Page 92 of At the Edge of Surrender

Impossible.

“Hope you’re hungry.”

It was a grumble.

An offering.

Maci shifted around so she could send me a grin. “You better be, Auntie Em, because we’re makin’ dinner, and it’s gonna be deeeelicious.”

She rubbed her belly.

Kane chuckled. “Hopefully Maci here isn’t getting your hopes up too high, but fajitas are my specialty when I do cook.”

Frown carving into my forehead, I eased deeper into the room. “Don’t you need to go to work?”

“Nah,” he said, though there was something that darkened across his brow. “Figured I’d take a couple of days off until you two get settled.”

“You don’t need to do that.” I guessed I’d been set on the reprieve I’d thought I’d get while he’d be gone at night.

Sincerity bled into his hoarse, deep voice. “Yeah, Emery, I do. It’s important to me that you’re comfortable here.”

“I’m very comfortable,” Maci peeped, completely unaware of the tension that strained between us. “I got the softest bed I ever felt.”

Kane slanted me a searching glance before he hoisted Maci up from under the arms. “Off you go. I need to finish up at the stove.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I can’t be by the stove ’cause it’s really hot,” she grumbled like he was putting her out.

“Why don’t you go change back into your sundress so you don’t get your ballerina costume dirty?” I suggested.

“Good idea, Auntie Em!”

She came flying my way, hand held above her head for a high-five.

She jumped to reach mine, never slowing as she raced through the threshold, leaving me alone with Kane.

He’d shifted around, his back to me as he tossed the meat he’d sliced into strips into the skillet that sizzled on the stove.

Cautiously, I edged up to this side of the island, needing to keep a solid object between us. “Is there anything I can help with?”

He glanced back at me, and a longer piece of his hair flopped into his eye. It made him appear almost boyish, but there was no type of innocence that lived beyond the shadows of those eyes.

“Nothing other than grabbing what you want to drink.” He angledhis chin toward the refrigerator on the left wall. “Not sure what you like…unless you feel like drinking tequila tonight?”

He didn’t even try to hide the innuendo.

My stomach tumbled in a fit of greed, but I managed to scowl as I headed for the refrigerator. “You know that is not going to happen.”

I pulled the door open and searched through the ridiculous amount of drink choices he had inside, including a slew of typical children’s drinks.

How the hell had he managed all of this overnight?

Our rooms and the clothing in our closets, which mine had somehow been my exact same size, mind you, plus the refrigerator was stocked.

I reached in to grab the gallon of milk for Maci and pulled out a cherry-flavored seltzer for myself. I started to step back so I could close the door, only I froze when I realized he was right there.

Towering behind me.

His presence overpowering.

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