A sizzle went through her body.
Okay, mister. Don’t be doing that sexy innuendo around the kids.
It was hard enough to mask her feelings when they were all together.“Oh, that’s not a problem. I know just what I like.”
His eyes flared.
And then, just to tease a little more, she said, “Mm, yes. Cole, I really need you to make me…a waffle. Right now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He popped up. “It would be my pleasure.” His voice lowered on that last word, giving her a look that let her know exactly how he’d treat her in bed.
Ugh. After a fitful night of erotic dreams, she did not need this.
But she did need to make Paisley’s lunch, so she met him at the refrigerator where he was pulling the box of waffles out of the freezer.
“After I get Paisley on the bus, feel free to tell me more about what you want.” His voice was rough, husky, and she closed her eyes to imagine hearing it in the dark of a bedroom, moonlight slanting in through partially closed blinds, his hands on her hips, her bottom tilted, as he drove her up the mattress with forceful thrusts.
Oh. Desire streaked through her, bright and hot, and her eyes popped open. “You’re such a tease, getting me all worked up when we’ll have Evvie with us.” She focused on lunch. “Do you want a sandwich?” she called to the little girl.
“Cole made my lunch. I helped him.”
She looked into the brilliant blue eyes of this man she’d underestimated in every possible way. “You did?”
“Yep. We did it together last night.”
“But I saw you put her to bed. You said she was out like a light.”
“Me and Cole are night owls,” Paisley said.
“How late were you guys up?”
“She was asleep at eleven.” And then, he lowered his voice so only Hailey could hear. “I think she was scared and just needed some companionship. As soon as I did her hair and made lunch, she fell right to sleep.” His forehead creased in concern, and she wanted to soothe the worry lines. “Are you mad?”
“Mad? What? No. I’m impressed. How did you learn how to braid?”
“It took some trial and error, but I got tips on a parenting forum and watched some tutorials. I think it worked out all right."
“You joined aparentingforum?”
His easygoing smile faltered. “Yeah, they jumped at the chance to help out.”
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Why?” His tone was curt.
“No, I mean, I just didn’t expect—”
“Me to be resourceful?” A dark cloud crossed over him. “To give a shit?” He brushed past her and strode across the kitchen to drop a waffle into the toaster.
Dammit. She joined him at the counter. “I’m sorry if I insulted you. I’m truly impressed with everything you did.” His scowl turned even darker, and she grew flustered. “I mean, you know, with everything you’re doing.” She’d never once seen him angry. And it was formidable.
Turning his back on the girls, he whispered harshly, “I don’t need a pat on the head for doing what any man in this situation would do. I don’t know why the hell they chose me as your partner in this situation, but like it or not, they did. So, get used to it because I’m all you’ve got.”
* * *
Cole was pissed. She’d talked to him like he was a kid who’d taken a leak in the toilet for the first time. Not like a man responsible for two children.
He thought he’d made progress with her, but she’d clearly never see him as anything but the asshole he was in high school.