Page 152 of Renewal After Dark

“Believe me, I noticed.”

“You want my list?”

“You have one?”

“I sure do. First and foremost, you’re sweet and kind and thoughtful. You’re a hard worker, and you’ve built a life for yourself that you love so much you won’t give it up for anything or anyone. You’re a good friend to everyone in your life. You’re an amazing artist, and you make cool things from nothing, including the most elaborate cross-stitch I’ve ever seen. You think of everyone else before you think of yourself, and you’re sexy as f-u-c-k, too.”

“All that, huh?”

“That’s just off the top of my head.”

Jax picked that moment to bang the two spoons McKenzie had given him on the tray like it was a drum.

“Someone’s not looking too sleepy.”

“Nope. Maybe some playtime will help.” She used wet paper towels to clean him up and retrieved him from the chair while Duke carried their dishes to the sink. “I’ll wash the dishes.”

“No worries. I’ve got it.”

“That’s not fair. You cooked.”

“Go play with your son. I’ve got this.”

“And he does the dishes…” She waved her hand in front of her face. “So sexy andsweet.”

His low growl made her laugh as she carried Jax to the living room and put him down to play with his toys for a bit. They rolled a ball back and forth until he got bored with that and turned his attention to a toy with lots of colorful buttons that made a variety of sounds. He loved that one, of course. The louder the better.

Duke joined them a few minutes later, bringing her a glass of water and his wineglass as he sat on the floor with them.

“Coffee and water. Such service.”

“You know it.”

He stretched out next to Jax and fiddled with the ball.

Jax crawled toward him, reaching for the ball, which Duke snagged before he could get it.

The baby laughed and lunged toward Duke, landing on him, which triggered a mini wrestling match that Jax thoroughly enjoyed.

Her heart was full to overflowing as she watched them play and laugh. How lucky were they to have such a good man in their lives? She’d been so heartbroken by the breakup with Eric, but she could now see that it’d been for the best. She never would’ve come to Gansett and found a whole new happy, satisfying life if he hadn’t betrayed her.

When Jax began rubbing his eyes, McKenzie changed his diaper and sat in the rocking chair in Duke’s living room with a light blanket over them to breastfeed him and rock him to sleep. “I can feel you watching me.”

“I love watching you in mom mode.”

“I love him so much. I never imagined I could love anyone the way I love him.”

“He’s a very lucky boy.”

She used her free hand to run her fingers through his soft blond hair. “We’re both lucky to have each other.”

“He must look like his father.”

“He does.”

“Does that bother you?”

“Not at all. He’s his own unique self.”

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