Page 7 of Nothing to This

“I’m housebroken, Ry,” JD said, rising to take his empty bowl to the dishwasher.

She twirled a strand of Sky’s hair around her finger.“I wouldn’t know.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” he said, meeting her body with his as she turned toward him.Their little one’s soft hair drifted from her digit.Up close to JD was just an extension of the staring.Neither would break and back away.“I’m surprised, it’s a turn on to hear you call me Daddy.Where are we on that fetish these days?”

If he thought flirting or talking sex would rattle her, he’d misjudged his audience.“That’s what you are to my babies,” she stated.“That’s why I call you it.”

“You gave birth to my children,” he said.“That’s why it’s a turn on.”

Much as she’d love to push this to its limit just to triumph, and she would triumph, she chose to be critical instead.

“Said babies are in the room, JD.One day you should read a book about responsible parenting.You get them on audio now, so you don’t have to tax yourself.Do you talk like this when your mom’s around?”

He smiled.Sky’s little fingers moved into her hand and JD’s at the same time.Their daughter swung each parent’s arm.

“What’s a turn on?”Sky asked.

Her lips curled in triumphant satisfaction.“Daddy will explain it to you, sweetpea.Why don’t you get the movie set up and Daddy will bring the popcorn?”

Sky kissed each of their hands and then spun around to run to her room.

“I’ll explain it?”

“Just be happy she didn’t pick up on ‘fetish.’By the time you go through with the popcorn, she’ll have forgotten about it.She will have a list of a thousand things to tell you in her room.Be careful what you say around them.”

“Usually I’m worried about what I say in front of my mom, so I don’t have to worry about them.”

She retrieved the popcorn and put it in the microwave to cook.“She’ll love showing you her room,” she said.“The mural isn’t fully painted, but the outline is there.”

“They both have murals?If the guy’s slacking, I’ll call him and—”

She laughed and went over to bag the carrot sticks in individual portions.“I’m doing it myself,” she said, taking the baggies across to the other side of the room.

“Momma, I don’t want the carrots!”Kye whined when he saw her putting them in the fridge.

“I know, baby.Sky likes carrots.Mommy made apple snacks for you and you’ll both share the grapes.”

“I like the grapes.”

“So does Sky,” she said, going back toward the island.“You have to share.Besides, why are you whining about tomorrow’s snack when you haven’t even finished dinner?Sky’s all done, and you’re still at the table, little prince.”

“Daddy sat with Sky,” Kye whimpered.

She prodded JD in the ribs.“Go sit with your boy.”

“We have to talk about work,” he murmured.

Stepping back, she met his eye, landing a scowl of disapproval on him.“That’s why you came here?Work?Not to see your children?”

His eyes narrowed.“You’re judging me.”

“Always,” she said and prodded him again.Judging?Yes.Surprised?No.JD was the way he was.That was that.Getting upset or starting a fight wouldn’t change anything.With most people, JD got away with a lot.Money did that.While she wouldn’t necessarily start a war with him, she would never be one of those sycophants.If she was unhappy or questioning, she wouldn’t hesitate to let him know.“Help Kye finish so he can watch the movie with you.Otherwise we’ll be here all night.”

“Will you be watching with us?”

Laughing, she moved the last of the daycare snacks to the fridge.“No, I have a ball-buster of a boss.I have work to do.”

He propped himself on the counter beside her.“Want me to talk to him?”