Page 73 of Perfect Together
Sammy giggled and bent back down to work.
Sam watched in silence, his admiration for Nicole growing. Her ability to relate to his goddaughter, her caring nature, her patience with a little girl, all showed him a depth he’d always known was there. How she managed to be this warm, giving woman in the face of all she’d lacked in life astounded him—and his heart opened to her a little more.
Uncomfortable with his thoughts, he cleared his throat. “Morning,” he said, making his presence known.
“Uncle Sam! Look at what we’re baking!”
Nicole looked up, met his gaze, and blushed. In her face, he saw the replay of last night in her head. He knew exactly what she was feeling. He couldn’t look at her and notwant.
“I see, Pumpkin,” he said, using his favorite nickname for his goddaughter.
“We’re not bakin’ pumpkins, silly! It’s gonna be cookies!”
Sam grinned and pulled up a stool, joining the party. “So what’s the occasion?”
“Daddy’s coming home today. So we’re baking.” Sammy still mixed the dough, but Sam noticed her movements slowing, her arm obviously getting tired. And the mixture still had massive lumps in it.
“Hey, I want a turn,” he said, nudging Sammy lightly with his arm.
She looked up at him through big brown eyes. “Mommy says we’re ’posed to share.” She pulled the spoon out of the bowl and handed it to Sam, trailing cookie dough over the counter.
He met Nicole’s amused gaze, not missing the warmth there, heat and tenderness, just for him.
Unsure what to do with all that emotion, he glanced away and took the spoon from Sammy. He began to stir, making the dough smooth and much easier for the little girl to finish the job.
“Look at that,” Nicole said, pointing at the cookie dough. “We’re almost ready to put them on the pans. My assistants did great jobs.”
“Yay!” Sammy clapped her hands together. “Can I have a taste before we turn ’em into cookies? And can I lick the bowl when we’re done?”
***
Nicole smiled atthe little girl, so charmed and in love with the child. She was so glad she’d woken up early and found her coloring a card for her dad’s return. This had been one of the best baking sessions she’d ever had. Coming on top of the hottest, most special night she’d ever shared with a man.
She shivered at the memory of Sam buried deep inside her.Happy Birthday, sweetheart.Goose bumps broke out over her skin as she replayed the low timbre of his voice in her head, as she’d been doing over and over again.
She’d awakened early, her body sore, her heart full, and forced herself out of bed, all the while reminding herself that by wishing her a happy birthday that way, he was just trying to make up for her pathetic life. Just because she felt so much more every time they were together didn’t mean he was becoming more emotionally involved. And, further, just because she didn’t want her heart to go getting any stupid ideas, she reminded herself that even if he was falling for her too, he’d made himself perfectly clear. No ties. No relationship. No future.
“Nicole, can I lick the bowl?” Sammy asked again, bringing her back to the present.
She forced herself to focus on the little girl. “Well, I don’t know. You might have to fight your partner there for bowl rights.” She caught Sam’s eye, unnerved by the warmth and approval she saw in his expression.
Sammy’s eyes grew wide. “But... but... it’s my cookies!” she said, panicking at the thought of losing her anticipated treat.
“Relax,” Sam assured her. “I could give up my rights for... how about a kiss?” he asked Sammy, but his gaze drifted to Nicole’s.
Before either of them could react, Sammy threw her arms around Sam and planted a big kiss on his cheek. The result of her impulse was to spread the dough that was still on her nose across his cheek.
Sammy jumped back to her seat, a satisfied look on her face. “Uh-oh,” she said.
“What’s wrong?” Nicole asked.
“I have to pee. Nobody touch my cookies!” Sammy yelled and ran out of the room.
Laughing, Nicole walked over to Sam and ran a hand down his cheek, scooping up the dough. His eyes darkened at her touch. And when she slid her finger into her mouth, taking a deliberately long time to suck and lick the sweet dough, his big body shuddered.
“Cut it out,” he said in a gruff voice.
Feeling playful, she pulled her finger out with a deliberate pop. She listened for Sammy’s voice or footsteps before leaning close and licking the rest of the dough off Sam’s cheek.