Page 76 of Unwrapped

“That’s not a problem but if I can’t touch you…you can’t touch me.”

She rolls her eyes from the mudroom where she stomps her feet into thick boots. “I think I can manage to do that. Every time you open up your mouth to talk it makes it easier to remember why I despised you on sight.”

“Keep telling yourself that and maybe one day you’ll believe it.”

“Ugh! I hate you.”

“So, you’ve said, doll. More than once.”

“Don’t speak to me. Don’t even look at me.”

She wags a gloved finger in my face. I lean forward, the silky strands of her hair tease my nose. “That’s going to be damn near impossible.”

“Why’s that?” Her lips part as her words slip out. Her pupils are wide and dilated as they stare up at me.

“Because, doll. You’re at the top of my Christmas list and I happen to have an “in” with the big man, Santa himself.”

“So, you do know who he is?”

“Your dream man? You bet your ass I do.”

“Good. Because I’m sorry to break this to you—but seeing him again is at the top of my list. Not you.”

It takes everything I have to turn and pretend I’m hurt. I practically bite my tongue to keep myself from blurting out my secret. I need to plan something good for my “reveal.” Something, fun yet romantic—to melt her and make sure the two of us have a Christmas we’ll both never forget.

“Will you do it for me? I mean I know it’s a big ask since well…we do have a crazy chemistry, but I think we can both agree it’s bad for us. You and I are oil and vinegar…salt and pepper—total opposites.”

I’m quiet for a second before finally turning back to her while my hand pauses on the backdoor. “Oh yeah? That might be true but tell me something. Why is it that all those ingredients bring out the best flavors in one another?”

She swallows hard, looking away.

“I’ll do it for you, sugar. If I could—I’d make all your dreams come true.”

Her dark eyes bore into mine. “Why…why is it that I believe that. But something tells me you’ve already made that promise to someone else. Am I right?”

“You wouldn’t be wrong. I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you and if ignoring the fact that all I want to do is sink balls deep into you forever….is what you want than I’ll do my best.”

She sways slightly on her feet, her bottom teeth sinking into her delectable bottom lip. “Yeah, it’s probably for the best. No more kissing, touching…”

“Or talking?”

She nods. “I’ll help you with the kittens and then disappear to the spa until after Christmas.”

“Okay.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“Good.” She nods, emphatically.

“It’s settled then.”

“Absolutely it is.”

An awkward pause exists between us as I open the door for her to pass by me.

“Does it count if I had my fingers crossed behind my back?”

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