The Playboy's Gift by Teresa Carpenter

Author:Teresa Carpenter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“WHAT?” SKYE DEMANDED. Clearly he couldn’t have said what she thought.

“Uh…” He blinked at her almost as if he were as surprised by his words as she was. “That didn’t come out right. I need a favor. It would just be for a few days.” He clarified. “I have a conference to go to in New York. I’d wave it off, but I’m giving the keynote speech and getting an award.”

“Well, I guess they might miss you then. When are we talking about?”

“Thursday.”

“As in the day after tomorrow Thursday?”

“Yeah.” He grinned sheepishly. “I know it’s last minute, but it kind of skipped my mind with everything that’s been going on.”

“I’d like to help, but I’m booked the rest of this week. I have two engagement shootings and several appointments for family Christmas photos. Plus, I had two weddings last weekend, and there’s putting together the digital presentations for all of it.”

“I know it’s asking a lot. And Jesse will take her during the days when you have to work. Ryann will be fine because she’ll have the kids to play with. But she’s just getting used to being here. To me. I don’t want to confuse her by putting her into another overnight situation so soon.”

Skye bit her lip. “That makes sense.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but she knows you, loves you. You’re the one constant she’s had.”

“Rett.” She stood, and the throw slipped to the floor. Bending she picked it up, carefully folded it in thirds and draped it over the back of the rocker. “It’s not that I don’t want to help.”

No, it was the thought of being back in his bed again that disturbed her, because even with the baby monitor the guest room really was too far away. There was something about the intimacy of sleeping in his bed that threatened her carefully crafted detachment.

“Hey, if you can’t do it, I understand. I’ll see if Rick would mind staying here.” On his shoulders Ryann’s head drooped forward until it rested against his. Mink dark hair blended into mink dark hair so it was impossible to tell which was father’s and which was daughter’s. Her blue eyes blinked sleepily.

“Oh, no fair.” She referred to both his guilt free acceptance of her refusal—which of course made her feel guilty—and the emotional tug of seeing father and daughter bonding. He was trying so hard, she felt compelled to do more. After all, it wasn’t like he’d be in the bed with her.

“What?” he asked, all innocence.

“Please,” she mocked his virtuous stance. “Okay. If Jesse can watch her during the day, I’ll do it. I don’t have any weddings next weekend, so I can make up whatever I don’t get done then. Thursday, right? When will you be back?”

“Late Sunday.”

“Oh. Okay. Sunday is—”

“Ryann’s birthday. I know. We’ll celebrate next week after I get back.” He raised his hand to Ryann’s arm wrapped around his neck. “Is she asleep?”

“Yes, she’s out.”

“Ah.” He tenderly pulled her around until he cradled her in his arms.

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