Page 54 of The Double Play

I shift on my feet. I should at least dosomethingto help. It sounded like he had a rough morning with June. The more I help, the faster we can both rest.

I walk over to the fridge to get the ingredients.

“What are you doing?” Emmett asks while turning on the stovetop.

“Helping,” I say as I look in the fridge.

It’s well organized, with a small drawer labeledcheese. I open it.

“I said I’m cooking for you. You’re supposed to relax.”

I turn toward him. He scowls and crosses his arms. I give him my most innocent smile.

“All I was going to do is grab the cheese. Is that okay?”

“No. That defeats the purpose of me cooking.”

He stalks over to me. I gasp as his large hands circle my waist. “Emmett, what are you doing?” I squeak. I can barely get the words out on account of himpicking me up. With ease, he carries me over to the kitchen island and sets me on the countertop. His dark eyes meet mine. Our faces are mere inches apart. His hands are heavy on my hips, like twin anchors settling me after the storm of today.

“No more helping. You’re not allowed to move from this spot,” he says in a low voice that sends tendrils of warmth down my spine.

“Or what?” I tease. There’s something about how utterly safe I feel with him that allows me to let go more than I ever have. It’s an altogether addicting feeling that I shouldn’t get used to, and yet I can’t deny myself with each opportunity that comes to embrace it.

His eyes lower to my mouth, lingeringone…two…threebeats. Then they slowly rise to consume me with the heat blazing in them. My eyes drop to his mouth in return, tracing the smirk playing on his lips with my gaze.

“Or else I’ll tell June you want the next fairy princess makeover,” he says, then moves away, taking his warmth with him.

Insufferable man!He plays baseball. Surely he knows a signal when he sees one. I didn’t know what any of them meant at the games, but I saw them nonetheless. I feel like I’m behind home plate with a posterboard over my head that readskiss me!And instead of running over, he walks away.

I try not to let my dejection show. He’s doing the right thing, as much as it feels like we’re resisting gravity by staying apart right now. There’s a part of me that’s scared that it’s easy for him to pull back because maybe he doesn’t feel the tug as much as I do. But he wouldn’t do all of this if he didn’t have feelings for me…I hope.

Even though I want to grab the collar of his shirt and drag him to me, I have to be responsible and consider the fact that Raven is just in the other room. He should be careful too, what with having June to think about. So I have to exercise a little self-control? No big deal. It’s not like I’m known to impulse buy little trinkets at the checkout counter or anything like that. I have iron willpower–no, stronger than that,bronze. Is bronze stronger than iron? Doesn’t matter. I’munbreakable.

Emmett reaches for a plate and his muscles bunch beneath his shirt. I tip my head back and resist the urge to groan.I’m weak. So very,veryweak.

“Hazel?” Emmett’s voice has me snapping my head back down.

“Hm?”

“Are you okay?” he asks, giving me a half-amused, half-concerned look.

“Yeah–yep! I was just admiring the uhh–” I glance up. “Crown molding! It’s beautiful, very intricate and fit for a castle.”

“Mhmm.” His expression is all too knowing.

I duck my head as my face heats. A plate with a golden grilled cheese sandwich appears in my vision. I take the plate and reluctantly lift my head. “Thank you.”

His smile is faint but genuine as he regards me. “Do you think Raven will want one?”

“She might. I’m not sure how much she ate today.” Guilt creeps in as I realize I should have asked her. I was so distracted by my own feelings that I let that slip. “I’ll go check on her and June.”

“Hey.” Emmett’s hands land on my knees. Butterflies take flight within my abdomen at his touch. “I said no leaving. You stay here and eat your sandwich. I’ll go check on them.”

He lifts up my sandwich. His expression is protective, but warm.

“But–” The corner of the sandwich fills my mouth.

“Eat. You’re allowed to take a break.”

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