Page 24 of Melting the Ice

He grimaced. “Are you ever going to stop calling me that?”

“Probably not.” I batted my eyelashes at him, and he shook his head at me.

“So, what do you think?” I gestured toward my illustration, trying to get a rise out of him.

He cupped the back of his neck, his shirt pulled against his broad chest, and I tamped down the heat in my belly. He was definitely the perfect inspiration for the man I’d drawn on my screen. Luckily, the hero in my client’s book looked a bit similar to Micah, though not as built as the man in front of me.

Dammit, he looked delectable.

“Uh. It’s, um, nice. Well drawn. Uh, what am I looking at?”

I snorted. “If I have to tell you, then I feel sorry for your lady friends.”

He narrowed his eyes at me again. “I know what it is, but what’s it for? Do you just like drawing racy pictures for fun?”

“Why not?” I shrugged.

“Is that my table?” he asked.

“It was handy. Actually, do me a favor. Can you go stand in front of the island. I just want to see how you line up?”

“What?”

I would not laugh at how the word came out of his mouth like a squawk.

“I’m messing with you. You’re so easy to tease, Micah.”

“And you’re annoying,” he muttered. “So, is this for an author or something?”

“You do listen to me.”

He rolled his eyes. “Of course I do. No matter how irritating you are.”

I put my hand on my chest. “Oh, be still my heart. Such a sweet talker.”

“If you’re done teasing me.”

I grinned. “Never going to happen. And yes, it’s for one of my authors. I did all her branding and illustrated avatars for her social media. These NSFW images are popular for newsletters and swag, so she asked if I would draw a few of her spicy scenes. It’s actually a lot of fun.”

“That’s, uh, great. Glad it’s working out and all,” he said, glancing at the image again, his cheeks darkening.

I tried not to think about spreading myself out on the kitchen table for Micah to feast on me. My nipples pebbled under my bra at the visual.

“I’m hungry,” he said, and my body heated. I hadn’t said my thoughts out loud, right?

But how would he react if I did?

I was playing with fire.

“For a sandwich. Yeah. I need to have a sandwich and then relax before tonight’s game. That’s great that you like drawing. Uh, do you want something to eat?”

His rambling was adorable.

“I’m good for now. I know you have your routine, so I’ll stay out of your way. Can’t wait for the game tonight.”

He moved into the kitchen and pulled out grilled chicken that I’d made the other night. “Can I have this?”

“Of course. I made extra for you.”

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