“Do you know it, Mom?”
She had to shake her head. “Sorry.”
“I bet Mitch does, right?”
He did look over then, and she caught her breath at the fondness she saw in his gaze. “Yeah,” he nodded. “I do.”
“Will you teach me?”
A shadow crossed his face, and she knew what he must be thinking. They wouldn’t be together long enough for that.
Honesty warred with affection in his expression. He might not want her here, but he had a hard time resisting Davey.
“I’ll show you what I can,” he offered.
That was enough for her son, who settled back against her. But Mitch’s look at her wasn’t so easy for her to dismiss. She couldn’t decide how much was apology, how much resentment. Things would be much simpler for both of them if Davey weren’t part of the equation.
“Did he get it, Mom? The Morse code? And how long until the sword fight?”
Humor flickered in the dark gaze once more. Perrie had to smile back, shaking her head.
“I was thinking of kisses next.”
“Eck,” Davey protested. “Leave them out.”
“But princes and princesses have to kiss,” she teased, knowing it would drive him up the wall. She leaned down and nuzzled him, making loud smacking kiss noises against his cheek.
“Stop, Mom!” he stammered between raucous giggles, squirming in her lap until he’d slipped down.
He turned to Mitch. “Guys don’t really like to kiss, right?” His voice clearly expressed his opinion.
Mitch flicked a quick glance at her, his dark eyes unreadable as they scanned her face. But when his look lingered on her mouth, Perrie’s breath tightened in her chest. Their gazes held—until he tore his away.
He shrugged. “Kissing is natural between men and women.”
“Do you want to kiss Mom, now that you’re not mad at her?”
“Davey!” Perrie gasped.
Mitch stiffened. “Your mom and I aren’t—it’s not like that.” He stared at the floor, then turned to her son, but studiously avoided looking at her. “A man can’t just kiss a woman because he’s not mad at her. There’s more to it.”
“Like what?”
If Perrie weren’t so uncomfortable herself, she might be tempted to laugh at Mitch’s expression. He looked like he wished he were anyplace but here.
She knew the feeling. “That’s enough, Davey. It’s time for you to go to bed now.”
His voice turned to wheedling. “Why? I don’t have anywhere to go tomorrow. We’re just gonna be stuck inside here again.”
“Don’t argue with your mother.”
Perrie wanted to bristle that he’d give her son orders, but she observed the same phenomenon she’d seen before. When Mitch gave orders, Davey never argued.
“Okay.” Meek as a lamb, he turned toward the bedroom. Just before he reached the doorway, he whirled back and raced across to throw his arms around Mitch.
Mitch quickly set the knife away from him, looking poleaxed.
“Good night, Mitch.” Davey’s small hands tightened on those very broad shoulders.
Mitch shot her a troubled glance. Then he bent his head and wrapped his own arms around her child, his thick dark lashes sweeping down, hiding his eyes for a brief second. His voice seemed rusty as he answered. “Good night.” He pulled back awkwardly. “Sleep well.”
“Sweet dreams, that’s what my mom says,” Davey offered. Then he bent past Mitch’s arm. “What’s that? Is that a bear?”
Mitch shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Wow, Mom. You should see this. Look, it’s exactly like a bear.”
Still caught up in the whirlwind of her own confusion, Perrie didn’t want to get any nearer.
“I…” Mitch actually looked shy now. “If you like it, you could have it.”
“Me?” Davey’s eyes popped. “Can I have it now?” He turned back to her. “Can I have it, Mom?”
“Sweetie, I don’t think…” She was about to explain that he shouldn’t make Mitch feel like he had to give it to him, when Mitch looked at her, his face guarded again.
“It’s not much. I just thought maybe…” He looked away, his jaw hardening.
She’d handled this wrong. He was a proud man, and unaccustomed to being with people. “I didn’t mean that. I just didn’t want you to feel like you had to give it to him because he begged.”
He shot her a glare. “He didn’t beg. I offered.” His shoulders shrugged. “I was making it for him, anyway.”
“You were? For me?” Davey leapt and clapped his hands. “Can I sleep with it?”