He wedged two of her fingers apart. “Would it make you feel any better if I told you I feel the same way about your legs?”
She wished she believed him. At least she wouldn’t have to feel lecherous on her own. But she doubted a guy like Cole Miller would find any part of her that attractive. Most likely, he’d made up that story because he felt sorry for her.
“Yeah, right,” she said, with enough sarcasm to make her point.
“It’s true,” he said. “Especially when you’re wearing those shorts.”
“These capris?” She lifted her hands away to glance down. “They cover most of my legs. All you can see are my calves.”
“But they’re tight, so…” His grin twitched on one side. “Trust me, they’re totally sexy.”
Her face was hot enough to fry an egg, so she redirected his attention. “Maybe you should put a shirt on.”
“Okay, but I’m not letting you off the hook for a back rub.”
He disappeared down the hallway and came back looking like a model in a t-shirt ad… one that would’ve had her groping for her credit card.
“Much better.” She gulped, hoping she could forget what he looked like underneath the thin cotton.
His smug smile reminded her she’d revealed too much of her attraction for him. But instead of teasing her about it, he graciously offered to do the foot rub first.
With Shrek’s assistance, he performed a bone-melting massage on her left foot. As he began her other foot, she remembered Mariah’s phone call.
“Mariah called to let me know your parents want to come visit us.”
He stopped rubbing and stared at her, slack-jawed. “Mariah called you?”
“Yes. And I want you to know I’m in favor of the visit.”
“Well, I’m not.” A glower descended as he returned to the massage. “Mom’s way too nosy, and she’s been getting worse about it.”
She knew better than to tell him it would be good for him.
“She’s just being a mother.” She rubbed her belly. “I imagine this little one is going to complain about me being nosy someday. I’d be heartbroken if I thought he didn’t want me in his life anymore.”
His hazel eyes aimed toward the ceiling. “I’ve never said that.”
“Does she know you’ve been looking for your birth mom?”
“Sure she does. But she also knows why.” He jutted his jaw forward. “She isn’t upset about it.”
“Don’t you think she could be a little insecure, even if she hasn’t admitted it?”
His scowl softened. “I guess that’s possible.”
“You could invite your folks out to the ranch this weekend. Keep them really busy, and there won’t be much time to talk.”
“That’s true. They love it out there, and I haven’t invited them in a while.” His fingers slid up to her calf and began kneading the muscle. “Does this feel good?”
It did. Too good! She lost her train of thought as warmth furled in her belly. Warning sirens went off in her head, and she jerked her leg away to sit up.
“It’s your turn.” She pointed to the floor. “Lie down, and I’ll rub your back.”
He grabbed a pillow for his head and stretched out on the thickly padded area rug. She knelt beside him and began to knead his knotted muscles through the thin t-shirt. Even with fabric between her fingers and his skin, she got a thrill from touching his well-formed back and shoulders. And when he let out a groan, she almost responded with one of her own.
Time for a distraction.
“Do you want to talk about your day?” she asked. “Sorry you had to work so late.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t mind staying past five.” The pillow dampened his voice. “But today I wanted to be the one who picked you up from work.”
“If you’ll get my car out of the shop, I’ll drive myself and save you the trouble.”
“But it’s not far out of the way.” He turned his head toward her. “Plus, I enjoy driving you. Weirdly, I actually like talking to you.”
“Weirdly?”
“I’d always heard stories about how wives talk too much, though I have to admit Bran and Finn never complain.”
She smiled at his thoughtful expression. Then she found a knot in his right shoulder muscle and dug her thumbs in, producing another gratifying groan.
She’d also enjoyed their commute together, but for a different reason. Riding with him in his pickup truck while having long discussions felt like something any normal married couple might do. For that brief time, it had felt like a real marriage.
“If you really wouldn’t mind having my parents visit, I’ll let Mom know they’re invited.” He shifted his head, aiming his face down while she massaged his neck. “They probably would’ve shown up, anyway. That’s what usually happens.”
“Are you going to tell them the truth about us while we’re all together at the ranch?”
His muscles stiffened. “I probably won’t tell them at all. No use spoiling it for Mom. At least she can be happy until the divorce.”