More Than a Mistress by Leanne Banks Page A

into the glass pot, and Daniel located a mug. “Sugar or milk?”
    Sara nodded.
    He kept his grin to himself, adding milk and two teaspoons of sugar. He’d learned another little secret about Sara. She had a sweet tooth. He put the mug in front of her. “You’re diluting the caffeine.”
    Sara shook her head. “The sugar’s insurance. If the caffeine doesn’t kick in, a sugar high will.” Inhaling deeply, she lifted the steaming mug.
    â€œDon’t burn your mouth,” Daniel cautioned.
    She pursed her lips and blew, and Daniel thought he’d never seen anyone make drinking coffee look sexy. Someone ought to get her to do commercials.
    She took a little sip, a few more, then looked at him. “Ninety seconds, and I’ll start to make sense.”
    He took a seat opposite her and propped one foot on the opposite knee. “Don’t rush on my account.”
    â€œLuke was very sleepy,” she said after another sip.
    â€œI don’t think Luke was the only one.”
    At that point she seemed to come to her senses. She glanced down at her wrinkled shirt, quickly ran her fingers through her hair and winced. “I’m a mess.”
    â€œNot too bad,” Daniel said. “The flour on your cheek’s a nice touch, and the mascara under your eyes is interesting.”
    Sara groaned and held up her hand. “Stop. You’re worse than a mirror.”
    â€œThe cookies smell great,” he said, changing the subject.
    Chagrin crossed her face. “I’m sorry. I should have offered you something.” She stood, muttering to herself, “Ugly and rude.” She glanced at the clock. “Have you had dinner?”
    â€œNo, but—”
    She opened her freezer. “I don’t suppose you eat Lean Cuisine. Wait a minute. Here’s a Hungry-Man meal I picked up by mistake one rime.”
    Daniel dragged her away from the freezer. “Sara, you haven’t been rude. And if this is ugly, you’re gonna have to work a helluva lot harder at it. You don’t have to feed me dinner. I dropped by without an invitation to pick up Luke. If I don’t get one of those cookies, though, I’m gonna get nasty.”
    Her lips twitched. “You really should eat dinner before cookies.”
    His gaze just this side of predatory, Daniel lowered his head closer to hers, knocking her pulse out of kilter. “I’ll eat what I want. I’m a big boy.”
    If she weren’t so fascinated, she would feel completely overwhelmed by him. Sara looked at his broad shoulders and superb body in feminine appreciation. “So you are.” She heard the husky note in her voice and backed away. She cleared her throat. “Coffee, tea or milk?”
    Daniel’s gut tightened at the expression on Sara’s face. The woman had no idea what she brought out in him. “Coffee, tea or me?” he invited in a deep voice, looking straight into her eyes.
    Her stomach dipped. The air seemed to crackle between them. She had to block the urge to say, “You anytime.” There was something just a little reckless in his eyes, something that called to her and seemed to say, Honey, it wouldn’t take much. She exhaled slowly. “You don’t look like a tea drinker. Coffee, milk or ginger ale?”
    â€œSara,” Luke called from the den.
    â€œHe’s awake,” she said, relief echoing in her voice. “Coming, sweetie,” she called.
    Wondering what it would be like if Sara called him sweetie, Daniel followed her out of the room.
    Luke was sitting up, rubbing his eyes. “I’m all sweaty.”
    Sara put her hand on his forehead. “It’s the fever.” She unbuttoned Luke’s shirt, and Daniel felt another ridiculous surge of envy.
    â€œDo you want some ginger ale?” Sara asked. “It’s time for your medicine again.”
    Luke made a face. “The gross