“Of course. Whatever you need.”
“The babysitter my mom recommended is coming over this morning. Her name is Bessie Johnson. The thing is, I have an early meeting with a director about my group’s first music video that I don’t want to miss. If it was anyone else, I would cancel but it’s not like I really need to meet her since I’ve known her for years. Would you mind letting her in?”
“Of course. After everything you’ve done for me, I’d love to be able to return the favor.”
He let out a breath. “Oh, good. I hate to ask but I really don’t want to cancel on this director. He’s our first choice and hard to pin down. So, ok. Um, Chris is old enough to pour cereal; they just need help with the milk. Once Miss Bessie arrives, she can take it from there.”
Ridley put her hands on his shoulders. “It’s going to be fine. Breathe!”
“It’s been kind of stressful. The boys’ grandmother used to watch them four days out of the week and then my mom would take them on Fridays. But now that Cynthia’s mom has moved away, I’m really struggling. It’s harder than I thought to find a childcare provider that you trust.”
“Of course it is. After all, this isn’t something you can afford to get wrong. I totally understand.”
“Thank you. Hey, you should come with me sometime. I’m working on something a little different and I’d love to get your take on it. I’m trying to branch out into pop music and I’ve found this girl group that I think could be the next big thing.”
“I would love to see what you do.” Ridley hadn’t given much thought to how music was produced previously. Like most people, her impressions were mainly what she’d seen on television and in movies.
“Tomorrow, then. I’ll show you around the studio and maybe you could even watch the group record a session.”
“Okay. Now, go! You don’t want to be late. We’ll be fine here.” She pushed him toward the door.
“Thank you, Ridley. I’ll owe you one.”
Their eyes met and she gulped. Jackson might not want to start making her promises because if he owed her one, she had a pretty good idea of how to collect.
* * * * *
“JACK? HAVE YOU heard a word I’ve said?”
Jackson turned to his left and raised his eyebrows at his assistant’s scowl. “What?”
He’d arrived at the office just in time for the video conference with the director they’d been eyeing to do the group’s first video. He was known for dance videos, which was exactly what they wanted. If they were going to make an entry into the pop world, they needed a club-worthy hit. Too bad he hadn’t been able to keep his mind on anything the guy said.
Mac crossed his arms. “You never told me what you thought of his idea. As a matter of fact, I’d bet you don’t even remember the guy’s idea. You keep spacing out on me. What’s the deal?”
“Sorry, I’m really distracted today. I’ve just got some stuff going on at home.”
Just one night. It doesn’t count.
Right.
Any chance he’d had of being a gentleman, and not seducing her, had died an instant death the moment he’d climbed into bed with her. Ridley had been like a dream. It had been just as hot as he’d thought it would be and twice as memorable.
He had a feeling the night that didn’t count was going to cost him more than just a few hours of lost productivity. If he couldn’t get a handle on his crazy emotions, it might cost him his sanity.
“Jackson?” This time Mac was watching him with open amusement. He wondered how long his friend had been calling him this time.
“Huh?”
“I said, is everything all right with the kids?”
“Oh yeah, yeah, they’re fine. I just have a guest this week.”
“Oh right. Your hot neighbor. Matt already has a betting pool going on how long before you nail this one,” Mac chuckled.
The thought that his friends were thinking anything sexual about Ridley was enough to make his blood boil. Any man actually. No one should see her the way he’d seen her last night or think about the things she could do with that lush mouth.
"It's not like that. So keep her name out of your filthy mouth.” Jackson growled.
“Whoa! Take it easy, man.” Mac backed up a few steps and then cleared his throat. “Damn, Matt was right. You’ve really got it bad.”
Jackson flexed his fists. “I’m serious, Mac. She’s my neighbor and I’m just trying to help her out. Don’t turn it into something dirty.”
Mac tried, unsuccessfully, to hide his smile. “Okay, okay. Sorry. No disrespect intended.”
Jackson walked over to his office and closed the door. He dropped down into his desk chair and looked around his crowded workspace. He hadn’t gotten much of anything done all day.
His inability to concentrate was part of the problem. Ridley was sneaking into his thoughts wherever he was, no matter how inappropriate. He ignored the inner voice that called him a coward. Ridley affected him more than any woman he had ever met. A man had the right to be a little freaked out.
But now, he was being forced to admit that close proximity wasn’t the only reason he was fascinated with her. Ridley was nowhere near him now, yet he couldn’t seem to think of anything else.
He had to get a handle on his feelings or he wasn’t going to be getting any work done. The way he saw it, he had two choices. He could abide by the rules of their one-night deal or he could spend some time with her and let his fascination run its course.