Page 99 of A Lucky Shot

Despite being full on turkey and stuffing and everything else, she was eating up everything he served her.

Having him over at night felt more dangerous than morning. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Okay, grab your stuff.”

“I’ll only be a minute.” He reached for the handle and turned back to her. “You’ll wait for me?”

Cass felt like she was dancing to a song she didn’t know the steps to, all the while being maneuvered onto the floor by a partner who absolutely did.

She swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll wait right here.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

JOSH

“Make yourself at home.”

Josh lined up his runners beside Cass’s fur-trimmed boots and stepped into the slippers he pulled out of his overnight bag. She strolled through the galley kitchen, shedding accessories like a cherry tree losing its petals in the rain. Purse dropped on the counter, followed by her keys. Jacket draped over the chair. Lights flicked on as she floated two steps farther into the living room, unwinding the eggplant and pumpkin plaid scarf to sling it over the arm of the couch.

He draped his jacket over top of hers and followed.

The clutter hadn’t changed since he’d left after bringing her home after that asshole had stood her up a few weeks ago. A string of lights added around an ailing tropical plant was the only festive touch, with a couple of near-empty rolls of Christmas paper beside piles of bright fleece fabric on a table.

“A few years ago I sewed fleecy beanies for the crew as a wrap gift, and now Terry has it as a standing request, and I’ve never been able to say no to them. And I forgot to not spoil my nieces again this year,” she explained, shuffling the fabric and rolls of paper to another random pile on a different surface.

Not exactly a paragon of tidiness. He hid a smile.

She brushed her hands on her thighs, sending a soft ripple over the fabric. “Does your sister have kids?”

“Nope.”

Grace had been counting on being fun auntie to his hypothetical kids before she’d had her own. One more disappointment he’d laid on his family. He didn’t even know if she was still dating that squarehead he’d met once two years ago. Probably. Seemed like a nice guy. He wondered if he’d get an invite to the wedding.

He rummaged in his overnight bag. “I have something for you.”

“You got me a present?” She took the box with a surprised smile. “Thank you.”

The cobalt silk scarf lifted from its wrappings like mist. Cass followed it unfurling with a soft expression, her fingertips caressing the delicate weave. He took one end and wrapped it once around her neck, adjusting its drape against her skin.

Good. The blue looked exactly like the shirt she’d worn the day they took photos. “There’s more.”

She pulled out a sachet. “Luxury Himalayan rose and geranium bath soak?”

“You said you liked nice, girly things. Figured this was as nice and girly as it got.”

Perhaps also more appropriate than the vibrator he’d mentioned to her months ago when she’d accidentally sent him the picture of Chauncy on her nightstand. He wondered when her birthday was and remembered he’d probably be back in Vancouver before it rolled around. He shoved the thought down.

She stood on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck. “You remembered. Thank you.”

He let himself pull her into his embrace. She felt so good in his arms. Soft, warm, and pliant. Like she was meant to be there. She sighed a breath against his neck, and he stroked his hand down her spine.

“If you keep pressing your tits into me like this,” he whispered into her hair, “You’re going to make me hard again.”

“Josh—”

“I promised not to make a move on you. I never promised not to tease you.” He let his hand slide down her back to the curve of her hip and squeezed. “Your virtue is safe with me.”

It wasn’t a lie. Sex would never be the last thing on his mind with Cass near, but he was far too full of gravy and turkey to contemplate doing anything more vigorous than a movie marathon.

“Oh my god, you are the worst,” she said, pushing him away with a laugh. “I have something for you, too.” She ruffled through the piles of fabric and pulled out an oversized hat, midnight-black, complete with ear flaps and attached scarf.

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