Page 46 of The Baby-whisperer and the Brute
“I tried that, too,” Sully said. “I can’t seem to tie it on myself, though. Either I’m tie-dyslexic or my hands are too big.”
“Here let me try.”
I stepped up in front of him, and he dropped his hands to his sides, staying very still. After a minute of straining my neck upward while fumbling with the slippery fabric, I said, “You’re too tall.”
Then I pressed my fingers to his chest and gave him a little shove to make him sit on the edge of the bed.
Sully obediently sat, raising one eyebrow and quirking his lips in a little smile. “You can be tough when you want to be. I’m a little scared.”
Nowthatwas a flirty tone. I should have ignored it, but I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t be. I won’t hurt you... much.” I gave the ends of the tie a little jerk and wrinkled my nose at him in an expression of mock-threat.
Sully bit his lower lip, but his grin grew wider, and those gorgeous blue eyes sparkled.
“Don’t worry Daddy. Angelina is sweet, and she has very soft hands,” Claire assured him.
Sully didn’t say anything to that, but the spark in his eyes turned into a smolder. They stayed locked on me as I tried, failed, and tried again to replicate the tie-knot from the video.
It didn’t help that my hands were shaking now. Or that he smelled absolutely delicious.
Or that I realized—belatedly—this position required me to stand between his spread legs.
The whole thing probably lasted only a few minutes, but it seemed like time had slowed to a crawl. I was aware of the sound of his breaths, the heat of his skin, the scents of minty mouthwash and freshly-showered male, the way his hands clenched and unclenched on top of his thighs.
“I think I’ve almost got it,” I said then giggled nervously because I’d sounded so out of breath.
Sully’s response was a velvety murmur. “Take your time.”
By the time I finally managed to complete the process, I was light-headed and sweating. Sully looked a little dazed as well, and his breathing sounded like he’d just come in from a run.
“There.” I gave his shoulder an awkward pat. “All set.”
He didn’t immediately stand but stayed in place, holding contact with my eyes. “Thank you, Angelina,” he said softly.
I nodded and stepped back, wiping my hands on the sides of my shorts. He stood up and turned to face the girls, who’d been rolling around on the enormous bed.
“How do I look?”
Claire ran up to him and flung herself into his arms. Of course he caught her, and she planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’ll be the cutest daddy at the ball.”
“Thank you, baby.”
Skyla smirked at her younger sister. “Daddies aren’tcute—they’re hanson. And you’re the hansonest one, Daddy.” She turned to me. “Right Angelina?”
My nerves stood on end as Sully turned around as well, waiting for my answer. I glanced away and straightened the bedspread they’d rumpled.
“I think the word you’re looking for is ‘handsome.’ And yes... your father looks very nice.”
When I looked up, he was grinning ear to ear and actually gave me a wink.
Heart thumping, I herded the girls from the room. “It’s time to start the unicorn movie. I’ll make the popcorn. You two get your pj’s on please and meet me in the theater in five minutes.”
Chapter Fourteen
Secret Stash
Angelina
