He mouthed, “Help.”
She laughed. “Okay guys, give Mr. Williams a break. Jamie, you can tell him about the game after you wash up for dinner.”
“Are you having dinner with us?” Katie asked, looking up at Chris with a confused expression.
“I was planning on it. Do you want me to stay?”
She smiled and nodded eagerly.
“Okay, young lady, go wash your hands.”
Jamie ran upstairs while Katie skipped out of the room at a slower pace, then walked up the stairs.
Chris relaxed back onto the couch and took a deep breath. “Wow, they have a lot of energy, don’t they?”
Corra flopped down next to him laughing. “You should have seen your face trying to keep up.”
He held his hands out. “Hey, I didn’t want to ignore either one of them. So, I tried to give my undivided attention to both of them—at the same time.” He shook his head.
Corra leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You get an A for effort, Mr. Williams. I have very rambunctious, inquisitive children who will talk you to death if you let them. Jamie more so than Katie.”
Chris smiled. “I can get used to that.”
Corra loved the fact that Chris was earnestly trying to get along with her kids.
What sounded like thunder was actually Jamie and Katie running downstairs all washed up for dinner. Corra served the kids’ favorite, smothered chicken breast with green beans and red potatoes.
Between bites Jamie drilled Chris about everything from playing football with Rollin, to attending another one of his baseball games.
After dinner, Corra cleaned up the kitchen while Jamie entertained Chris by showing off his baseball card collection. The two of them hit it off pretty good. Chris knew a lot about baseball.
Later, the kids retreated to the den and found their favorite television show, while Corra and Chris sat upstairs on the living room couch.
“Thank you for such a wonderful meal. I had a great time tonight.” Chris stretched his legs out in front of him.
Corra laughed. “Did you really? I mean Jamie drilled you like you were applying for a job.”
“In a way I am. I want to be his mommy’s man. I just hope I get the job.” Chris leaned over and took Corra’s hand in his.
He caressed her knuckles before glancing up with desire in his own eyes. She knew that feeling. “Well, during your first interview Friday night, you performed excellent.”
Chris bit the right side of his bottom lip and seductively grinned at Corra. Small palpitations began coursing through her body. Seeing Chris interact with the kids had been like an aphrodisiac. And now, she wanted to take him to bed. But she couldn’t.
“You know, one thing I’ve learned about interviews over the years is that as much as I want the job, the employer has to determine if I’m a good fit or not.”
Corra smiled and licked her lips. Chris was baiting her and she loved it. She wanted to be with him again tonight more than anything. She turned on the couch until she faced him straight on. “Mr. Williams. You were a perfect fit.”
Chris held eye contact with her as his smile started slow, and then turned into a full-blown ear-to-ear grin. He reached out and pressed his palm lightly against her cheek. “So does that mean I have the job?”
“An offer is being extended.”
“And I accept.”
Corra’s pulse was beating in her throat as the temperature in the room rose. She looked into Chris’s eyes. “Welcome aboard.”
He leaned over to seal the deal with a kiss.
“Now we really have something to celebrate in Las Vegas.”
Corra threw her hand over her mouth. She’d almost forgotten they were going to Las Vegas this weekend.
* * *
After Corra said good-night to Chris, she went to give the kids a bath before bed. Katie had fallen asleep in the den in front of the television. Corra carried her upstairs and instructed Jamie to get his bath. As usual he put up a little fight, explaining how he hadn’t gotten dirty since yesterday. But, ultimately she won out and he closed the bathroom door.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Corra looked at the bedside clock in her room. It was after eight o’clock and was the kids’ bedtime. She hurried downstairs and peeked out the window. Whoever it was had their back to her and kept moving around.
“Who is it?” she asked through the door.
“Eric.”
Corra frowned. What is he doing here at this time of night? She didn’t want to open the door and have the kids hear him. “Eric, it’s late and the kids are getting ready for bed. Come back tomorrow.”
“Corra, open the door. I need to talk to you.”
Shit! “Whatever it is, can’t it wait until tomorrow?”