Page 33 of Summer in Kentbury
I turn to him with a smile, kneeling down to his level. “Of course, what are we making?” I ask, settling down beside him on the makeshift mat on the floor.
“A spaceship,” he declares enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
As we cut and paste, my fingers guiding his smallhands, I can’t resist stealing glances at Sinclair, who’s across the room, laughing as he helps a group of campers turn a giant cardboard box into a time machine. His hair falls in a casual way around his face, and every so often, he pushes it back with a paint-smudged hand, his smile never fading.
I feel a flutter in my chest as I watch him, his easy rapport with the children and his genuine enthusiasm for their projects making him even more attractive in my eyes. It’s a side of him I haven’t seen before, a softer, more playful side that makes my heart skip a beat.
“Impressive,” I hear a female voice say, and when I turn around, it’s McKay. She’s watching him with a thoughtful expression, her head tilted to the side. “My brother has never been this . . . happy.”
“Why are you surprised? He seems like a natural with the kids, plus, he’s in Kentbury. No one can stay grumpy for long,” I say, shrugging my shoulders with a smile.
McKay raises an eyebrow, a wistful look in her eyes. “My brothers have always been hyperfocused on work and keeping my father happy. I don’t think I ever saw them do anything that was just for fun—or laugh, for that matter.”
“I’m glad he’s learning that life is more than spreadsheets and money,” I say softly, my gaze drifting back to him.
“Somehow I think you have a lot to do with it,” McKay says, a knowing smile on her lips. “Thank you for that.”
I feel my cheeks warm, and I wave my handdismissively. “I didn’t do anything,” I protest, but the flutter in my chest tells a different story.
McKay winks at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’ll be our little secret,” she says, before moving away to join another group of campers.
I watch her go, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, before turning my attention back to the children, helping them put the finishing touches on their creations.
As the craft session winds down and parents start arriving to pick up their kids, I help gather the scattered supplies, my mind still buzzing with McKay’s words. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice Sinclair approaching until he’s right beside me, his shoulder brushing against mine.
“The rain might be a hassle, but I think today was good for the kids,” he starts, leaning against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.
I nod, handing him a steaming mug of coffee. “It was good for us, too,” I add, my voice soft and sincere. “It’s nice to see you in action, Sin. You’re really good with them, in and out of the pool.”
The compliment catches him off guard, and I see a flicker of surprise in his eyes before he ducks his head, a shy smile on his lips. “Oh, it was nothing special. I used to do it sometimes when I wasn’t training and the pool on the other side had little kids learning how to swim,” he says, his voice humble and self-effacing.
I realize then that this guy doesn’t like compliments, that he’s not used to being praised for anything other than his work. Maybe that’ssomething he’ll have to learn with time, to accept the kind words and believe in his own worth.
“Ready to go home?” he asks, changing the subject. Then, as if realizing his slip, he adds, “Well, the B&B. This weekend we can go and look at some properties. Henrik says there’s a place close to his ready to go on the market.”
I raise an eyebrow, a teasing smile on my face. “We’re not buying a house together,” I remind him, my heart skipping a beat at the thought.
Sinclair grins, his eyes sparkling impishly as he leans in closer, his breath warm against my cheek. “I’ll buy it, you’ll just have to visit it with me,” he murmurs, his voice low and suggestive.
I feel my breath catch in my throat, my skin tingling at his proximity. It’s a dangerous game we’re playing, this flirtation that dances on the edge of something more, but I can’t bring myself to pull away, to put distance between us.
Instead, I meet his gaze, my own eyes shining with a mix of challenge and invitation. “We’ll see about that,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
Sinclair’s grin softens, his eyes darkening with an emotion that makes my knees go weak. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he leans in, his hand coming up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin.
I feel my breath catch in my throat, my eyes fluttering closed as he closes the distance between us, his lips brushing against mine in a featherlight kiss. It’s a tender, almost reverent gesture, a silent promise ofsomething more, and I feel my heart swell with a rush of emotion.
As he pulls back, his forehead resting against mine, I can see the same wonder and longing reflected in his eyes, the same yearning for a future that’s still unwritten. “We definitely need to go home,” he murmurs, his voice rough with desire.
I nod, not trusting myself to speak, and let him take my hand, our fingers intertwining as we make our way out of the main hall and into the misty afternoon.
Chapter Nineteen
Sinclair
As we stepinto the cozy warmth of the B&B room, I can’t take my eyes off Lavender, my heart pounding with a mix of desire and anticipation. She moves ahead of me, her hips swaying slightly, and I have to clench my fists to keep from reaching out and pulling her into my arms.
She turns to face me, hergreen eyes meeting mine straight on, and I feel my breath catch in my throat at the intensity of her gaze. Those beautiful eyes seem to see right through me, into the depths of my soul, and I have to fight the urge to look away, to hide from the emotions swirling between us.
