. I offered, remember?"

  Aaron opened his mouth to tell her no, then snapped it shut again. No, he wouldn't take advantage of Savannah like that, it didn't matter if she offered or not. But it was better to keep his options open, just in case something unexpected came up. "Thank you."

  "Not a problem. Besides, I think it would be fun. What do you think, Isabelle?"

  "I think it would be fun, too! But I don't think Brooke would like it."

  Aaron stared at his daughter in surprise. "Isabelle—"

  "But she wouldn't, Daddy. Brooke doesn't like anything anymore. Not even me."

  Aaron clenched his jaw, anger and sorrow filling him at the way Isabelle's lips trembled on those last words. He reached over and ruffled her hair, then pulled her in for a quick side hug. His gaze darted to the windows upstairs. The curtain in Brooke's room swayed just a little, like someone had been watching and quickly stepped back, afraid of being seen.

  Was she up there now, watching? Was she sorry she wasn't down here with everyone else? Or was she still angry, spiting herself just to make a point?

  Probably both. And Aaron had no idea what to do about it, no idea how to bridge the distance that kept growing between them.

  Chapter Two

  Savannah sat at the patio table, the glass of water held halfway to her mouth totally forgotten as she tried to pry her tongue loose. Thank God she was wearing sunglasses, because she was certain that her eyes were bugging out at the sight next door.

  Aaron Malone had just returned from his run, his skin flushed and damp with sweat. The muscles of his arms, thick and well-defined, moved and bulged as he grabbed the hose and turned on the spigot. He leaned over, bent at the waist, and doused his hair with the stream of water, then drank greedily from the hose. She let her hidden gaze drift across his body, from the muscles working in his strong throat with each swallow, to the damp tank shirt clinging to his broad chest, to the loose gym shorts hanging low on lean hips. And his thighs…God in heaven, those thighs. They were like tree trunks, thick with muscle, powerfully built from all the years spent on the ice.

  How many times had she stared at him, just like this, over the last year? Too many, to the point of being pathetic. But her neighbor was such a fine specimen of manhood that it would be criminal not to watch—and enjoy herself doing it.

  And the man was completely clueless. He had no idea how good-looking he was, no idea how just seeing him made her heart race and made sweat break out on her palms. It didn't matter if he was returning from a run, all hot and sweaty like he was now, or leaving for a game, dressed in one of his immaculate suits. And dear God, the first time she had seen him in a suit had nearly made her faint in appreciation. The way the expensive material had draped his rugged body was sinful.

  So deliciously sinful.

  Savannah sighed, a breathy sound of desire mingled with regret. Yes, she had the hots for her neighbor. Had fantasized about running her palms all over that rugged, chiseled body, had wondered how his skin would feel against hers. Had dreamt about the sensation of his large, callused hands skimming along her own heated flesh.

  But that's all it was: a fantasy. And that's all it ever would be. Not only was Aaron completely oblivious to his effect on her, she truly doubted if he saw her as anything more than his next-door neighbor. A casual acquaintance, nothing more. And now that his daughters were living with him…

  Savannah sighed again. Oh well. At least she could still fantasize.

  "Are you sure you don't want to just run over and jump him? Get him out of your system?"

  Savannah reluctantly dragged her gaze from Aaron's body and resettled it on her best friend, Tessa Franklin. She took a sip of her water then placed the glass on the table next to her with a small shake of her head. "I don't know if that's even possible."

  "What? Jumping him? Or getting him out of your system?"

  "Both. But especially the first one. The man is totally oblivious."

  Tessa lowered her sunglasses to the tip of her nose then shifted in her chair, turning to study Aaron. Her head tilted from one side to the other then she turned back to Savannah and shook her head. "Nope. Don't see it."

  "Don't see what?"

  "The attraction. Or maybe I should say obsession. Because that's what you are, you know: obsessed. And I honestly don't get it."

  "How can you even say that? I mean, God, just look at him!"

  "I am. I did. And I still don't get it. I mean, okay, fine. Sure. Yes, he's built like a freaking tree. But there's just something about him. He's what my aunt would call an 'old soul'. And there always seems to be this heavy sadness around him. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him smile."

  "You've never even met him. And he does so smile." Savannah immediately jumped to his defense, which told her more than anything else that maybe Tessa had a point. Maybe she was obsessed. "He's just going through a lot right now, especially now that his daughters are living with him."

  "That's another thing. His daughters. Plural. Seriously? Why would you even think about getting involved with someone who had all that baggage with him? Especially you. How many times have I heard you swear off family?"

  "That's not the point."

  "It's exactly the point. You don't want a family, Van. How many times have you told me that? You're happy by yourself, living life on your own terms."

  "Good grief, Tessa. I'm talking about having sex, not doing a reboot of the Brady Bunch."

  "Uh-huh. Sure. Except your neighbor isn't the kind of man you just have sex with, and you know it." Tessa tucked a long strand of sleek blonde hair behind her ear and re-crossed her long legs. She glanced over her shoulder then turned back to Savannah. "That man has way too much baggage. Do yourself a favor, stay away."

  "He doesn't have 'baggage'—he has two daughters. That's not exactly the same thing."

  Tessa reached for her glass, making a small humming sound as she raised it to her mouth. Savannah leaned back in her chair and stared at her friend. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "What?"


  "That little sound."

  "Nothing."

  "Why don't I believe that?"

  "Probably because you know me too well." Tessa laughed and leaned forward. "Listen, Van. I know you like him. But do you really want to get involved with a man who has a ready-made family? One that he's still trying to figure out himself? You said yourself that he was struggling with the whole parenting thing. And that his oldest daughter was trouble waiting to happen."

  "That doesn't mean—"

  "Think about it. His oldest daughter. A teenager. Rebellious. Headstrong. Hates her father. Why would you even want to go there?" Tessa sat back and shook her head. "That way lies insanity. Do yourself a favor, find someone you have more in common with. Someone not quite so old."

  "Aaron is not old."

  "He has a teenage daughter! How old do you think that makes him?"

  "For your information, he's only thirty-four. Just a few years older than you and I."

  Tessa's brows shot up. She glanced over her shoulder again, a frown settling on her face. She shook her head then turned back to Savannah. "Well, he looks older. Just do yourself a favor and get over it already."

  Now it was Savannah's turn to utter a noncommittal hum. She ignored Tessa's knowing glance and pretended to study the laptop in front of her. Not that she actually saw anything on the screen. It didn't matter because she wasn't fooling Tessa and she knew it.

  Maybe her friend was right. Maybe she had let her tiny crush bloom into this odd obsession that was blinding her to reality. Aaron had his hands full with his daughters, with trying to figure out how to be a father. Isabelle was a sweet kid but Brooke…yes, he was definitely going to have his hands full with that one. And she had sworn off ever having family of her own. Growing up as an only child in a dysfunctional, divorced household had taken care of that urge. Besides, she enjoyed her freedom too much, enjoyed being her own boss and not having to answer to anyone, professionally or personally. She had worked hard to get where she was and liked her life just the way it was, thank you very much.

  It was just such a shame, because she really, really liked him.

  She lifted her head, ready to ask Tessa if she wanted to go out later and do something—anything to get her mind off her neighbor—and jumped in surprise. Aaron was walking toward them, his gait strong despite the small limp as he favored his right leg.

  She straightened in the chair, resisting the urge to do something stupid, like toss her hair or lick her lips or reach down to undo another button on her shirt. "Aaron. Hi. Went out jogging, I see."

  And oh God, did she sound as lame as she thought she did? Judging by the look Tessa gave her, yes. She couldn't see her friend's eyes behind the dark lenses of her sunglasses but she didn't need to—she could feel Tessa's eye-roll.

  "Yeah. Trying to get a head start on training camp." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, tossing a curious glance at Tessa. Savannah mentally smacked herself then made a quick introduction. Aaron shook Tessa's hand then stood back, looking uncomfortable and out of place.

  "Where are the girls? I haven't seen them outside today."

  "Shopping for school clothes with their grandmother. I was told I'd cramp their style if I went."

  Savannah laughed at the expression on Aaron's face, like he couldn't quite understand how he would cramp anyone's style. She choked the laughter back and quickly looked away. "You probably wouldn't have enjoyed it."

  "No, I guess not." He ran a hand through his damp hair, pushing it back off his forehead, then cleared his throat. "I just stopped by to let you know we're having a cookout Saturday. Some of the guys are coming over and all. You're more than welcome to stop by if you want."

  "Oh. Um, yeah, sure. Maybe." She took a deep breath and looked away. She should say no, tell him she had other plans. Not that he'd actually invited her or anything but still…this would be the perfect time to start weaning herself from her obsession. "I think I have plans though."

  Tessa kicked her under the table. "You don't have any plans."

  "Yes, I do."

  "No, you don't."

  Savannah narrowed her eyes at Tessa. "I do. I have that thing."

  "What thing?"

  "You know. That thing. The thing we were just talking about? That you said I needed to get over and finish?"

  Tessa elbowed her then turned to Aaron with a bright smile. "She doesn't have a thing. She'll be there."

  "Tessa!" Savannah hissed her name, then slid down in the chair and lowered her head to hide the blush heating her face—but not before she saw the confusion crossing Aaron's face.

  "Okay. Great. You're more than welcome to join us, too."

  "Sounds like fun."

  Savannah watched as Aaron turned to leave, her breath held until he was safely out of earshot. Then she leaned forward and smacked Tessa on the arm. "What are you doing? Are you insane?"

  "No, why?"

  "Weren't you the one who just sat there, not two minutes ago, and told me to get over it already?"

  "I changed my mind."

  "Changed your mind about what?"

  "About him. That man has the saddest eyes I've ever seen. He needs some happiness in his life. Of the horizontal kind."

  "And what does that have to do with me?"

  "Everything." Tessa lowered her sunglasses down her nose and fixed Savannah with a steady gaze that was both determined and amused. "You need to have sex with that man. Lots of sex. Hot, steamy, sweaty, mind-blowing sex."

  "Tessa—"

  "Because if you don't, I will."

  Chapter Three

  The day was bright and clear, an almost perfect day, if not for the humidity. But it was mid-August, and the humidity was to be expected. At least it was tolerable. Mostly. And Savannah had dressed for it, in a loose pair of bright blue linen shorts and a crisp blue-and-white striped sleeveless shirt with tiny buttons marching down the front. Her brightly-colored toenails, their color almost perfectly matching her shorts, peeked out from the open weave of the wedge sandals on her feet. She looked cool, comfortable, and poised…

  And completely out of place.

  She shifted on the overstuffed patio chair and glanced around at the small crowd dressed in loose t-shirts and gym shorts or cargo shorts. When Aaron had said 'the guys', he hadn't been kidding. Only a few other women were there—three, to be exact, and they were obviously the wives or girlfriends of some of the players. Aaron had smiled when she walked over—without Tessa, who had backed out at the last minute, the traitor—and motioned for her to join him. He had made quick introductions and she was only able to catch half the names, not that it mattered because it didn't seem like anyone else was really paying attention. Then Aaron had been distracted by something else and he walked away, disappearing into the house.

  Savannah had stood there for a full minute, feeling like an outsider. Then she mentally shrugged and headed to the cooler, helping herself to a wine cooler before moving over here to the patio.

  Where'd she been sitting by herself for the last fifteen minutes.

  She wiped the condensation from the bottle then took a small sip, her gaze still wandering. Tessa would die when she found out what she was missing. A dozen men, their athletic bodies on clear display, mingled amongst themselves, laughing and joking. And every single one of them was drop-dead gorgeous.

  Served Tessa right, she thought.

  One of the women walked over, her dark blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun, a young boy in tow. The boy was maybe three or four, his face scrunched in a comical expression of stubborn anger. The woman pointed to one of the empty seats, her fingers moving in rapid sequence as she spoke.

  "You know better, young man. Now sit. You have a time-out."

  The boy made a loud huffing sound and crossed his skinny arms in front of his chest, pointedly looking away from the woman. She stepped in front of him and leaned down, her fingers moving again. "Noah Robert Day, don't even try that with me. Now sit."
r />   The boy hesitated, obviously on the verge of mutiny, then reluctantly climbed into the chair with another odd-sounding sigh. His legs swung back and forth, his lower lip pushed out in a classic pout. His gaze darted to hers, looked away, then shyly darted back as a tiny smile curled his pink mouth.

  Savannah bit down on the inside of her cheek and looked away from the little charmer.

  The woman—obviously the boy's mother—rolled her eyes then tapped the boy on the shoulder and made a few more signs with her fingers before dropping into the seat beside him with a loud sigh.

  She looked over at Savannah and smiled. "He's entirely too much like his father."

  Savannah smiled and nodded, not knowing what to say. Since she had no idea who the boy's father was, she couldn't really comment. But she could at least make an attempt at conversation. "How old is he?"

  "He just turned three in April. And he's definitely learning to push his boundaries." The woman's laugh was gentle, like she had expected nothing different from the cute boy next to her. Savannah felt a small pang in her chest when she saw the pure adoration and love in the woman's eyes as she glanced at her son. What was it like, to feel that much love for your child? What was it like, to be totally responsible for the life and well-being of someone so young?

  She had no idea, and nothing in her life had even given her a small taste of experience she could draw on. Her own parents had loved her—in their own way. But they'd been so caught up in their professional lives, bouncing her back and forth between them, that she sometimes felt as if she had been nothing more than an after-thought. She certainly didn't remember ever seeing either one of them look at her the way this woman was looking at her son.

  The woman turned her gaze to Savannah then leaned forward, one slender hand held out. "I'm Courtney Day. Harland's wife."

  Savannah accepted the woman's hand. "Savannah Weber. And I don't know anyone here, so I have no idea who that is."

  Courtney laughed and sat back in the cushioned seat, shifting to tuck one slender leg under her. She nodded to the boy next to her. "Well, this little guy here is Noah. And Harland is the one standing over there next to the cooler."