She swallowed. “Well, yeah. If that would help you out.”
He took one step toward her, and in the small kitchen that put them only inches apart. “Or you could forget about the cupcakes and just stay.”
“I—Brent.” She licked her lips, and his whole body tightened with desire. “What are you doing?”
“Honestly? I’m thinking about kissing you.”
“Oh.” He saw both surprise and pleasure in her eyes. “What about it?”
“How much I want to. How much I shouldn’t.”
“Why not?” The question was breathy, almost a whisper.
“For one, you’re younger than me. You’re my boss’s daughter. My friend’s daughter. Not to mention that I’m a single dad who needs to be careful about the signals I send to my kid. Plus, you’re the babysitter.”
“Those are all bad?”
He sighed. “I thought so. I’m starting to lose perspective.”
“I can help with that.”
“Can you?”
“Yeah.” She took a step toward him, then rose up on her tiptoes. Gently, she brushed a kiss over his lips.
Then she backed away, biting her lower lip as she looked at him, as if challenging him to do more.
Dammit, he took the challenge. Maybe he’d go straight to hell, but he had to have this woman. And without any more hesitation, he pulled her close, then claimed her mouth in a kiss the seared through him, long and hot and deep.
* * *