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Mark dropped the edge of his shirt, covering that delectable tan skin and a light dusting of hair that I wanted to touch with my fingertips. “I’ll just clean this up and get out of your hair.”
I swallowed hard. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to agree to him building these shelves or to having Kendall help me. It brought Mark around more, and I couldn’t resist the man he’d turned into. He was sweet, affectionate, and an amazing father with a body to die for. I was so screwed.
“Are you okay, Miss. Sophie?” Kendall asked, her tone laced with concern.
Mark’s gaze flicked from where he was placing tools in a box to me. After carefully perusing every inch of my body, his gaze met mine, and he winked. “It’s really hot out here.”
“It is. I think I’m going to—” I gestured toward the interior of the bakery, unable to finish my sentence over my ever-tightening throat.
Inside, I grabbed a clean towel from the laundry room and wiped the sweat off my brow. Then I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and rested it against my forehead. I needed to cool down, and it had nothing to do with the weather.
When I was feeling slightly better, I stacked the peanut butter cookies in a bakery box for them to take home. The cupcakes were still cooling, and I could show Kendall how to make the icing and decorate them tomorrow.
I finally sat down at my desk and attempted to focus on the numbers on the computer screen, but my brain was completely scrambled. I couldn’t remember what I’d baked last week, much less what I’d need next week.
Mark paused in the doorway. “We’re going to head out.”
He’d leaned one shoulder against the doorjamb. Everything was covered, but the memory of his stomach was front and center in my mind. Would he take a shower when he got home? I nearly groaned out loud from the image of him soaping his stomach and moving lower.
I stood and moved closer. Walking him out was the polite thing to do. It had nothing to do with getting closer to him or needing to hear his voice rumble inside my chest.
He moved slightly so that I had to slip between his large body and the doorway. My breasts brushed against his chest, and my entire body flushed.
I ducked my head, not wanting him to see my overheated cheeks as I led the way outside. Kendall was already inside the truck, her head bowed over what was most likely her phone.
Mark easily lifted his toolbox into the truck bed. “Thank you for today. Anything that gets Kendall away from her phone is a win in my book.”
I tried and failed not to notice how his muscles flexed with that movement.
“She really loved it, Mark.” I hoped he knew what I was saying. She might not want to be a baker, but it was something that she enjoyed. She could use it for stress relief, to make herself feel grounded when everything else in her world was spinning out of control.
His expression softened as he stepped into my space, leaned down to kiss my cheek softly, and murmured, “You really are an amazing woman.”
He was gone before his words registered in my brain. It didn’t feel like every other time someone said I was great or dependable or was always there when they needed me. It felt special. I stood on the sidewalk, watching as he waved a hand and drove away.
I rested my palm over my racing heart. What had just happened? That kiss on the cheek felt like something more than a friendly gesture of appreciation. It felt like a promise of something more.
ChapterTen
MARK
My heart pounded underneath my ribs as I pulled away from the curb.
“You have a good time with Miss Sophie?” I asked Kendall.
She lifted her head from the cell phone and gave me the sweetest smile. “The best.”
My heart leaped in my chest. I wanted to keep that look on her face.
“Can I do it again?” Kendall asked me hopefully.
“Miss Sophie mentioned you coming in two afternoons a week.” I glanced over at Kendall as her eyes widened.
“Seriously?”
I sobered. “There are conditions. You have to listen, be respectful, and help clean up.”
“That’s not a problem, Dad.” Her tone was exasperated, and when she lowered her head, I swear she rolled her eyes.
