"Knock, knock," I said in a cheery voice, tapping against the doorframe.
To my surprise, there was someone else inside the kitchen too. A woman. She had dark brown hair styled in loose curls and deep green eyes, like Paisley’s. She was wearing a beach dress with a pattern of yellow daisies and a pendant with an infinity knot hanging on a black thread. I loved her style.
“Good morning,” she said. “I’m Reese, Paisley’s aunt and Tate’s favorite cousin.”
“Hi! Nice to meet you.”
I shook her hand briefly before glancing at Tate behind her. The second we made eye contact, the heat in my body magnified. Sweet Lord, I’d thought I could forget our kiss? Well, I was completely wrong. I was on edge just because we were in the same room.
The sound of a phone vibrating filled the air. Reese groaned.
“Sorry. I’ll step in the other room to answer this.”
Tate looked after her with a troubled expression as she left the kitchen.
"When did you two get up?" I asked.
"An hour ago," said Paisley.
"She always wakes up early." Tate's tone indicated that he'd like to sleep in on the weekends, but here he was making breakfast for his daughter. It was adorable.
"I'm making waffles," he said. I couldn't help but laugh again.
He shrugged. "Saturday's waffle day, but sometimes Paisley convinces me to also make them during the week. We have more time on weekends, so that's why I prefer to do elaborate breakfasts either Saturday or Sunday."
I realized what seemed different about him today. He was more relaxed because he didn't have to go to work.
"Look, I don't want to disturb you two. Thanks for letting me sleep here. I texted someone from my building, and the elevator is working, so..."
"You're not disturbing us, Lexi," Tate said. "We'd love to have you, but I understand if you'd prefer to leave."
He looked straight at me. His gaze was hard and intense with a silent question.
I licked my lower lip, drawing in a sharp breath when I realized he'd dropped his glance to my mouth. I did want waffles, and to spend time with Tate and Paisley, even though I knew it wasn’t smart to linger outside my work hours. But I couldn’t help myself.
“Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase,” Paisley said.
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, really wanted 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."
Tearing herself from my arms, she looked at Tate. "We like her, don't we, Daddy?"
He looked at me, a corner of his mouth lifting. "Yes. We like her very much."
I licked my lower lip, pointing to the waffle, hoping to distract him from my blush. "Okay. Show me what you can do."
Amusement danced in his eyes.
“What’s your favorite place in Chicago?” he asked.
“The Millennium Ferris Wheel. And believe it or not, I’ve never been on it. You want to draw that?”
“Nah. My skills aren’t that good.”
He took the plate in front of him, along with the banana, the bowl of grapes, Nutella, and whipped cream. Seriously, this man was every woman’s dream.
Well... my dream at least.
He moved his hands quickly, and I couldn't exactly tell what he was doing, but when he shoved the plate back to Paisley, I realized he'd made a smiley face. It was quite good. He'd smeared the Nutella on the waffle and used the grapes as eyes and slices of banana as a mouth. He'd made a halo of hair around them with whipped cream. I couldn't help but laugh, looking up at him.
He pointed at me. "Don't laugh."
"It's an appreciative laugh," I said. I was melting because this serious, take-charge guy could be a total goof around his daughter.
And he’s an excellent kisser, a voice said at the back of my head. I had a hunch that the more I tried to forget that, the more clearly I’d remember it.
"Do I get to have a special waffle?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.
"Yeah, Daddy. Make one for Lexi," Paisley said, clapping her hands, looking between us.
Tate sobered up, and my heart leaped in my throat, wondering if I'd overstepped in some way. Paisley also went a bit still, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. "That's Daddy's serious face," she said in a whisper.
"I know," I whispered back.
"But he doesn't mean it."