Page 27 of Exposed

She senses I don’t want to talk about it and changes the subject. “You get any rest?”

“Sure as hell doesn’t feel like it. Sorry if we kept you up,” I apologize, but she waves me off.

“I don’t mind. Sleeping on a mattress is divine. I wish your little man could rest. He doesn’t know how good he has it, but he’ll get there.”

“He smiled at me,” I beam.

“He did? Aww,” she coos, and damn if she’s not the second cutest thing in the world.

“His smile is the cutest thing in the world,” I brag.

“I’m sure it was,” she smiles, then looks at Simon andruns her fingers on his arm. “Smile for me sometime, okay, little man?”

Her dark hair is up in a ponytail, and she has on her catering uniform. The scent of my laundry soap on her makes me feel possessive. I think she’s going to touch me, and my skin tingles in anticipation of her sweet touch. Instead, she gently tickles Simon’s toes and sniffs him.

“I love how babies smell,” she grins, oblivious that I want her hands on me.

I fight the urge to grab her wrist and pull her to me. I can’t do that with Simon strapped to my chest, but I want to really fucking badly.

Pepper reaches down to scratch Shani behind the ears and tell her good morning.

That’s it. Screw it. “You’re seriously going to toucheveryonein this house but me?” I ask.

“Feeling left out, golden boy?” Pepper laughs, then scratches my shoulder lightly with her fingernails.

I didn’t bother putting on a shirt when I got out of bed, and goosebumps break out where she touched my bare skin. I want her to scratch me again. Damn, I’m a desperate son of a gun when it comes to Pepper.

Abandoning my coffee cup, I go to the sink and fill up my gallon water jug for the day. Simon squirms in my arms at the sound of the water.

“He’s ready for the day,” Pepper nods her chin at Simon, and I turn to catch her smile as she looks at him. I’d like her to look at me with that world-brightening smile.

“I know, right? You’d never guess he hardly slept. A plate of bacon and eggs is in the microwave for you.” I give her a small grin.

“Are you serious right now?” She asks, her eyebrows knitted in concern.

“About making you breakfast? Yeah.” I shrug. “Had to cook for myself, so may as well make extra for you.” I don’t bother to tell her that I usually cookafterI work out. She told me she’s catering an event from this morning until later this afternoon, and I didn’t want her working on an empty stomach. I can heat mine up after I finish lifting.

Pepper looks down and wipes invisible lint from her shirt. “You don’t have to do that for me.”

“Do what?” I ask.

Take care of her? Because I’m wondering if anyone has taken care of her the way I could.

“I can take care of myself.” Her eyes find mine again, defiance shining bright in them.

“I never said you couldn’t. Letting someone else take care of you doesn’t mean you’re incapable of doing it on your own. But no one should have to do life on their own all the time,” I reason.

She averts her gaze, looking at the wall and biting her lip, before making eye contact again. “Thanks for breakfast. I’ll pay you back.”

“Not necessary,” I shake my head.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Why?”

“I don’t like feeling indebted to anyone,” she answers.

“You’re not indebted to me,” I assure her.

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