‘Cute, huh?’ Kit whispered.
Confusion, fear, desire al whipped through him.
Kit’s father had only visited Kit a few times a year. It had been enough for her until she’d discovered his betrayal. Could Alex manage that kind of minimal contact—three or four visits a year?
He’d thought his staying away would be best for this child. Now he wasn’t so sure. Kit’s story had shaken him, left him stranded in uncertain territory with the ground shifting beneath his feet.
‘Did you find out?’ The question scraped out of his throat, unbidden. He hadn’t meant to ask it. He hadn’t known he’d wanted to ask it.
‘Did I find out what?’
She continued to stare at the baby. Her face had gone soft, her lips curved upwards and her eyes shone. His heart pounded against the wal s of his ribs. ‘Did you find out the sex of the baby?’
She turned and smiled. ‘No. I want it to be a surprise. But if you’d like to know I’m sure the doctor would tel you.’
Her smile, her words, they took his breath away.
Perhaps she meant it. Perhaps she would let him be part of her baby’s life.
He stared at the mother and baby in the shal ows below and his arms started to ache with the longing for a child’s weight. Three or four times a year, it wasn’t much to ask. He remembered the smel of a baby. The newly washed, baby-powdered and slightly milky smel . The softness of a baby’s skin.
The surprising strength when a tiny hand gripped a finger.
Three or four times a year…
He scratched a hand back through his hair and then, without another word, he swung away and strode off towards the car.
CHAPTER NINE
‘THE barbecue is ready to go.’
Kit’s breath hitched, but she refused to turn from the bench where she tossed the salad. Alex—freshly showered—was making her heart beat just a little too hard. That was why she’d sent him outside to clean the barbecue plate.
‘Is it lit?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
Her lips twitched at his mock subservience. She doubted Alex had a subservient bone in his body.
Nice body, though.
She finished tossing the salad and wished her pulse would settle as easily. She tried to force her mind to mundane matters. Cooking, dinner, food.
Her mind refused. It wanted to dwel on Alex. On the breadth of his shoulders, the strength of his thighs. Thighs she’d had ample opportunity to examine when they’d been sitting on the breakwater.
She tried to resist glancing around at him. And failed. He met her gaze, moistened his lips. She wanted to groan. She wanted to reach up and wipe the tempting shine away.
That kiss on the breakwater…
Momentary lapse of concentration, her foot! It had been heaven.
And she’d love a repeat performance.
Her gaze zeroed in on those lips—lean, firm and magical. Alex cleared his throat. ‘What can I do now?’
His voice came out hoarse. She wrenched her gaze away. Cooking, dinner, food, that was what she needed to concentrate on.
Food…um—she’d seasoned the fish with butter, lemon juice and fresh herbs before wrapping them in foil. They’d take no time at al to cook.
Dinner…um—she glanced at the stove. Jacket potatoes were nearly done. Salad was tossed.
Cooking…um—she lifted the platter of fish.
‘You can get out of my way, for starters, because this master chef needs room to move.’
With a bow, Alex held the door open for her. Her heart gal oped at the grin he sent her, flip-flopped and then gal oped again. She did her best to ignore it. ‘Could you bring that plate of corncobs with you?’
She sent up a prayer of thanks that her voice actual y worked.
After arranging the food on the barbecue, she glanced around her garden. The light was pink and gold and promised to last for another hour yet. A light breeze made the very top of the banksia sway every now and again. ‘How about we eat out here?’
‘A picnic?’
She wondered when Alex had last been on a picnic. She’d bet it was a long time ago. ‘Freshly caught fish tastes better eaten out of doors.’
Besides, he had sanded her two Cape Cod chairs and accompanying table and had painted them a crisp, clean white. They were crying out to be used.
‘Tel me the first word that comes to your mind when I say “fishing”?’
She wanted Alex to relax this evening. She wanted him to have fun. And then she wanted to talk.
