His groin stirred at the memory of her impassioned moan. She’d sounded both confounded and thrilled. Beneath his kiss she’d come alive. Her ardent surrender had carried both of them into a place where they alone existed. Blake frowned. How far would things have gone if Drew hadn’t brought them back?
“Here’s his bottle.”
While he’d been lost in thought, Bella had finished preparing Drew’s bottle. She held it out to Blake, but he shook his head.
“Why don’t you feed him,” he said. “I have to call Jeanne and tell her I’m not going to make dinner.”
“You shouldn’t cancel on your sister,” Bella said, carrying baby and bottle out of the kitchen. “Drew is fine. After he finishes this, we’re going to read a little and if he isn’t sleepy, I’ll give him some dinner, a bath and then straight to bed.”
Her words had set the scene for the sort of evening he’d been hoping to enjoy, just the three of them.
“You were pretty determined that your nights would be free, remember?” Blake had followed her into the living room. “Besides, I don’t feel right about leaving Drew after what happened.”
She settled onto the pale blue couch and started feeding Drew before she answered. “Really, Blake, it’s only a wasp sting. He’s perfectly fine and there’s no need for you to stay.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” He sat beside her, immediately realizing he was too close when his thigh bumped against hers. The contact delighted him. So did the way she bit down on her lower lip.
“Of course not.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She shifted on the soft cushion, but there was nowhere for her to go. He’d boxed her in.
“It has nothing to do with you. I don’t want your sister thinking you don’t trust me to take care of Drew.”
“She’ll understand that I’m staying home because otherwise I’ll be wondering how he is the whole time and be terrible company.”
“She’s going to blame me for not keeping a close enough eye on him.”
“I will tell her it was my fault.” Blake’s lips thinned. “I’ll explain I had you thoroughly distracted.”
“You really shouldn’t do that.” Concern thrummed in her voice. “She will think we’re…”
A rosy flush spilled over her cheeks. The sight of it confounded him. Why was she acting embarrassed? The kiss they’d shared had given him a clear picture of the attraction between them. She’d responded boldly to every sweep of his tongue. He hadn’t anticipated that she’d throw herself into the kiss with sweet abandon, or that he’d be equally swept away by the softness of her skin and the heat of her mouth.
“That we’re…?” He prompted.
She kept her attention fixed on Drew. “Why did you kiss me?”
Her voice was so low he almost didn’t catch the question.
“Because I wanted to.”
“It complicates things between us.”
More than she knew.
“Things are already complicated between us.”
She eyed Blake as she handed him the empty bottle. “Why did you really want me here this summer? There are hundreds of terrific nannies in New York. You could have had your pick.”
“I like your company. I thought you’d enjoy spending a couple months at the beach.”
Her scrutiny intensified. “No ulterior motives?”
“Such as?” he prompted, voice silky smooth, wondering if she was brave enough to voice the challenge in her eyes.
“We haven’t even been here two hours and already you’ve kissed me.” The exaggerated rise and fall of her chest betrayed her agitation. She was practically vibrating with tension. “Do you expect me to sleep with you?”
“I’m considering the possibility,” he admitted. At some point during that explosive kiss, he’d lost control. Her effect on him was both intriguing and disturbing.
“You don’t mean that.”
Blake forced his tone neutral. “I do.”
“But you’ve never given any indication that you’re interested in me.” Her soft blue eyes grew incredibly large in her pale face.
“As you pointed out earlier, I was married. These days I’m free to be attracted to any woman I want.”
“Sure, but there are hundreds for you to pick from who are much more suitable.”
“Maybe I’m not looking for suitable.” He took her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “Maybe all I’m interested in is a woman who moans when I kiss her.”
Her lips parted on a sharp inhale. “You caught me by surprise.”