Page 104 of Defending her Heart

“Not the way you eat them.” I point my spatula at her. “Chocolate chips and maple syrup are disgusting together.”

“They’re my favorite because Miss Kendall made them for me when she babysatted me once.” She dives into her pancake and asks with her mouth full, “I’m not a baby anymore so why is she babysitting me?”

“It’s just an expression.”

“But I’m not a baby. I’m six.” She sticks out her lower lip in a pout she’s recently perfected.

“That you are.” I turn off the stove and lean my hip against the counter. “Miss Kendall is coming over to hang out with you this weekend while I’m away. Does that sound better?”

Paisley grins. “I like hanging out with Miss Kendall.”

Me too, kid. Me too.

Right on time, the doorbell rings. Paisley hops off the stool and runs to the front door. “Miss Kendall is here!”

I wipe my hands on a dish towel and follow her through the house.

“You smell like a sugar factory,” Kendall chuckles. She’s on her knees, hugging Paisley, not caring about her messy face or sticky hands.

“Daddy says I’m going to have a sugar mush.”

Kendall fights a grin then glances up at me. I hate the way her grin fades.

“Sugar rush,” I correct, giving Kendall an innocent smile.

Too quickly, she looks away, focusing on Paisley instead. “I brought a bag of games and craft projects for us to work on this weekend. My sister would like you to come over tomorrow to make Christmas cookies. Would you like to do that?”

“I love cookies!” Paisley claps her hands and jumps up and down.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you about her sugar rush.”

“If I can handle a classroom of kindergartners, I can handle one adorable six year old,” Kendall says with a tone I’m not thrilled about.

Like I insulted her with my comment. I suppose I deserve to be on the receiving end of her death stare for another day or two.

But when I come back from the west coast, we’re going to have a serious talk.

I leave Kendall and Paisley and clean up the kitchen. I should have told Kendall to come over earlier, but mistakenly told her what time I needed to leave for the stadium. Coming over ten minutes before I need to leave sends me a message, loud and clear. She’s pissed. She doesn’t want to talk to me. She’s making me eat my mistake.

Thursday night, she was upset about more than me not calling her to watch Paisley. I saw how she glared at Ella. The accusations she shot at me with her eyes. The male ego in me can’t help but like her jealousy. It means she cares more than she likes to let on, but I can’t call her on it or she’ll retreat further behind her walls.

I make my way back to the living room where Kendall and Paisley are talking about cookies.

“It’s time for me to go, Sweet Pea.”

“Bye, Daddy.” Paisley runs into my arms and I scoop her up. She kisses me hard on the mouth. “Have fun playing football.”

“I’ll miss you, kiddo.”

“I’ll miss you too. Will you call Miss Kendall and me tonight when you’re in your hotel?”

“You know it.” She loves to see the bed I’m sleeping in when I’m away. If only her babysitter was just as interested in my sleeping arrangements. “Go finish your pancakes and clear your plate.”

It’s a lame excuse to get her in the other room so I can have a moment alone with Kendall, but it works.

When she tries to move past me, I step in front of her. I curl my fingers in the belt loops of her jeans and tug her close to me. “Sleep in my bed while I’m away. I want it to smell like you when I come home.”

Instead of pressing her against the wall and having my way with her like I want, I touch my lips to hers and leave her panting.

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