Playing for Keeps by Jamie Hill Read Free Book Online Page B

about tomorrow?"
    " Oh, tomorrow sounds perfect. I'll be humming all day long with anticipation."
    " Of course, you realize, Maddie, being real quiet is the key to this plan working. I really don't want Sophie to find out about us that way."
    She snorted amusement. "Do you think she might be able to find out about us some other way? Because as much fun as this sneaking around is, it's bound to get old."
    " You know, I was ruminating on that very subject."
    " Sounds painful," she teased.
    " It very often is. But I was thinking maybe we could get her used to the idea of you and me sort of slowly, maybe beginning with a picnic this weekend, the three of us? Hell, she likes you already. She babbles about you all the way home from the center. It drives me wild, because I picture you a bit differently in my mind than she does."
    Maddie chuckled at that. "A picnic sounds great. If she takes it okay, we'll move ahead slowly."
    " Perfect," he said, and sighed. "Now, let's get back to the idea of anticipation. Why don't you give me something naughty to think about until tomorrow night?"
    She gave a sultry chuckle . "Did I ever tell you what Zoey taught me to do with some whipped cream and a bowl of ice cubes?" She went on in descriptive detail, and Rob groaned into his end of the phone.
     
    Maddie behaved herself Thursday night, and was invited back the next evening. She had to bite Rob on the shoulder once when the pillow fell away, but he never complained.
    Since they didn 't have to work the next day, Rob convinced Maddie to stay over Friday night. He set his alarm for five a.m., just enough time to make love and send Maddie home before Sophie woke up on Saturday.
    They were sleeping soundly in a tangled heap when a storm passed over. Maddie was quite content; she heard the thunder and the rain pelting the roof, but it was a pleasant sound, and she snuggled next to Rob , slipping back to sleep.
    A loud crack of thunder sent Sophie scampering into her father 's room. "Daddy! Daddy! I'm scared!" she cried, and jumped on his bed.
    Maddie bolted upright, and pulled the sheet around her chest. Rob was a bit slower to rouse . He rubbed his eyes and a mortified expression came over his face when he spotted his daughter.
    Sophie looked at Maddie and cried , "Oh, Miss Stewart! I'm so glad you're here! I was so scared!" She leapt into Maddie's arms.
    " It's all right, sweetheart." Maddie held Sophie and pushed the hair back from her face. "It's just a little storm, nothing to worry about." Thunder boomed over them again and Maddie said, "It sure is noisy, though, isn't it?" She looked over Sophie's head and said through her teeth, "You didn't know she was afraid of storms?"
    Rob replied through his teeth , "I didn't know it was storming." He rubbed his daughter's back. "I'm sorry, munchkin."
    Maddie grimaced. I wonder what he's apologizing for?
    Sophie clung to Maddie and looked at her father. "It's okay, daddy. I feel better being in here with you guys. Can I sleep with you and Miss Stewart?"
    Maddie raised her eyebrows at him. Rob shrugged and smiled. "If it's okay with Miss Stewart, I guess so."
    Maddie hugged Sophie. "Of course you can, sweetie. I need to use the bathroom, though.  I'll be right back." She yanked hard on the sheet that was covering her, pulling it free. Rob chuckled as she wrapped it completely around her and headed for the other room.
    " Top drawer on the left," he said.
    Maddie stopped at his dresser and opened the drawer. There were several pairs of pajamas. She took a pair, and tossed a set of bottoms on the foot of the bed for Rob. She went in to his bathroom and slipped on the pajamas, returning with the sheet for Rob to use.
    " Come here, sweetie." Maddie distracted Sophie as Rob covered himself with the linen, taking his pajama bottoms into the bathroom. When he returned, Maddie helped him make the bed smooth again and they both climbed in, Sophie happily snuggled between them.
    Bo sauntered into the room with