Page 50 of Chasing I Do
Darcy turned and saw Gage standing on the other side of the screen door. Their gazes met and she felt herself tingle. He stood there in his leather jacket, looking big, bad, and oh so edible.
His dark hair was tousled, as though he’d driven with the windows down and the top back. Dressed in a pair of slacks, a white button up that was unbuttoned to work’s-over, and a smile that saidI know what you look like underneath that dress, he left no doubt that he’d been thinking about their night too.
The part that had her going all mushy was the summer flowers in his hand. Not one bouquet, but two. One made entirely of violets. The other comprised of every pink summer flower she could think of.
“Hey, Tiny,” he said when Kylie opened the door for him. He squatted down low, and offered her the small bouquet. “These are for you.”
Kylie took the violets and baby’s breath and breathed them in, making a big deal to close her eyes. “Are they for my birthday?”
He glanced at the cookies on the counter, the frosting on Darcy’s hands, and his mouth made the perfect circle ofOh shit.“It’s her birthday?”
“No, her birthday is November seventh.” Darcy wiped her hands on a towel and walked into the entry. “I think she was wondering what the occasion was.”
“Yeah, what’s the occasion, Uncle Gage?” Kylie repeated.
“There doesn’t need to be an occasion to bring a beautiful lady some beautiful flowers,” he said, his eyes on Sammy. “Right, son?”
“Ah huh,” Sam said, but his face said he thought flowers were wussy.
“You must be Sam.” He extended his free hand to take the boy’s smaller one, shaking it. “Nice to meet you.”
“You’re really big,” Sammy said in complete awe of Gage. Compared to his own father, who was a weasely accountant, Gage must look like a superhero.
Darcy had to admit, right then she thought he looked pretty heroic too.
“You should see the rest of my brothers. They’re bigger than I am,” Gage said. “We came super-sized so we could look out for our niece.”
Sammy looked at Kylie and tilted his head. “She looks out just fine. Doesn’t even run into trees when she’s twirling.”
“Good to know.” He ruffled Sammy’s hair, then looked at Darcy. “These are for you.”
“Oh my,” Jillian whispered from behind. “Maybe I’ve been on my feet too long today, but I think I just swooned a little.”
Yup, Gage Easton was a class act—and worthy of her trust. She just hoped he was worthy of her heart, because in one move he’d completely stolen it. He was backing up his words with actions. Something completely foreign, and thrilling, for Darcy.
“I’m Gage, nice to meet you,” he said, shaking Jillian’s hand.
“I’m leaving.” Jillian wiggled a brow Darcy’s way. “I was just telling Darcy how I was going to take the kids out for ice cream. Kids, grab your coats.”
“They haven’t even had dinner,” Darcy argued, but the kids heard ice cream and were already piling out the door chanting. “Ice cream. Ice cream.”
“Seriously, you don’t have to take them out.” Darcy knew her friend had hours of work still left for tomorrow’s delivery. She’d come over to use the professional kitchen and have Darcy help with the decorating so she could make her deadline.
“Oh, yes I do.” Jillian leaned in and whispered, “If not for you, then for all of the single ladies who will never get the chance to show a man like that their O-face.”
Gage smiled.
“It was nice to meet you.” Jillian grabbed her purse and didn’t stop until she was at the front door. “Oh, and don’t rush, I’m taking the kids to the park afterward. We’ll be gone for at least an hour. Maybe longer.” She walked out, hollering over her shoulder, “In fact, I’ll text before we head home.”
And the screen door slammed on its hinges.
Gage’s shoes echoed off the wood floor, not letting up until he was standing close enough to touch. Close enough to smell. His gaze tracked her from her eyes to her toes, eating up her tousled hair and floured apron, giving a sound of male appreciation when he got to her bare feet.
“From the looks of all that frosting in there, Pink, we’re gonna need a hell of a lot more than an hour.”
Chapter 12
Darcy’s body liquefied as she remembered how he’d eaten his way through an entire tub of frosting the other night.
