“Christ, Stone, chill it for a bit.” Vaughn’s eyes shoot another caution to his brother.
I smile shyly and adjust my shirt. “I get it, I would do the same.”
A silence around us breezes in.
"She's the chillest baby. Doesn't really cry much and always seems calm," Vaughn attempts to break the quiet, and his brother just smiles softly.
Taking this opportunity, I decide to escape this confronting day. “I think it’s Nora’s feeding time, she must be getting hungry.” I stand to take her out of Stone’s arms.
“Is that why her little fingers are getting grabby at my chest.”
“Exactly. It’ll give you some time alone with Vaughn.”
“You probably won’t see him when you come back down,” Vaughn mentions. “Either my brother hits the road or I’ll be throwing him in the lake.”
I grin. “Probably go with option one.”
Walking away and closing the sliding door behind me, I still manage to hear the beginning of their conversation.
“Isla seems like a great mom, I don’t think you need to worry,” Stone tells his brother.
“When it comes to that, I never did,” Vaughn replies.
The smile forming on my lips is as natural as can be.
* * *
A while later,I return down the stairs and into the kitchen where Vaughn is placing snacks back into their containers. I stop his arm so I can grab another nibble of the cheese cubes.
“Sorry, I’m like a famished monster.” I hold the cube up.
His lips tilt up. “I’ve noticed.”
He continues his quest to clean up, and then we’re stuck in a long gaze.
Blowing a breath through my pursed lips, I go for it. “Look, I think we are both aware that the underlying tension?—”
“Attraction,” he corrects me.
Now my own grin begins to form. “Attraction,” I repeat. “It’s bringing a debate inside our heads. As much as I want to discuss the…” My finger twirls in the air. “What…” It drags out.
Vaughn smirks before he stands closer to me with purpose and confidence. “The not-parent part of our equation is what you’re trying to say.”
I suppress my laugh and instead smile tightly. “Yep, that. I just can’t think clearly right now. I’m adjusting to this mother thing, and I literally get excited when she blinks.”
“I get it, me too.” He steps closer, and my heart rate picks up.
“Can we maybe just wait a bit to talk about everything? You know, the living situation, childcare, your traveling, my work, when to start solid foods, or should it be eggs or toaster waffles for breakfast,” I ramble. “Everything.”
Vaughn is so ridiculously amused. His finger hooks under my chin to tip my face up so I have no escape. “The thing between us is what you’re trying to say.” He drags his thumb across my bottom lip.
“Uh-huh.” I do my best to look away, but my eyes only find his as my destination.
“You’re cute when you’re flustered.” His eyes are lust-filled, I see it.
“For heaven’s sakes, Vaughn.” I’m only half annoyed. “Can you keep us on track?”
He chuckles, with zero issue that his sultry gaze is sending us down a hole. “Relax, I’m well aware that you need to recover for a few weeks, and we need to establish boundaries. But can’t I enjoy looking at you?”
