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He rolled his eyes. "Can we go to GameStop?"
She raised a brow. He gave a defeated sigh.
"Wanna bake cookies? I have some leftover holiday ingredients. You can try to bake the biggest cookie in the world."
He seemed to consider the option, though it was obvious he wondered if it was too babyish. She upped the ante. "Then we can walk to the Chinese restaurant and get soup and eggrolls. We'll eat backward. Dessert first, then dinner."
"You still have the sprinkles and green M&M's?"
"I do. But you better be prepared. I'm going to win the cookie challenge. We each get a tray and no peeking until we're done. Deal?"
"Deal!"
She cleaned up her work and headed to the kitchen. Though their apartment wasn't huge with a big yard and fancy furniture, Ella had made it home. Using her knack for brightening up rooms with accessories and a fresh coat of paint, the two bedrooms were cozy and peaceful. The kitchen was big enough so she purchased a mobile island and topped it with mesh baskets full of bright fruit and dried herbs. Pictures crowded the walls with her favorite sayings from poets, and she'd upgraded the low utility light to a pretty Tuscan chandelier that brought pop to the room. The farm table and benches were set by the big window to get the most light. Hand towels beautifully stitched hung by the stove and dishwasher.
She tuned to one of her playlists on her iPhone and cranked the volume. Queen ground out Another One Bites the Dust and she slipped out two cookie sheets while Luke pulled all the ingredients out of the cupboards. They belted out the lyrics in perfect tune and began kneading dough into cool shapes in an attempt to dazzle the other.
Contentment flowed through her veins as she relaxed into her typical Saturday night. She pushed back her hair with sticky fingers and rainbow sprinkles flew up in the air, getting stuck in her sweater.
The lights went out.
Everything ground to a stop except the music, which kept blaring loud. She reached over and turned off the music, switching quickly to the flashlight app.
"Mom?"
"Don't panic, sweetheart. Probably just a brownout or something. Let me get some extra flashlights just in case."
"This is kind of creepy."
She felt around in the dark for her famous junk drawer that contained so many weird parts she probably could've built a nuclear bomb. "It's a nighttime adventure. Remember when I used to take you on those walks when you were little?"
"The moon had to be full, you always said. Even though I worried about werewolves."
"I told you they don't exist."
"But you're afraid of vampires."
"Well, I think they do exist. That's why I keep tons of garlic around at all times. I read Dracula three times, you know."
That got her son to laugh, and Ella finally found another flashlight. She was just going to brave going into the basement to check the circuit breaker when the doorbell rang.
Her heart pounded. She didn't know anyone to drop by on them, and she'd heard of strange things happening during brownouts. Swallowing, she eased over to the window and peeked through.
Connor Dunkle stood on her doorstep.
With a rush of relief, she flung open the door and held back a gasp.
My God, he looked good.
Struck mute for a moment, she gave in to impulse and hungrily took him in. Dressed in a button down navy blue shirt that clung to his broad chest, a casual jacket, and dark-washed jeans, he simmered with delicious masculine testosterone. Usually a hint of stubble clung to his square jaw, but tonight he was clean-shaven and smelled of spicy cloves. His thick dirty blond hair fell in waves over his forehead, brushing his ears, and those sea blue eyes framed with thick lashes struck her mute for a few seconds. He towered over her in a mass of rock-hard muscle, giving her the impression of both strength and protectiveness.
He was a walking, talking specimen of everything a woman dreams of in a man. Both Hemsworth brothers mixed with Daniel Craig and a sprinkle of old-fashioned Redford. Her poor body roared into overdrive and she felt a damp rush of moisture between her thighs.
God, she was acting like a sex-starved teen. So. Embarrassing.
Finally, he spoke. Even his damn voice was gravel and satin mixed together in a symphony to the ears. "I saw your lights went out. Looks like some of the other houses on the block are affected. You okay?"
He was checking on her? To be nice or to get her to agree to extra credit? "Yes, we're fine. Thank you."
"Did you flip the breaker? Sometimes these apartments get overloaded and you need to reset it. That's what I had to do with mine."
"I haven't gone down to the basement yet."
"I'll help you out."
"Oh, you don't have to."
His gaze sharpened on her face, and his jaw clenched. Fascinated, she studied his features, noticing the air of irritation that briefly shone. "I want to, Ella. I won't stay. I just don't like the idea of you and Luke alone in the dark."
She flushed and stumbled back. "I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just used to doing things for myself. I'm sorry, come in."
He walked inside and she realized it was a mistake.
In her home, he owned the small space, filling the air with a masculine presence she wanted to sink in and savor. It had been so long since she had a man close. Even though he was only here to check her electricity. Oh, my God, she was so pathetic. He glanced around in the dark and took out his own phone, turning on the flashlight app.
Luke came out of the kitchen, highlighted in the sudden glare of light. "Mom? What's going on?"
"It's Connor Dunkle from next door," he said. "How's it going, Luke?"
Her son's voice hardened. "Fine."
"Good. I'm going to check the basement and see if I can get those lights on. I
s that okay?"
Connor didn't move, as if waiting for permission from her son as the man in the house. Luke seemed to consider his words, standing up straighter in the beam of light. "Yeah, that's okay." He paused. "Can I help?"
"Absolutely. I could use a hand. Basement here?" He motioned down the hall toward the door on the left. Ella nodded. "Same as mine. We'll yell if we need you."
They disappeared downstairs, and she tried to re-gather her composure. Why was she nervous? So silly. He was just being a friendly neighbor and helping out a single mom. Clatters rang in the air. Probably moving all the storage stuff to get to the panel. She really needed to organize better down there. Ella waited, keeping her light trained down the hall, and suddenly the electricity flickered back on.
She heard Luke's whoop and smiled. She forgot the simple things that gave children pride. He really didn't have the advantage of tinkering with tools or cars or talking sports, though she tried to keep her knowledge up to date and be both mom and dad.
They both reappeared with pleased expressions. Connor was talking to her son. "Next time, check the breaker first. Now you know which one since we tagged it."
"Got it," Luke said seriously.
"Hey, you guys were making cookies? Looks like fun."
She glanced at the mess in the kitchen and wrapped her arms across her chest. "We know how to rock a Saturday night. Thanks for helping out."
"No problem. Oh, man, I love M&M's!" His face lit up like a kid, and Ella laughed. "Can I have one?"
"You can't eat just one," Luke said. "Here." He gave him a handful. "I like the greens."
"Blue is better."
"They taste the same," Ella pointed out.
They both stared at her in disbelief. Connor rolled his eyes. "Women."
Luke grinned. "Mom, I need to check my DS. I had it charging and I don't want to lose my stuff."
"Sure, go ahead."
He bounded up the stairs, leaving them alone in a messy kitchen. Ella looked at Connor's perfect appearance and tried not to wince at the thought of her image. Dough in her hair, mismatched socks on her feet, and yoga pants. "Umm, thanks again," she offered.
"No problem. Been a long time since someone baked me cookies. Sounds like a perfect night."
She looked at him with suspicion. Was he making fun of her? "They're easy now. Precut dough, one sheet, and an oven. Not too mysterious anymore."
