Offstage, having people fawn over her made her self-conscious. She’d dealt with it earlier tonight at the pizza place, when Sophie and Jason announced to everyone in the restaurant that it was their mom’s birthday, but for her kids, she’d suffer through the embarrassment of wearing a paper crown and having a bunch of strangers sing to her.
At the thought of the twins, her heart absolutely melted. She couldn’t believe what a thoughtful present they’d given her today. When she’d flipped through all those incredible professional photos in the calendar they’d created for her, she’d literally burst into tears. She definitely had the best kids on the planet. Like, superior to all other kids, and she didn’t care if thinking that was politically incorrect.
“Excuse me,” she said as she made her way to the back of the club. Several people refused to move, forcing her to elbow a path through the Saturday-night mob.
When she reached the door of the break room, she hesitated, fearful of what she’d find on the other side of it.
Saying a quick prayer, she turned the knob and stepped into the room.
Her jaw dropped. “Seth?”
Okay, well, she hadn’t been expecting this. The room was empty, save for the sexy SEAL sitting on the couch, his long legs stretched out, his gray eyes burning hot when she entered the room. As usual, he wore all black, his black tee a stark contrast to the pink cupcake in his hands.
Her lips twitched. “Is that for me?”
“Sure is.” He stood up, pulling out a Bic lighter as he walked toward her. He lit the pink-and-white-striped candle poking out of the pink icing and held out the cupcake. “Happy birthday, Miranda. Make a wish.”
Equal doses of joy and apprehension soared through her.
No, she couldn’t get all soft and gooey about this man again. She’d already tried that. She’d kept an open mind about potentially letting this arrangement become something more, but by freaking out at the restaurant last week, Seth had shown her what a bad idea that was.
He’d been mistaken for her children’s father—and he’d been horrified. Horrified. As if the mere idea was on the same level as being butchered by a serial killer who wanted to construct a skin suit out of your carcass.
She leaned close to the iridescent flame, determined to wish for a successful summer recital, or for the school to start making a profit, or maybe for world peace. But she couldn’t control the unrealistic wish that popped into her head at the last second.
I wish this could be something more.
Aw crap. Total waste of a birthday wish, that’s for sure.
She blew out the candle, then pulled it out of the cupcake and licked the icing off the bottom. Seth focused on her mouth, the heat in his gaze unmistakable.
“Thanks for the cupcake,” she said as they headed to the couch and sat down. She devoured the yummy treat, polishing it off in no more than three bites. “God, this is delicious. Which bakery did you get it from?”
He looked incredibly insulted. “Bakery? I baked this motherfucker myself, Miranda.”
An amazed laugh flew out. “No way.”
“Yes way.”
Okay. Wow. She knew Seth could cook, but now she suddenly had an image of him in a frilly pink apron mixing cake batter in a bowl, razor-sharp stubble coating his sexy jaw and a lit cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. The fact that her pu**y actually clenched confirmed that, no matter what this man did, he would always be the ultimate specimen of masculine hotness. To her, anyway.
“Then I’m officially demanding you bake me an entire batch of these,” she announced.
“Already did. They’re in my fridge. I’ll drop them off tomorrow at your place, if you want.” He slid closer and swept his thumb over her cheek, his gaze smoldering. “Want the rest of your present?”
“Are you about to say that it’s in your pants?”
Seth gave a rogue grin. “Yup.”
“Wait—my manager let you back here?” When he nodded, Miranda shook her head. “Wow, you must have really cranked up the charm. Wendy lectures us at least once every shift about how this room is off-limits to non-employees. Who did you say you were?”
He shrugged. “Your boyfriend.”
“And she accepted it, just like that?”
“She did look a tad upset that you’d never mentioned me to her before. She was under the impression that you two were friends. But I assured her that the relationship is still very new, and that you’re kinda embarrassed to talk about it, you know, since I’m so much better-looking than you and you’re afraid people won’t believe we’re a couple.”
Miranda gasped. “You ass.”
His husky laughter sent a shiver up her spine. “I’m kidding. I didn’t say any of that, except for the boyfriend part, that is. Anyway, she said you’ve got the room all to yourself for the next thirty minutes. I suggest we quit wasting time, don’t you agree?”
Even if she’d wanted to disagree, her body wouldn’t have let her. Her panties were already damp with arousal and her pulse had been off-kilter from the moment she’d laid eyes on Seth.
“What are your thoughts about birthday oral?” he asked in a conversational tone.
She pretended to think it over. “Better than any old regular-day oral, but not as good as holiday oral, I think.”
“Interesting.” His big body left the couch and he crouched on the floor in front of her, those calloused hands resting on her bare knees. Goose bumps promptly rose on her flesh. “What’s the next holiday we’ve got coming up?”