The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement by Charlene Sands Page B

dinner’s going to be a little late today.” Steam from the wok rose upand heated her face. She wiped her forehead with her arm, feeling like a slug from the earth. She hadn’t had a chance to change her clothes or clean up before starting dinner. “Give me a second and I’ll have it all ready.”
    Nick approached her in a slow easy stride. “Why, do you have somewhere you need to be?”
    She snapped her head up. Heavens, he looked like a zillion bucks today. His tan trousers and a chocolate brown shirt brought out the bronze of his skin and accented those dark blue eyes. His appearance made her feel even more a mess, if that were possible. She caught the subtle scent of his musky cologne and knew immediately it probably cost more than her entire wardrobe at the moment. “No, of course not. I’m sorry I’m running late.”
    She took the wooden spoon and stirred, as if that would make the dinner cook faster.
    Nick sidled up next to her and covered her hand with his. Stir-fry steam continued to drift into her face, but that wasn’t what caused her body to flame. Having his hands on her was doing a great job of that.
    â€œThere’s no rush,” he said quietly and her heart pounded in her chest. He stroked her gently and she didn’t dare look at his face and show him the turmoil he caused her. Instead, she focused and took a deep breath.
    â€œBrooke?”
    â€œWhat?” she barked out and Nick smiled.
    He took the spoon from her and shut off the burner on the stove. “Don’t make yourself crazy about this, honey. If you’re running late, just tell me. I’m a big boy, I can wait for dinner.”
    â€œYou said seven.”
    â€œOr later. Today it’s going to be later. Go up and take a minute for yourself.”
    â€œIs that your way of telling me I look like something the cat dragged in?”
    â€œYou look fine, Brooke. You’ve had a busy day. And I want to hear all about it.”
    â€œYou do?”
    He nodded.
    She glanced at Leah asleep in her little playpen. “But Leah’s down here.”
    â€œI’ve got some reading to do. I’ll stay in here and watch her.”
    Nick had a determined look in his eyes and she decided to take him up on his offer, rather than argue about it. “Okay, I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
    She raced upstairs and tossed off her clothes, jumped into the shower and reveled in the refreshing spray that not only cleansed her, but relaxed her as well. She changed into a pair of clean jeans and a black sleeveless tunic and brushed her hair back, away from her face, letting it fall in curls down her back. Taking a look in the mirror, she liked this image reflecting back at her much better than the harried, uptight woman she’d been just twenty minutes ago.
    When she entered the kitchen again, she found Nick standing over Leah’s playpen, watching her sleep. The moment caught her by surprise. She walked over to stand beside him and they stood there silently like that for a few seconds.
    Finally, Nick looked at her. “She made some sounds. I thought she was waking up.”
    â€œThose are her baby noises. She’s not a quiet sleeper. You’ll get used to it.”
    Nick glanced once more at Leah, then took a long assessing look at her. “Feel better?”
    â€œMuch.”
    The appreciation in Nick’s eyes told her he liked what hesaw. Her nerves went raw and she resumed her position at the stove to finish cooking the meal and ignore the flutters threatening to ruin her dinner.
    Nick set the table, putting out plates and utensils and Brooke opened her mouth to stop him but then clamped it shut again. He’d said it point-blank tonight—he was a big boy. If he wanted to set his table who was she to tell him not to?
    So she sliced bread and stirred the meal as Nick set the table and Leah slept. For anyone walking in on the three of them in the