Page 4 of Miss Merry and Mr. Bright
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Grinning at him, I reach out and pat his shoulder again. There is something seriously wrong with me. I can’t keep my hands off this guy. “My last name is Bartholomew. Not Christmas.”
He sighs. “Thank god. I do not want to write a check for Christmas.”
“Don’t worry about it. But if you don’t have any decorations I’m going to have to go out and find something. This house is just screaming to be decorated for the holidays.”
“Yap, yap!” A little holy terror in cream and tan darted through my feet and I jumped back with a squeak, windmilling my arms and desperately fighting to get back on my feet.
“Whoa!” Hard arms come around me and I stumble back into a chest that feels like solid steel.
Huffing, I open my eyes and blow my long brown hair out of my face. Only to lose my breath when I see the look of longing on the big man’s face.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my breath stalling. I’ve never seen a more beautiful, lonely look on any human being before. It makes me want to reach out and hug the guy.
If only I didn’t think he’d take off my head.
He set me gently on my feet and growled. “Stop it, Peaches. You crazy dog!”
Now that he says it, I can finally get a good look at the animal. He reaches down and lifts the dog into his arms and the blood rushes to my head. Lord, he’s pretty.
“Peaches? That animal is named Peaches?”
He grins at the dog that reaches out and licks his hewn-from-rock jaw and wriggles wildly. “Sure. Because she’s so sweet.”
My brow lifts. “She doesn’t act sweet.”
He grunts and then grins and it’s like my body’s on fire, lit up from inside. Shivering, I stare at him. That unholy grin is too damn sexy for words.
“Maybe she’s not big on holidays either.”
I reach out a hand and run it along the silky head as she eyes me like she can’t decide whether to chew off my hand or lick me to death.
Instead she just ignores me and turns back to Jasper, smirking.
“I’ve never actually seen a dog smirk before,” I laugh.
“She’s a special dog.”
“I can see that. After all, she’s got her doggy daddy wrapped around her tiny little paw.”
His dark brow lifts and arrogance practically drips off of his pretty face. “I’m no doggy daddy. I have a dog.”
“A dog you could carry in your pocket.”
“Yep. But she’s a dangerous little thing. You better stay on my good side or I’m going to sic her on you.”
Shaking my head, I eye him ruefully. “Yeah. Color me scared to death. Now are you going to let me get a look at your studio?”
He shakes his head. “No. I don’t want any decorating in there. This is my work space and I don’t want it defaced for some silly holiday decor.”
“Fine,” I huff. For such a damn good-looking guy he’s the biggest holiday grump I’ve ever met.
“Can you show me my room? I want to get settled and then I’m gonna go find some stuff to make this place look better.”
“Of course you’re staying here too.” He huffs, his back straightening as he turns and stalks off, his long strides taking him away from me so fast that I have to run to keep up with him.
“Yes, I am. And you’re gonna love having me here. I guarantee it.”
