It had been a . . . specific thing to say, the expression on his handsome face oddly personal. She wondered about it now, watching him glare at his computer screen. Wondered if the advice had come from his own experience. But that was not a conversation she felt comfortable initiating. If he felt like sharing someday, she’d listen.

As if sensing her presence, he abruptly shifted his gaze from his computer to where she stood, one of his dark brows lifting in question. But he said nothing. Just watched her watching him.

Busted. Dammit.

Cheeks heating, she entered the kitchen, going straight to the freezer, grateful for the frigid air cooling her face. And for the freezer door that hid her from his intense scrutiny. “I got Michael settled,” she said, simply for something to say.

“Good,” he replied, the single word sending a shiver down her back.

She leaned farther into the freezer, clutching the door handle for support. She loved his voice, the gruff growl of it like a firm stroke over her skin.

“Are you okay?” he asked cautiously.

She closed her eyes, her face reheating despite the cold air surrounding her. “Of course,” she lied. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you’ve been staring into the freezer for over a minute and haven’t touched anything.” He drew a breath and let it out in a loud whoosh. “If you want me to leave, I can watch the house from outside.”

Dani jerked her head out of the freezer and looked around the door in surprise. “No. I don’t want you to leave.”

His massive shoulders relaxed. “Okay. I thought I was . . . y’know, making you uncomfortable.”

Well, yeah, she thought. But not the way he thought. She closed the freezer door and went to the sink to fill the kettle. “Of course not,” she said, then clenched her jaw. This was ridiculous. They were acting like they were Michael’s age.

She put the kettle on and turned to face him, leaning against the counter. “Meredith says you like tea. I have some chocolate mint. Would you like that?”

He relaxed further, and she had to fight to keep her eyes on his and not drop to his lips, which were curving in a smile. He had the nicest mouth.

He had the nicest everything. She could admit it, even if only to herself.

“I would,” he said. “I’m kind of a chocolate addict.”

“Me, too, but I try to limit my chocolate intake.” She made a face. “I’m careful with my nutrition. Helps keep my immune system healthy.”

He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “That’s important. You’ve got a physically demanding job, especially considering so many of the people you see on a daily basis are communicably sick. And now, fostering two boys? Two boys who come with a helluva lot of stress? You need to stay well.”