Bronson's gaze slammed into mine, causing my breath to hitch. His green eyes shimmered with amusement and he shot me a sexy grin. I knew he had an inkling at what I’d beenthinking and my face heated, probably turning as red as a tomato.
Anything remotely witty didn’t come to mind; neither did words. Thankfully, Stormi saved the day.
With a mouth full of food, she said, “Mommy, come eat pancakes with me. Bronson will give you lots of syrup.”
Moving farther into the room toward the two of them, I looked at my child and in a gentle reminder I told her, “You know not to talk with your mouth full.”
Swallowing what was left in her mouth, she gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”
I leaned over and kissed her cheek, taking a seat next to her at the island. Bronson was at my side in a second, setting a plate of pancakes down in front of me. My mouth watered, but it had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with the man who smelled absolutely delicious even first thing in the morning and with no shower.
I couldn’t breathe with him so close.
Heat seemed to radiate off of him and then his warm breath softly caressed my face. Mimicking what I had just done with my daughter, he kissed my cheek. “Morning, Cupcake.” Goosebumps skated across every inch of my skin.
Stormi laughed. “He said you’re sweet as a cupcake and sweet on him so he gave you that name. I don’t get all of it, but it’s funny.”
Bronson and I both laughed at her, then he walked back around the island and I managed to suck in some much-needed oxygen now that he wasn't right next to me, rattling my brain and warming my body like a personal furnace.
After smothering butter and syrup on my stack, I slipped a bite of pancake between my lips and moaned as the flavors burst in my mouth. It was pancakes for heaven sakes, but it seemed because Bronson made them they held something extra special.
When I looked up, the chef was watching me with lust-filled eyes and I knew something big was happening between us. Any chance I had of keeping my heart shielded so I didn’t get hurt seemed impossible. It was already invested and my body was certainly on board with anything that Bronson brought my way.
“Did you hear me?” Stormi asked.
Nope, I hadn’t heard a thing. The man still watching me seemed to easily claim my attention when he was around. I needed to get my head out of the clouds.
“I’m sorry sweetie, what did you say?” I asked, looking at her.
“I asked if it was okay if I stayed with Bronson tonight when you went to work?” She slapped her hands together in a praying gesture. “Please?”
I turned and gave Bronson a questioning look not understanding how this had come up.
“We can talk logistics in a bit, but I knew you had to go to work and since I took a few extra days off, I laid out some options for tonight, but told Stormi she would have to talk to you about them.”
My head was whipping back and forth as the conversation played out. “What options were those?” I asked.
As I waited for his response I wondered if I should be angry that Bronson even talked to my daughter without me and put any ideas in her head. But I realized after thinking about it for a second, I wasn’t. It kinda felt good to have someone watching out for us.
“Well, let's see. This angel here,” he began, pointing at Stormi, “She got an offer for a sleepover at every house I can think of.” Bronson chuckled. “She's Miss Popular.”
Stormi’s smile was bigger and brighter than the sun. God, it was magnificent to see her so happy.
“You don’t want to stay with any of the kids?” I asked.
“I do, but not today. I want to stay with Bronson.” She glanced at him and stuck her small hand across the island, where he met her halfway and they bumped fists.
The two of them seemed thick as thieves already.
“I’m happy to do it and I love spending time with Stormi,” Bronson said, stealing my attention. “But it’s your call.”
“Can I, Mommy?”
How could I say no? I swear Bronson was looking at me with the same puppy dog eyes as my daughter and I had to stop myself from laughing.
“Of course you can, if that’s what you want.”
She jumped off the stool and started bouncing around. “I do, I do.”
