Page 24 of Scarred Ruin

Mina wrinkled her face. “A dog!”

Both squealed and I took the opportunity to rise from the table. “You ladies planned that. You ganged up on me. That is considered a penalty.” I grabbed the plates while shifting my gaze from one to the other.

“In what game?” Isabel took the opportunity to stand, grabbing the platter of leftover sandwiches. “Are we talking hockey or basketball?”

“Papa can’t play either.” Mina giggled until she was forced to double over.

“You little nochnoye sozdaniye.” I moved quickly, setting the plates on the counter and rushing toward my daughter before she had a chance to escape.

Her squeal was loud as I lifted her high into the air, spinning her around as she adored and used to beg me to do when she was younger.

“I’m not a creature of the night!”

Isabel moved away, still watching, and out of the corner of my eye, I gathered a quick glimpse of a wishful look.

“Yes, you are. Would you prefer my favorite name for my precious child, a baby girl?”

“I’m almost six.”

“Well then,” I huffed and eased her down. “Almost an adult. That means you need to get a job.”

Mina jerked down her little pink shirt, giving me an evil eye. “Papa. You know I can’t work yet. But one day I will own your company.”

Isabel wasn’t attempting to hide her laughter even while pretending to ignore us while cleaning off the table.

Dear God, I had no doubt she just might. “Maybe so, my angel.”

“Papa, can I go draw a picture?”

“Absolutely, you can. Just remember, you’re going to need your nap.”

The quick roll of her eyes was even more dramatic than before. “I’m going to draw a big picture of my puppy.”

She was still giggling when she left.

While I’d been taking just a few seconds to think about how important and naughty my child was, Isabel had managed to remove everything from the table and was in the process of putting away the uneaten items.

“I didn’t ask you to lunch for you to find it necessary to work.”

“This isn’t work, Maxsim.” Isabel ignored me, even finding Saran wrap in one of the drawers. As soon as I moved to within inches, her entire body tensed.

She had her back to me and she stopped moving altogether. I couldn’t help but notice her breathing had changed, somewhat more labored than before.

“Do I make you nervous?” As soon as I inhaled, my body’s reaction should be considered inappropriate since my child was in her room only a floor away. However, I was finding it difficult to control my desires around the stunning architect.

Her fragrance was as fresh as it was inviting, subtle in a provocative way that reminded me of a present worth waiting to open.

“No, you don’t. Is that you’re hoping to do?”

I pulled the box from her hand, gently pushing her aside. “I don’t regularly try and intimidate women.”

“I guess that remains to be seen.” She backed away, allowing me to finish.

I refreshed our wine while silence lingered, determining how best to bring up a needed conversation.

“What did you have to show me about the project?”

“Something I put together several months ago, long before I broached a friend of mine about the idea.”