Page 90 of Gabriel & Skye

I’m grateful for a moment to have my back to her while I work over the stove; plating up the tomato and olive pasta. Just because I need a second to gather my thoughts.

I turn to her, carrying a bowl of pasta for her, and a small one for Trinity.

“Well, it’s a special place, and I wanted to share it with you.”

“Because of what happened with Gramps?”

“Not just that, but I find it’s a place where you can really relax when the world gets too much. Who doesn’t love star gazing?” I set Trin’s bowl down at her own little table she sometimes uses in the dining room. We don’t use the big table much, preferring the kitchen island. I help her into her chair while Daisy nods off to sleep.

“I know. But now I feel guilty that I haven’t even looked up at the stars for so long,” she says.

“That’s what I mean. Most people are so busy to think about the stars. It’s a little woo-woo, as Georgia would say.” I consider my next words as I walk back to her. “There’s another reason I took you there.”

She looks at me as Trinity declares she’s blowing on her food. “Good girl,” I call over to her. “Daddy just took it out of the pan.”

“What’s the other reason?” Skye’s watching me.

“Don’t you know by now?”

“I guess not.”

I smile softly. I may have shied away from opening up to women over the years, but for some reason, it seems a lot more easy and natural with her. She’s opening me up just by being herself. “Because I like you, Skye. And as Trinity established, you have pretty eyes.” I give her a playful wink as I pick up my bowl and walk around, taking a seat beside her.

Her smile says it all; she likes me too. More than a boss. The way I like her more than being the nanny. “That’s very sweet.”

“It’s also true.”

She takes a bite of the penne pasta with a little Parmesan sprinkled over the top.

“Gabe, this is delicious.”

A lot like you, sweetheart.

“Thank you. I got better at cooking over the years.”

“I like a man who can cook,” she whispers, taking another mouthful. “It’s very sexy.”

I glance at her, not being able to hide my smile. “Are you flirting with me?”

“You’re the one who said I had pretty eyes.”

“Touché,” I laugh. “But you do, so really, it’s just truth telling.”

“And you told your daughter I had pretty eyes before I started working for you.”

“Also another accurate observation.”

She takes a sip of wine and my eyes find her plump lips. “For the record, I think you have pretty eyes too. Even though it’s inappropriate to say it as you’re my boss.”

That causes another stir in my pants. Holy shit.

“I’m only the boss at work, not at home. When I leave the office, I try to switch off. I’m not as much of a tyrant as my sister probably made me out to be.”

“You’re definitely not a tyrant. Nope, I don’t see a hotshot CEO around here anywhere.”

I grin. “Gray’s always been the hotshot. He doesn’t even have to try. My home is where I’m most relaxed, or at least I try.”

“Maintaining that balance can’t be easy.”

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