His-And-Hers Twins by Rita Herron Page B

“He’s not here, Zeke.”
    â€œHe’s not?”
    She shook her head, the tangled curls flopping into her eyes.
    â€œBut his car…”
    â€œHe took a taxi home last night.”
    â€œWhy’d he do that?” August asked.
    The aroma of coffee and food and Paige’s sweetly scented body wafted around Zeke, dancing through his nerve endings, tying them in knots. She flicked her tongue over her upper lip and he had to fight the temptation to wipe the dollop of syrup from her mouth. She seemed to be having trouble tearing her gaze from him, too, but finally she answered August in a matter-of-fact tone.
    â€œDash wasn’t feeling well last night so he took a cab home, honey. He’ll pick up his car later.”
    â€œOh. Pancakes are yummy.” Summer rubbed her stomach as if Paige’s answer completely satisfied her. But Zeke wanted to know what had happened, or rather, what hadn’t happened.
    â€œCan I have some?” August dropped the box of powdered doughnuts on the counter, eyeing the syrup and hotcakes.
    Zeke’s tongue felt thick in his throat. He’d made an idiot of himself for no reason. “Uh…I guess it’s all right, if Paige has enough, that is. I’ll just eat crow.”
    â€œWhat’s crow, daddy?”
    â€œIt’s a bird,” August whispered in horror.
    Summer made a face. “Gross, you’re not gonna eat a bird, are you?”
    August gulped. “Won’t the feathers get stuck in your throat?”
    â€œYuk!”
    Paige and Zeke laughed. “No, sweetie, it’s just an expression,” Zeke explained.
    Paige narrowed her eyes at him. “You can have crow on top of your pancakes, instead of strawberries, Zeke.”
    He winced. “Look, Paige, I’m really sorry.”
    She tapped her foot on the floor, hurt lingering in her eyes.
    â€œI don’t know what else to say, but I was wrong,” he whispered sincerely.
    One corner of her mouth finally lifted into a smile. “All right. Apology accepted.”
    Then she turned and dished up fresh hotcakes as if nothing had happened, serving August as she climbed in a chair. His mouth watered.
    â€œCan I help?” Zeke asked sheepishly, finally realizing he’d barged in her house with his T-shirt backward, his feet bare.
    â€œSure, pour the girls some milk.” Paige added the condiments to the table. “And if you want coffee, mugs are in that top cabinet above the sink.”
    Zeke nodded, found the glasses and mugs and sipped his coffee, his gaze mesmerized by the sway of Paige’s hips as she casually walked over to join them. He had a sudden image of the four of them settling down to breakfast every morning, Paige sliding her arms around his neck and nuzzling his face with her own, carrying her back to bed to make long, hot love to her after the girls climbed on the school bus. He’d take the strawberries and cream and—
    â€œSyrup?”
    The bottle clunked down in front of him, jarring him from his erotic thoughts. He hadn’t realized Paige had slipped into the seat beside him. But he did notice she made a big production of tightening the belt at her waist.
    The girls were already licking the last of their syrup and hotcakes. “We’re taking Henrietta outside and gonna check on the kitties.” August grabbed Summer’s hand and they tugged the lazy dog out the door.
    An awkward silence filled the room. Zeke fidgeted in his chair, vowing silently to speak to his daughters about getting him into these sticky situations. “Sorry the girls bothered you this morning. And…me, too.”
    Paige sipped her coffee. “So, you thought I’d let a strange guy spend the night and invite your girls in while he was here? You must not think much of me, Zeke.”
    Zeke immediately regretted his impulsive behavior. “Look, Paige, I’m sorry.” When he saw her lick the sweet syrup