Page 85 of Her Summer Hope

Kyle watched the exchange, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What about me? Don't I get any cookies?"

Madison turned to him, a playful yet slightly seductive grin on her face that made his gut clench. She had no idea what she did to him.

She reached into a cupboard and pulled out another bag. "I made a special batch just for you," she said, handing them over. “I paid for them out of your grocery budget anyway,” she chuckled.

Kyle's heart skipped a beat as she got close, but before he could respond, Aiden, Wyatt, and John burst into the kitchen.

Wyatt sniffed the air. "Do I smell cookies?"

"Of course, you do," Kyle retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why are you always around when there's food?"

Madison grinned. She handed Wyatt a cookie, then turned back to Kyle. "You better hide those, or they'll be gone in seconds."

As Madison turned her attention back to the stove, where the pot of fragrant beef bourguignon simmered, Kyle couldn’t help but notice the occasional wince as she moved.

That fall must've hurt more than she let on.

Wyatt, munching on a cookie, nudged Kyle. "So, Aiden and I are heading out to Paddy's after supper. You in?"

Kyle shook his head. "I think I'll pass. But keep an eye on Aiden, will you? Don't want him getting into trouble."

Wyatt rolled his eyes. "Man, you sound like his dad."

John, who had just walked in, groaned at Kyle’s next words. "John, I'm assigning you as Wyatt's chaperone tonight."

"What? Why me?" John complained. "That's Murdock's job."

Kyle glanced at Madison, still carefully stirring the pot and checking on the rolls she’d put in the oven. "Murdock's out with Jace and probably won't be back in time. They went for a hike."

John sighed dramatically. "Fine, but I'm not playing babysitter if Wyatt decides to climb on the bar and sing again."

Madison glanced over her shoulder, a playful smile on her lips. "That, I would pay to see."

“It was one time,” Wyatt complained.

John turned to leave, following Evans and a reluctant-looking Aiden. The kid didn’t have to go if he didn’t want to, but Kyle thought it might do him some good to get out. The grocery store had broken the ice on his isolation a little.

“Conner,” he called. “Don’t let asshat out there drag Aiden into anything,” he warned.

“Roger that, Top,” John replied seriously.

“I heard that!” Wyatt called from the other side of the closed door and John groaned wearily.

Madison continued to work in the kitchen, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables for a salad the only noise.

Kyle leaned casually against the counter, watching her intently.

The aroma of baking rolls filled the air, mingling with her unique scent — something sweet and warm that made Kyle's senses tingle.

He broke the silence, his voice low and earnest. "Won't you tell me what's bothering you, Maddy? You have to tell someone. Let me help you."

Madison paused, her knife hovering over the cutting board. She bit her lip, shaking her head slightly. "I've got it under control, really," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kyle exhaled heavily, his gaze never leaving her as he leaned on the counter to look up into her face. "I've got broad shoulders, you know. Good for carrying problems."

Her eyes flickered to his shoulders and chest, lingering just a moment too long. A flash of heat sparked in her eyes, and she quickly turned away, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

Kyle felt a surge of arousal at her perusal, the tension between them becoming almost palpable. He gritted his teeth, a part of him wishing desperately that circumstances were different, that she was single and available.

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