Page 31 of The Foul Out

Head tilted, I assessed him. Day-old scruff on his strong jaw, lips turned up in a smile, and brown eyes sparkling like he’d just won a prize. “What did you do?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “Piper and I went through our schedule for the day to make sure she was secure and understood it.”

The acid was back and rising in my throat. “What do you mean ‘our’?”

“I’m hanging out at Little Fingers today so I can help with the transition.” He glanced at the remaining cup in the holder. “This one mine?”

Cam nodded.

“You’re staying at the day care?” I straightened, crossing my arms. “Because if you say that to her, then you’re committed.” The meltdown she’d have if he didn’t would be epic.

“Of course I’m staying,” Kyle scoffed.

“Why?”

He shot an annoying grin my way. “Kid rearing is just one of my many skills.”

Cam, who’d been taking a sip of his coffee, sputtered and choked. Coughing, he pounded a fist against his chest.

With a roll of his eyes, Kyle pulled the lid off the only cup without a sleeve and tossed it onto the counter. That wicked grin was back in an instant. “You drink your coffee black?”

How did he know that? Oh. That’s right. Cam had given two options. “You like dessert coffee, I take it?”

He shuffled across the kitchen and stopped in front of me. “Black coffee is the worst. Don’t knock this until you try it, Crabby. A little sugar might actually make you smile.”

Lips pressed together, I shook my head.

“I dare you to try it. I bet you can’t take a sip and not smile.” He held the cup up and cocked a light brow.

Huffing, I took another sip of my plain black coffee, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at him over the top.

“What’s the matter?” he teased. “Scared I’m right?” His eyes sparkled with the challenge.

“For Pete’s sake.” I yanked the cup from his hand and took a sip. The sweetness of marshmallow hit first, then creamy chocolate, followed by the familiar yum of coffee. Jeez, this really was dessert in a cup. And I’d love another sip.

“See? Good, isn’t it?” Kyle took another step, boxing me in between his body and the counter.

He was so close I could feel the heat radiate off his massive chest. The sensation was almost foreign to me, since it had been over a year since I’d been this close to anyone but my kids.

“It’s okay,” I forced out. My mouth had gone dry, and without thinking, I took a second sip. We avoided sugar in this house, along with gluten, dairy, and red dye. It was better for Piper. But damn, this drink was really good.

Kyle’s smile grew as he watched me take that second sip. “Don’t lie to me. You love the dessert coffee.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t respond.

He lifted a hand, but instead of taking his coffee cup from me, he brushed the rough pad of his thumb across the bow of my lip.

Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t control the goose bumps that broke out across my entire body.

“You’ve got a little whipped cream right there,” he mumbled as he pulled his hand away. For a moment, his thumb hovered between us, that dab of whipped cream a tease. His eyes were locked on me as he slowly moved it to his own mouth.

My heart pounded at the sight of his tongue peeking out between his lips, and when he licked the cream off his finger, mybreath caught. How was it possible that I could feel his tongue on my skin, despite the distance between us?

“Delicious.” The words were barely a whisper, but they sent a shiver down my spine, nonetheless.

He watched me for a moment, his eyes flashing with heat, before he blinked and spun away.

As he strode across the room, he cleared his throat. “See, Cam? Everyone loves a good morning dessert in a cup.”

---