Page 53 of Tempt

If he’s willing to pretend it didn’t happen, maybe I should too.

I turn back to drain the noodles.

“You gonna put me to work or what?” His voice is at my shoulder.

“Sure. You can grate cheese.”

He goes to get out the parmesan and starts his task, setting up only a couple feet from where I’m standing at the stove.

“What’s that?” Daniel nods to the Band-Aid on my arm.

“Just some blood tests. Totally routine.”

Daniel produces a casserole dish from the cupboard and I start layering the noodles, sauce, and cheese.

My gaze falls to the marks on his arms.

I don’t realize I’m picking at my Band-Aid until Andy says, “Let Dad do it. He’s real good. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

“He’s right. I am good.” Daniel crosses to me before I can protest.

He lifts the edge with his finger, and I wince.

“Is it that bad?”

“I don’t like feeling like a baby,” I mumble.

He smiles. “I won’t tell anyone. Don’t look at it.” He lifts my chin with his other hand. “Look at me.”

I do.

I lose myself in his eyes.

The dream-slash-real kiss comes back full force.

His hands on my thighs.

His body hard against mine.

His mouth making me moan.

“There.” He leans toward the trash under the sink.

“It’s gone?”

“It’s gone.”

His grin fades, but he’s still holding my arm. His thumb strokes down the inside of my elbow.

Soft.

Light.

My breath catches.

“Is it dinnertime? I could eat all the lasagna myself!” Andy declares.

We eat together, Andy still gushing over his day and games and rabbits.

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