“Sadie.” He must realize his hand is still holding mine because he quickly pulls back and shoves his hands in his slacks. “Forget about it. I know you were just joking.”
An awkward silence threatens to consume us, just as I hear Sophia come barreling back down the stairs.
Perfect timing, kid.
She comes sprinting into the kitchen and climbs onto one of the stools I should be sitting in to save myself from any further embarrassment.
“I want chocolate. With whipped cream and caramel. Oh! And maybe we can crush up some cookies to put on it too!”
Niko and I both chuckle, Sophia’s theatrics breaking away any awkwardness that may have been building.
I join Sophia at the island, taking the empty seat next to her. “I’ll have what she’s having,” I say, pointing my thumb over at Sophia, who is quite literally bouncing in her seat.
Niko opens the freezer and grabs a gallon of chocolate ice cream. He slides it onto the counter and then moves to the giant pantry we passed on the way in.
“Sorry, ladies. All we have are chocolate sprinkles and hot fudge.”
Sophia’s body slumps in her stool, disappointment etched on every inch of her face.
Doing my best to cheer her up, I act overly excited at theice cream toppings. “Oh my gosh! Hot fudge is my absolute favorite. It’s the perfect thing to go with super cold ice cream.”
Sophia perks up at my enthusiasm so I keep going. “And chocolate sprinkles? This sounds like the most chocolatey dessert ever.”
Niko smiles at me before looking at Sophia in question. “What do you think, sweetheart?”
Sophia slaps her hands on the counter in excitement.
“I think I want some chocolatey goodness, Daddy!”
Niko refuses when I offer to help make the bowls of dessert. He is meticulous when he pours the syrup onto the ice cream, distributing it evenly over every scoop. He’s the same way when he drops the sprinkles on top, making sure all three bowls have the same amount.
Watching him closely like this, I’m in complete awe of the care and attention he puts into this simple act. I can’t help but wonder if he puts this much time and energy into other aspects of his life.
Are his clothes expertly sorted by color in his closet? Is there a certain spot for every canned good in the pantry? What does his sock drawer look like? What’s he like in bed with a woman? Does he make sure she’s satisfied before seeking his own pleasure?
I don’t even have to think about it long. I can guarantee this man is an expert at pleasuring a woman.
“Sadie, you good?” I shake myself out of my daydream and see Niko’s hand extended, holding a bowl of ice cream in front of me.
“Yep. Sorry. Just got lost in thought there for a second.”
Niko leans down on the counter across from us and takes a bite of his ice cream. I’m mesmerized by the movement, watching as he slowly brings the spoon out of his mouth and licks at the corner of his lip.
Oh, to be that spoon.
He catches me staring and a slow smirk stretches on hisface. When I realize I’m caught, I move my gaze from his lips up to his eyes and see mischief reflecting back at me.
I bite my bottom lip, not caring in the least that he caught me ogling him, and then he winks.
Holy fucking shit.
This man just walked out of one of my smutty romance novels because he is a freaking dream.
The sound of a bowl sliding across the counter pulls both of our attention down to the little girl next to me.
“Done! I’m going to go play with my magnets.”
Niko rounds the island before Sophia can escape and puts his hands on her shoulders. He crouches down a little so they’re at eye level. “Before you go, can we talk for a minute? I’d like to talk about what happened at the game. We never got to finish our conversation.”
