Page 77 of Rock Giant

“Sorry.”

“No harm done.”

“Is someone pregnant?”She’d realised what was attached to the hook.An array of delicate stitches.

“Um, no.Not as far as I know.”He took it from her and tucked it away in a corner.“Everyone was drinking tonight.”

“Then what’s this?”

“It’s mine.”

“You crochet?”

He pursed his lips.“Aye, what’s wrong with that?”

“I didn’t say anything was wrong with it.I’m just...”

“Just what?”

“Pleasantly surprised.”Intrigued.A little bemused that such a huge man would opt for such a delicate hobby.Then again, he was a practical person, why wouldn’t he engage in a traditional craft?“What are you making?”

His shoulders remained slightly hunched, as if he was expecting her to mock.“Hats.Baby hats.They’re for the neonatal ward.”

Christ, her heart was going to burst if he kept presenting her with reasons to adore him.

“They need them for the teeny tiny preemies.I’m not very good though, and I’m slow.You’re looking at a third of my output.”

“A third, so you’ve finished at least one.”

“Two.”He mushed his lips together, considering, then reached over to where he’d stowed the hook and presented the finished articles.

They were both pastel yellow and bore cute ribbon detailing.

“Paul, these are amazing.”

“You don’t have to be kind.I know I’m not very good.”

“Shut up,” she smacked his shoulder, the nearest bit of him to her.“They’re fab.Mind you, they do kinda look like something else.”She demonstrated by stretching one of the hats over her left breast.“Bra cups.”

Rock Giant groaned.

Jodi positioned the second hat.

“See.Just needs a bit to attach them together at the front and some straps.”

“Oh, I can see, all right.I can see you’re determined to spike my blood pressure.”

“How?”

“How, she says.”He levelled his gaze right at her breasts.“By being temptation incarnate, that’s how.I’ll have my hats back now, please.Unless you’re going to be kind and whip your top off to model them properly.”

“Ah!”She bit her lip but failed to stop her smirk, then passed him the articles.“It’s not like these itty-bitty things would cover my girls.”

Paul groaned again.Then his hand was behind her head, and their brows were pressed together and his hazel eyes looking straight at her.“You’re making this difficult, Castle.I’m doing my best here to give you space, but it’s hard when I want you, and—”

“I’m not intentionally leading you on.I’m sorry.Truly.”

“I know.This is just you.You and your defensive banter and wandering hands.”