Payoff Pitch (Philadelphia Patriots) (15 page)

She didn’t need to add that she desperately wanted the extra income so law school could finally become a realistic possibility in the not-too-distant future. Emma was well aware of both Teddy’s ambition and the state of her finances.

“So what are the terms?” Emma asked quietly.

It only took a couple of moments to sketch them out, then Teddy waited quietly while her friend thought it through. She tried her best to be patient but felt like her insides were crawling up her throat.

Finally, Emma inhaled deeply and nodded her head. “Okay, I get it. And I guess this makes sense, even though I can’t quite wrap my head around the idea of you not being here anymore. I’ll miss you like hell if you go, Teddy. I really like sharing this place with you.”

Relief eased down Teddy’s spine, and she relaxed into the soft leather cushions of the old chair. “Hey, I’ll still be here. A lot.” She cracked a smile. “You just won’t have to suffer through my early morning, pre-coffee surliness.” Then she blinked, startled to realize that she’d made her decision.

“Now, there’s an advantage,” Emma said wryly. “But have you really thought this through? I mean, the money will be great and all that, but are you really comfortable with the guy’s…uh, expectations?”

“What? You think he wants to make me a concubine or something?” Teddy made a joke out it, as much for her sake as for Emma’s.

Her roommate pulled at her lower lip, a sure sign she was worried. “The whole thing seems a little weird to me, if you want to know the truth. I can see why he’d want to have a live-in housekeeper, but somebody to take care of his dogs? Especially when you were willing to stay over there when he’s out of town?” Then she lifted her shoulders in an attempt at a casual shrug. “But, hey, he’s one of the hottest guys around, and he’s obviously not a perv, so…”

Teddy got the drift. “Yeah, I know. It could be emotionally risky. Look, the guy is incredibly hot and charming and smart. How could I not be attracted? But I think we’ve got an understanding. He knows what’s on and what’s not.”

At least she thought he did. As for her understanding…well, she’d let that ride for a while.

Emma leaned forward with a stern expression pulling at her brows. “Whatever happens, don’t let him mess with you, Teddy. I love you, and I couldn’t stand to see you hurt. Money’s not worth it.”

For about the hundredth time in the last few months, Teddy realized how lucky she was to have Emma in her life. “It sure isn’t. So, my dear, do I have your blessing?”

Her roommate snorted as she picked up her beer. “Yeah, but you might end up wishing you didn’t.”

Teddy strode up Noah’s long driveway telling herself not to wimp out of the upcoming discussion. Not the discussion with Noah, of course. If all went according to plan, her news for him should be exactly what he was waiting to hear. No, her anxiety stemmed from her decision to confront Cristina. Heaven only knew how that was going to pan out, and yet it was critical that she come to some understanding with the housekeeper if they were going to live in the same house, a house in which the owner would be absent much of the time.

She’d decided to give Buster an early walk, mainly to make sure Noah would still be home when she stopped by. Surprising him by showing up unannounced seemed like a cool way to deliver the news, especially since he’d already left two slightly impatient phone messages to ask if she’d made a decision yet. Teddy had been tempted to answer those calls, but the more she thought about moving in with him, the more she struggled with the prospect of dealing with Cristina. In truth, she’d have to interact with the housekeeper a lot more than she would with Noah. From what he’d told her, he was only home for a few hours in the morning when the team was in town, and he hardly ever had a day off. Even when the team didn’t play, which was one day a week at most, he would head to the park anyway to train.

Her plan was to tell Noah she was very interested in his offer but had to speak to Cristina privately first. Though he’d promised to deal with Cristina, Teddy was far from reassured. Even if Noah cowed the recalcitrant housekeeper into grudging submission, Teddy would still have to live and work in a hostile environment. As much as she wanted to work for Noah, that kind of situation just wasn’t on.

Cristina opened the door within a few seconds of Teddy’s sharp rap. She looked totally put together in neon green capris, a black cotton blouse and black sandals. For someone who had holed up in her suite all weekend claiming illness, she radiated glowing health.

The housekeeper’s dark, attractive eyes widened when she saw Teddy, and then she frowned.

“Hi, Cristina,” Teddy said brightly. “I’d like to speak to Noah if he’s in.” Since his Beamer was parked in the driveway, that seemed a fairly safe bet.

“I didn’t realize he was expecting you.” The housekeeper didn’t step back to allow Teddy to enter.

“I was next door walking the Bennetts’ dog and figured I’d see if I could talk to Noah in person instead of calling him. He
is
expecting to hear from me.”
So stop being so damn officious.

“Oh, I’m sure he must be,” Cristina said with a snide undertone as she stepped aside.

Ah.
Clearly Noah and Cristina had already had the conversation. Teddy was glad since he likely wouldn’t have wanted her to talk to Cristina before he had a chance to prepare the ground.

“Mr. Noah is in the yard.” The housekeeper added emphasis on the “mister” to contrast with Teddy’s more familiar speech. She led Teddy through to the patio doors and opened them for her.

His back to her, Noah sat at the glass-topped table drinking coffee as he read the newspaper. Toby was the first to spot Teddy and took off at full gallop from where he’d been nosing around in the deepest part of the yard. A second later, Sadie saw her littermate running and headed for her, too.

“Hi, guys!” Teddy laughed as Toby launched himself into her, almost knocking her over. She bent down to hug him and then turned her attention to the less exuberant Sadie. “You missed me already, huh?”

“We all did,” a deep voice said from behind her. “I figure those two were worried you’d abandoned them.”

Teddy stood up and turned around, almost bumping into Noah’s chest. It was like facing a wall—a warm, hard wall with an outdoorsy masculine scent that made her want to scale it. When Noah didn’t move, she gave him a weak smile and took a step back.

“The way we bonded over the weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised,” she said. “Actually, I missed them, too.”

That was something she’d never said about a client’s pet. As much as she loved dogs, she hadn’t met any before now that had elicited that sort of strong feeling on her part. By spending so much time with Toby and Sadie while Noah was in Atlanta, a strong bond had started to form, a sense clearly shared by both human and canine.

“I didn’t expect to see you today.” His look was a little puzzled but also pleased. When he reached out and took her hand, Teddy almost jumped out of her skin. “Come sit down with me. Can I get you coffee?”

“No, thanks, I’m at my limit,” she managed. “But I’d like to talk if you have a few minutes.”

His slight smile widened to a dazzling grin that made her heart thump an extra beat. “For you? Of course.”

When they reached the circular table, Noah pulled out one of the cushioned metal chairs for her, the one closest to where he’d been sitting. “You’re not going to tell me no, are you?” he said as he took his seat. His legs splayed casually before him, he made a small grimace as he leaned back in his chair and flexed his massive shoulders as if his muscles were tight.

“You look a little sore,” Teddy said. “Rough day yesterday?”

“Just normal stuff after a hard training session. Anyway, that’s why God created ibuprofen and icy hot patches,” he joked.

She got a definite sense that he was holding something back. Not that it was any of her business, but she sure hoped he hadn’t injured his arm again.

“I thought it best to talk to you in person rather than over the phone.” She forced a small smile even though her heart was hammering away in her chest like a construction crew on deadline.
Breathe, idiot, breathe
.

He refilled his mug from the silver carafe and took a quick drink before answering. “Lay it on me, girl.”

Teddy clasped her hands in front of her, trying for a businesslike look. Okay, mostly to keep them from shaking. “Noah, I spoke to my partner about your offer. To sum up a long discussion, we think our business could accommodate that kind of solution.”

She knew she sounded cool and formal, but this
was
a business deal, after all.

“Terrific,” he said. He seemed to relax a bit. “And I love that word—solution.”

“But I still have a concern,” she hastened to add.

He frowned. “Look, if you’re still worried about Cristina, don’t be. I talked to her. She knows the score.”

Knows the score? What does that mean?

But Teddy didn’t think it was her place to interrogate him on the nature of his conversation with his housekeeper. “I
am
a little worried, Noah. If we go down this road, you and I may not see each other much, but Cristina and I will be together a lot. I can live with an uncomfortable situation, I suppose, but I’m not prepared to deal with a hostile one. It won’t work unless Cristina and I can get along. If we can’t, no amount of money can make up for it.”

“Yeah, I get that, Teddy. What exactly are you saying?”

“I’m saying that before I give you a final decision, I need to talk to Cristina directly. I need to know that she really is okay with this idea.” When his frown slipped into a scowl, she held up a hand. “Look, Noah, you’ve done all you can in that regard. But I need to talk to her woman to woman. Sense the situation for myself. You can understand that, can’t you?”

He blew out a sigh. “I guess. Cristina’s totally loyal and will do anything I ask of her, but you’re right, she might not always let me know her true feelings. So, sure, go ahead and talk to her. I don’t know if you’ll get much out of her, though.”

Teddy gave him a grateful smile. “If it works out with her, I’ll be very happy to take you up on your offer.”

Noah reached a big hand out to her and Teddy shook it, his fingers totally engulfing hers. Oddly enough, neither moved to unlock the clasp until Noah finally loosened his grip—reluctantly, she thought.

He leaned back in his chair again, his gaze assessing her. “Teddy, I’m sure you’ve already figured out that Cristina is incredibly protective of me. Some kind of mothering instinct, I suppose.”

Of course she knew that, though she wasn’t sure it had much if anything to do with mothering. Then again, it was none of her business.

“She’s been with me a long time,” Noah continued. “Almost four years.”

She raised her eyebrows, surprised to hear that since Noah had moved to Philadelphia much more recently. “Really?”

“I hired her when I was in Baltimore with the Orioles. When I signed with the Patriots, I asked Cristina if she’d be prepared to come with me and she said yes. Believe me, she’s made my life a lot easier.”

He unleashed a smile so warm and unconsciously sexy that Teddy’s insides went tight and squishy at the same time. How was that even possible?

“Just like you are now, Teddy,” he added. “I couldn’t keep doing what I’m doing without great people like you to help me.” He sounded totally sincere—and totally like a boss talking to the hired help.

Which was fine, she insisted to herself, but the only thing she couldn’t help wondering about was why Noah hadn’t yet married. Surely having a wife to create a home for him would be preferable to having to rely solely on employees? And she had no doubt that if Noah Cade wanted to get married, or even have a live-in relationship, there would be no shortage of women volunteering for active duty.

Stick to business.

“Message received,” she said with a smile. “Would it be all right if I talked to Cristina now? Then you and I can talk again.” She paused a moment. “Or, maybe I’ll need to ask for a little more time to think.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed, but then his magnificent shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. For a few seconds, Teddy was mesmerized by the leisurely slide of toned muscle under his tight tee shirt.

“Go ahead. But get back to me soon, Teddy, okay?”

She picked up the subtle warning. “Absolutely. You’ll hear today, one way or the other.”

When they rose and went into the house, Noah called out to Cristina. As the housekeeper emerged from the pantry, he said, “Cristina, you and Teddy need to talk, so I’ll go back outside now and leave you alone for as long as you need.”

Cristina blanched but quickly recovered with a tight smile. “Yes, Mr. Noah.”

Noah gave Teddy a gentle squeeze on the shoulder as he passed, something the housekeeper didn’t fail to notice.
Talk about sending a message.

Unfortunately, it was a message Teddy didn’t want him sending at this moment. She took in Cristina’s rigid posture and knew she had to try to ease the tension that vibrated between them. “Why don’t we sit down, Cristina? And I could sure use a cup of coffee. Would you mind if I got myself one?” She didn’t really want coffee but figured she wouldn’t look as nervous if she had a cup in her hands.

“As you wish.” Cristina nodded toward the coffee maker.

“Can I get you one, too?” Teddy said, smiling as she poured a mug. She didn’t think of herself as a wimp, but for some reason this woman continued to intimidate her—probably because she wasn’t used to such open hostility.

Cristina shook her head. Standing stiffly upright against the edge of the long granite countertop, she waited until Teddy took a seat at the kitchen table before joining her. Not that she looked any less rigid and uncomfortable sitting down.

“I believe Noah mentioned that he’s offered me the opportunity to live here and take care of the dogs,” Teddy started after taking a tiny sip of coffee.

“Yes,
Mister
Noah told me.” Cristina couldn’t seem to help making a point of contrasting the way she and Teddy addressed their boss.