“She’s energetic and passionate,” April said, feeling a little affronted at the idea that someone could blame a small child for her behavior. Behavior was learned. “She just needs a little attention.”
“I’m really glad you’re here, April,” Khall said, fixing her with his intense amber gaze again.
There was something like gratitude in the warmth of his voice.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely, looking anywhere but those eyes. “Me too.”
“Oh, wow, she got you,” he chuckled.
He stepped closer and extended his hand to her cheek.
Time seemed to stand still as he cupped her face in his hand and rubbed his thumb gently against her cheek.
April felt it all over, as if he was stroking her with that featherlight touch over every part of her body.
“April,” Bo’s voice yelled suddenly.
Khall pulled his hand away, with a trace of purple paint on it, as his tiny daughter thundered into the kitchen.
April chastised herself inwardly again for indulging in a crush on her employer.
“Hi, Bolynne,” she said, turning to the child.
The little girl grabbed April’s hand immediately and began tugging her back to her room.
“I have to show you my paints,” she said excitedly. “And I’m called Bo, not Bolynne.”
“Okay,” April said. “I can’t wait to see your paints, Bo. But first, we have to make sure your dad doesn’t need to show me anything else.”
Bo scowled, but her father only laughed.
“It’s fine, April,” he told her. “I’ll comm you everything we talked about and a couple more details, so you can refer to it whenever you want.”
“Thanks,” she said, smiling up at him one last time as she was dragged bodily out of the room by a very eager child.
It was impossible not to notice the strange expression on his handsome face. This was a war hero, a man who was famous for his cool under pressure.
But right now, there was something about him that made her think of a confused little boy.