Sinking his fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck, Bode pulls me close. His lips press against my forehead, and I relish the warmth that spreads through me.
Something I’ve never felt before.
“You’re so much more than anyone has ever made you feel. More than just your looks. I haven’t known you for that long, Stevie, but you’re incredible.”
Emotions clog my throat. How can one man’s words slip into the cracks and help heal them? I shouldn’t need another person to tell me this, but sometimes, it’s hard.
It’s hard to make yourself believe something when all the evidence points to the contrary.
“Thank you.” I press a kiss to his temple. “Thank you, Bode.”
“If you need the reminder, you know where to find me. Last bedroom on the right.” He winks at me, and it helps the heaviness in my chest ease.
“I should get to bed.” I thumb toward the stairs behind me. “I have another early day tomorrow.”
“Right. How about I make us dinner tomorrow as a thank you for helping out? Our grans will be out at bridge, so we’ll have the house to ourselves.”
“Only if you let me help. Considering you said yourself how abysmal your cooking skills are.”
Bode holds out his hand and I take it. “Deal.”
His hand is warm and rough under my soft one. I want to feel it everywhere.
Bode has captivated me in the worst possible way.
And I’m finding I don’t mind in the least.
ChapterTwelve
STEVIE
“What are you doing in here?” Nan asks, walking into the kitchen with Eve hot on her heels.
“Bode and I are making dinner tonight. Figured I’d get ready while I feed Caleb.”
Eve lifts him out of his chair and swings him around. “While your Gran is going to go win big tonight.”
“Only if Betty isn’t there,” Nan points out.
Eve rolls her eyes. “Cheater that she is. If she knows what’s good for her, she won’t show her face.”
“Now, now. Save that energy to beat everyone in bridge.”
I pop a carrot in my mouth before setting Caleb’s dinner on his tray—well out of his reach after watching Bode’s disaster.
“I have to earn my grandbaby’s college tuition.” Eve smacks a kiss on his cheek then straps him into his high chair. “Love you, baby.”
“Don’t get into too much trouble,” I call out after them.
Knowing them, they will get into a lot of it. But that’s for them to figure out and not me.
I hear another voice in the mix and butterflies take flight in my stomach.
Bode.
It’s hard to feed Caleb his peas when he becomes more interested in his dad coming home. I try to wipe the mush off his cheeks, busying myself to calm my nerves.
God. I wish this man didn’t make me feel like this. Having that heart-to-heart with him? Kissing him? Well, his temple? Not good judgment.
