Mind Play (Bennett Sisters Book 3) Read Online Free

the hall , checking the room numbers as she went . What an ass . F irst, he wanted to sleep with me this morning, and now he’s trying to hook up with the nurse. I sho uld have known better .” Claire shook her head and clenched her fist s , digging her nails into her palms , angry with herself for thinking even for a brief mom ent she could have seen them as anything other than what they were. He’ll always be just a player. She stopped at the door , unclenched her fists, plastered a smile on her face , and tapped lightly on the door before pushing it open.
    In the darkness of the room with the shades drawn closed , shadows danced on the walls from the glimmer of the turned on television, yet no sounds came from it. She spotted Jake lying fast asleep in the chair that pull ed out to a makeshift bed . Claire smiled. Jake looked exhausted from his first full night with his daughter . Nursing blankets, spit - up rags, and bottles littered the dim room. The closed curtains blocked out the setting sun.
    Emma sat propped up in the bed, smiling down at the bundle of joy in her arms. Lily was fast asleep. Even in the semi-darkness of the room, Claire could see the bags under Emma’s eyes. Emma looked like she could use a few hours of sleep herself. Claire walked over to the bed and sat beside her , whispering , “How’s my niece?”
    Emma ’s red watery eyes and uncontrollable yawn told Claire enough, but Emma confirmed her suspicions. “She’d be perfect if she was n’t a night owl. I don’t think we got two hours of continuous sleep last night . I’d be just dozing off , and she’d wake up hungry or with another wet diaper . Aren’t babies supposed to sleep all the time after their first born? I don’t remember John waking up so much. ”
    “We were all younger then . I t didn’t effect us as much.” Claire reached for the baby and carefully took her out of Emma’s arms , snuggling the infant close to her body , and then claimed a rocking chair sitting at the end of the bed . “I’ve got her . W hy don’t you try and get some sleep ? I’m just going to rock her for a bit to keep her happy .”
    “Oh , Claire, that would be awesome. Have I told you you’re the best sister in the world?” Emma s a nk back into the mattress and smiled , pushing the button to recline her position . “Are y ou sure you don’t mind?”
    “Of course not . I remember how it was with John. If it hadn’t been for the four of us, I don’t think Abby would ’ve every gotten any sleep.” Claire gazed down at the beautiful baby girl in her arms . “Besides, I want to spend some a untie time with her. Just close your eyes and try to get some rest.”
    Claire didn’t know how long she’d been rocking Lily when she looked up to see Butch standing in the doorway, smiling down at her with a twinkle in his eyes . She ignored him , hoping that he’d just go away . S he lowered her gaze down to look at the baby. He didn’t take the hint . H e sauntered over to her and gently caressed the baby’s head.
    “She’s beautiful,” he whispered.
    “I know. She couldn’t be any more perfect.” The baby had her whole palm wrapped around Claire’s thumb as Claire rubbed the top of her tiny hand.
    Butch glanced around the room. “I see they’re finally getting some sleep.”
    “You should have been here awhile ago; Emma was snoring, poor thing.” Butch’s proximity made her uncomfortable . She was totally bewildered by his recent behavior. Yeah, he’d been friends with her family for the last ten months, but he’d hit on her for the first time that morning, and she didn’t know what to say. Not that it mattered anymore.
    “So, did you get her number?”
    Butch narrowed his eyes in thought . “Who?”
    “Don’t play dumb. The nurse you were flirting with. Did you get her number?”
    A grin formed on his lips. “Are you jealous , angel ?”
    Yes. Claire glared at him. “Don’t be ridiculous . I was just curious.”