Page 58 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Definitely happy tears, sweet pea.” She sniffed a few times and swiped at her face. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
She continued moving in a circle, taking it all in.
“How about you go grab Winnie some tissues,” I said to my daughter.
The minute Melody was gone, Winnie moved toward me.
She placed a hand on each side of my face, pushed up on her tiptoes, and kissed me. I didn’t hold back. I tangled my hand in her hair and tilted her head to the side. Needing more.
Needing everything.
Her lips parted the slightest bit as my tongue slipped inside and tangled with hers.
I wanted to kiss every inch of her.
But she pulled back, cheeks pink and lips plump.
And she smiled. Eyes tender and full of emotion.
“I know that wasn’t smart, and I know it can’t go anywhere, but I needed to do that. Just one time, okay?”
I was still processing her words when Melody came running in the room with a box of tissues.
“Thank you,” Winnie said to my daughter, and then her gaze locked with mine. “Truly, this means the world to me.”
“You’re going to write all the books in here.” Melody danced around the room, and Winnie smiled up at me.
“Yes. This is officially the romance room. And there is definitely a story behind this desk.”
I chuckled, still a little stunned that she’d kissed me. “I knew you’d want to know the story behind it, and it came with a little explanation about the history of the piece. I tucked it in the top drawer.”
She sighed as her gaze locked with mine. “You’re full of surprises, Archer Chadwick.”
“So are you.” I winked at her.
“I’m hungry, Daddy,” Melody said, and Winnie quickly pulled her gaze from mine.
“Hey, how about we do breakfast for dinner?” Winnie said, scooping Melody into her arms. “I know you’ve been missing my pancakes, and I can make some bacon and eggs, too.”
“Yes! I loves the breakfast at dinner time, right, Daddy?”
“Right.”
I’d just kissed my nanny.
I’d kissed Winnie.
And I’d fucking liked it. Liked it more than I’d ever liked kissing anyone.
“Relax, Archie. We’ll eat some pancakes and it’ll all be fine.” Winnie chuckled and glanced over her shoulder at me, as if she knew I was having a mild freak-out. And then she walked toward the kitchen.
“Yeah. It’s pancakes, Daddy. Winnie’s pancakes!” My daughter’s head fell back in a fit of giggles as Winnie set her down on the floor in the kitchen.
But I knew the fucking truth.
This was so much more than pancakes.
sixteen
