Suddenly, Jack slammed the refrigerator door shut. His hand was on top of mine on the handle while a fiery current wrapped around my fingers and sparks flew straight down to my toes. His breath warmed my cheek, and I couldn’t help watching him lick his lower lip.
“Shut up, little Elle.” Jack groaned with irritation while he glared down at me. “Stop stressing over shit. I don’t need your damn help, and I never have. I’ve been in your house before.”
True. Jack had been inside my home one too many times while my dad was visiting. I didn’t care to count everyoccasion because I didn’t want him here. Those were all unfortunate events, never part of my plan, exactly as this one was.
Jack was way too close. I wanted him out. Gone. Blasted away by the flurrying snow, as bitter cold as him. But nothing was icy about Jack being this near to me. He was warm, solid, and electrifying.
“I know.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I was showing you how to take care of my daughter.”
The heat ate up the bitterness in his stare, and my gaze darted to his mouth. His lips were smooth like melting chocolate that I wanted to lick and have a taste.
“I’ll manage,” Jack grumbled as he pushed away from me. “I know how to take care of a damn kid.”
Jack’s fast movement snapped me back into reality. The mesmerizing haze I had been swept up in was gone, and the blizzard in my brain had cleared into a dense fog.
Did I want to kiss Jack?
Fuck no!
“Do you?” I questioned with a shake of my head. “Because you have never taken care of a child before.”
“I’m old. Not dead. We’ll be fine.” Jack grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me toward the front door. “Now.Leave.”
“Get your—” I tried to jerk out of Jack’s grasp, but Faith came down the stairs.
She asked me, “Are you going to work, Mommy?”
I beamed. “Why, yes, sweetheart. Mr. Timber is going to watch you.”
My hand patted Jack’s hand until the motion was far too excessive, and Faith kept watching me with interest. I heaveda nervous laugh and pushed his hand off me so I could lean down to give her a peck on the cheek.
“If you need anything at all, Mommy’s number is on the fridge, okay?” I whispered instructions in her ear.
“Okay.” Faith smiled as she pinched my cheeks together and rubbed her nose against mine.
Faith’s Eskimo kiss melted my heart every damn time.
I kissed the tip of her nose and backed up to get my jacket. I double-checked to ensure I had my cell phone and keys in my purse before I yanked on the door handle. A chilly breeze greeted me, and I slipped on my high heels. I loathed wearing these darn shoes in the wintertime, but I needed to dress the part. Every independent woman does in the business world.
I stepped outside. The icy ground crunched under my muddy wet heels from the melted path of deicer I had sprinkled the day before. I poked my head back inside the door.
“Behave for Mr. Timber and remember to—” But the door closed in my face.
Damn you, Jack Timber.
TEN
Play Time
Jack
“Brush my teeth before bedtime...” Faith rolled her eyes once the door shut. “I know, Mom.”
“I think we’ll get along great.” I grinned down at the smart kid and gave her a pat on the back. “Don’t you think, kiddo?”
“Of course we will, Mr. Timber.” Faith smiled up at me. “We’re neighbors.”
Christ, Faith was damn intelligent. Unlike her mother, who mumbled to herself all the way to her damn car.
