She glances up at me a moment and then looks back to Charlie. “I could eat something. Want me to see what you have on hand and whip something up?”
I shake my head and step lightly away from the crib. “I’ve got the makings for omelets in my kitchen. I’ll cook, you relax.”
She smiles and for a moment, I think she’s going to stay in here and gawk at Charlie, but she follows me out of the nursery.
When we reach the kitchen, I open the fridge and start pulling out the stuff I need. Eggs, butter, onions, red pepper, cheese, and some bacon.
Pepper reaches out, and takes several of the items as I turn around. “I’ll cut the veggies while you start on the bacon.”
“Deal,” I tell her and we both set up side by side at the kitchen island which holds my stove burners plus a built-in griddle. I get the bacon going and beside me Pepper chops up the ingredients on a cutting board.
We talk companionably about Charlie, my upcoming hockey schedule which is two home games sandwiching a quick Christmas break, so I don’t have to worry about traveling during Charlie’s first week home.
“What about your parents? I assume you told them about Charlie.” Pepper asks as she sniffs and blinks her eyes from the onions.
“Here, let me do that,” I say as I hand her the tongs to man the bacon and switch sides with her. “Onions don’t bother me. And my parents…well, that was a mixed bag of reactions. My mom is over the moon she’s a grandmother but I think my dad is a little disapproving. He was very quiet when I told them on the phone.”
“Why would he disapprove?” she gasps in surprise.
I shrug. “Because I got a woman pregnant, and now I’m a single dad. To his way of thinking, it’s just irresponsible.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Pepper sputters. “You used protection. It just didn’t work. And you’re doing all you can.”
“I know,” I say with a quick but reassuring smile to her. “While I’m like my father in many ways—you know about my need for order and the distinct lack of plastic flamingos in my yard—I don’t adhere to some of his antiquated notions. I’m letting it roll off my back. Once it settles in with him, he’ll be fine.”
“Are they going to come visit?” she asks as she flips the bacon.
I nod and lay the knife down, having finished a nice chopped pile of onions that rest beside the diced red pepper. I turn to face her, leaning a hip against the counter. “After the holidays. It’s always a busy time for my dad as a pilot. Until then, they’ll have to be satisfied with pictures and videos. Speaking of which, I need you to text me all the pictures you took of us today.”
In addition to watching over my shoulder and giving advice when needed, Pepper took it upon herself to shoot what I bet was a hundred photos of me and Charlie today. Candid stuff as I was holding her and feeding her, and even changing that nasty ass diaper.
“Be glad to,” she replies and then looks at me, her face softening. “I got the best picture when you were sitting on the couch with Charlie. Right after you fed her. Wait until you see the look on your face, Legend. If you could paint a picture of what love looks like, that is it.”
Her words stun me, the soft and awestruck tone of her voice hitting me deep. Whether I wanted her to or not, she just shared in an intensely personal moment with me, and I didn’t even realize it.
But I do now, and it affects me in ways that I wish weren’t tied to my heart. In addition to touching me with her emotion, she’s also just excited me.
Physically.
A surge of pure lust sweeps through me and I don’t know what the expression on my face must tell Pepper, but she can feel the vibe shift between us. Her face slackens and she starts to breathe a little faster.
Reaching over, I turn the knob to shut the gas off the burner and the flame disappears. I gently take the tongs out of her hand and set them on the counter. Pepper’s nose flares as she sucks in a breath, because she knows what I’m getting ready to do.
I wait a second—hell, I give her two—and she’s not running.
I’m not sure who makes the first leap, but one minute we’re staring at each other in lust, and then next we’re kissing like our lives depend on it.
My hands holding Pepper’s face, I walk her right back against the kitchen sink, dip my knees and grind into her. She growls back at me and our kissing turns wild. She tears at my clothes, trying to get them off but I don’t bother to reciprocate. She’s wearing a skirt and she’s too easily accessible to me. I haul it roughly up her legs, slip my hand in between and delve under the elastic of her panties.