Page 35 of A Not-So Holiday Paradise

“There are quite a few animals in the wild who are solitary by nature, but even they make exceptions,” she says, proving me right. “Most kinds of skunk are considered to be loners, for example, but in extreme cold, they’re known to share dens. The black rhinoceros is notoriously grumpy and antisocial—exceptfor when it’s time to mate. Both male and female snow leopards enjoy being solitary and unmatched, but it’s a characteristic that’s leading to their endangerment as a species.” She pauses, looking thoughtful, and I’m hanging onto every word that spills from her lips. Why? Why am I so interested in antisocial animals?

Or…am I just interested inMolly?

“Even those animals, whose behaviors are dictated mostly by instinct, understand that a completely solitary life goes against basic survival.”

“So…what?” I say, hopping off the crate and stretching my legs. “You saying I remind you of a black rhinoceros?”

A little smile tugs at her lips. “I’m saying you’re lucky you have me as a friend,” she says, and she hops off too. “I will cease my people-pleasing ways so that I can tell you all the things you don’t want to hear, like how you need people in your life.” Then she smiles at me, and it’s a real smile this time. “That way you won’t go extinct.”

I shake my head. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Baby O’Malley.” I look at her, suddenly curious to see what she’ll do. I hesitate, then say, “I know you hate that name, but I’m going to call you that anyway. Okay?”

She sighs, her smile dropping. “Yeah,” she says. “That’s fine.”

I roll my eyes. “No.” I shake my head. “It’snotfine, Molly. Say no. Tell me no.”

She blinks at me, her smile back, looking halfway incredulous. “You—you’re really not going to call me that anymore?”

“Not if you don’t want me to,” I say, exasperated. Before I think better of it, I put my hands on her shoulders and steer her back to the crate, giving her a little push to get her to sit. “Listen to me, Molly,” I say. “Don’t settle for things you don’t want to settle for. Do whatyouwant, not what other people want for you. Got it?”

She blinks up at me, looking dazed.

“Do what I want?” she breathes.

Something about her tone sends shivers racing down my spine—not the creepy kind but the warm, thrilling kind. Her gaze darts over my face, ping-ponging between my features, until—

Until—

Her eyes settle, like they’ve always belonged there, on my lips.

My stomach flips, electricity humming to life between us, tense and palpable—a rubber band pulled taut.

And it’s only then, far too late, that I realize how precarious our position is.

My hands on her shoulders. Her skin soft, warm. Our faces just inches apart as I stand there, looking down at her where she’s seated.

Her body language is unmistakable—she’s not leaning away, she’s leaningtowardme. Lips parted, cheeks flushed, pupils dilated.

I swallow, and some sort of disconnect seems to be happening between my brain and my body. My brain is telling me to let go of her, to take my hands off her shoulders, to step back. But all my body does is move closer, my grip on her tightening.

And I’ve…forgotten her question. I’ve completely forgotten what she said. That’s how lost I am to this moment that strums between us, all tension and rain-drenched silences.

“What?” I manage to get out.

A slow smile curls over her lips as she tilts her chin up, angling her face even further toward mine. “You said I should do what I want,” she whispers.

Bad. This is bad. This is the version of Molly that showed up in my dream. Disarmingly seductive and completely self-assured. Clear on what she wants and willing to chase it down.

What is it about her that’s holding me in place? I’m attracted to her, yes, but for some reason all I can think of is the way she smiles when she talks about random fish facts, and the way she laughs with her whole being, sunshine incarnate.

“Did I?” I say hoarsely, even as my mind races. It’s one thing to be physically attracted to her, but I absolutelycannotdevelop real feelings for this woman.

She nods, her smile widening. “You did.” Her gaze moves to play with my lips once more.

Retreat!my mind blares at me.Snap out of it!

I blink against the potent force of her stare, trying rapidly to collect my senses. “Stop looking at me like that,” I all but growl as the blood hums in my veins.

“Like what?” Her words are breathless, her smile playful.

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