Page 20 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Ten
The faint light trickling out from his cabin highlighted the planes and shadows of Tom’s face making Fee yearn to fetch her camera. He wouldn’t share anything if she was stupid enough to put a lens between them.
‘Oh, I’m a believer, honey. I’ve seen too many great examples not to be. I shouldn’t criticise the new guests either just because I find them annoying.’He rubbed at his stubbly jaw line. ‘I also know it’s possible because I came close to having it once.’ A strained rasp roughened the edges of his voice. ‘For two short years.’ Tom slumped in the chair, staring down at the floor.
‘What happened?’
Tom wearily straightened his shoulders and she couldn’t avoid meeting his sad eyes. ‘She died. Gina died because of me.’ He exhaled along, deep sigh. ‘And my family think I should forget and move on.’
She guessed his loving, close-knit family hated to see him lonely and blaming himself for his wife’s death. ‘Is that what they say?’
He shrugged. ‘Not exactly.’
‘Could there be a nugget of truth in their advice?’
A palpable silence filled the air between them and he shifted in the chair.
‘Maybe?’ she probed.
Tom sprung out of the chair and planted himself right in front of her. Fee’s heart thumped but she’d perfected the art of disguising her fear a long time ago. Staring down one angry man was nothing.
‘Yeah. There probably is. Are you satisfied now?’ he growled.
‘You brought up the subject.’
‘I bet you’re good at your job. You don’t take no foran answer do you?’ It didn’t come across as a compliment.
What would happen if she shared her secrets with him? The idea disappeared before it could take root. Tom rested his trembling hand against the side of her cheek and Fee unconsciously leaned into his touch.
‘Go now, while I can still send you away,’ he pleaded.
‘Is that what you want?’
His rough burst oflaughter tore through her. ‘Course I don’t, but it’s what’s goin’ to happen, sweetheart. I haven’t lost all my common sense despite my behaviour earlier.’ Tom jerked away and shoved his hands deep in his jeans pockets.
Fee unravelled her legs and slid up to standing. She rested her head against Tom’s broad chest and his deep, heaving breaths rumbled through her. He didn’t move away soshe tipped her head slightly and their mouths almost touched. His searing gaze bored into her and her skin tingled.
‘I daren’t kiss you,’ he sighed.
‘I know, but that doesn’t have to stop me.’
‘It should.’
She’d always been a rule breaker and today was no exception. Heat. Whisky. Clean pine soap. The beguiling scent of clothes dried in the fresh air. Her sensesexploded as she pressed her lips into his and slid her hands around his thick, solid neck to pull him closer. Fee flicked her tongue around the edges of his mouth, nipping and teasing.
‘Oh, God, Fee.’
‘Excuse me, MrChambers. I hope I’m not interrupting anything… important?’
They sprang apart and Fee would’ve toppled over if Tom hadn’t grasped her hands.
‘Thankgoodness I didn’t send my children over to witness this disgraceful display.’
Fee stifled a laugh and Tom’s mouth similarly twitched at the edges.
‘I don’t know what sort of establishment you’re running here. When we arrived you were drinking and now you’re… you know, out in public. Have you no consideration for your guests?’
‘I certainly do, and I didn’t mean to offendyou but having a glass of whisky and kissing a woman aren’t flogging offences in Tennessee.’
