“What did you guys make?”
“What?”
An annoyingly smug, but well-deserved smirk slides across his lips. “What did you guys make, Miller?”
“Banana bread.”
His brows lift along with an excited smile. “You finished a new dessert?”
It’s cute how much he wants this for me. He might not understand the ins and out of it all, especially since he’s asking if I’m going to feature banana bread made with instant pudding in my Food & Wine spread, but it’s sweet, nonetheless.
“It’s not new, but I did finish it without burning it so that’s a plus. Max helped too.”
“You did?” Kai asks his son.
Max decides to be shy, but I see the proud little smile he’s wearing.
“Do you want to try it?” I ask.
“Absolutely. Have you had some?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, you have some first then I’ll go in.”
“Why?” I laugh. “Afraid I’m trying to poison you or something?”
“No, but you worked hard on something and didn’t fuuu . . . dge it up in the process. You should try it.”
“I like to bake for other people.”
And I haven’t baked for someone other than critics in far too long. It’s almost as if I forgot that my favorite part of baking is feeding the people I love. I’m not always great at expressing my feelings, so I tend to tell them through their stomachs.
It’s no wonder nothing has worked out lately.
“Max first though,” I say, blowing on a tiny bite to get it ready for him.
He opens his mouth wide for my fork and hums when it hits his tongue.
“Okay with those rave reviews, I think I need some,” Kai cuts in.
I get him another forkful.
“You’re not going to blow on it for me?” He wears a devilish smile, but mine is a whole lot naughtier.
“Oh, I’ll blow something for you. All you have to do is ask.”
“Jesus,” he laughs. “Give me the freaking banana bread.”
I’m not sure why, but I don’t hand him the fork. Instead, I guide it to his mouth, feeding him.
His eyes stay locked on mine, his lips wrapping around the utensil and there’s something so oddly erotic about it all.
“Miller.” He chews, his eyes going wide. “Oh my God, that’s amazing.”
“Really?”
This is what I missed. Seeing the pure joy when the sugar hits someone’s tongue.
“Yes. That’s the best banana bread I’ve ever had. I don’t even know if you should call it bread. It’s more like cake and I want to eat the entire thing.”
“Wow.”
“No, I’m serious. Give me another bite.”
Chuckling, I do just that, feeding him again.
He moans and holy hell if I don’t have to squeeze my legs together at the sound.
“You’ve got to try it,” he insists.
Using the same fork that was in his mouth, I take a bite. I can feel him tracking me as if he’s having the same thought I am about my lips being exactly where his just were.
And wow, he’s right. It is good. It’s really good. I think it might be better than the version I used to make when I was younger.
“You’re right.” I take another bite before reaching up to pinch Max’s exposed belly. “Nice work, Bug.”
Kai’s big hand curves around the back of my neck, pulling my attention to him where I find his gaze all soft. His thumb softly strokes the pulse point on the side of my throat before he gives me a tender squeeze. “Good job, Mills.”
Whoa. An odd rush of emotion sneaks up on me, overwhelming my senses.
What the hell is that about?
I can’t remember the last time I was told I was doing a good job in the kitchen, and Kai said it so matter-of-factly. So confidently. It makes me want to bake more so I can hear it again.
And without a fight, I agree with him. I did do a good job.
Chapter 20
Kai
The warm, sweet smell of sugar hits me as soon as I’m out of the shower. It’s the same smell I’ve been greeted with every day since Miller made that banana bread. She hasn’t stopped baking, keeping my house constantly filled with fresh pies, pastries, and other desserts, and I’ve been bringing them to the field, needing to get them out of my house before I’ll no longer be able to fit into my baseball pants.
But I love it. I love seeing her work her magic in the kitchen. It’s as if she got bitten by the baking bug and can’t stop. Apparently, nothing she’s made so far is helping her with the recipes she needs to create for the Food & Wine article, but she’s genuinely happy in the kitchen again and I can’t help but note the difference on her face from the first night I found her in there, distraught from too many failed desserts.