Rush (Eligible Receivers #3)

Chapter Three

“Which do you think, pink or purple sprinkles?” Nora gave the small bottles a little shake, making their contents rattle. Sophie didn’t even hesitate, pointing to the pink ones, and Nora didn’t try to hide her smile. “How did I know that would be your choice?” She raised a brow, giving Sophie’s pink overalls a pointed look.

Nora uncapped the lid and held out the bottle. “Sprinkle a bit on each cookie then they’ll be ready to go in the oven.”

Standing on a stepstool that Nora had found in the bathroom, Sophie wore a very serious expression with her little nose scrunched and the tip of her tongue sticking out between her lips as she concentrated on adding just the right amount of sprinkles to each cookie until the last bunny was coated.

Nora recapped the bottle and picked up the baking sheet, sticking it in the oven. “Now we do the cookie dance while they’re baking.”

Pulling up the music app on her phone, she scrolled to an upbeat tune and hit play. “Come on. The cookies won’t bake unless we both dance,” Nora said, trying to encourage Sophie to join in.

Soon the little girl was following her lead, moving to the beat.

“Now twirl!” Nora pushed off with her foot. Her execution was a tad sloppy as her sock-clad foot threw her a little off balance, though the slippery fabric on the slick tile floor did give her a few extra rotations, making her spin look far more impressive than it actually was.

“Now wiggle your hips and move your arms.”

Nora hid a grin as she watched Sophie mimic her dance moves, her little hips moving from side to side while she shuffled her feet to the beat of the song until it ended and Nora opened the oven.

The cookies were golden brown around the edges. “I think they’re done.” Using a tea towel, she pulled out the cookie sheet. “These need to cool before we can eat them, but in the meantime, we’ll put in the next batch.” After Sophie applied more sprinkles, Nora picked up the second tray of cookies and stuck them in the oven.

“Ready to dance again?” Nora clicked the play button and they both started moving.

They were mid-song when a raised voice shouted over the music. “Something smells good.”

Like when playing a game of freeze dance, Nora’s whole body instantly stiffened, as her gaze flew to Linc who lounged against the kitchen island. How long had he been standing there? Between watching Sophie and the volume of the music, she hadn't seen nor heard him come in. Heat crept up her neck and filled her cheeks. Nora prayed the man would write off theevidence of her embarrassmentto exertion or the heat coming off the oven, but the amused quirk of his lips said otherwise. Propped against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, Linc looked far too entertained for her liking.

Two seconds that felt like two years passed before her body became unglued. Cheeks still on fire, Nora put on a show of nonchalance as she breezed to the counter tapping the pause buttonon the song. “We're making sugar cookies,” she said as thoughtheevidence of their baking wasn't strewn all over the kitchen. Still, she gave herself points because her voice sounded cool and collected though she was anything but. To her great relief, Sophie stole his attention by tugging on his pant leg. He willingly followed her to the oven where she waved at it with her hands.

“Are they cooking in there?” he asked, squatting to peer through the glass.

She pointed to the phone sitting on the counter then back again to the oven.

Linc shook his head, a confused expression on his face. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me.”

“I think she wants to finish the song because that’s what makes the cookies bake,” Nora volunteered, biting her lip while she waited to see if Linc would play along with her little white lie.

His next words eased her mind. “Well, I guess we better finish the song then because I want to eat some cookies.”

Sophie tugged at his hand, pulling him to the middle of the kitchen.

Nora clicked the music back on. Self-conscious now that she had someone who was older than a preschooler watching her, she shuffled her feet to the beat. Linc was all confidence. The man could move . In her time spent with her brother, Nora had soaked up a little about football and knew Linc played wide receiver. Watching him now, she had no problem picturing him racing down the field while dodging the defense then executing a midair spin to catch a football.

“Come on, I know you can move better than that.” Linc grabbed Nora’s hand, trying to coax her with some exaggerated hip movements.

That only flustered her more. Hell, with the heat of his palm warming hers, she wasn’t even sure she remembered her own name at that point.

He tugged her in so close, the light scent of his cologne overpowered the smell of the baking cookies. Distracted by the intoxicating aroma of spice, woods, and man, she lost her footing when he suddenly spun her around, her socked foot sliding out from under her. Linc caught her around the middle with a strong arm, keeping her upright. Flustered and breathless, she couldn’t have been happier than when the music stopped and silence filled the room.

Ducking out from Linc’s arm, she called, “Cookies are done,” maybe a little too loudly as she rushed toward the oven, grabbing the dish towel.

She threw open the door and reached in to remove the baking sheet. In her haste she brushed her knuckles against the upper rack. As if touched with a branding iron, instant pain had her yanking her hand back, the sheet pan making a loud clatter as it fell to the floor. “Son of a—” she stopped herself just short of cussing, her eyes flying to Sophie as she cradled her hand against her chest. “I’m okay,” she said at the concerned look on the little girl’s face.

“Let me see.” Linc pried her hand from her chest and unfurled her fingers. He whistled through his teeth. “We better run this under cold water. Your fingers are already turning red.”

Leading her to the sink, he turned on the tap and placed her fingers under the icy stream. Instant relief had her body sagging against the counter with a sigh slipping past her lips.

“Better?”

“Yeah.”

She stared transfixed as he lightly brushed the back of her hand with the pad of his thumb. “You really did a number on yourself.”

“I’m not usually so clumsy.” Nora didn’t dare tell him the truth. That having his arms wrapped around her had scrambled her brains, making her careless.

His eyes darted past her to the mess she’d made. “Sorry you dropped all your cookies.”

“That’s how the cookie crumbles, I guess.” Her face instantly heated and she quickly turned her head, her eyes landing on the cooled tray of cookies on the counter. She was quite certain even the little bunnies thought that joke was lame. Clearing her throat, she uttered thinly, “Thankfully, there’s backups.”

She peeked Linc’s direction and saw his eyes dart to the same tray and back to her, humor lighting his eyes. “I didn't realize bakers had their own brand of dad jokes.”

“Oh, didn’t you know? We’re all the rage at the Chuckle Hut.” She snapped her mouth shut, internally groaning, and promised herself she was going to stay silent no matter what Linc said next.

He looked up from inspecting her injury, the smile on his lips contradicting the concern in his eyes. “I have some burn cream in the first-aid kit in the bathroom. Keep your fingers under the water while I go get it.”

The tension eased from her shoulders as soon as Linc left the room and she felt a tug on her shirt. Looking down, she took in Sophie’s concerned expression. “I’m okay. Promise. But this was a good lesson. Ovens are very hot and we all need to be extra careful when using them.”

Sophie buried her head in her thigh, hugging her, as Nora turned off the tap. That was the first hug she’d gotten from Linc’s niece and she took it as a good sign Sophie understood. Nora reached for a paper towel, then gingerly blotted her hands dry with it before picking the cookies up off the floor and using the damp paper towel to clean up the last of the crumbs. She was just closing the oven door and turning it off when Linc came back.

“I told you to keep your hand under the water.”

“I’m okay.” She looked down at her knuckles. They were reddened but no visible blisters were forming. “It doesn’t burn anymore. Only stings a little.”

“This should take the last of the pain away.” He took the cap off a small tube of ointment and started to squeeze some onto his finger.

She snatched the tube from his hand. “That’s okay, I can do it.” She’d reached her Linc-Touch-O-Meter limit. In fact, it was probably best if she left.

Handing the ointment back after slathering some on her burn, she announced, “Well, I think I’ve created enough drama for one day. I better get going.”

“Don’t you want a cookie?” He raised an eyebrow.

If she hadn’t been so anxious to get the hell out of there, she would have admitted to herself just how sexy that look was and lingered a tad longer. But that was an image for later, for now, she countered, “I’ll just grab one to go.”

He frowned a bit. “I understand if you need to go, but if you’ve got a few minutes, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Intrigue stalled her mad flight out the door.

Linc turned to Sophie. “Hey, Peanut, why don’t you go turn on the TV and I’ll be there in a minute so we can watch cartoons while eating cookies and milk.”

Sophie, clearly excited at the prospect of cookies and cartoons with her Uncle Linc, scurried from the kitchen after wrapping her small arms around Nora’s knees for a goodbye hug.

“Peanut?” Nora asked as they made their way to the front door. “I didn’t know she had a nickname. It’s cute.” Made even cuter by a macho football player saying it.

“When my sister, Natalie, was pregnant, she texted me photos of her first ultrasound. Sophie had been no bigger than a peanut, so that’s what I started calling her. The nickname stuck.” Emotion made his voice thick and he cleared his throat.

He glanced toward the sound of the TV coming from the living room even though Sophie couldn’t be seen from where they were standing. “Losing Nat has been hard but even harder for Sophie.” He seemed lost in thought for a few seconds before shaking it off. “Anyway, what I wanted to ask, I’m not sure how long you’re staying in Portland—”

“Until I figure out what I’m going to do with my life or Oz gets sick of me. Whichever comes first,” she laughed at her own joke. “Although if Oz had his way I’m pretty sure I’d be here forever. He’s making it really hard for me to want to leave.”

“I’m happy to hear that because, as you know, I’m between nannies, and since you and Sophie get along so well, I was hoping you could help me out until I find something more permanent. It’s not full time, just weekday mornings until training camp starts, maybe longer if I have something lined up. I’d pay you, of course.”

She didn’t even have to think about it. “Sure. I could use something to fill my time. I’m running out of sights to see, and I know Oz feels obligated to entertain me, so it would free up time for him as well. When would I start?”

“Monday, if you can. I’ll text you my schedule.”

“Sounds good. See you soon… boss,” she grinned as she opened the front door.

Nora could feel Linc’s eyes on her as she jogged down the patio steps, making her careful not to miss one. The last thing she wanted was to take a header onto the sidewalk. Between getting caught dancing and then burning herself, she’d already embarrassed herself enough for one day.

In this case, a third time definitely wouldn’t be a charm.