Page 75 of Catching the Mistletoe

CHAPTER26

Arabella

Ain’t life grand?I smiled to myself as I tested the water temperature. I don’t know, maybe it was a hangover from the walk in the woods today. Everything just felt so lovely and perfect and there was all this sparkling energy around me, around us, that I couldn’t help but be picked up by it. Tilting my head, I listened out for Mack, in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner, while I filled the clawfoot tub with bubbles so we could have a bath together. Soaking in a gigantic tub with a muscle-bound cowboy. Was this the best few days of my life? You bet it was.

Stripping and dropping my clothes to the floor, I called out, “I’m getting in!”

Half a second later, he was coming through the door, pulling his shirt and sweater off over his head, making a show of his haste to get in with me. Giggling, I piled my hair on top of my head and added even more bubbles. Mack kicked his jeans and boxer briefs off and climbed in, his big, hot body filling the tub, the water level rising, the bubbles spilling.

I got in, settling against him, his arms coming around me, his chin resting on the top of my head. I was struck by a sense of absolute contentment, a peace I’d never felt before.

I gazed around the bathroom. It was old school perfection, with black and white tiles, this giant tub, an antique basin and cabinet, and the window, framed by lace curtains, overlooking the snow-dusted forest. “There’s something so decadent about being inside, in a tub full of warm water, when it’s so cold out.”

“Mmm.”

I traced my fingers along his muscled forearm and when I reached his hand, twined my finger through his, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “Hmm, interesting.”

“What’s that?”

“The way you talked about your dad’s tattoo; I would have thought you’d hate them.”

“No, just his.”

“Fair enough.” I pulled his hand further away so I could make out the pattern on his skin. “What is this?”

I felt him shrug. “Nothing. Just a pattern.”

“I see. It’s very pretty. A bit Celtic, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“What about this one?” Wrapped around his wrist was a chain, but the links were broken. “This one means something?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I guess?”

“Sure.”

“It’s breaking free of your past and everything that happened to you.”

“You got it.” His tone was impassive, but I knew what was behind it, so I twisted around to press a soft kiss to his lips. He took it for what it was, kissing me back just as gently. When we broke apart, my eyes fell on the tattoo on his bicep. “Oh, what’s this?” He lifted his arm so I could get a proper look. “A...a hedgehog, right?”

“Yes.”

“Cute. Any particular significance?”

“Yep.”

“Care to share it?”

“Nope.”

“Spoilsport. I’m just gonna guess, then. All tough on the outside, with all those spikes, but on the inside, very soft and kind.”

“Fuck off.”

I giggled. “Don’t get coy with me now. I’ve seen how every kid you’ve ever met adores you.”

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