I want to be annoyed, but Atticus is kind of hard to stay annoyed with, especially when he’s smiling at me like he’s up to something.
“We’re going to see Cook. I heard a rumor she made warm sticky toffee pudding and butterscotch sauce. Have you tried it yet?”
“Sticky toffee what?”
“Oh, bumble bee. Shame on your house.Wait. No. Your house is my house. No shame on your house. Just shame on you. That works.”
“Oh my God, Atticus. Get to the point,” I grumble, trying hard not to laugh.
“The point is, it’s the most delicious thing in the world.” He looks up at the ceiling and changes his mind. “I mean, I can think of one or two other things that I prefer to have in my mouth. But Cook can’t exactly whip those things up.”
I lose my hold on my laughter and possibly my sanity as we turn into the empty kitchen. My side cramps, I laugh so hard. “Fine. I give in. You win.” Atticus preens like a peacock. “Where is this delicious pudding?”
He pulls out a stool at the counter and basically shoves me onto it. “Hold, please...” I watch with rapt attention as he makes his way around the massive kitchen, grabbing two plates from some magical hiding spot that I may need to find later. One is placed in front of me before he slides a fork my way and waits. “Go on. Have a taste.”
I don’t bother telling him I’m not hungry.
I doubt it would make a difference.
He’d probably try to force-feed it to me.
And it does smell incredible.
“Fine.” I break off a small piece, not sure what I’m expecting, but when the tangy sweet goodness burst on my tongue, I moan. “Oh my God, that’s delicious.”
“Best thing you’ve ever had in your mouth?” he asks with a cocky grin.
“Why are you making my wife moan, brother?” Rhys asks with a happy lilt to his voice as he steps up behind me and slides a finger through the butterscotch soaking my plate. “Yum. Sticky toffee pudding.”
With sticky lips, he kisses the corner of my mouth, and Atticus fakes a gag.
“Hi.” I lick the butterscotch from his lips, and sticky toffee pudding might just be my new favorite dessert.
Rhys drags his finger through the sauce again and traces my mouth, and holy hell... I feel his touch everywhere. “Evening, love.”
“Hello... right here.” Atticus points his fork between Rhys and me. “Please don’t do filthy things with my favorite dessert right in front of me.” Rhys grins, and Atticus groans. “Do not ruin this for me.”
“I’ll be sure to take that into consideration, brother.” He spins me around until my legs are between his, and my back is to the counter. “How was your day?”
“Good. I stopped by the children’s hospital today and got some good news. They’ve found a match for Linus, but that means at least another six to eight weeks in the hospital, and I know his parents are already struggling. So... I know what I’d like to do with the other side of the foundation.”
“I’m all ears,” Rhys tells me as he steals my fork from my hand and breaks off another chunk of cake for himself.
“I was able to find a rental for his parents to stay in, which I’d like the foundation to fund during his recovery. And that got me thinking... I want to buy rental properties the foundation can essentially turn into non-profit units, like a free Airbnb. I’d like to make them available to families in need while their children are going through treatment. Eventually, we can branch out, but I think this is the perfect way to start. I was lucky enough to have my family close by while I was going through hell, and I know how much that helped me fight. I want to be able to give that to other families.”
Rhys’s eyes soften as he stares at me, and the weight of his gaze is almost as intimate as the touch of his skin. “I’m constantly in awe of your strength, love.”
Nibbling my lip, I admit, “I started putting together information when I got back this afternoon.”
“I can help you put together a proposal, bee,” Atticus tells me.
“Really?” I ask, a little surprised by his offer.
“Don’t sound so surprised. Iama lawyer and an all-around nice guy.”
Rhys coughs into his fist, and Atticus points his butterscotch-soaked fork at his brother. “You can kiss my royal ass, brother. I’m nice to the people I like when I’m around them. Therefore, all-around nice guy.”
“If you say so.” My husband shakes his head, then turns back to me. “I think that sounds perfect, love. Atticus’s former firmcan handle the structure and the contracts. We can call them tomorrow.”
