When I Need You (Need You #4)(29)

"Fun. Sometimes your uncle Martin and I went to Dave and Buster's."

"Where they don't limit you to two beers all night," Michael said under his breath. 

Rochelle elbowed him. "If you don't have plans, Jensen, you're welcome to come along."

"Thanks for the invite, but I spent all afternoon with my family. This morning I hit it hard at the training center, so I'll be parked on my couch the rest of the night recuperating."

"The team is already training?" Michael said. "Thought that wasn't until the end of July."

I recognized he was a true football fan. "Special circumstances for me, as you can guess, given my injury. Had to run the forty today. Three times."

"How'd you do? If you don't mind me askin'?"

"You'll probably see it in the paper tomorrow, but my average was four point seven seven."

"Damn, son. That's great."

"It felt good."

"Pop-pop, come on. I'm starved," Calder complained. "You said we were going like two hours ago."

He ruffled his grandson's hair. "We're goin'. Nice meeting you, Lund."

"You too." I looked at Rowan, to see her looking at me. Same odd tickle-but this time it wasn't only in my belly.

"Dad, you and Mom go ahead," Rowan said. "You have to take Calder's car seat out anyway. I'll be right there."

I rested against my apartment door, waiting for us to be alone. After I heard the elevator ding, I said, "So you think I'm charming?"

Rowan crossed her arms over her chest. "My mom thinks you're charming."

"But I bet she heard it from you, ergo, you think I'm charming, Coach."

"Full of yourself much, Lund?"

You'd like to be full of me, sweetheart. And I'd enjoy every hot second filling you up.

I didn't say that out loud; I didn't have to. The blush spreading across Rowan's cheeks hinted that she'd been sidelined by the same thought.

"Without further feeding your ego . . . I have something for you."

"You talked to your mom about me. My ego can take the rest of the night off."

Rowan laughed. "You are unbelievable. Stay there. I'll grab it before I go."

She wasn't gone long. She handed me a plate wrapped in foil. "I baked brownies for Calder's lunches this week. I had extra. I know you liked the other ones I brought over. So . . . enjoy."

"Seriously?" That was really sweet. "This is awesome. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

I didn't say anything flip. I was genuinely touched by her thoughtfulness.

"I've gotta go." She walked backward down the hallway-so I wouldn't ogle her ass?

Dammit. I had to be more discreet about that.

"I'll want my plate back, Lund."

And that was how the five-day streak of seeing Rowan Michaels stretched into ten days.

Monday night, I "borrowed" a cup of milk for my brownies. Which I then ate at Rowan's table with her and Calder.

Tuesday the window in Calder's bedroom had gotten stuck. Rowan asked if I could use my ridiculous amount of muscles for something useful and get it unstuck. I probably would've taken my shirt off-I'd seen the woman eyeballing my chest the first time we'd met-if her son hadn't been around.

Wednesday I returned the plate. After I knew Calder had gone to bed. That garnered me an invitation to come in for coffee. Then Rowan and I ended up talking for an hour, not really noticing that both of our cups had gone cold.

Thursday Rowan and Calder stuck around and asked questions about my Corvette as I polished it after I'd spent the afternoon at the racetrack with my dad.



       
         
       
        

Even though Friday morning dawned gray, cold and chilly I looked forward to how the weekend would play out. And how much Rowan Michaels would play a part in it.





Eight



ROWAN



My head pounded.

I was soaked to the skin from the late-afternoon cloudburst.

My arms felt encased in concrete as I overloaded myself with grocery bags so I didn't have to make two trips from the car to my apartment. The elevator doors opened and I managed to poke the number two with my elbow.

As the car ascended, I closed my eyes to block out the elevator's reflection of the bedraggled woman staring back at me.

I needed wine. As soon as I changed into dry clothes and put the groceries away, I'd pour a glass or three to chase away the wet chill sinking into my bones.

I'd made it half the length of the hallway when Jensen stepped out of his apartment. The rustling of grocery bags alerted him to my presence and he glanced up.

"Hold on a second and let me help you." Jensen started toward me.