Page 10 of Other Side Of Never
Something in me wanted to preen.
But when I set it down in front of them, my heart jumped to my throat as my hands curled into my sides.
I’d never had good instincts when it came to kids.
They probably didn’t even like this kind of chocolate.
I mean, objectively, I could see it was pretty.But when you’re a kid, what does pretty matter?
I pressed my lips together, my brow furrowing.Suddenly, I wanted to snatch the plates back and get them a slice of apple pie, something I knew they liked.
What if he didn’t want Isaiah to have so much sugar?What if it made his stomach sick?
I bit my lip.“I hope you like it,” I rushed on, “if you don’t, no worries, I’ll get you plain vanilla ice cream.Or apple pie.Or both.I can get you both.”
“Don’t you dare,” Kian ordered, his deep voice firm.
My wide-eyed gaze snapped to his.
He held my eyes unflinchingly, a look of reproach in his.“Don’t second guess yourself.”
I blinked in surprise, my palm slamming down over my womb.
Where the fuck did that tone come from?
And what did I have to do to hear it again?
His eyes hooded and dropped to my hand before returning to my gob-smacked face.
“Can I have more after this?”Isaiah interrupted what was sure to have been a stellar mental orgasm.
Kian turned his attention to his son and smiled.“How about you finish what you’ve got, first.”
Ignoring the ice cream, Kian picked up one of my chocolates.
I watched with bated breath as he lifted it, and his pretty lips parted.
A sudden flash of jealousy flared to life that any other woman had had the privilege of touching him or kissing him.
Including Wren.
Rocked by surprise for the second time that night, I shook the thought away.After everything I’d gone through with Gary, single dads were out of the question.
It was simply a matter of empathy.I understood what it was to be isolated and alone.
Kian deserved a friend.I knew what it was like to have none.
That friend was going to be me.And that was all I could offer him.
His straight, white teeth met the creamy milk chocolate and snapped the crisp, shiny shell.Closing his eyes, he hummed as he chewed.
Voice low, eyelids heavy, he rumbled, “So good, Bridge.”
I swear my knees wobbled.
4
Set Apart
