Page 22 of Hidden Rocco
He leaned close, as if really listening to her. “So, what did you learn? Never pick the guy your mother wants for you?”
She laughed and sat back, despite how her body had warm goosebumps and her skin was practically jumpy with awareness in every cell, as if he touched her when he hadn’t at all. “I’m using that line for Christmas when the next family get-together is planned.”
Her lips tingled.
She wanted another kiss.
She picked up her spoon and took a bite of the cupcake instead.
The sweet cream was yummy, but absolutely not what she wanted.
She licked her lips and decided she’d ask again, but then her baby wailed, awake from his doze.
With a small sigh she said, “Jacob’s up.”
“I’ll get another bottle.” Rocco immediately stood and headed into the kitchen.
Her eyes widened. She hadn’t had help since Jacob's birth, so this was nice. Her life had been in flux since giving birth, as she worried about Jacob’s life and her own. She picked up her baby and patted his back, hoping he’d calm down.
A huge burb escaped his lips. She hadn’t thought one so small could make that sound, but then Jacob rested his head.
When Rocco returned, her baby was already fast asleep.
He put the bottle beside the playpen as she laid her baby back down.
Rocco darted into the kitchen, and she was still standing when he returned with a small cake.
How much had he baked today? She curled her hand on her waist. “What’s this?”
“I figured we can have chocolate cake too.” He winked and sliced a piece on her plate.
This was too much. “I’m trying to lose the baby weight.”
He looked her up and down and his brown eyes darkened. “Why? You’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
Heat coursed through her. Most men expected perfection. And to be honest, she wanted to feel attractive. “Still, ten pounds less would be great.”
His nose wrinkled but then he took a bite of the cake like this was the first time he’d had sweets in years. “Too skinny is never attractive and you’re perfect as you are.”
She tasted of the delicious chocolate and wished she had more kisses from Rocco instead. Her entire body was swimming in awareness of him but she finished and then pushed her plate away.
Her heart pounded but she scooted closer as he swallowed his last piece and said, “Now that’s sweet. So, about that kiss?”
He put his fork down and it clinked against the plate as his muscles became rigid. “It shouldn’t have happened.”
No. She'd been too forward for him again. She ignored how adrenaline coursed through her as she brushed her hand against his forearm and tilted her head. “I asked for it. And I’m hoping you do it again.”
His eyes narrowed. “That’s not a good idea.”
At least he hadn’t said ma’am. It was an improvement. And he was a man of integrity that was so rare that she couldn’t believe he’d just shown up out of the blue. “Because you’re bad news?”
His gaze went to her lips that puckered beneath his perusal. “Yes.”
Mica stilled and hoped he would kiss her but he didn’t. He also didn’t pull away. She ran her hands through his coarse hair that smelled like the hotel’s lemon shampoo. “This time I want to pick someone my mother didn’t select for me.”
“She would not approve of me.” His lips met hers.
A sigh of satisfaction escaped as she deepened the kiss.
