Page 94 of Filthy Lovin Heroes

The antique room furnishings were hard to reconcile with the Malcolm I knew in New York, who was never without the latest iPhone.

“Grab a blanket. It takes a bit to get the fire going.” The massive stone fireplace was romantic but not very efficient at making the place less frigid.

“You’re going through a lot of trouble here. What about the hotel you promised?”

“No rooms anywhere else. Sorry.”

He most certainly did not sound sorry. He sounded smug.

He also didn’t seem happy to see me, though would it have killed him to kiss me?

Not that I wanted him to kiss me. It was just the point. Last time I saw him, he was enthusiastically fucking me six ways to Sunday.

Finished lighting the fire, Malcolm brushed his hands and stood.

I was on the other side of a dark green velvet couch. The barrier was on purpose. I needed to avoid doing something stupid. Like, say, vaulting over said couch and tackling him.

He ran his hand through his wet hair. Damn, he looked good. “Did you have plans with someone for the holidays?”

“What?” I squinted at him.

“You heard me.”

After seven months, the first thing he wanted to know was if I had plans for the holidays?

“The stalker seemed to think so.”

“Stop fucking around, Holly. Did you have plans to spend the holidays with someone?” He demanded.

Could he be jealous?

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was going to see my mother on Christmas.”

“She doesn’t know who you are, let alone know it’s Christmas.”

That stung.

“You should invest in some lube if you plan on being such a cactus.”

It was true that as an only child, she was the only family I had left, but her dementia had progressed to the point that the last time I visited her, she thought I was one of the staff.

I turned my back to him, furious with myself to find I was wiping away tears.

The fire crackled behind me.

“Jesus, Holly. I’m sorry.” Malcolm was before me, pulling me into his arms. “Forgive me. Can we try this again?”

For fuck’s sake. I sniveled into his rock-hard chest.

“It’s good to see you, Holly.” His voice softened, but I could still feel the vibrations of it through my body.

“Don’t think because you’re a Duke now, you can be all bossy with me.”

“I would never think that.” He rubbed my back.

“Or that you can patronize me.” I hiccupped.

Kill me now.

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