“Really?” I narrowed my eyes. “Since you think you have me all figured out. What am I thinking now?”
He leaned in. Up close, he was so large and firm and male. I’d yet to touch him in any meaningful way, oven even hug him, but my fingers ached to trace his tattoo, to squeeze the muscles of his biceps, to run my fingers over his smooth brown skin. I wanted to feel his arms around me, then bury my face in his chest. He always smelled so clean, so sexy.
“You’re thinking about windows,” he whispered.
I barely registered his words because I was so consumed by the feel of his breath against my lips. But when the haze of desire cleared, I blinked, jerking back. “Windows?” Did he mean windows literally or figurately? Charleston Glass Company Windows or windows to my soul?
Chuckling, he said, “New windows. In the house.”
I frowned. “Oh. Okay.” Confused, and maybe a little annoyed, I followed him into the house. “Be careful, Mehki,” I warned.
“Let’s start upstairs,” Cooper said.
Twenty minutes later, we were back on the porch. “I love that you added the balcony off of the master bedroom. I can already see myself reading or drinking a glass of wine out there.”
“I knew you would.” Cooper winked. “Told you I peeped your game.”
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling, but I did cover it up with my hand. “I’m still not convinced.”
“I have a few more surprises up my sleeve.”
“Now, I’m intrigued.”
“Too bad you have to wait until the house is done.”
Mehki tapped Cooper. “Do you have any surprises for me?”
Bending down so he was at eye-level with my son, Cooper said, “A lot of surprises.”
“Thank you!” Mehki wrapped his arms around Cooper’s neck. For his part, Cutie Prescott handled the impromptu hug well, even though he looked slightly uncomfortable. “I’m so happy!”
Tears sprang to my eyes. Aside from my father, Mehki didn’t really have any adult men in his life. Seeing him grow so close to Cooper in such a short time warmed my heart. But…What happens when Cooper goes back home to Detroit?
Wiping my cheeks, I prayed neither of them saw the tears fall. “Mehki? Are you hungry?”
“Yes!” he cheered.
“What do you want me to cook?” I asked, brushing my hand down his cheek.
“How about we get pizza?” Cooper suggested.
“Mehki doesn’t—”
“Pizza!” My son shouted. “I want pizza, Mommie.”
Frowning, I said, “You told me you hated pizza, babe.”
“I changed my mind,” Mehki said with a nod. “Can we go, please?”
I glanced at Cooper, then back at my son. “Okay.” Mehki sprinted toward my car. “Be careful, baby.” Sighing, I turned to the man who had turned my world upside down in a matter of months. “You started this.”
He stepped closer to me. “I’ll finish it, too.”
Well, damn. My gaze dropped to his mouth. “How?”
A half-smirk, half-smile formed on his lips. “My treat.”
I released a slow breath; one I hadn’t realized I was holding. “You sure? We eat a lot.”
