At least someone appreciated my efforts.
I smiled down at her. “It is for you. But it’s super hot right now, so you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to have a piece so you don’t burn yourself. That’s if your daddy says it’s okay. And be sure to save a piece for him in case he wants one. Deal?”
“Deal!” She blinked at me. “I want a puppy!”
I subtly shifted the brunt of the weight of the pie from one hand to the other, the scalding temperature making its way into the mitts. “You do?”
“Uh-huh. But Daddy said it’s not a good idea rights now. Do you gots any good ideas?”
“Um . . . I’m not sure.” Light laughter slipped free, her sweetness tugging at my chest. Maybe there was such a thing as too adorable. Because right then, I’d probably give her anything she asked me for.
I shifted the mitts again, and Rex sighed.
“Is that hot?” His teeth gritted when he asked it. As if he were dreading my answer. As if he didn’t want to be concerned but couldn’t stop himself.
I shifted it again. “A little bit.”
He looked to the ground, issuing a soft curse beneath his breath, the word only ringing in my ear because I was able to read it on the movement of his soft, full lips. On a resigned sigh, he stepped back and widened the door the rest of the way. “Come in . . . set it on the kitchen counter.”
With the way he cringed, I’d have thought the invitation caused him physical pain.
I whispered, “Thank you,” and slipped inside, my body grazing his when I passed.
A tiny gasped breached my lips. The heat on my hands was nothing compared to the heat that scorched my skin.
Attraction swept me head to toe.
It was possibly the most foolish emotion I’d ever felt.
Because it was unfathomable.
Overwhelming.
Too much.
Sucking in a breath, I forced myself to step the rest of the way inside.
My jaw dropped in awe. “Wow.”
The interior of their house was totally not what I’d expected. I’d expected something closer to my grandmother’s house. A quaint, comfortable home that could use a fresh coat of paint among a million other things.
Shabby and totally missing the chic.
Rex’s place had been entirely renovated. The floors were a gorgeous, shiny wood, and the white crown molding lining the ceilings matched the mantel and hearth of the fireplace, which was the focal point of the living room. A big television hung on the wall above, and a brown leather sectional sat in the middle of the room.
And the kitchen.
Good God.
The kitchen.
It was a dream with its butcher block island, huge oven, and farm-style sink. That small table that was my vantage through the window was nestled in the middle of the two rooms.
“This is unbelievable.”
Suddenly, I was remembering Lillith telling me how he’d grown a small construction company into the biggest contractor in the area.
I spun around. “You did this?”
Discomfort rippled across his gorgeous face, something humble and vulnerable showing through the rigid veneer. “It’s kind of what I do.”
“You definitely do a good job of it.” I didn’t mean to whisper it, didn’t mean to get locked in his stare, didn’t mean for my mouth to go dry, or my belly to tumble and twist and flip with the most foolish kind of butterflies.
Because his jaw clenched, and his spine went rigid with my compliment.
Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I forced myself to turn away and take a breath. To get myself together. I set the pie on the counter and turned back around. “I’m sorry to barge in the way I did. I just wanted to say thank you. I really hope you enjoy the pie. I know my grandma would have wanted you to have it.”
I started to make my escape, when Frankie snagged my pinky finger in her tiny fist, her voice just as excited as ever. “You wants to see my room?”
My eyes darted to Rex.
That same anger from the first day, the anger I couldn’t make sense of, the anger that seemed barely contained, flamed in his eyes. Glints of fire beneath the ornate pendant lights.
I could barely force out the words. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea right now. I think it’s past your bedtime.”
“Oh, oh, I know. You can reads me my bedtime story. How’s that sound? You wanna read with me? Can she, Daddy?” She was grinning at her dad, one hundred percent oblivious to the sudden rage I could see crawl just beneath the surface of his tanned skin, the muscles ticking as he stared me down.
“I—”
“Oh, please, please, please.”
I looked at Rex for help, already knowing I was so far out of bounds. My mission taking me too deep into enemy territory, and I’d tripped a bomb.