Page 64 of Off Limits

“I’m okay.” He shot me a small smile. “I had one at lunch. I’ve had my balance for the day. You’re rubbing off on me.”

My neck heated uncomfortably as an image of us frotting together popped into my head, followed by one of Asa laying on my bed and covered with my release.

Asa smirked, obviously guessing where my thoughts had gone.

Ruby made an impatient sound, pulling Asa’s attention from me. She pointed to her bowl. “Fix, please.”

Asa set to cutting her spaghetti up for her.

Still reeling a bit at Asa’s comment and how it had affected me, I piled spaghetti into my bowl. The kids dug into their food, but I waited until Asa had served himself and was sitting before picking up my fork.

I took my first bite, expecting the bland sauce and overcooked noodles that had been a dinnertime staple when I lived at home. Instead, a burst of flavor exploded on my tongue that was somehow sweet and savory with the perfect blend of spicy.

“Holy shit, I mean, shoot,” I corrected too late.

Chloe and Ruby dissolved into giggles as Tanner looked right at Asa. “Dex said shit,” he announced.

“He did.” Asa shot me a smirky smile that did things to my insides, then fixed a stern look on our brother. “But is that an excuse for you to say it?”

“No,” he grumbled. “Am I going to lose a star?”

“Not this time. But you only get one warning, deal?”

“Deal.” Tanner took a big bite of his garlic bread.

“Stars?” I asked.

“Asa gives us stars when he babysits,” Chloe said around a mouthful of food before swallowing. “Every time we break a rule, we lose a star. Every time we do something good, we get one.”

“Manners,” Asa reminded her. “We don’t talk with our mouths full.”

“Sorry.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, smearing sauce on her sleeve. “Oops.” She picked up her napkin and swiped it across her now clean lips. “I fixed it,” she stated proudly.

“Good job.” He smiled affectionately at her.

“What happens with the stars?” I asked. “Do they mean anything?”

“Whoever has the most at bedtime gets to pick the book he reads to us,” Chloe said.

“How many do you have now?”

“Three.”

“I have two,” Tanner cut in.

“One!” Ruby held up her pointer finger.

“Does Dex get a star for coming to help?” Chloe asked Asa.

“I think that deserves one.” He shot me a smile.

My stomach did a weird flip-flop as he held my gaze for a few beats. That smile was soft and full of affection and so unlike any he’d ever directed my way.

“This is really good,” I said, needing to break the silence that had fallen over us before I started giving him moon eyes or something equally ridiculous.

“Asa made it,” Tanner told me.

“He makes the best sauce. Soooo much better than Mommy’s,” Chloe added.

---