Page 31 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause

“The only place I’m touching you is in your dreams,” she retorted, resting her hands on the bed and staring him down.

His smirk made her take a pillow and smack him with it until he backed up to his side of the bed. Once he was off her side, she checked her hip to see a nice bruise forming and groaned again in irritation.

“Moan any louder, and everyone will hear us,” he said, and she suddenly realised what he meant.

“Stop talking to me.”

“I’m only thinking of your modesty. Moaning in my room might give them ideas.”

“You flung me off the bed!”

Once a pillow fort was secured between them, she climbed under the duvet. He sighed.

“Don’t say anything,” she snapped, and he chuckled softly before turning away from her.

With her back to him, she cradled the pillow.How the hell did I go from hating his guts to sharing his bed in a winter wonderland? I would like to wake up from this nightmare now.

“Lyla?” he whispered.

“What, Mason?” His name slipped easily from her lips. She wasn’t sure when he’d gone from Klaus to Mason in her mind, but hearing it aloud filled the air with a tension that she was sure neither of them were ready to address.

“Goodnight,” he said, and the softness of his tone took her by surprise.

“Goodnight,” she grumbled, before closing her eyes and drifting off.

Chapter Thirteen

“YOU CAN’T LEAVE me alone! What was the point in bringing me, only to leave me with your family?!”

Lyla was still angry at Mason for the kiss and the lies, but also at herself for waking up cradled in his arms – and for how much she hadn’t wanted to leave the embrace. For the first time in days, she’d actually felt safe… in the arms of the person who’d put her in danger.

“Because if you’re here, then I don’t have to be, and I can work in peace while you distract them,” Mason argued, making the bed with military efficiency. They were both dressed and had been up a while, though few words had been exchanged.

“Lie to them, you mean,” she muttered. “If we’re hardly together, how are we supposed to play the doting couple—?”

“You didn’t seem to care about appearances when you were giving me the silent treatment during last night’s dinner!”

A knock on the bedroom door cut them off. “Mason! Are you decent? I told the committee you’ll help set up the gingerbread house competition happening this evening!”

Mason opened the door.

“I’ve got to be at the workshop all day; a shipment is coming down from the mountain. I was going to take Lyla with me, but she’d probably be bored. There’s more paperwork than I care to admit for me to get through. Mum, I don’t have time for the festivities.”

Lyla made herself snuggle close to him. “I thought you wanted to spend some time together, sweetie! I have so much to learn…” She pinched him, and he visibly struggled to maintain his composure.

“I didn’t realise you already had plans,” Mrs Klaus said, sounding disappointed. “Lyla does have a lot to learn and so much to see, but the committee could use another volunteer.”

Kevin, passing in the hallway, said, “Dad always had time,” which only made Lyla feel guilty.

“Well, Dad was a lot more organised than I am,” Mason retorted. Lyla didn’t believe that for a minute. Mason was the most detail-orientated person she had ever met.

“I can help!” she found herself offering.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” asked Mrs Klaus, though her smile gave away her excitement.

“Of course she doesn’t.” Mason planted an exaggerated kiss on Lyla’s cheek. “Be good!”

She allowed herself to be led away by Mrs Klaus, but not before she trod on his foot, making him yelp in a most undignified way. She suppressed a laugh. She hadn’t thought he was even capable of such a sound.

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