Page 59 of A Sudden Romance

“I do too.” A familiar feminine voice sent adrenaline rushing through him.

Iris.

She knelt beside her niece and hugged her. “Is Uncle Sabastian spoiling you?”

Sabastian crouched beside them and handed the toddler the small plate. “I don’t mind spoiling you too.” He kept his gaze on Iris, and the way she looked at him had him feeling as giddy as a teen in love.

She kissed her niece’s gooey cheek. “Everything is so good, huh?”

“I made you lemon frosting.”

“I didn’t know.” She frowned at the table. “Did the others get to it before I got any?”

Violet had left her empty plate on the floor and gone skipping toward her parents, a trail of crumbs following her as she munched her cookie.

“You made someone so happy.” Iris smiled, watching her niece.

“And now”—he hooked his pinkie with hers—“it’s time to make someone else happy.”

She lifted her brow in a challenge. “Is that so?”

“Would you come with me to get more frosting?” He stood, taking her hand with him.

“Would love to. I haven’t seen you in like forever.”

“No kidding,” he muttered, knowing what she meant. They’d seen each other from a distance or around a group of people.

As they entered the kitchen, energy or excitement tingled through him. Making sure he had no distractions, he hoisted her onto the counter. “The last time we were both in the kitchen, you ended up slicing a finger.”

“I wonder who’s to blame for that.” She waggled her index finger, the cut barely visible. “I loved how you took care of me.”

I’d take care of you every day for the rest of my life—if you find me deserving of you.

Instead of saying it, he leaned in and kissed her forehead, an excuse to soak in her sweet scent. The chatter from the family room rose louder than the background music.

“Are you sure you just want me sitting here?”

“I want you to test something.” He swung open the fridge and pulled out a large Tupperware with regular buttercream frosting. It needed time to melt, but he didn’t have time. So, he brought out a pan and scooped half the container into the pot before putting it on the stove. He’d mix the melted frosting into the cold to even it out.

Iris’s eyes glowed a reflection of the glittering lights strung on the cupboards as she rubbed her hands together.

“Close your eyes.”

When she obeyed his instructions, he opened the marmalade lid and scooped a half spoonful. “This is not frosting, but...”

She pursed her lips, tempting and inviting.

“Ready?” He lifted the spoon toward her mouth.

Her lips parted. “Hmm,” she murmured the moment the spoon touched her lips. “I can taste the lemon.”

As her tongue swiped her full lips, he battled the temptation to kiss her with her eyes closed. “Keep your eyes closed.”

He was going to be a gentleman and stick to having her test the frosting. Or so he thought as he repeated the tasting process, lifting a spoon to her lips for her to try the second recipe with thin glaze lemon icing. “Not bad.” Her lips twitched, her smile further uncurling them. “Not bad at all.”

Anyone could walk in on them, and he had no idea how he’d explain his relationship with Iris while he was literally feeding her. Reaching for another spoon, he opened another container. “Ready?”

“My mouth is watering.” She parted her lips as she kicked her feet against the cabinet.

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