In response to that, there was only silence on Rob's end.
"Oh, Rob," she said with worried resignation in her voice.
"I didn't say anything," he pointed out evenly. He didn't want to admit to anything, but he couldn't deny it either. So he left it at that and promised Christie he'd be careful.
Rob knew too well why Christie was so protective of his heart, and now Julian knew all about his cursed history with guys too. It might make anyone want to take a step back from him. That's why Rob decided to give Julian some space once Danny was in bed.
It didn't work out that way though. Rob was ready to go hang out on his own, but it was Julian who came to the kitchen and kind of hovered.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm really glad you are Danny's manny. He did so much today," Julian said, beaming at him.
"We did do a lot of running around," Rob said.
"That's good. I wouldn't have been able to take him out to enjoy the sunny day, if I even thought of it. As a kid, I didn't spend that much time playing outdoors after my nanny was gone. And I certainly didn't do chores."
"Danny was really into both. You should have seen him try to hoist a full bag of garbage." Rob noticed the skillet on the drying rack and grabbed it to put it away.
"That's evidence that we cooked," Julian said.
"I've made meals where I didn't have to wash anything except a fork," Rob said and shot him a triumphant grin.
"Impressive," Julian said sarcastically.
"I was actually starting to learn to cook a little before my mom died. Then I lost my will for it." As the mood changed, Rob tried to shake it off with a forced smile.
"Anything can bring back memories of your mom," Julian said with understanding.
It was happening more lately though. "The way we lost her cast a big shadow into the future, the past. But it's not as bad as it used to be," Rob said and leaned back against the counter while his gaze traced patterns on the marble floor. "Right after we lost her, I tried to help my dad in the kitchen, but my sister took me aside and told me to leave the cooking to our dad. 'We need to keep him busy. We have to let him know we need him in little ways and big ways, in every way there is.' That's what she said. And I think it did help him."
"Makes sense. It's proof that you matter to someone, that you have a reason to get up in the morning," Julian said and then noticed Rob frowning at him. "I noticed the difference after I brought Danny home. Being needed brings your life into sharper focus. And it's true for Danny too. He comes to life whenever he gets to help with something."
"Yeah. But how long are you going to be able to impress him by throwing something that's already been warmed up into a skillet?" Rob asked.
"I'll figure out this cooking thing," Julian vowed.
"Sam did offer you some cooking lessons," Rob reminded him.
"No. I'll do it without anyone's help," Julian said.
"Oh," Rob said under his breath and turned to stare out the window. Why did it matter so much to him if Julian liked to pretend to cook with him?
"I didn't mean that I didn't want your help," Julian said to him. "I had a lot of fun."
"OK," Rob said and faced him again with a smile. He was inclined toward Julian now, trying to figure him out, but his dark eyes were luminous and unreadable. The contours of his body under his clothes were so tempting, begging to be explored.
Rob felt a flutter low in his belly then another one in his chest that grew until he couldn't catch his breath. There was no reason for it. But with their eyes locked, a smile started to play on Julian's lips.
To Rob that was just too much. He grabbed Julian and kissed him. Maybe he shouldn't have done it, but it felt so good, like tasting the impossible. He hated to let go even a little, but he had to loosen his hold.
"Sorry, that was too sudden, wasn't it?" Rob was breathless, watching Julian closely again, wondering if he had anything to apologize for. "I guess I got carried away."
"You did?" Julian said as he swayed in his arms. "I thought that was me." He then gazed at Rob. His hands trailed up and down Rob's sides, slow and seductive.
Still Rob held back, looking for a stronger signal. Then it came in Julian's low whisper. "We can do that again," he said looking kind of dazed, pretty much the way Rob felt, like someone half in a dream, refusing to wake up.
"As many times as you want," Rob told him, filling every word with heat and need.
With a kiss, Rob pressed Julian against the kitchen counter then tugged him closer so he could grope him. God, he felt so good. Rob wanted to devour him. But when he tried to pull Julian to the floor with him, he stopped him firmly and Rob was hit with a wave of excruciating disappointment.
