Page 11 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

“Oh, shut up,” he mutters.

“It’s a good look,” I tease.

He growls at me. “I don’t know what you’re so damn happy about.” He waggles his brows, his eyes lighting up in sadistic delight. “Don’t you have to go put on some makeup or something for your arranged date?”

I scowl.

Chapter 3

A half hour with Finn has me begrudgingly admitting that I might just be biased for no reason.

The man is wickedly charming. He has a cultured way of speaking, refined and full of class but his accent is thick.

But…I just don’t know what to make of him.

He’s wearing a long trench coat and a suit underneath which I find odd. Why would he wear a suit while on vacation? I’m adamant on being polite to him though, so I don’t ask him. We’ve been walking around the town park which has been decorated with green, red and yellow fairy lights and it makes for a mesmerizing sight.

“Is it always so beautiful here?” He asks.

I pull my woollen hat over my ears, feeling them burn from the cold, “Not always. Christmas in less than two months. We always start decorating after the first of November. This is just the start.”

He glances my way, a question in his eyes.

I shove my hands in the pockets of my jacket, wishing I’d layered up under the jacket. “We have a yearly competition every Christmas. Whichever shop does the best Christmas décor gets a trophy and gets a free two person dinner at Val’s.”

“Val’s?”

“It’s a fancy restaurant. Very posh and all. It’s not just for the dinner though. It’s fun. I won the year before last and Mayor Roger gave me this sash that I wore around everyone just to piss them off.” I snicker. “And then me and Danny went to dinner afterwards.”

Finn pauses and asks, “You and Danny, you’re together?”

I grin at the idea. “Sometimes we are and sometimes, we’re not.”

Finn stares at me.

I smirk to myself. Let him think what he wants. I’ve always been very open with my sexuality. It’s never been something I feel ashamed of. I’m not promiscuous but if and when I want a lover, it’s not hard to find one. It’s just that this particular year has been sort of dull.

“That’s not a yes or a no.”

I give him a mocking smile. “Considering it’s none of your business, I think that’s all you need to know.”

There’s a gleam in his eyes as he replies, “Considering that I want you in my bed, I think it is my business.”

I stumble over my feet only for him to catch me, a strong arm looping around my waist. I stare up at him, stunned. His eyes darken, imperceptibly, and for a moment it feels like I can see gold specks in the amber of his eyes. There’s a hunger in his gaze that my body seems to recognize and reacts to. Something in my expression must have given it away because his arm tightens on my waist, pulling me closer to him till I’m pressed against the hard muscles of his frame. I tremble at the heat coursing through my blood. I’m hyper aware of where his fingers are digging in, despite the jacket I’m wearing.

He’s just watching me, hungrily.

Yes, I know – I know that if I let him, I could get him out of my system tonight. It would be so easy to sleep with him and be done with it. Yet, a part of me hesitates. There’s a knowing inside of me that this isn’t the right time or the right moment. This is the part of me that has helped me make decisions over the years, letting me decide when I’m stuck at a crossroads. My aunts call it a gift from my blood. And this gift is telling me to step back. My own reaction to this man frightens me; it’s so intense.

Finn’s eyes are on my face and after what seems like forever, he releases me, stepping back with an exasperated amusement. “Not right now, then.”

My heart is beating so fast that I’m scared he might be able to hear it. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”

There’s an endearing look on his face right now, mixed with affection. He takes my limp hand and lifts it to his lips, his eyes fixed on mine. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

I open my mouth but nothing comes out.

“Has no one ever tried to seduce you before?”

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