Page 7 of Royal Baby Maker

Winking, he stood up to his full height. “I am. I had great dreams about you all night long.”

My mouth slid open. “Oh, uh.” Unsure what to say, I went for the escape route. In my hurry to get away I promptly tripped over my own two feet. “Shit!” I blurted, folding my arms under me to brace myself. Luckily, the landing wasn't bad. There was less dirt on my forearms than there was on the fancy sneakers I was getting a personal view of.

I was lying right at Bishop's feet.

What a start to my day,I thought bitterly. Scalding from humiliation, I kept my forehead on the pavement. The dogs promptly swarmed me with their tongues and tiny paws, like they'd decided humans were now food. Were they going to kill and eat me? That would be a relief.

Hooking his hands under my elbows, Bishop lifted me upwards. I weighed nothing in his grip. “Whoa, you okay?”

“I'm fine,” I said, struggling to meet his eyes. He was too concerned—and it's hard to dislike people like that. I needed to hate him to handle him. The longer he held me close, searching my face, the more I forgotwhyI wanted to hate him. My ribs were sore from my heart punching them. His body radiated heat; he was so close, so damn close.

I want to kiss him,I realized with a start.

Oh.

Oh no.

The dogs yanked on the leashes, throwing me off balance all over again. Bishop held me tight until I got my control back. Gently, I guided his hands away. “I should get the dogs inside,” I mumbled. “Hot out here. For them, I mean.”

Bishop glanced down the road. “I'll keep you company.”

My smile was coy. “In case I get lost walking a few yards?”

“Or in trouble. Never know what could happen out here on the streets.”

I gave a slow-as-syrup pointed look around the cute and quiet area. “Oh yes, super dangerous. I appreciate you going out of the way to keep me safe—”

“You're welcome,” he said over me.

“—But I have these guard dogs.” I jiggled the leashes. The two puff balls yipped, hurrying as they got closer to their home.

Bishop laughed, the sound tickling me in the depths of my heart. I found myself watching him curiously, my snarkiness vanishing under his rich, genuine smile. “They're pretty scary,” he admitted. “I just think a woman like you deserves all the protection in the world.”

A rush of heat moved up my neck. “What does that mean?”

When he walked beside me, he managed to block the sun out. His features darkened with shadows, and still, his smile glowed. “I can tell you have a good heart. But the reality is that people with good hearts get hurt the most often.”

A flutter crept upwards, threatening to smother my ever-weakening hate-monster. Taking his compliment at face value was exactly the kind of dumb shit I used to do with my ex. So I stuck out my chin and put on my bitch-face. “Not hurt. Just taken advantage of until we learn better.”

Bishop hesitated; it was enough for me to skip ahead of him and climb the steps to his front door. He followed me inside, saying nothing as I power-walked into the kitchen. His silence pricked at my guilt. Maybe I was being too rude; he was only joking around. Flirting, at worse.

Flirting is a bad thing!I told myself, unclipping the dogs. I strung their leashes on the wall hooks by the pantry. Bishop was still quiet, his presence speaking volumes as he hovered in the kitchen doorway. Filling the silver bowls on the floor with fresh water, I watched the two thirsty dogs scramble into each other as they drank.

Their energy sapped mine. I stifled a yawn, wondering how quickly I'd get used to these early mornings.

“You're tired,” he said, breaking his silence. “You should stay for breakfast. Get some coffee in you.”

“Oh, no.” I waved away his offer. “I can just grab a cup at Starbuuuuwhaat are you doing?”I'd faced him, which gave me a front row seat to him peeling his tight shirt over his head.

Bishop caught the waistband of his jogging pants. Inch by inch he guided them down past his slim hips; the top of his moss-green briefs peeked at me. “I'm undressing so I can take a shower.”

“In what! Yourkitchen sink?”

“Of course not.” He stepped out of his pants. “The shower is upstairs.”

Covering my eyes so I was blind, I froze on the spot. “Quit stripping in front of me!”

“Why?” he laughed. “Terrified you'll do somethingawfulif you catch a look at me naked?” He chuckled darkly. But then, he was quiet. Way too quiet.

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