Page 23 of The Maxwell Brothers
Shucks. I couldn’t say no to her when she looked at me like that.
"The waffles win again," I said, dashing into the kitchen.
Tate looked at me triumphantly.
“Yay!” Paisley screeched. This girl was winning my heart.
There were no plates on the kitchen island, so I headed straight to the cabinet next to the stove, where I knew they were stored. Paisley dashed off to her bedroom, saying she wanted to get her coloring book.
"How did you sleep?" Tate asked me.
I hesitated while reaching for the plates and glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. His gaze was trained on me.
"I slept well, thank you."
"At least one of us did, then."
I turned to him. My breath caught. "You didn't?"
"Hell no. All I could think about was you lying one floor above me, wearing my shirt."
I grinned, whispering back, "How do you know I didn't sleep naked?"
Oh my God. My flirtiness was getting worse! Something about him made me impulsive, especially after the kiss.
A growl reverberated in his throat.
“I didn’t. I was joking.”
He straightened up, and so did I. We both glanced at the living room, but there was no sign of Paisley.
I was blushing. Tate looked from one cheek to the other, satisfaction clear on his features.
Well, well. He likes to make me blush, huh?
He was playing with fire, because I could be full of mischief when I wanted to.
And right now, I really,reallywanted to. But I reined myself in. I had to at least try.
"Don't burn the waffles, mister," I warned, pointing to the stove with a half smile.
He focused his attention on the pan while I took out the plates. When I turned around, I brushed against him. It was a tiny touch, my arm against his torso, but heat curled through me, tugging at my nerve endings.
Holy shit. What’s happening?Chemistry like this didn't exist in real life. I'd never felt it with anyone.
Paisley returned with her coloring book and sat in the chair at the kitchen island. I set the plates, and Tate immediately came with waffles, putting three on each plate. I brought the honey, maple syrup, Nutella, and fruit from the fridge, having learned quickly where everything was because I prepared snacks every day for Paisley.
As I cut an apple in two, intending to dice it, I felt Tate come up next to me. He stood a few inches away, but my body was already on hyperalert, feeling his nearness.
"Paisley, what do you want on your waffles?" I asked.
"Nutella and banana," she said cheerfully, and I was about to cut the banana on the waffle when she added, "No, not like that. Daddy, can you show her? He always makes the funniest shapes with waffles on the weekend."
"Paisley, I only do that when it's two of us," he said.
Paisley frowned. "But we like Lexi."
I sighed, hugging the little mouse, and my heart felt like it was about to burst when she hugged me right back. "I'm glad to hear that."
