Taming the VIP Playboy by Katherine Garbera Page A

minutes.”
    She walked into the kitchen, which was off the main hall, as Riley led Nate into the living room. They had a plasma screen TV and a very comfy Italian leather sofa. Riley sat on the floor on a big pillow and offered Nate one that was tucked in the corner.
    â€œI haven’t played video games in a long time.” This wasn’t what Nate had expected. It was a little too domesticated for his tastes, and his instincts were screaming for him to run. Leave this house and go back to his real life.
    â€œIt’s okay. I will go easy on you,” Riley said.
    Nate took the controller and played with the boy but his attention wasn’t on the racetrack or the game. He glanced around the room.
    This place was homier than his house. There were touches that showed a child lived there but you really got a sense of the women who called it home. On one wall were photos of Jen and her sister Marcia as girls and through their entire lives. He saw Jen in a skimpy Latin dancing costume holding a trophy. He saw Marcia standing on the steps of the courthouse holding her briefcase and grinning at the camera. And there was a photo of Jen holding her nephew in the hospital standing next to her sister’s bed.
    The two women were all each other had and their bond was just as deep and strong as the one he had with his brothers.
    He knew women were caring so that didn’t surprise him, it was just this was the first time he’d been involvedwith a woman who was like that. Even his own mother hadn’t been a nurturer.
    He sank deeper into the comfy couch and realized he could let himself get comfortable here. Not just in the house but in this life. But it wasn’t his. He knew better than to try to pretend to be someone he wasn’t.
    â€œYou lost,” Riley said.
    â€œI guess I did. Jen said you have a yellow-fin tuna in your room.”
    â€œYes, I do,” he said, hopping up. “We have to clean up before I show you. If I leave the controllers out I won’t be able to play again for a week.”
    Nate nodded and helped Riley put the pillows back in a basket next to the entertainment center and the controllers away in the cabinet. Then Riley led the way to the stairs and up to his room.
    The tuna was the dominant feature in the room. The bed was covered in a light blue comforter and there was a desk in one corner. Three toy boxes were lined up under the large plate-glass window. The walls were painted a sunny yellow color.
    â€œI couldn’t believe it when I caught that fish. I wasn’t strong enough to land it by myself,” Riley said. “Do you like fishing?”
    â€œI do. I don’t go often,” Nate said. The last time he’d been was more than three months ago when Cam had insisted they all take a trip to St. Lucia. “Why not?”
    â€œBusy working.”
    Riley shook his head. “I don’t understand why grownups work all the time. You finally don’t have to go to school and instead of enjoying it…well, Mommy likes her job so that’s why she does it. Is that how it is for you?”
    â€œI guess it is. Do you think you’d enjoy working?”
    â€œI know I’m going to,” Riley said. “I’m going to be a fishing boat captain and spend all my time fishing.”
    â€œSounds like a good plan,” Nate said. When he’d been Riley’s age he’d declared he was going to play baseball for a living so he knew that kids could make their dreams happen.
    â€œDid you always want to be in business?” Riley asked.
    â€œNah, I used to play baseball.”
    â€œReally? I didn’t know that. How come you don’t play anymore?”
    Nate wondered at kids and how they had no filter or fear. Riley wanted to know something so the kid just asked. “Let’s head back downstairs and I’ll tell you.”
    â€œOkay. Do you still play sometimes?”
    â€œI don’t play anymore,