Page 41 of Island Protector

She snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth. “First what?”

“Valentine’s date.” Something about her getting flustered made him want to do more of it. He enjoyed the pink in her cheeks and he would seize every opportunity to soothe her nerves or boost her confidence. She didn’t seem to have any true concept ofher appeal.

“You can’t be serious.” Her gaze drifted to Bryce, who continued to play with the tool set.

“I am. Why can’t you believe it?”

“Come on, Miles. You must pass by a mirror at some point in your day.”

He chuckled. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you about my childhood.”

“I’d like to hear that story.”

“Would you like to hear it on Valentine’s Day?”

“Yes.” She reached out and touched his arm before he could react. “But Sharon has plans and this isn’t the time to find a new sitter.”

She was right to be concerned with the custody issue looming. Miles rocked back on his heels. “Sharon has a date.”

“Don’t make it weird.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve been working on not thinking too hard about my aunt leaving for a weekend date.”

“A weekend?” A surge of protectiveness rolled through Miles. “Hang on. You don’t know who she’s going out with? Or where she’ll be?”

“You’re making it weird,” she warned. “Sharon’s a capable woman. Beautiful. Experienced.” Molly cringed just a little. “And she can take care of herself. If it turns more serious, she’ll bring him around for me to meet him.”

Miles couldn’t argue with any of that. So he got back to the point. “You’re not just using her as an excuse to let me down easy?”

She licked her lips. “I think you know better.” Her gaze caught his. “I’d love to go out with you. We just need to pick a different day.”

But the idea of a romantic dinner on the special day had taken root in his mind. He didn’t want to wait another year for his first Valentine’s date—one he planned to share with Molly. “How about we take Bryce along?”

“Oh.” She tilted her head. “I was about to suggest you have dinner at our place. I could make pizza or?—”

That was absolutelynotwhat he had in mind. He wanted to treatherto something fun and special. Something she could just relax and enjoy. “How about we save that for another time? Because it sounds amazing.”

“Does it”

“Homemade pizza? Are you kidding? Divine.”

“Okay—”

“Just not this time,” he insisted. “Let me take care of the plans. Just say you’ll come along.”

Her brow puckered over her pert nose. “Miles.”

“Trust me, it’ll be great.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Should I pick you two up at the house or do you want to meet me here?”

“You’re going to make this a sailing date aren’t you?”

“Would that make you happy?”

“I don’t think so.”

He admired her honesty. “Thought you might say that.” He grinned when she did. “Can you trust me to make it fun for all of us?”

“You really do care.”

So. Damn. Much. But all he said was, “Yes.”

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