Page 36 of Fierce-Baker

“Not wonderfully since you’re standing in my kitchen and we are having this conversation.”

Good for her.

“If it makes you feel any better, you’re not exactly my type either.”

She looked adorable when the frown filled her face. Her nose scrunched up, her eyebrows came down and he had the crazy urge to smooth them out.

Fuck it, he did it. Just to see if she shrank back.

She didn’t. She almost curled into him more without thought.

Yep, the attraction needle was moving in the right direction, even subconsciously.

Not that he had any doubt.

“Is it because I’ve got a child?”

He knew his answer would hurt her. It wasn’t really the truth though.

If he took Micah out of the equation, she still wouldn’t be the type to draw him in.

Nope. Wrong.

He’d totally be dragged down in those blue eyes of hers. The endless curves.

The funny confidence and open nature.

But he’d see forever and it’s one thing he’d told himself he wasn’t sure he was made for.

Not like he had a lot of experience with it. Or an example.

He tried it the way he thought it should be and had it shoved down his throat.

There was only so much punishment a man could take before he learned his lesson.

“No. It’s not that.”

“Good. Because I can’t change it nor would I.”

“You shouldn’t have to change anything about yourself. If someone you’re with doesn’t like it, it’s on them not you. I don’t picture you the type to be malicious. Unless you’re a tease. I probably should know that.”

She laughed. Genuine humor.

“I don’t think I’m a tease.” She leaned close to him, close enough he could smell the scent on her skin. Not perfume, but maybe lotion.

Sweet as honey.

His fingers itched to reach out and run them down the side of her neck and see if she’d lean into him like a wanting kitten.

Too soon.

“What are you doing now?”

“It’s called flirting. Building the anticipation. That’s what I like. Waiting, guessing, then going full out.”

He gulped. “It has its place.”

She snapped back quickly as if she’d just aced the test she’d put on herself. Maybe one to see if she could see his reaction.