Page 14 of All I Want for Christmas

‘I wouldn’t have said so,’ she demurred.

‘I would. These things are usually like death. You brought the average age down by at least twenty years.’

‘As did you.’ He couldn’t be more than a few years older than her.

He shrugged, holding the eye contact, and she felt the tension between them tighten. On the one hand, it felt odd that they were talking as though they were picking up a conversation that had been interrupted. On the other, it didn’t feel strange at all. ‘Leaving?’

‘Yes.’ But she wished she wasn’t.

‘I’ll walk you out.’

She wished he wouldn’t. Suddenly she wanted to stay.

‘...So what brought you here this evening?’ she asked as they fell into step, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back so that a blush of goosebumps bloomed over her arms.

‘Business.’

She swallowed. There was always a distinction to be made between those who did business and those who merely worked. ‘And what is it you do?’

There was a pause. ‘I push paper around at Madsen Holdings.’

She glanced at him in surprise, catching an excellent viewof his profile. His bone structure was admirable – heavy dark brows, hooded blue eyes, a fleshy mouth. But for his pale skin and dirty blond hair, he could have been Greek.

‘Oh! I was just talking to—’

‘Helle and Viggo. Yes, I saw.’ A smirk twitched on his lips. ‘I’m afraid she hates you.’

Darcy was shocked at his bluntness. ‘Why would you say that?’

‘Because you’re young and beautiful and clever, and she’s only ever been one of those things.’

‘Young?’

‘No, clever.’ He caught her eye with a sly look. ‘I swear she was born sixty years old.’

Darcy gave a sudden laugh and he looked pleased by it.

‘Anyway, she’ll get over it. She’ll have to, seeing as you’re going to be a regular visitor now.’

She frowned, hating being on the back foot like this. ‘How is it you know so much about me?’

They were walking through the old galleries now: dark-painted rooms with glass roofs, the historic masterpieces moodily lit, uniformed security guards standing at their posts. Her heels tapped on the stone floor, steady and regular.

‘Like I said, you were popular this evening. Everyone’s talking about the new find and that’s put you in the spotlight. All eyes are on you. Daunted?’

She swallowed. ‘Yes.’

She hadn’t intended to be honest; the admission had just fallen from her, and she felt the pressure of his hand increase on her back slightly. ‘You’ll do it.’

For reasons she couldn’t explain, his confidence seemed to reassure her.

They walked in silence for several moments and shewondered what was coming next. Because if he led her straight to his car, she would get into it. There was something about him that tore down her usual reserves. A current that ran between them, threatening to pull her feet out from under her.

She didn’t believe in love at first sight, but lust...That she could go with.

Her heart began to pound in anticipation of his next move. He had clearly been waiting for her, and his body language broadcast the illusion that they were together. They walked over to the cloakroom desk and she handed over her ticket. While the attendant disappeared to get her coat and backpack, she turned to look straight at him, only to find he was already watching her.

‘Are you going to tell me your name?’

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