Page 24 of Of Course, Cutie
“Daddy! Don’t burn the bacon!” Tess yelled from the couch and broke the tension.
Burke set the waffle iron on the counter and turned back to the pan. “Thank you, sweetheart! I won’t!”
I cleared my throat and plugged in the waffle iron, and then I got to work mixing the batter. “Do you burn stuff a lot, Burke?”
He answered with a laugh. “I don’t believe in setting timers. It bothers Tess.”
We finished cooking, keeping the conversation light and only a little flirty, and then brought plates of food to the couch. Burke tried to sit next to Tess, but she yelled, “No! I want to sit by Charlie!”
Burke groaned and said, “You’re killing me, Tess!” But he scooted to the other end of the couch and let me take the middle seat.
“Who’s your favorite fairy, Charlie?” Tess leaned her head against my shoulder and picked up a piece of bacon.
“Uh, the purple one.”
Tess groaned. “You still think purple is better, don’t you? That was your favorite Pinkilicious book, too.”
“Look, kid, I don’t know what to tell you. Purple is awesome.”
Tess shook her head and took a bite of her bacon. “Ugh. Daddy! It’s burnt!”
Burke laughed out loud. “Is not!”
I picked up a piece off my plate and grinned at him. “I’m with Tess here, man. It’s burnt.”
Burke shrugged. “I like it that way. Don’t know what to tell you.”
Tess leaned over me and tossed her bacon onto Burke’s plate. “If you like it so much, then you eat it, daddy.”
After we finished eating, Tess grabbed one of the blankets off of Burke’s bed and spread it over the three of us. It smelled like Burke, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he slept naked under it sometimes. Then I started wondering what he would do to my body if I were naked under it with him. Damn, Charlie. His six-year-old daughter is lying on your lap. Reign. It. In.
Halfway through the first movie, Burke draped his long, muscular arm over the back of the couch. It wasn’t necessarily around me, but I took it as a good sign, and I may or may not have inched closer to him every time I adjusted my position. By the end of the first movie, our legs were touching.
“So, uh, how many Tinkerbell movies are there, Tess?” I asked as she started the next one.
“Seven.”
Burke laughed. “You don’t have to stay for all of them. We understand if you need to leave.”
I smiled. “I can stay. Unless you want me to leave.”
Burke’s smile melted away, and he gazed into my eyes. “No. No, I don’t want you to leave.”
Tess laughed and spread out, giving me an excuse to scoot even closer to Burke. “Why would we want you to leave? We like you, right, daddy?”
“Right, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, I like you, too.”
Burke’s arm brushed against the back of my neck. God, this was stupid. We had some serious sexual tension going on, and I wanted to fucking cuddle the man. I took a deep breath and leaned into him. He didn’t move away, so I made a bold-ass move and rested my head on his shoulder. Bam. His arm dropped around my shoulders.
We stayed like that for almost an entire movie. Then Tess wanted to take a break and do crafts. I made her some paper dolls to color, and Burke watched me with that strange look in his eyes. The day continued with movies, snacks, half cuddles, and one or two full cuddles from the sexiest man on the damn planet. Before I knew it, it was Tess’s bedtime.
Burke scooped her up in his arms, despite her protests, and carried her down the hall. “I’ll be right out, Charlie. Make yourself comfortable,” he called over his shoulder.
I was about to be alone with Burke. This was my chance to make a move. I texted Matteo to ask what I should do. He responded immediately. I was about to ask you what I should do! I’m on a date with Jonah, and I came into the bathroom to text you! I want to kiss him so bad, but I’m his first gay date, and he’s anxious about everything.
Aw, Mattie, that’s so sweet! I know you don’t want to hear this, but maybe take it slow. After I pressed send. I rolled my eyes and typed out another text. And I just answered my own question. I should take it slow, too. So, here’s to taking it slow.