Page 30 of Burn for You (Slow Burn 1)
A word I never in a million years would’ve thought I’d use to describe Jackson Boudreaux.
For his part, Cody loved it. He hadn’t stopped singing, laughing, or screaming happily since he’d come into the room. He bubbled with energy. I could see why Charlie was so tired.
I said, “Well, since I’m here, would you like me to make something for lunch?”
Charlie looked like I’d just told her she’d won a million dollars. “Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” she said, her eyes begging me to contradict her.
I smiled and squeezed her shoulder. “Sure you could. Sit a spell and let me see what’s in that airplane hangar of a refrigerator.”
I stood. Jackson and I locked eyes, and something deep in my belly fluttered. Is he angry? What’s that look he’s giving me?
I froze, uncertain if I’d just crossed a line. “I mean . . . unless you’d rather I didn’t.”
Jackson carefully set Cody on his feet. As soon as his little shoes touched the ground, he launched himself at me, arms held out, fingers grasping.
“Lady!” he shouted. “Hi, lady!”
He slammed into my leg, hooked his chubby arms around it, tilted his head back, and smiled up at me. I smiled back at him.
“Hi, Cody. I’m Bianca.” I reached down and ruffled his hair, fine as chick fluff.
Cody shouted, “Jingle bells!?
?? and laughed.
Jackson said quietly, “Yes, Miss Hardwick. I think we would all like that very much.”
I realized he’d just let Cody decide whether or not I should stay and make them lunch. Whoever this boy was to him, Jackson obviously loved him.
Why that affected me I don’t know, but it did, deeply. I looked up at Jackson and said impulsively, “Please, call me Bianca.”
His lips twitched. His eyes burned. He sent me a small, curt nod. I turned away before he could see how my face flamed with heat.
Then I set about making lunch, trying all the while not to recall the way his eyes had looked when he’d said If you were mine.
BIANCA’S OLD CUBAN
Makes 1 serving
2 ounces prosecco
1½ ounces bourbon
1 ounce simple syrup
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
fresh mint leaves to garnish
Preparation
Combine all ingredients except prosecco in a shaker and fill with ice.
Shake vigorously to chill.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
