“I’m not usually a big chocolate milk drinker, but this really hit the spot right about now,” he admitted with asmile.
I took a big swig from my glass. “Yeah? I totally am. Always got a carton of chocolate milk in thefridge.”
“Really?” He chuckled a bit. “That’sfunny.”
“Howso?”
Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re just a big, strong, masculine alpha.” Suddenly he reached over and brushed the top of my lip with his thumb. An electric sensation shot up my spine and my chest fluttered. “And yet you’ve got a milk moustache,” he finished with a smile as he wiped his hands on anapkin.
I grunted and sat back in my chair, pretending to grumble. “Chocolate milk is good for your bones tomakeyou big and strong. Isn’t that right,Casey?”
She nodded vigorously. She was currently sporting her own milk moustache that Charlie sighed and went to wipe as well. As he did that, my hand travelled to my mouth and lightly landed on the spot where Charlie had touched me a moment ago. I quickly put my hand back when Charlie turned back to faceme.
“Let me help you set up dinner,” hesaid.
“It’s really okay, Charlie,” I told him. “You’ve had a longday.”
“So have you,” hecountered.
We spent a second staring at each other, neither of us refusing tobudge.
“Let me help. Please,” Charlie saidfirmly.
I was going to refuse, but something in the way his eyes glinted made me change my mind. “Fine.”
We got up and began arranging the table. I pulled the roast out of the oven and Charlie helped me cut it, handing me the specific knives I needed from the drawer. He began raiding the cabinets for plates and cutlery. I appreciated his help, but I didn’t like the jerky, anxious way his bodymoved.
I pulled him aside and murmured, “What’s wrong? You’re actingstrange.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” he said. “I just want - Ineedtohelp.”
Then it hit me. I understood why he was acting thisway.
“It’s because of what Hector said, isn’t it?” Iasked.
Charlie was silent, but the way his gaze escaped mine told me everything I needed toknow.
“Charlie,” I growled. “Don’t listen to what that snake said. He was just trying to rile youup.”
“But he’s right,” Charlie said defeatedly. “Iamjust being a burden on your pack. Onyou.”
I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing him gently but firmly on the shoulders. “Don’t you ever say that again,” I growled. “You and your daughter arenota burden to me, do you understand? Don’t let yourself believe that coward’s words. He’s only trying to weaken you and make you feel like you don’t belong here just so he can take you back to ScarletRidge.”
Charlie fell silent. “I know,” he admitted. “But I still can’t shake this feeling that I don’t contribute anything toyou.”
“Well, shake it,” I said. I lifted his face so he looked at me and I smiled at him. “I love having you and Casey here with me. You two are the best company I’vehad.”
A soft smile spread across Charlie’s face. “You’re not just sayingthat?”
“Of course not. Hell, you’ve seen the guest room. The only other person that hangs out here is Jericho, and you two aremuchbetter house guests than heis.”
Charlie laughed. It sounded like bells, and I loved seeing that genuinesmile.
I felt the urge to put an arm around him, but I thought it would be too much. I restrained myself despite how difficult itwas.
“Let’s have dinner and get to bed early,” I said. “We have a long day of clothes shoppingtomorrow.”
* * *
