That wasn’t an option according to her self-imposed diet. “I’m going to bake it.”
“Sounds good to me.” He pointed behind him. “I brought a few weights with me along with a few other things.”
She envisioned all sorts of portable devices designed for the utmost in physical persecution. “What other things?”
His gaze drifted away momentarily. “I brought a glove and ball to play some catch with Stormy. If that’s okay with you.”
“Is that the surprise she mentioned?”
“Yeah.”
Obviously he hadn’t given the promise much thought, leaving Erica to deal with some serious fallout from her child if she refused. “If I say no, you do realize she’ll be thoroughly disappointed and furious at me.”
He sighed. “You’re right. I guess I screwed up again.”
Kieran looked so remorseful, Erica couldn’t think of one good reason not to go along with his plan. “If she wants to play some catch, that’s fine, as long as you’re careful.”
He raised a hand in oath. “I promise I’ll go easy on her.”
“Hopefully easier than you’ve been on me. My body’s still suffering the effects of our easy workout.” In more ways than one.
“Are you still sore from the other night?” he asked with concern.
“I’ve had a little trouble sleeping.” But not from the aches and pains generated from the exercise.
“I know what you mean,” he said, his somber tone contrasting with his earlier smile. “And I want to apologize again for letting things get out of hand. I’ll be on my best behavior from now on. You have my word on it.”
“What a shame.” Good heavens, had she really said that? Before Kieran could respond, she added, “I need to put the groceries away and start dinner.” She backed toward the door. “Feel free to play catch with the kid. I’ll send her right out.”
Erica rushed into the kitchen where she found her daughter placing the last of the dairy products in the storage bin.
“Did Kieran tell you about the surprise?” Stormy asked as she turned and closed the refrigerator door with a twitch of her small hip.
Erica set the bag of dry goods down on the counter. “Yes, he did.”
“And?”
“He brought a ball and glove so he can play some catch with you while I make dinner.”
Stormy jumped up and down, her curls bouncing in time with her movement before she came to an abrupt stop. “Did you tell him yes?”
“Yes, I told him yes. Now go change your clothes and put those new shoes to good use.”
After her daughter sprinted away, Erica went back to shelving the groceries and dropped two cans on the floor on her way to the pantry when her thoughts turned to Kieran. She dropped another when she heard “Did you forget something?” coming from behind her.
She glanced back to see Kieran holding the remaining two bags she’d left in the trunk. “Oh, yeah. Thanks. Put them on the counter next to the sink.”
She continued to stare at the canned goods while he breezed behind her, bringing with him a slight hint of cologne that set her female radar on maximum alert. No doubt one of those expensive colognes formulated to attract women like a two-for-one shoe sale. She didn’t realize until that moment how much she’d missed those masculine scents in her home. How much she’d missed having a male presence when she noticed Kieran unscrewing the lightbulb centered over the sink, the one that had burned out some time ago.
“Got another bulb?” he asked.
Fortunately, she happened to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, the bulbs were on the top shelf out of her reach, and unless she put out an all-points bulletin on the step stool that had mysteriously gone missing two weeks ago, she’d have to ask for assistance. “I have some up extra bulbs in here, but I’m too short to get to them without help.”
He came up behind her and stood so close that her breath hitched hard in her chest. When he reached up and took the box with ease, he brushed against her back, stealing her breath completely. Then he moved away and she muttered, “Thanks,” before putting the last can and her composure back into place.
With Kieran standing in her kitchen, it would be nothing short of a miracle if she had enough presence of mind to prepare a meal. At least Stormy would keep him occupied for a while.
Kieran changed the bulb with little effort while Erica retrieved the ingredients for dinner, thankfully without flipping the snapper onto the floor. She could sense he was watching her as she pulled the bakeware from the drawer beneath the stove opposite the sink where he still stood.
“How many clients have you kissed before?” Erica blurted without thought, then ventured a quick glance behind her to gauge his reaction, only to find he didn’t seem at all insulted by the question.
“Honestly?”
She turned and leaned back against the stove, casserole dish in hand. “Honesty is the best policy, as they say.”
Now he looked extremely serious. “None.”
She tightened her grip on the dish for fear it might end up on the tile in pieces. “Not one?”
“Nope. I’ve always adhered to the rules.”
Unbelievable. “Why me?”
He forked a hand through his hair. “After all that laughing at my expense, it could be I was trying to shut you up.”
That might have angered her had he not been smiling when he’d said it. “I guess that’s one way to do it.”
Kieran started to speak but instead cleared his throat. “We have company.”
She leaned forward to discover Stormy sitting at the nearby dinette, tying her new sneakers. Not knowing how long she’d been there, Erica prayed her daughter hadn’t overheard the conversation. That would require a very lengthy explanation.
“Are you ready, kiddo?” Kieran asked as he joined Stormy at the table.
She nodded and said, “Where’s the ball and glove?”
“In my bag in the den. We can get it on our way out.”
“You can go in the backyard,” Erica said. “It’s fenced.”
He ruffled Stormy’s hair. “The backyard it is. I’ll meet you there.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Stormy charged out the back door while Kieran temporarily left the room before returning with the ball and two gloves. She expected him to make a quick exit but instead he came back into the kitchen. “Regarding our previous discussion, I wasn’t completely honest with you.”
Erica stopped unwrapping the fish to listen. “Which part?”
“About shutting you up. Truth is, you’re damned sexy when you’re laughing and you flash those dimples. So do me a favor and don’t do it again.”
Sexy? She was sexy? Well how about that. “I’ll try not to laugh in your presence from now on, but I make no promises.”
“That’s all I ask.” He headed out the door, taking his incredible scent and sensual smile with him.
Erica had the urge to sing while she went about preparing the food. She also had the urge to laugh. Her spirits had definitely been buoyed by his declaration, and also by the scene taking place outside the garden window.
Stormy threw the ball to Kieran with accuracy, with more exuberance than she’d witnessed from her child before. And Kieran softly tossed the ball back, undoubtedly