Page 103 of The Christmas Holiday
‘I should go,’ I said, sounding pretty unconvincing even to my own ears.
‘Yes. You probably should.’ Hunter’s words agreed with me, but the tone of his voice and the lookin his eyes said something entirely different.
‘Hunter…’ I whispered as he lowered his head and placed the softest of kisses on my mouth.
He straightened slowly, his eyes never leaving me, a soft smile on his face. ‘I really don’t want you to leave. So you probably should.’
I nodded, realising he knew I was having exactly the same thoughts.
A knock on the door made us both jump.Hunter pulled it open to find a staff member holding a ribbon-handled paper bag from Liv’s wedding boutique.
‘Mr Scott?’
‘That’s me.’
‘We were asked to deliver this to you.’
‘Right.’ Hunter relieved him of the bag. ‘Thanks.’
Letting the door close, Hunter reached in and pulled out his perfectly pressed shirt. He leant over and flicked on the light above us. Not a hint of orangecould be seen.
‘She was right. It’s perfect.’
He snagged a hanger and hung up the shirt. ‘Was it me, or was she kind of terrifying?’
I grinned.
‘What?’
‘You’re about a foot and a half taller and could pretty much put her in your pocket!’
‘I know. Still terrifying, though, right?’
‘Oh, absolutely. Without question.’
He gave me that grin again and I knew I neededto leave. ‘Can you stop doing that?’ I said, pulling on the door.
‘Doing what?’
‘Looking at me like I’m lunch!’
His laugh was deep and throaty and I loved the sound and the feel of him close behind me as he leaned round and kissed me on the cheek. ‘I’ve been doing my best for the last two months. You’ve got to give me a break occasionally.’
‘Do I now?’ I said, stepping into thehall and turning to face him, feeling the warmth of his lips on my cheek and a fair amount of warmth in a whole lot of other places.
He closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Please could you go to your room now. You’re killing me here.’
The undertones in his voice immediately kicked off memories I’d thought had been safely packed away for ever. Or not. I felt the flush on my neck and hesitantlymet his eyes. Big mistake. Pointing to my room, I quickly took the few steps and beeped myself in.
