Page 28 of Temporary Wife Temptation

But all thoughts fled when a glowing smile lit Natalie’s face, and a thread of inevitability tugged him toward her. She leaned in and kissed the baby, and he wrapped his free arm around her waist. When her startled eyes met his, Garrett slowly lowered his head to kiss her, and she rose onto her tiptoes to meet him halfway.

Before their lips could meet, the elevator buzzer rang to announce the arrival of their guest. With a gasp, Natalie took a step back then another, and he stalked her, step by step, until he caught himself. He ran his fingers through his hair as the clacking of his wife’s shoes rang down the hallway. After a deep breath, he joined her to welcome their guest.

“Norma, I’m so happy you could make it,” Natalie said, her nervousness so subtle that he could barely detect it.

“I’m Garrett Song. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He shifted Sophie into his other arm, and extended his hand with a broad smile. “My wife has told me so much about you and how hard you’re working on behalf of Sophie.”

“Oh, well...” The social worker’s round, ruddy face turned blotchy with a fierce blush. “It is all about the little ones. I just do the best I can for them.”

“Of course, and I thank you for it.” He nuzzled the little girl’s soft cheeks and enlisted her charms. “Sophie, say hi to Ms. Rice.”

“Puuuu,” she said, not skimping on the spittle. Natalie’s eyes widened in alarm when Norma harrumphed and proceeded to dry her face with a lacy handkerchief.

“Well, then.” He cleared his throat. “Would you like a glass of wine, Norma?”

He led them into the dining room and settled Sophie in her high chair. Then he poured two generous glasses, offering one to the social worker and the other to his wife. Natalie gazed longingly at the crisp, chilled chardonnay, but she hesitated. He sighed and thrust the glass into her hand.

“I’m the designated parent tonight, so no wine for me,” he said. “Sophie’s a good sleeper but she’s teething right now, so she might wake up at night.”

Norma nodded enthusiastically, making some of her wine slosh over the rim of her glass. Garrett caught Natalie’s eye and winked, and his wife mouthed, thank you. As she breathed in the crisp, chilled chardonnay and smiled, warming the entire room with her light, he stared at her, slack jawed.

Hell.

“I’ll bring out the salad,” he said in a rush.

When the kitchen door swung shut, Garrett ran cold water in the sink and splashed some on his face. His body hadn’t stopped burning since the gala. Every time he reined in his desire, her scent would waft past him or her smile would capture his attention, and he had to start all over. He breathed deeply through his nose until he had his body under control. Natalie had been amazing at the gala even though he’d abandoned her like a jerk. The least he could do was win over the social worker.

He served the first course, with cubes of tofu for the baby, and refilled the wineglasses. There was a lull in the conversation as the adults watched Sophie smash some tofu in her fists before transferring it to her mouth. She beamed proudly even though most of it ended up on her face.

“When did she start finger foods?” asked Norma.

“A few weeks ago,” Natalie said, cleaning Sophie’s face and hands with a baby wipe.

“She certainly is an enthusiastic eater.” The social worker smiled fondly at the baby. Garrett caught Natalie’s eyes and laughed at the understatement, while Sophie stuffed more tofu into her mouth.

Once the adults were finished with their salad, he cleared off the plates, waving aside Natalie’s offer to help.

“I just need to toss together the pasta with the sauce. Keep Norma company.” He dropped a kiss on the top of Natalie’s head and heard Norma sigh from across the table. “Honey, is Sophie having her star pasta tonight?”

“Mmm-hmm.” She hid her smile on the rim of her wineglass.

“We still have your homemade marinara sauce for the baby in the freezer, right?”

Natalie choked on the chardonnay but pulled herself together. “Right.”

“I still rely on Natalie for most of the parenting duties,” he said with a rueful look aimed at Norma. “I’m completely dumbfounded and humbled by what an amazing mom she is.”

Garrett was laying on the loving husband act a bit thick, but Norma seemed to be gobbling it up. And he found himself enjoying his role for the night.

He brought out the main course and they all dug in to the meal.

“Everything is so delicious.” Norma dabbed her mouth with the cloth napkin. “This pasta looks simple but it’s so flavorful.”

“Thank you. We’re so glad you like it,” Natalie said.

“Yes, my wife is a fantastic cook.” I wonder if I went too far with that one. Natalie stared at him like he was crazy, and he decided he’d done just fine.

“Darling, would you help me put these dishes away before I bring out the dessert?” Her eyes shot daggers at him and she jerked her head for him to follow.

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