She gives me a little shrug. “I’m game if you are.”
Fuck. She has no idea how game I am—or how much game I’ve still got. “I am. Absolutely. But this conversation is important. I’d put it off for an hour or two if I could, but everyone is waiting on a phone call from me…once I talk to you.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize. I’m not sure how much I can help her, but I’m happy to try. Are they okay over there?”
“Fine, just rattled.” I take Masey by the hand. She so sweet—not just to look at or taste—but she’s so kind that it messes with something in the middle of my chest I’d rather not identify right now. I half walk and half drag her to the living room, then maneuver her onto the sofa before I sit in my usual recliner. “Great. Here’s what we’re hoping, and I know it’s asking a lot, but it would help more than one person if you’re okay with it.”
“I’m listening.”
“Would you be willing to let Amanda stay in your vacation rental for a few days? She can’t stay with Nia, who’s home alone and thirty weeks pregnant. She can’t stay with Noah and Harlow. They’ve already got their own son and now my mother to deal with. Amanda’s brother has his hands full, too, like the rest of Harlow’s siblings. I’d give up my place, but I don’t have a way to take care of Ranger anywhere else the way I do at home and—”
“I don’t have a problem with her being there. But what if the mob finds her?”
I shake my head. “We think they found Amanda at Nia’s because the loons following her know they’re related by marriage. Guessing she’d be there wasn’t a huge stretch. But you are in no way affiliated with Amanda. The rental is in your name. There’s no reason for anyone to imagine she would be there.”
“That’s a good point. But I don’t know that there’s any place to put a baby there.”
“Harlow hit up the rest of her siblings and gathered enough stuff to put together a makeshift nursery. Griff and Britta had an extra crib since their oldest son outgrew his and they won’t need it again for a while.”
“But you think they’ll need it?”
I nod. “They think no one can tell Britta is pregnant again.”
“Didn’t she just have a baby?”
“In January.”
“Wow, they didn’t waste time.”
“They didn’t. And I won’t be surprised if Maxon and Keeley have another one soon. They both seem over the moon with their daughter.”
Masey smiles, but I can tell something has dimmed her happiness. Is she…envious?
Interesting thought.
“She can stay with me, I guess. Sure. The place only has two bedrooms, so she and the baby will have to share—”
“Actually, I was thinking she could just have the place and you could…stay with me.”
“Here?”
Does she hate that idea? “If that’s okay, yeah. You’d be helping me out a lot, too. Since my mom is laid up and she usually watches Ranger, and I’ve got jobs booked…”
And what else? What are you offering her? She’s already had the sex. What if she doesn’t care if you two have more? Or she wants something more platonic going forward?
That would suck.
“And I could use your help. I’m willing to help you in return,” I assure her.
“With what?” She scowls.
That expression tells me to tread carefully. “Whatever you want.”
“I have to work some while I’m on the island.”
“I have an office at the end of the hall. I don’t use it much, but you’re welcome to it. It gets lots of natural light if that means anything. I can help you set up a studio in there. It’s quiet in this corner of the complex most of the time…”
“What if I want you to be in a video or two?”
I don’t know why, but… “Sure. What do you need me to do?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ve got a couple of video ideas I’m batting around. Can I let you know?”
“If you’ll come stay here, then yeah.”
“Where will I sleep?”
“Wherever you want. You can have the bedroom, and I can find a blow-up mattress to set up in Ranger’s nursery.”
“You’d do that?”
I shrug. “Sure. You’re doing me a huge favor. That’s the least I can do.”
“And what if I want a repeat of last night?” She bites her lip.
My heart stops. My cock jolts. I grin. “Honey, I’m happy to give it to you. Just