Page 90 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Yeah. About ten at last count. Even Lulu sent us a big kiss.’
‘I take it they’re happy we’ll be back for Thanksgiving?’
‘Let’s just say the cooking’s started already.’ He chuckled and patted his stomach. ‘Mama’s trying out some new recipes to impress you.’
Fee frowned. ‘I hope she isn’t going to spoil everyone else’s meal to please me.’
‘No way. It’s inaddition to the ten million things she always fixes.’
‘I don’t want to hear them all, do I?’
‘Nope. It’ll make your stomach hurt to listen, honey.’
‘Where do you want to spend the last couple of days before we go back to London?’ Fee asked. They’d chosen to fly out of Heathrow on Sunday to get over their jet lag before Thanksgiving on the following Thursday.
Tomdrank in the sight of her emerging from the shower with only a small, white towel wrapped around her before considering how to make his reply sound spontaneous. They’d treated themselves to this decent hotel in Brussels after he’d insisted his back was shot after too many nights curled up on hard train seats and scrunched into cheap hostel beds.
‘Amsterdam.’
‘Oh. Okay. That’llwork. It takes less than a couple of hours on the high-speed trains. What makes you want to go there?’
He knew the reason but wasn’t about to share it with her yet. ‘I like the look of the canals and Anne Frank’s story fascinates me.’
Fee crossed the room and leaned in over the bed, letting her scented heat surround him. She stroked his unshaven jawline and the rasp of her fingersmade him shudder. ‘You’re a terrible liar.’ A mischievous smile tugged at her mouth. ‘Which makes me happy because I’ve met enough of those in my time.’
‘Good.’ Now he’d basically admitted to lying. ‘Damn. You’re good at this.’
‘What?’ Her hand trailed down his bare chest.
‘Finding out information. The intelligence services should employ you.’
‘A modern day Mata-Hari.I rather like the idea apart from the fact I’d have to seduce other men and that’s not going to happen. So?’ Her hand rested on the cord of his sweatpants. ‘The truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth.’
‘I give up. It’s useless trying to surprise you. Amsterdam is famous for its diamonds, you annoying woman.’
A triumphant smile lit up her face. ‘I knew it.’
‘Thenwhy’d we have to go through this?’ he complained.
‘Because it’s fun and I’ve never had fun with a man before.’ A touch of sadness ran through her words.
Tom lay back on the bed. ‘Okay. I’m all yours.’
Fee’s eyes darkened. The hotel room would be worth every one of the Euros it had cost him.
