Page 29 of Stolen Kisses

“Wow, I’m not sure how you managed to fit all of this in that basket.”

“You’d be amazed at what I can fit in my basket.” Theo lets out a deep laugh and I stop pulling out items to look at him. It’s then I realize how my words sounded. Flustered, I try to correct my statement, but have trouble getting the words out past my giggles. “I mean … that with careful packing, I can fit a lot of supplies in this particular basket.” I push my bangs out of my eyes. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem. It probably doesn’t help that I’ve got a perpetually dirty mind.” He winks at me, causing my belly to do a complete three-sixty. I wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end of his dirty mind. “And yeah, Kenny and I are finding our way. We’ve certainly had our moments, like the first day when she disappeared to your place and I couldn’t find her.” He huffs out a breath. “I was so goddamn scared that I’d already stuffed up and I hadn’t even had her for twenty-four hours.”

I rest my hand on his arm, tingles assaulting my palm. “So long as the two of you are working it out. That’s the main thing. Not saying I’m an expert or anything like that,’causeyou know I’m not, but if you need any help, I’mrightnext door.”

His shoulders drop as he acknowledges my offer with a brief smile and atipof his head. “I might take you up on that because I have no idea what thehellI’m doing with a four-year-old. Why my sister named me guardian in her will, I’ll never understand.” His eyes seek out Kenny and his lips tip up at the corners. “In saying that, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with my niece. I sometimes catch myself thinking of her as my daughter. We’ve only been together three weeks and I’ve already missed having her around while she’s at school.”

Oh, how sweet.“She’s an adorable little girl; she would definitely burrow her way into anyone’s heart easily.” I think both of them could easily burrow their way into anyone’s heart if I’m completely honest.

Theo pulls a Frisbee out of hisbackpackand tilts it this way and that with raised brows. “What do you think? Youwannaplay?”

Oh geez, I haven’t played in ages, but I remember it always being so much fun. “Yeah, let’s give it a shot. It’s been a while for me, so I’ll probably be rusty.”

Theo wriggles his eyebrows up and down. “A while, hey?” He gives me a crooked smile. “I’m happy to refresh your memory.” He wriggles his eyebrows some more, ensuring his innuendo hits home, making me giggle.

“Okay, Romeo, let’s keep the conversation on track.” I blow him a playful kiss, then turn to gather the kids for a game.When did we start heading down this track of flirting?

Theo gives us all tips on how to throw a Frisbee and then patiently works with each of the kids in turn until they’re able to give it a good shot. I remind Austin to be careful of his wrist even though it’s not his dominant hand that got injured. Plenty of giggles and silly times ensue and it’s great to see the kids really having fun.

“Watch me, Uncle Theo!” Kenny puffs out her chest, ready to show off her newfound skills. With a fling of her arm, she releases the disc decorated to look like Captain America’s shield, launching it toward the boys. I’m impressed by her throw and that she managed to actually release the disc in the right direction.

“Hmmph!” Austin drops to the ground, holding his stomach. I race over to my boy, dropping to my knees a split second after Theo.

“Are you okay, Buddy?” I ask him as I brush his hair away from his eyes to find a smile on his face as he ‘fake’ rolls around, groaning. “You little rat! You’re okay.”

“Of course, I’m okay. It didn’t hit methathard. I just thought it would be funny.” He giggles and jumps to his feet.

Kenny gives him a playful whack on the arm. “Youmeanie. I got sad’causeI thought Ihurtedyou.” Her bottom lip drops and she crosses her arms in a pout.

Austin wraps his arms around her, squeezing her tight. “I’m sorry, Kenny. I was joking around. I didn’t mean it.”

Kenny squeezes him back. “That’salwight. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Alright, everyone. Time for lunch.” We head over to our picnic blanket and get down to the important business of eating lunch. Theo watches me closely as I unpack everything from their containers and set Lachlan’s plate to his particular requirements to maximize the chance of him eating.

“Thanks for the yummy sandwiches, Emma,” Kenny mumbles around a mouthful of food.

She’s got great manners, which is not as common as it should be. “You’re welcome. I’m so happy you could join us on our picnic today.”

We enjoy our lunch and before long, most of the food has been consumed. “Lachlan, you must have been hungry. You finished everything on your plate.” I’m pleased with how much he ate. Oftentimes, when we’re in a different situation from the norm,he won’t eat his food, even though I prepare it inexactlythe sameway as I do when we’re at home.

“I was really hungry.” He rubs his tummy, looking at the remaining chocolate cupcakes.

“Let’s go play some more.” Austin pulls Kenny by the hand while Lachlan dutifully follows them, looking very forlorn at leaving the cupcakes behind.

Theo and I pack everything away, occasionally brushing hands or bumping arms. Tingles erupt at every point of contact, which is getting harder and harder to ignore the more time I spend in his company. Watching him with the kids is such a turn-on. For someone who hadn’t had anything to do with children until recently, he’s amazing with them. The boys have had so much fun this afternoon. Even though they see my dad and Max every Sunday, they are still starved for that male attention. To be completely honest, I’m enjoying his attention myself.

–theo–

Watching Emma with the kids is sexy as fuck! Her laughter as we were playing with the Frisbee was proof of her sheer enjoyment of the simple activity. I don’t know too many women who would be so uninhibited in their joy. The bonus, of course, was being able to watch her body move and shift. Her curves make my mouth water and my jeans tight. Visions of her chocolate hair spread across my pillow invade my mind, making the situation in my pants even worse.

I’ve decided I’m going to make her mine.

Our hands brush against each other as we pack away the picnic. Her gorgeous bright green orbs searching out mine at the touch. My skin tingles and my heart races at thesimplecontact. I need more, so I take any opportunity I can to brush against her, touching her handas well asher arm here and there. I take it as a positive sign when she doesn’t seem to pull away or make moves to ensure wedon’ttouch. I don’t want the afternoon to end as she rounds up the kids for us towalkhome.

“Thanks for joining us, I had a great afternoon. I need to get this lot sorted—” she gestures to the basket I’m carrying for her “—and settle the boys in front of a movie for the rest of the afternoon. I’m a little behind with my reports and prep for the week.”

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