How long had he been standing there?
"What are you two doing?" he asked lightly, as the corner of his mouth quirked up into a grin.
"We're playing, thank you very much," I said as I stuck my nose up. "You're interrupting our mystery. We were just about to find out who stole the money from the bank."
Christian raised a brow. "Whose idea was that?"
"I know it was definitely Tina," Annie said as she narrowed her eyes at my doll.
I gasped. "You're throwing me under the bus? I thought we were partners!"
"I don't want to go to jail," Annie stated seriously.
“Neither do I,” I shot back.
Annie burst into a fit of giggles.
I joined her.
I glanced over my shoulder at Christian and sucked in a sharp breath.
He stood there just staring at me. The look in his eyes was soft and appraising like he wanted to say something. Instead, he cleared his throat again and the look faded away. "Dinner is just about ready. I came to get you two so it would still be hot by the time it's done. Ready?"
"Yeah.” I nodded. “We should put the toys up really quickly though. I'm sure someone's going to be exhausted after dinner and bath time."
"Will not," Annie piped up. "I can stay up all night."
"I don't think so," Christian and I said at the same time and we both chuckled.
She pouted at us. "I'm old enough," she insisted. "I want to stay up."
"No way," I said. "I have to watch you in the morning and you're already a big enough grump when you've had your full eight hours. We can however, read a book after dinner before I have to go for the night." I stood up and stretched. My muscles whined at sitting on the floor cross-legged for so long like I was still a child. I started picking up the toys.
"Three books," Annie shot back.
"Two."
"Deal." She grinned.
"I feel like that child just tricked me," I muttered.
I saw Christian stifle a laugh.
Chapter Twelve
Hannah
Annie and I worked together to put away the rest of the toys while Christian went to check on dinner. When we were done, she slipped off to go and wash her hands and I went downstairs to see if I could help with anything.
"Dinner's served," Christian said looking pleased with himself as he swirled pasta on our plates. Steak sat beside it and fresh steamed broccoli too. He had opened a bottle of red wine and quarter-filled two glasses with it.
"What do you think?" he asked, one eyebrow cocked.
"I think I've died and gone to food heaven. I can't believe you cooked all of this," I exclaimed as I picked up a noodle covered in white sauce and sucked into my mouth. I licked my finger. "This is delicious."
I gazed up as I felt his eyes on me.
He stared at me as if he was in an incredulous daze. Then he swallowed thickly. He shook himself out of his strange state immediately, but that heated look stayed in his eyes.
If not for Annie coming down and climbing into her seat at the table, I don’t know what would have happened. She kicked her feet happily, as Christian put a plate in front of her and a cup of juice. “Can I have ketchup, please?” Annie asked.
“No,” I was happy to hear her father say very firmly.
“Awww,” she grumbled, but she didn’t protest beyond that.
Hiding a smile, I settled in at the table and we all started eating. Even with Annie there chattering away, it was odd, the tension that flowed between the two of us. Every time he looked at me, I could feel his eyes as if they had stripped me naked and were appraising every inch of my body.
I had downed three glasses of wine by the time dinner was done. I couldn't help it. Every time I looked at him, I became a ball of nerves and desire that I couldn't even explain. I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin and looked over at Annie to distract myself.
She was an absolute mess.
"Were you trying to eat your dinner, or wear it?" Christian asked her.
Annie grinned. "I tried to eat it, but it was as slippery as worms."
"I think you just like making a mess." I laughed as I cleaned up her face and hands as best I could. "Let's get you into a bath and then into bed. Then you can say goodnight to your daddy."
Annie held up her arms.
Christian picked her up and hugged her as she kissed his face. He pulled a face as she left behind a mess of pasta sauce.
I laughed so hard at the OCD businessman’s disgusted expression that my stomach hurt. "I don't think he likes messes all that much," I teased.
"I don't like being slobbered on," he corrected.
"You love it!" Annie laughed as she covered his cheek in wet, messy kisses.