My heart almost couldn’t stand it.
For all of Tristan’s faults, I would never not appreciate the effort he’d put in with my sweet little girl.
“Bye, Tristan.” Millie waved, her tiny hand furiously moving back and forth.
“Goodnight, Princess.”
I snuck a peek at her when he called her that, and my gosh, her smile was so big and so damn beautiful. She waved one more time, those dimples on full display, then disappeared down the hall.
“Cute kid,” he said.
My attention returned to him. He stood inside the doorway, hands tucked inside his pockets, and his dark gaze traveling the length of me.
I had the urge to ask him what he saw when he studied me like that, but thankfully, the rational side of my brain came to my rescue.
“Thank you for coming to dinner.”
He chewed on the corner of his mouth. “Good food, good wine... Good company.” He leaned forward, filling my senses with his spicy scent. “How could I resist?”
“Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t we?”
He moved even closer. “Am I?”
My gaze dropped to his mouth. It wasn’t the first time I’d stolen a glance at his lips—I had a tendency to watch people’s mouths when they spoke—but it was the first time I’d noticed how full they were.
Especially the bottom one.
“You know, looking and not touching is considered a crime in certain parts of the world.”
The low rumble of his voice skittered over my skin. My blood heated, and my heart skipped a few beats. Still, I managed to roll my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Oh, Kate.” He splayed those long fingers over his chest. “No goodnight kiss for your pretend boyfriend?”
The thundering behind my ribs grew faster and louder. “No.”
He gasped. “What would Mrs. Ross say about this? I’m positive she’s keeping those hearing aids in just for tonight.”
“Oh my gosh. You’re terrible. Go home.”
I shut the door in his face. Fingers curled around the handle; I leaned my forehead against the wood. He was still there. His shadow mocked me from underneath the door.
Time ticked by. He didn’t move. Neither did I. I had no idea how long we stood there before I caught a soft, “Sweet dreams, Kitty Kat.”
Then he was gone, leaving me to deal with the mess that was my insides.
“I’m ready for bed.”
Thank goodness for Millie. Pasting on a smile, I pushed off the door and faced her.
“Wow, look at you.” She was in her pj’s with Tristan’s plushie clutched to her side. “Brushed your teeth?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Rinsed your mouth?”
“Yup.”
I parked my hands on my hips. “I’m impressed. Let’s get you all tucked in then.”
