A Hot Winter (New Adult Romance) (The Attraction Series Book 2) by C.J. Lake Page A

the sound of laughter and little voices that came from the kitchen.
    When she stepped into the kitchen, Ben turned and beamed a smile at her.  “Mommy, look!  I drew a sunshine.”  He pointed proudly to the circle with spikes that he’d painted on Matt’s navy blue drop cloth. 
    “Matt, what should I paint?” Jake said, holding up a thin paintbrush, soaked in paint.
    “Whatever you want, buddy.”
    When Emma looked questioningly at him, Matt shrugged.  “They were telling me about Color Club after school today, and I said they could paint something if they want.  It’s only a drop cloth.”
    “Mommy, did you see my sunshine?” Ben persisted.
    She looked down and smiled widely for him.  “Yes, I see it--I love it!”  She wrapped him in a hug.  “It’s beautiful, I love everything about it.” 
    Matt smiled at her.
    “I’m going to paint a dog,” Jake announced and got started. 
    Emma glanced up and said, “Thanks for letting them paint.”
    Once Jake was done and Emma had praised his art, too, she said, “Okay, now wash your hands and sit down for dinner.”
    As Matt packed up everything and walked to the archway, Ben said, “Matt, you sit here.”
    He stopped short, looked over. 
    Emma realized that Ben was under the misconception that it was dinner time for everyone, including Matt. 
    “No, sweetie, Matt’s going home now,” she explained gently.
    “But it’s dinner time,” Jake interjected, apparently also under the same impression.  “Matt can sit here,” he reiterated, pointing to the same chair that Ben had--the one across from Emma’s, the one that was always empty.
    “Um…”
    “Guys, I’d love to,” Matt jumped in.  “But…”
    “Did you want to stay for dinner?” Emma said, surprising herself by blurting out the question.  “You’re totally welcome to--but please don’t feel obligated,” she amended quickly.
    “Really, I’d love to,” Matt told her, his eyes looking directly into hers.  “But I have plans already.”
    “Of course,” she said quickly, now feeling stupid that she’d allowed her sons--who were all of seven and four-years-old--to guide her.  She also felt a little embarrassed and sort of rejected.  “Sure, we understand.  Well, thanks for everything.  Looks great,” she threw in, motioning toward the walls.
    “Why can’t Matt stay for dinner?” Ben asked, still not getting it.
    “It’s spaghetti-casserole night,” Jake added as if that should speak for itself.
    “Um, next time, guys,” Matt said casually.  “By the way, Emma--I noticed there were two loose floor tiles in the bathroom.  I’ll fix those tomorrow.  I don’t have the right tools with me to do it today.”
    “Oh, okay.  Um, just add it to your bill,” she said.  Matt said nothing to that.
    When she walked him to the door, she felt inexplicably self-conscious.  Maybe because she suspected he had a date tonight.  Those were probably his “other plans.”  The thought made her unfairly jealous.  Maybe she was afraid he could sense it, see it all over her face.
    “‘Night, Emma,” he said, his deep, masculine voice rolling over her name in a way she would probably never get tired of, and then he was gone.

Chapter 16
    The next morning Emma’s door flew open.  “Matt--thank God you’re here!”
    “Hey…” he said, wiping his boots on the mat.  “What’s up?”
    Pushing the door shut, she handed him the newspaper, which was folded to the crossword puzzle.  “There are two I can’t get.”
    With a laugh, he said, “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.  By the way, I brought you a bagel.”  He took a small bag out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. 
    “Thanks…you didn’t have to--”
    “I know, add it to my bill, I know.”
    Emma ignored his sarcasm, not sure what to make of it.  When they stepped into the kitchen, she said, “Coffee?”
    “No, thanks.  I had some earlier.”  As Matt shed his jacket and laid down a new