Blindsided (Fair Catch Series, Book Three) Read online

  “You pick a card,” Harper said.

  Hank did as instructed and saw a card with two purple squares. “Now what?” He’d never taken the time to play a board game with Harper before, but he could see he’d missed out.

  “There are two squares, Daddy, so you have to go to one purple square, and then another one. Right, Mari?” She looked to Mari for confirmation.

  Mari nodded. “That’s right.”

  Watching Hank play with Harper was beyond adorable, and it endeared him to her even more. Why did he have to be such a great dad on top of being so hot? Resisting him was going to be harder than she thought. Then again, why did she think she needed to worry about resisting him? He was Harper’s father—not to mention London’s ex-husband—not a man she was dating or would even have the opportunity to date. She needed to get over herself and focus on why she was in Hank Parson’s house.

  “Your turn, Mari,” Harper said.

  Her mind had been wandering, and when she glanced at Hank, he seemed to be studying her. Heat rose to her cheeks. Why was he looking at her like that?

  Harper’s last nanny had never grabbed Hank’s attention like Mari did. As he watched Mari take her turn, he analyzed this unexpected attraction he had to her. Not only was she physically alluring—lovely grey eyes, perfectly shaped eyebrows, kissable lips, fit body—but there was something about her that captivated him as well.

  Her sweet way with Harper, her dedication to her job, her passion for painting. Which reminded him…

  “Mari.”

  Her gaze flew to him, her eyes wide and questioning, the innocence there capturing his attention fully.

  “Yes?” she asked.

  “We need to talk about a space for you and Harper to set up your painting area. What did you call it? Your art studio?”

  Rosy lips lifting into a bright smile, she nodded. “Yes. We’d love a sunny space to paint.” She smiled at Harper. “Wouldn’t we?”

  “Uh-huh,” Harper said as she fiddled with the stack of cards.

  Fairly certain painting wasn’t as important to Harper as Mari made it sound, he was still fine with giving them a place to work. Having Harper learn to paint seemed like a good thing. Still, he wanted to gauge Harper’s interest.

  “Do you like to paint, Harper?” he asked.

  She looked at him and nodded.

  “It’s important for her to express her creative side,” Mari said.

  He didn’t doubt that, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t question Harper about it. He turned to Harper. “What else do you like to do besides paint?”

  “I like to go on the swing and I like to swim.”

  “Okay.”

  “It’s your turn, Daddy.”

  “Oops. I wasn’t paying attention.” He took his turn, and as Harper and Mari took theirs, he had the astounding sense that the three of them were like a family, which was strange, because he’d never felt that way with Simone. Then again, Simone had barely met Harper, whereas Mari was an integral part of Harper’s life.

  He shouldn’t fantasize about things that could never be, even if deep within himself he could see the possibilities.

  Chapter Eight

  “I don’t want to play anymore,” Harper said once they finished their game of Candy Land. Mari wasn’t surprised. They’d been playing for a good half hour before Hank had joined them.

  “I know what we can do,” Hank said.

  Harper pushed her long, blonde hair behind her ears. “What?”

  Hank looked at Mari, making her heart do a little flip. “Let’s figure out where your art studio’s going to be.”

  Thrilled that he was taking the initiative, Mari smiled. “I think that’s a fabulous idea.”

  Hank’s mouth quirked up. “I thought you might.”

  He stood, and Mari stood as well, then Harper leapt to her feet and slid her hand into Hank’s.

  Warmed by the sight, Mari followed the pair toward the French doors that led to the backyard.

  “It’s outside?” Harper asked, her little face gazing up at Hank.

  “Yep.” He opened a French door and stepped outside, stopping and turning to Mari.

  Wondering where this art studio was going to be, Mari crossed the threshold and stopped beside him, noticing how big and strong he was, how masculine. And when he looked at her, those eyes appraising, she attempted to squelch the attraction that bubbled to the surface.

  She failed miserably.

  Even though London had warned her that he was charming but selfish, she had yet to see the selfish side. In the short time she’d known him, all she’d seen was a man who worked hard and loved his daughter. An extremely attractive man whose very presence made her sit up and take notice.

  “The game room should work as an art studio,” he said as he looked at her. “Let’s check it out and see what you think.”

  Using all her self-discipline to rein in her feelings, she nodded. “Okay.”

  The sun had set, but he turned on the exterior lights, and as he walked past the pool and across a large patio area to the building he’d pointed out on their tour the night before, Mari couldn’t help but think how romantic this setting was. Too bad this time with Hank had no romantic undertones.

  “Here we are,” he said as he opened a door and flipped on the lights. “You can’t tell now, but during the day there’s lots of light in here.”

  Mari looked around the spacious room. Large windows lined two walls, and though there was a pool table, a ping-pong table, and an air hockey table in the room, there was still plenty of open space as well.

  This would make a perfect art studio.

  Thrilled, she turned to Hank with a smile. “Where do you want us to set up?”

  Hank could see that Mari was pleased with his idea to use his game room as an art studio. Glad he’d been able to accommodate her, he shrugged. “Wherever you’d like.”

  She slowly turned in a circle, and when she faced him again, enthusiasm was written all over her face. “We could even use the space outside.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He had no idea what an art studio would be like. “Do you need any supplies?”

  “I brought most of what we need, but an easel for Harper would be great.”

  He took his wallet out of his pocket and removed some cash, then handed it to her. “You can get what you need tomorrow.” He paused. “You mentioned yesterday that you have your driver’s license.”

  She laughed. “I’m from Los Angeles. Of course I do.”

  He smiled. “Never know. You can take the SUV. Mrs. Stillman knows where the keys are.”

  “Great. Thank you.”

  Smiling at Harper, who was playing with a ping-pong paddle, Hank said, “What are you doing, Princess Pink Rose?”

  She turned to him. “Can we play ping-pong?”

  “It’s time for bed,” he said, “but I can play with you when I get home tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” Her voice was resigned.

  Chuckling, he turned to Mari. “Tomorrow I’ll be home before dinner, but on Saturday I’ll be heading out of town for our first game and I won’t be back until Sunday night.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “Do you ever get time off?”

  How much did she know about football? Not a whole lot, it seemed. “Officially, Tuesday is our day off, but I work out and study game film. But if we win our game on Sunday, then Monday we have a shorter day, just some workouts and such.” His lips lifted in a half smile. “So, in answer to your question, I don’t get a whole lot of time off. Not during the season, at least.” At the look of surprise on her face, he added, “It’s intense, but I love it.”

  Mari admired his dedication. Then again, for him to achieve the level he had he would have to be dedicated. Like, insanely dedicated. Which made the time he spent with Harper, the way he was so sweet with her, all the more meaningful.

  “You have a game this Sunday, right?”

  “Yeah.” Then he chuckled. “Have you ever watched
an NFL game?”

  Not wanting to admit the truth, she knew she couldn’t hide it. “Uh, no.”

  One of his eyebrows quirked up. “Not even with your dad?”

  “He was too busy working to watch sports.”

  “Huh.”

  At the look of true astonishment on his face, Mari laughed. “Not all men are into sports, you know.”

  His lips pursed. “I know. It’s just…not what I’m used to.”

  “What, uh, what channel will it be on?”

  His head cocked. “You’re gonna watch my game?”

  Shyly smiling, she nodded. “I think I should, don’t you?” To her surprise, she wanted to watch it.

  “Uh, yeah. I do.”

  “Then I will.”

  When he smiled, his focus completely on her, Mari’s pulse skyrocketed.

  He told her the channel, then said, “I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts.”

  “How will I know which player is you?” Had she just admitted that she’d be closely watching him? Heat rushed to her face.

  “Look for number thirty-one.” Then his eyebrows rose. “I’m the one the quarterback hands the ball to, although sometimes he throws it to me.” His eyes narrowed. “Do you know which player’s the quarterback?”

  Mari had been to a few football games in college, so she could answer with certainty. “Yes.”

  “Okay. Then you should be fine.” The look on his face showed he was unsure if he really believed that, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was that he knew she was interested.

  Wait. Interested in what?

  In him. Admit it, girl. You think he’s incredibly hot.

  Frantic to turn her thoughts in another direction, she asked, “Is it okay if Harper watches the game with me?”

  Hank looked at Harper, then back at Mari. “I doubt she’d be interested, but if she wants to watch, that’s fine.”

  “Okay.”

  He loved the idea of Mari watching him play, especially since she hadn’t watched an NFL game before. Though he wanted to impress her, he would have to put all thoughts of her out of his head while he was playing. That wouldn’t be difficult. When he was playing he was hyper-focused. Still, knowing she would be watching sent an unexpected thrill through him.

  Not wanting to think too hard why that was, he said, “All right. It’s time for Princess Pink Rose to go to bed.”

  “That’s right,” Mari said, then she smiled at him. “Tomorrow we’ll set up our art studio, and when you get home you can see how it looks.”

  “I will.”

  After he tucked Harper in, Hank went into his bedroom to call Simone. It wasn’t that he necessarily wanted to talk to her just then, but he was desperate to try to cleanse Mari from his mind. Maybe if he spoke to Simone he’d be able to get himself back on track, to put Mari in her proper place within his head. To forget the way her grey eyes seemed to glow when she talked about painting, or the tender way she was with Harper, or the soft curve of her jaw, or the way her rosy-red lips begged to be kissed, or…

  He had to stop. He had to relegate her to the role of Harper’s nanny. Nothing more.

  “How was your day?” he asked Simone after their initial greeting.

  “Same as usual. Talking to designers, placing orders, fixing all the screw-ups.” Simone was a buyer for a major department store.

  “Sounds like fun.” Hank stretched out on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

  “You know what would be more fun?” Her voice had dropped to a deep, sexy tone.

  “What?”

  “Spending time with you. You’re done early tomorrow, right? Let’s go out and have a good time. Forget the stress of the week.”

  It would be fun to go out with Simone, but his priority was Harper. “My daughter’s in town. She’ll be here for the next few weeks.”

  “That’s great, Hank. I know how much she means to you.” She paused a beat. “We could go somewhere after she goes to bed.”

  Maybe that’s what he needed. Time with Simone. Time playing. “That would work. I’ll pick you up at nine.”

  “Ooo,” she purred. “I look forward to it.”

  They chatted about other things, and as Hank disconnected the call, it wasn’t an image of Simone that filled his mind. Instead, Mari’s face, sweet and smiling, was the only thing he could see.

  Chapter Nine

  “I want to paint a flower,” Harper said the next day as Mari set up a small easel for her.

  They’d gone to a nearby craft store and bought a few supplies, including the child-sized easel. Mari set the small tubs of paint in their holders. “I think that’s a great idea. What color are you going to paint it?”

  “Pink!”

  Softly laughing, Mari pulled a blank sheet of paper from the roller and attached it to the bottom. “Of course you are.” She stepped back and looked at the space. Just like Hank had said, during the day the room was flooded with sunlight. It was perfect for an art studio. Mari had set up Harper’s easel in a corner away from the ping-pong table. She didn’t want it to get knocked over when Hank and Harper played later that day.

  Thinking about Hank coming home and hanging out with them, Mari smiled. She looked forward to it. Then again, maybe Hank wanted time alone with Harper. Why would he want Mari hanging around all the time? She would offer to give them time without her. Although secretly she hoped he would suggest she join them.

  Later that afternoon, soon after Harper had finished her third painting, Hank walked into their make-shift art studio.

  “Hard at work, I see,” he said.

  Mari turned to him, her heart fluttering to see him in his jeans and a t-shirt that emphasized his ripped chest, flat abs, and muscular biceps.

  “Your daughter’s a natural,” she said, pointing to the paintings that she’d hung on a line to dry.

  Harper ran to him and flung herself into his arms.

  Mari had the absurd idea that she’d like to do the same. Blinking away the image did nothing to cool the heat that raced through her body at the thought.

  “Wow, Harper,” he said as he held her in his arms and perused her paintings. “These are beautiful.” He looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Can I hang one in my office?”

  Harper nodded with enthusiasm, her eyes wide.

  “Which one should I pick?”

  Seeing the way he was with her, Mari felt her heart contract with warmth and powerful attraction. Each and every time she saw him, he never failed to pull her in with his magnetism, his sweet daddy ways, his handsome face, his amazingly athletic body.

  She had to cool it. Pronto.

  Harper pressed her lips together as she looked at the three paintings, then her finger shot out as she pointed to the painting of a bright pink flower with deep green leaves underneath it and a yellow sun at the top. “That one.”

  “Is that your favorite?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “It’s my favorite too. When it’s dry I’ll hang it in my office.” He turned to Mari. “I’d love to see something you painted.”

  “I…I haven’t painted anything yet.”

  His head cocked. “Why not?”

  “I, uh, I didn’t bring an easel.”

  “Why didn’t you buy one when you got Harper’s?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t want to use your money on me.” She reached into her pocket. “Here’s your change, by the way.”

  He held up his hand. “Use it to get yourself an easel.”

  No, she wasn’t going to do that. She set the money on the counter. “No. Thank you though.”

  He studied her a moment, then Harper said, “Can we play ping-pong?”

  Hank set her down. “Sure.”

  That was Mari’s cue to give them father/daughter time. “If it’s all right,” she said, “I’m going to excuse myself, but if you need me, let me know.”

  Hank looked at her, then rubbed the base of his neck. “You’re welcome to stay, Mari.”
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  Hearing her name coming from his mouth, like it was something he enjoyed tasting, made her want to stay. But she feared he was only inviting her to be polite.

  “I just…I want to give you and Harper time alone.”

  His eyes didn’t waver from her face. “I’d like you to stay.”

  Mari’s heart leapt with excitement. He wanted her there. Then again, she shouldn’t read too much into it. He probably wanted her there to handle any issues with Harper. That was all.

  Don’t forget. You’re the nanny. Don’t think you can be anything more.

  Tamping down the thrill she’d felt seconds earlier, she nodded. “Okay.”

  Hank was glad she’d agreed to stay. Normally he loved his alone time with Harper, but the thought of not having Mari there when she could be with them seemed silly. More than silly, it would be senseless. He liked having her there, and Harper certainly liked having her there. Of course she should stay.

  “Are you any good at ping pong?” he asked her with a grin.

  “I haven’t played before.”

  “What?” Did this woman do any kind of sport?

  She laughed. “How hard could it be?”

  He turned to Harper, who’d already picked up a paddle. “We’re going to have to teach your nanny how to play ping pong.”

  Harper giggled.

  There it was. The reminder of who she was to him. Harper’s nanny. Well, it was true, wasn’t it? That’s all she was. Nothing more.

  Disappointment rocked her, but she pushed a cheerful smile onto her face.

  “I teach her,” Harper said as she raced around to one side of the ping pong table, her eyes the only thing visible. “I can’t see.”

  Hank laughed, then he brought a chair to where Harper stood. “Stand on this, Princess Pink Rose.”

  Harper giggled as Hank lifted her into place.

  “If you’ll stand behind her, Mari,” he said with a grin. “We’ll show you how this is done.”

  Mari got in position behind Harper to keep her from falling off of the chair, and seconds later Hank gently hit the ball to Harper. Harper missed, so Hank hit a new ball to her. She missed again.