Page 42 of The SEAL's Duchess
Enough, Ivy.
Leaving the hotel, snow continued to fall as she navigated George’s rental through Aurora Cove, her knuckles stinging from tension. The unfamiliar left-hand drive added another layer of anxiety to her already frayed nerves. She caught herself muttering reminders to stay on the right side of the road, as if her British instincts might betray her at the worst possible moment.
Finally, Sarah’s house glowed warmly against the darkening sky, golden light spilling from the windows. The driveway had been cleared, but snow was already beginning to accumulate again.
Ivy parked and killed the engine. Silence rushed in.
I can do this.
But her hands were locked white-knuckled around the steering wheel. She pried them open, one finger at a time.
The front door opened.
Ryder’s big body filled the doorway and blood crashed in her ears.
Had he been looking out for her?
Her breath tripped, forgetting itself entirely.
He lifted a hand in greeting and jogged down the steps to her car door, opening it and holding out his hand. His gaze swept the empty seat beside her, his frown deepening. “You came alone?”
The concern in his voice caught her off guard. “George had a call with London. He couldn’t make it.”
She climbed out of the car.
“Hold still.” He stepped closer, snow compacting noisily under his boots. His hand came up, hesitated, then traced along her hairline.
Don’t lean in.But she did anyway.
“Glitter,” he murmured, but his thumb didn’t move right away.
Heat flared through her. The smallest touch and her world canted.
“Look.” Tiny stubborn stars clung to the pad of his thumb. Softness flickered in his expression and was gone just as quickly. “Come in. You’ll catch your death out here.”
She accepted his hand and shut the car door behind her.
He kept hold of her hand. “Careful, the driveway is icing up fast.”
She nodded, grateful for his grip.
He’s just being considerate, right?
She followed him up snow-crusted steps. Inside the front door, the scent hit her—roast beef, thyme, red wine. Her stomach clenched in answer, sharp with hunger she hadn’t noticed until now.
“Here, let me.” His voice came from directly behind her, close enough that she was aware of the warmth radiating from his body. She started to shrug off her coat, but his hands were already there, lifting it from her shoulders.
His knuckles grazed the back of her neck as he slid her coat free, and her breath hitched. The touch was fleeting, likely unintentional, but her skin buzzed in its wake. She smoothed her hands down her blouse, buying herself a second to recover.
“Thanks.” She turned to face him as he hung her coat in the closet. The entryway seemed smaller with him in it, the air suddenly too thick.
“My mom and dad couldn’t make it. Helping their neighbor Jim. A burst pipe flooded his kitchen.” He shifted from foot to foot.
Did she unsettle him?
“Grace and Josie couldn’t make it either—Josie’s fighting a cold, but the rest of the gang is here.”
“Ello!” A tiny ballerina burst through the door straight ahead. Chubby arms locked around her legs.Ellie.
