Page 23 of Igniting Sparks

“Of course. Barely noticed I was carrying you.” I flex my biceps for added effect.

“What a crock,” Mina laughs, hiding her giggle behind her hand. “I’m far from tiny.”

I drop a kiss on her forehead, taking a moment to breathe in the slight scent of honeysuckle rising from her skin. “You’re perfect.”

Truth is, I’m beginning to believe she is indeed perfection.

Mina’s breath catches at my gesture, and she offers me a soft smile. “Ditto for you. My hero.”

“I doubt that.”

“Like I said earlier, don’t. Never doubt anything I say about you, Braden. I’m a terrible liar, so I choose to speak the truth.” Her cheeks flush, as if realizing how much she’s said. “I’m going to take a quick shower and wrap my ankle.”

I know if I offer to take one with her, she’ll say yes, but it won’t end at the shower. It will continue to the bed until we crosseveryline.

Then there will be no going back.

At least not for me.

Forcing a smile, I step back, putting a bit of space between us. “Go ahead. I’ll whip up some dinner.”

A cloud passes over Mina’s features at my sudden segue, but she hides it well. “You don’t have to do that. I can grab a sandwich.”

“Maybe I want to.”

Truth is, I know I don’t have to take care of Mina.

But I kind of like it.

There’s something about playing house with her that just feels right.

“What smells so good?” Mina asks, limping into the kitchen twenty minutes later.

I jerk my chin toward the table. “Have a seat. I made a quick sauce, and it should be ready in about ten minutes. Does spaghetti work for you?”

“Absolutely. I figured you were making us sandwiches or something.”

“I enjoy cooking.”

“That makes one of us,” Mina replies with a grin. “Baking has always been my thing. Leave the cooking for someone else, although I’m willing to learn. Sadly, I feel like I have nothing to offer you in return, outside of muffins.”

If she only knew…

Mind, please climb out of the gutter and return to your proper place inside my skull.

“I’m sure we can figure something out.” I slide into the empty chair beside her and pat my thighs. “Bring that ankle up here. Time to inspect the damage.”

“It’s not pretty,” Mina says before sliding her leg across my lap. “You’ve been warned.”

“Mina, everything about you is pretty.” And then I see herankle. “Although?—”

“Told you. Ugly as hell, right?”

“Looks painful as hell.” It does, too. Her ankle is swollen with a diffuse purple bruise stretching across the top of her foot.

She stays quiet as I gently probe the area, but a low whimper whistles through her teeth when I touch her inner ankle.

“I don’t think it’s broken, but you twisted the life out of it.” I lift her leg, moving it gingerly to an empty seat. “Be right back.”