Page 77 of The Christmas Holiday
‘Out.’
‘Where?’
‘For a walk! All right? In the gardens.’
‘I wouldn’t.’
I spun to face him as he leaned back casually in the chair, his face turned to the window.
‘Of course you wouldn’t. Everything I’ve done today is something you wouldn’t, apparently. So, do tell what’s wrong with this particular decision?’
‘What’sbiting your arse?’
‘You!’
A grin slipped onto his face and he rubbed his hand over his jaw to smother it.
‘Oh, don’t even! I’m going out.’
‘It’s going to rain.’
I glanced out of the window. ‘No, it’s not. And so what? It’s only a bit of rain. Bloody hell, I’m British. If I can’t handle a bit of rain, I should relinquish my nationality right now!’
‘Mia—’
‘See you later,Hunter.’ I shoved my sunglasses onto my face and headed out of the door.
The gardens were vast, spectacular and wonderfully exotic, with plenty of shade, and I felt the tension ebbing away as I strolled slowly through them, my fingers trailing across thick, succulent leaves, surrounded by the smell of flowers I couldn’t name. I’d been out around half an hour when I felt the air begin to change,quickly becoming thicker and heavier. Pushing my sunglasses to the top of my head I peered up at the sky and saw the blue being replaced with a deep slate-grey, continuing to darken even as I watched. A bolt of lightning zagged across the sky and, moments later, a crack of thunder split the air, heralding a rainstorm that had me wishing I had Noah on speed dial. Within three minutes my sundresswas stuck to my body like an Hervé Léger bandage dress without the price tag, and my fabric sandals were looking distinctly unhappy.
Two bolts of lightning chased one another across the gloom as their thunderous partners followed them, louder than I had ever experienced. Even at my increased speed, it still took me twenty minutes to get back to the hotel building. My sodden sandals made aslap slap slap noise on the polished stone floor as I entered, doing my best to look nonchalant as I headed to the lifts. From the corner of my eye, I saw glances being thrown my way, the odd comment being whispered behind a raised hand. I kept my eyes on the floor indicator and tried to ignore it all. Surely in a place like this, where the rains apparently liked to take you by surprise, they’d seenother guests get caught out by the weather. I found it impossible to believe I was the first!
I beeped the card and entered the room. Hunter was sitting on the bed, pillow propped behind him, long legs stretched out in front. The TV’s remote control rested on his thigh and a bottle of beer and a bag of cashews from the mini bar each occupied one hand. My pillow wall of earlier had been dismantled.
His eyebrows raised as he struggled against a smile.
‘Don’t. Say. Anything,’ I instructed, turning away as I saw the smile widen.
He held up his hands, the beer bottle dangling from a couple of fingers as he threw in a few more cashews. I got the feeling it was to give his mouth something to do rather than anything else.
‘Honestly! You should have seen some of the looks I got fromthe people downstairs,’ I grouched, yanking one shoe off. ‘What is it? Don’t rich people ever get caught out? Does the rain refuse to ruin your shoes once your bank account gets past a certain point?’ I faced him again as I fought with the strap on my second one.
He didn’t reply – for the first time ever actually adhering to a request I’d made. His eyes stayed on me, though, and I could seeit was killing him to keep his amusement inside.
‘Argh! What’s up with this stupid shoe? Where’s your knife?’ I stood up to go and look for the utility knife Hunter carried.
‘I’m not letting you anywhere near my knife,’ he said, wrapping his hands around my waist and sliding me up the bed next to him. ‘What the hell have you done here?’ His dextrous fingers began tackling the knot nowapparent in the tie straps of my sandal as the heels of his hands rested on my leg.
‘I just need to cut it,’ I said, pulling away. ‘They’re ruined anyway.’
He hooked his elbow over my knee and clamped it there. ‘They’ll be ruined if you cut them. Stop wriggling.’
‘I’m cold.’
He paused in his task, raising his head, his face close to mine, his expression softer than I’d seen itfor a long time. ‘I know. I’m nearly done. I promise.’
I nodded and peered over his shoulder to see his progress, resting my arm on his back for balance.
‘Mia?’
