Page 28 of An Unexpected Match

Arden smiled at her aunts and tried to hide her nervousness. What if Brendan wanted the place cleaned up as they worked rather than when they were through? Or criticized the children making such a mess? They were not proficient, but the happiness shining from their eyes was the real reason for baking.

She hoped he wouldn’t put a damper on things. She wanted the day to be special for Hailey and Avery as well as for her aunts.

Her worries proved unfounded. When Brendan joined them a few minutes later, he seemed to fit right in, or as much as a six-foot, four-inch male could who knew no more about baking than his daughters did. Charming in his greeting to her aunts, he asked them questions that soon had them chatting away with ease.

He admired Hailey’s stirring and watched in silence as Avery helped Aunt Love take the brownies from the hot oven.

“She won’t let Avery get burned,” Arden murmured, coming to stand near him. She didn’t want him to worry.

He glanced at her, his eyes dancing in amusement.

“Are you here to reassure me? I think I can tell what care your aunt takes. She’s great with the girls. They both are. Your aunt Eugenia is the one with arthritis, isn’t she?”

“Yes, but she tries not to let it slow her down.”

“When do we get to eat the brownies?”

“After they cool down. Are you going to try your hand at cutting out some cookies?”

He nodded. “Going to show me how?”

“Can’t you remember back that far?” Arden teased.

He shrugged. “My mother rarely baked. We usually had store-bought desserts. I don’t ever remember baking cookies at home.”

“Then follow me, sir, and I’ll show you all I know.”

“Now that sounds tantalizing,” he said, low enough for her ears alone.

Arden felt that flutter in her heart, the dancing of sensation cross her skin as he stepped closer and leaned against her shoulder as she pressed the cookie cutter into the dough already rolled flat.

“You’re crowding me,” she said.

“Hmm?”

She turned and almost bumped into him. His face was mere inches from hers. She could clearly see the faint lines radiating from his eyes. The gray in his gaze was warmer than she’d ever seen. His breath brushed across her cheeks. A few scant millimeters closer and her lips would touch his.

Time seemed to stand still. She felt the blood racing through her veins, felt the now-familiar warmth invading every cell. The room faded and for a long instant there were only the two of them, in a world of their own.

The memory of their goodbye kiss a week ago rose, bringing all the sensuous awareness it had evoked.

What would happen if she lifted her head slightly and let her mouth meet his? His lips would be warm and firm. Would he sweep her into his arms, molding her body to his, and ignite the flame of passion?

She almost gave in to the craving of her body to touch this man, to taste him, feel his strength and give in to the desire that grew by leaps and bounds.

Gazing into his eyes, she was mesmerized by their change to silver as the answering flare of desire rose.

“Arden.”

It took her a second to recognize her aunt’s authoritative voice.

Blinking, she turned to look at Eugenia. “Yes?”

Her aunt gestured toward Avery.

“The child is waiting for you to put the cookies on the cookie sheet.”

Embarrassed heat washed through her as she realized everyone in the kitchen was staring at her and Brendan.

---