Unwrapping the Playboy by Marie Ferrarella

Author:Marie Ferrarella
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2010-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Not quite sure how to respond to the comment Lilli had just made, Kullen turned toward the boy on his left. “How’s your ‘beer,’ champ?” he asked Jonathan.

Obviously pleased to be included and noticed by his mother’s friend, the boy grinned broadly. “Great!” To prove it, he took another long sip from his glass.

Kullen struggled not to laugh at Jonathan’s enthusiasm. He didn’t want to hurt the boy’s pride. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Jonathan shifted about in his seat, unable to sit still. Lilli couldn’t remember ever seeing him like this. Normally, he was a sedate, quiet boy. But then, there were only women in his world. Her mother, his teacher. Her. He was far more alive around Kullen. He needed male influence, and she was grateful to Kullen for treating her son like a person who mattered.

“Do you like video games?” Jonathan asked Kullen suddenly, his eyes bright with hope. “I’ve got a good one I’ve been playing. Do you wanna see it?”

She didn’t want Kullen to feel obligated to spend time with the boy. He’d already done enough. “Jonathan, Mr. Manetti doesn’t have time for a video game.”

Kullen winked conspiratorially at the boy, then said, “I don’t mean to contradict your mom, but it just so hap pens that I do.” He rose to his feet. “Lead the way,” he told Jonathan, then looked over his shoulder at Lilli. “You can come, too, ‘Mom.’ Unless you brought homework to do.”

She had, but it wasn’t nearly as appealing as watching Kullen interact with her son. The inventory sheets could be postponed until later tonight. This was one of those moments you were supposed to stop and enjoy. And she fully intended to.

“It’ll keep,” Lilli said dismissively. Suddenly feeling her appetite coming to life, she glanced back at the stove. “I was just about to have some pot pie my mother made. Would you like some?”

He hadn’t had any dinner yet. Without missing a beat, he told her with boyish enthusiasm, “I’d love some.” Not wanting to leave out Jonathan, he looked at him and asked, “How about you, champ? You hungry, too?”

Jonathan shook his head, his flaxen hair moving back and forth about his ears. “I ate dinner with Grandma,” Jonathan told him.

Grinning, Kullen ruffled his hair. “Nice of you to keep your grandmother company. I’m sure she appreciated it.”

Jonathan beamed at the approval. “Yeah, she’s nice,” the boy said with feeling. Rushing into the family room ahead of his new friend, Jonathan grabbed the box the video game had come in and held it up for Kullen’s perusal. “I’m playing this one. But it’d be more fun if you played, too.”

Lilli looked from the box to Kullen. Her expression was skeptical. “Do you know how to play video games?” she asked. She herself hadn’t a clue, although she’d been meaning to learn for Jonathan’s sake. But she knew right off the top that she just wasn’t coordinated that way.

“Do I know how to play video games?” Kullen repeated with a laugh.

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