It would have been hard to miss. He practically curled his lip whenever he looked at all the Christmas decorations in her tiny cabin. At first, anyway. Now...not so much.
“I had planned to be here alone for the entire month. Just me, my bad mood, and the park, without the holiday glitter and rush, the singing and gift exchanges.”
All her favorite parts. “But here I am.”
“Yeah,” he said, his voice sounding gruff. “Here you are.”
For a few seconds, they just stared at each other. Seriously, the urge was there to cuddle up against him, to breathe in his scent.
His scent always left her breathless.
However, her son was sleeping very nearby, so this was definitely not the time to go sniffing Hendrix.
“You know I’d planned to run you off,” he said, watching her closely. “Another camper I could have ignored, but not you.”
“Why not me?”
“Because you affect me differently. You always have. I could be on the other side of the park and I’d still spot you in a crowd.”
She laughed at that, finding it silly.
“Joey,” he chided. “Your hair is like a beacon on a sunny day.”
Without thought, she touched her tumbling curls. “My hair is a little wild.”
“Yeah, it is.” This time when he reached out, he did so slowly, giving her plenty of time to withdraw.
Only she didn’t. She stayed still while he coasted his fingers down one twining curl. “It’s bright and soft, and whenever you’re outside, the sun reflects off of it.”
“It’s the same color as Ryder’s.” In that moment, she realized something monumental: she had no idea how to talk to a man. Not anymore.
Hendrix outright grinned. “On Ryder, it’s cute. Whole different thing with you.”
She supposed that made sense, only she wasn’t doing too great of a job at rationalizing right now.
“You share the same green eyes, too.”
“His dad’s hair was straight, like Ryder’s, but darker. He didn’t get a bit of my curl.”
“Whatever combo of genes he got from you and his father, he’s an adorable kid.”
A direct shot to her heart. “I’ve always thought so, but then, I’m his mother and I love him.”
Hendrix shifted his teasing fingers from her hair to her cheek, his touch gently seductive. “Is that how you see yourself? Only as Ryder’s mom?”
Noonlyto it. Being his mother consumed the majority of her existence. “It’s my number one role.”
“I respect that.” His attention moved to her mouth. “The thing is, I’ve always seen you as more. A mom, yes, but helpful to all the kids in the park, nice to campers, hardworking.” He waited a beat, his brows gathering closer, his gaze intent as he murmured, “Smokin’ hot.”
Surprise parted her lips, but since nothing came out of her mouth, she pressed them closed again. Certain that she’d just ignited, she fought off a sigh.
“When men look at you, most men forget you’re a mom and see you only as a sexy woman.”
Sexy. Smokin’ hot. Those were not words applied to her – certainly not since Ryder was born. She wasn’t sure if she should grab him, or unleash a silly giggle.
“The thing is, you could be the hottest woman on the planet and if you didn’t so obviously care for your son, I’d have no trouble pretending you didn’t exist. Kids deserve love and support.”
He was winning her over in multiple ways. “I agree.”
