“You have an exquisite smile, love. You should do it more often.” I kissed her knuckles lightly and felt her tremble. My smile deepened, enjoying the way red tinted her cheeks.
She looked down at her plate. I learned that silence spoke louder than words with this woman, and my head listened. Now, with the sounds emanating from her, I was afraid my heart wasn’t just listening. It was paying attention.
Releasing her hand, I glanced at Saint to find him and Levana staring at me, their expressions unconcealed curiosity. I arched a brow, and my son smiled, his eyes conveying a thousand words I knew I shouldn’t heed, yet my body betrayed that caution, warming to Mikaela’s laugh as Levana said something to her.
“Chocolate cake, sir.” John set a plate in front of me. “Courtesy of the two young ladies.” He smiled.
“Mikaela baked it, Xavier. I just helped,” Levana chimed in.
My gaze drifted from the cake to a blushing Mikaela. “Well done,” I offered as John went around the table, placing plates in front of the others.
“Mikaela, you can’t.” Levana stopped her from taking a bite. I frowned, and so did my son. “Castle tradition dictates that you, as a guest, have to feed Xavier a bite for messing him in his kitchen.”
Mikaela was just as startled as me, while Saint grinned.
“What the—” I began.
“Oh shush, Xavier,” Levana scolded. “You promised I could follow all castle traditions when I first arrived.” She stood.
God, this girl was a handful at times, but I loved her spunk. “I did?”
She nodded, walking around to Mikaela’s side, and helped her up. “Go on, angel, give him a bite from your plate.”
Her gaze flicked between Levana and me, Mikaela neared me with her plate in her hand. She obediently forked a piece of the decadent dessert and held it to my lips. I caught Levana’s soft snigger before I opened my mouth and accepted the treat, enjoying the burst of strawberry and chocolate flavors in my mouth.
“Do you like it?” Mikaela asked shyly.
“Best I’ve tasted.” I winked, earning rosy-tinted cheeks. Before she moved away, I stopped her. “Ella.” She looked at me. I forked a piece of the cake from my plate and held it up. “Tradition.” I smiled.
She leaned down to accept the sweet treat and, as she straightened, licked her lips. Without thinking, I reached up and thumbed a spot of chocolate she’d missed at the side of her mouth. Her lips, closing around my thumb, softly sucking before I could withdraw the digit, startled me. Fire burned down south, tightening my trousers. Surprised by the heated reaction, I tried to act natural while she returned to her seat. Unfortunately, two of the most observant people I knew were at the table with me. When I glanced their way, Saint smirked, and Levana giggled.
My lips twitched. I didn’t give into the smile, though, instead forked a piece of the cake into my mouth.
“I think we should go for a swim later. What do you think, Mikaela?” Levana asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t know how to swim.” Her eyes drifted to the water.
“We’ll teach you, won’t we, Xavier?” My feisty daughter-in-law, her face scrunched in a naughty smile, offered my services.
Ignoring her, I looked at Mikaela. “Baby steps, remember?” She nodded.
I’d earned her trust. All I needed now was her strength to take root.
